Past Master Mr Duncan Garland was installed on 15 April 2019. The Master is elected for a year and presides at all our functions.

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

Arnott, whose origins and paternity have not to date been discovered, was one of the more colourful characters in the Company’s history. On 2 July 1784 he, then trading as a silk-mercer in Birchin Lane, off Cornhill, not far from the George and Vulture, was admitted to the freedom and livery of the Fletchers. He evidently soon became an established member: in October 1792, his son William was admitted as an apprentice Fletcher, and by the following January Arnott himself was a member of the Court. Now, however, disaster struck his business and on 23 May 1794 the Lloyd’s Evening Post reported that he had been declared bankrupt. It is possible that his fortunes recovered, for in October 1802 he was elected Renter Warden, and after serving the then customary two-year term, he advanced to Upper warden.

By 1805, he had been appointed Keeper of the Monument, a post granted by the corporation to an elderly citizen who had fallen on hard times. While the post itself carried a stipend of only £20 per annum, the keeper could increase this tenfold by admission charges, and the sale of descriptive pamphlets. It was customary for the keepers to express their gratitude to the City for their appointment in these pamphlets, and Arnott duly did so:

"My Lord and Gentlemen. Permit me to add a few lines, with the account of the Monument, to you; under whose favour and protection I remain with all due respect and gratitude your devoted servant Samuel Arnott. Monument 20th March, 1805.

Full threescore years life's various scenes I've past,

And Providence has fix’d me here at last

Within those ancient walls to find repose,

From all the sorrow that Misfortune knows:

With thankfulness to pass my latest hour,

With gratitude proclaim kind Friendship’s power;

Whilst life remains God's mercy to record,

And pray my friends may gain a blest reward.”

Clearly, Arnott had a talent for rhyming couplets, which a few years later he would also put to use in composing the texts of four songs, to be sung to the traditional tunes ‘The Cobbler’, ‘The Roast Beef of Old England’ and ‘Rule Britannia’, for the Fletchers’ four annual court dinners. He presented a bound copy of these four songs which he had had printed on 26 January 1818 and just under three years later, in December 1820, he added a further song, dying not long after.     

(Sources: Fletchers Company, Court Minutes; Lloyd’s Evening Post; S. Arnott, Description of the Monument)

Our current Master is Mr Timothy John Muirhead Sanders-Hewett who was installed on 24th April 2024. The Master is elected for a year and presides at all our functions. 

Born in 1950 Tim has had a varied career as an Estate Manager and Company Director of several companies connected with real estate, construction of commercial properties and development of building projects.  He has been very active in local community where he has supported the Chamber of Commerce and a Community Development Trust in various roles, helping to engage, manage and develop public interest in the Thames and Dagenham areas.  He is currently still a Director with Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce which takes an active role in supporting local business and employers.

Tim has been a member of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers since 1974 when he became a Freeman of the Company.  During his time with the Company, he has supported most of the committees, Chairing Comms and Activities during the Companies 650^th Anniversary.

A very keen yachtsman, he has previously been a Director of the Hurlingham Yacht Club and maintains an interest in all things nautical.   He is an avid supporter of his local church and choir where he regularly attends to support the various choir activities.  Fond of skiing, he can often be found on the slopes and for many years has taken part in the inter-Livery competition.

Tim is married to Clare and they live in Battersea, they have two grown up children.