I have now had plenty of time to reflect on my year as Master; its highs and its lows. I am sure I speak for every Past Master in acknowledging the enormous honour and responsibility I felt transferred to me as the Master’s badge and chain was placed around my neck at the Installation Ceremony and my aspiration to do my very best for the Fletchers’ Company in the year ahead. The year went by in a flash, but there are a number of enduring memories I will always treasure:
The excitement of my two young sons, dressed for the first time in black tie, as they attended the Installation Dinner
Presenting Awards to Archers
Presenting the awards to the winning archers in the various competitions at the Royal Tox and Lilleshall, but most of all having the chance to speak with the competitors and understand how much the opportunity to compete meant to them and their aspirations for the future
The Master’s Holiday
The Master’s Holiday in Guernsey and in particular standing in the magical ruins of Castle Cornet for the noonday cannon, the wonderful evening at Auberge with its stunning clifftop views off Jerbourg Point and the saturated and bedraggled return of the group who braved the RIB excursion that choppy Sunday morning, whilst the rest of us visited Victor Hugo’s house or made candles.
And all that Jazz
The jazz evening at our Hall; a less formal but convivial occasion and my attempt at trying something different that departed from the traditional black-tie dinner.
The Ladies Banquet
The Ladies Banquet at Grocers’ Hall, always a special evening when the Mayoral Civic Party is in attendance, but the serendipity of the date with a historic Fletchers’ Dinner at the same venue and my own and the Lord Mayor’s link with the Grocers’ making that evening particularly resonant.
Sharing my year
And finally, the overwhelming support and camraderie of fellow Fletchers, new and old friends in the wider Livery movement and my family. Being able to share my year with so many people was a key factor in making the year so special.