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.

The Ladies Banquet was held at the The Grocers’ Hall.

Great venue, good meal, exceptionally considerate staff, the Clerk relaxed (it is her fifth banquet) and the Master always looking happy - most enjoyable evening.

August Bank Holiday week-end 2017, saw many Fletchers support the first Fletchers’ Disability week-end at Lilleshall organised by Archery GB. 

The music for the evening was provided by Simply Saxes, a unique quartet of saxophonists who have been playing together for nearly 10 years, and included our very own Liveryman, Georgina Benton. Attendees enjoyed a selection of classic jazz standards by such greats as Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Cy Coleman, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington.

Past Master Clare James, was installed on 4 April 2017. The Master is elected for a year and presides at all our functions.

April 4^th 2017 saw the Installation of our new Master, Clare James. 

The Master organised a visit to Highgate Cemetery on a sunny summer Wednesday, 7 June 2017.  We were given an exceptionally thought-provoking and entertaining guided tour of the West Cemetery by the Visitor Experience Manager and later roamed the East Cemetery on our own. 

A few snapshots of the happy band that spent a couple of days with the Master, Clare James, and her family on the island of Guernsey in September 2017. 

The photos show our visit to Castle Cornet for the noonday gun ceremony, one of our culinary delights and the visit to Victor Hugo’s House – plus my own favourite moment, the return of the wet and windswept crew of the rib upon the completion of their bracing dash around the rocks and islets outside St Peter Port harbour.  A full report appears in the May 2018 edition of La Fleche.

5^th December 2017, the Christmas Lunch took place after a Court Meeting in the morning and the Master was exemplary in closing the meeting in ample time for the drinks before lunch. The lunch was well attended with 83 sitting down as many Fletchers had brought guests.

After a time to exchange pleasantries and to renew friendships, helped with a glass or two of prosecco, we sat down for a traditional Christmas Lunch albeit with a new look. The starter was a medley of Sottish Salmon and Blinis, with the Main Course following with Roast Turkey and the trimmings. Dessert was a trio of Christmas Pudding, a slice of Yule Log and a Mandarin and Orange Sorbet. Coffee and mini mince pies were then served after the traditional toasts.

The Master welcomed the guests and thanked everyone for attending in a brief speech that also extended Christmas Greetings to all present. An enjoyable occasion.