Winter 2013 • No 8
Clothworker The
www.clothworkers.co.uk
Welcome
The Master Having been installed in July, the Master traditionally has a couple of months over the summer to get to grips with the demands of the office. This year, however, we had the fantastic spectacle of the Olympics and Paralympics which showed the nation at its best. We also had the pleasure of seeing nine of the young athletes we have supported featuring in Team GB and the fantastic medal success of Robbie Grabarz; we hear from him directly on page 8. Since mid September, the pace has increased dramatically and I have had a number of official engagements every week, ranging from dinners around the City, through to civic engagements in support of the Lord Mayor, to charityrelated events where the Foundation
Robin Booth
has made a grant. In addition, we
Cover photo: Portrait of Sir Robert Beachcroft, attributed to Richard van Bleeck, c1711.
have of course held a number of successful and well-attended events
such a good start, and it completes
Legacies
for members at the Hall.
our family of affiliations very
The new Lord Mayor has issued a
satisfactorily. You can read about this
challenge to all Livery Companies to
on page 15.
build up their capital through
Textiles
legacies to increase the amount of
One of the highlights of my year has been the Textile Conference we
Trusteeship
good they already do. We will be
organised in early November at the
I am pleased that our Trusteeship
giving thought to a potential
Hall in conjunction with the Dyers
initiative continues to develop well.
Clothworkers’ legacy campaign later
and the Weavers. The subject of the
As you will know, this is the Company’s
in 2013.
conference was rebuilding UK textile
common purpose and our intention is
manufacturing, a topical theme and
that over time all our Liverymen
It seems barely credible I am almost
one close to our hearts. You can read
should be directly involved in such
half-way through my year as Master;
more about this on page 11.
pro bono work. Michael Howell has
I have a full diary over the next few
taken over as champion of this
months representing the Company,
Service Affiliations
important initiative and I am sure he
including two important events at
Our affiliations with the Armed
will be in contact with many of you.
the Hall – our new dinner for Masters
Forces are very important to us, and I
The Court is keen that members
and Clerks of other Livery Companies
have been privileged to have taken
should participate in the Company’s
in March and the Civic Dinner in
part in several events, including
charitable activity, effectively putting
April. I look forward to seeing many
attending the Royal Edinburgh
something back. I am pleased that
of you at these occasions, and thank
Military Tattoo with the Scots Guards
over two-thirds of the Livery now
all members for their support over
and dining on board HMS Dauntless
contribute to the Livery Fund and
the last six months, which has made
with the Captain and his Senior
hope that those of you who have yet
my role all the more enjoyable and
Officers. We are delighted that our
to do so, will reconsider. You can read
rewarding.
newest link, with No. 47 Squadron of
more about the Livery Fund and the
the Royal Air Force, has got off to
causes it supports on page 14.
2 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
Robin Booth, Master
@C.Totman
City of London
Sheriffs Jeffrey Evans has been elected Aldermanic Sheriff for 2012/13. A Liveryman of the Shipwrights, he has been a shipbroker with Clarksons all his working life. Nigel Pullman has been elected Lay Sheriff. He is Immediate Past Master of the Leathersellers and former Clerk to the World Traders.
Lord Mayor’s Appeal Roger Gifford
The theme of the appeal ‘The City in Society’ reflects the City of London’s major contribution and wide-ranging commitment to the society it serves
Lord Mayor Roger Gifford, Cordwainer and
Trinity College, Oxford. He started his
in the 21st century.
banker, has been elected the 685th
career in banking when he joined
The appeal will support:
Lord Mayor of London. He has
S.G.Warburg & Co.
■ City Music Foundation
enjoyed a long career in the banking
With his experience in this sector,
■ Futures for Kids
industry, latterly as Country Head for
the Lord Mayor hopes to use his year
■ Gifford Wood Appeal
Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank since
to help remind the financial services
■ The Harold Samuel Collection
2000.
industry, which has been damaged
■ The Lord Mayor’s Scholarship
Born in St Andrews, Scotland, he
by negative publicity over the past
attended New Park School in St
few years, of their role in serving
You can find out more here
Andrews and went on to study at
society.
www.thelordmayorsappeal.org
Programme
Looking forward The Court of Aldermen is
2013 Fiona Woolf
Sir Paul Judge is a Liveryman and Honorary
supporting the following for
2014 Alan Yarrow
Assistant of the Clothworkers and Alderman of
election for Lord Mayor over the
2015 Jeffrey Evans
Tower Ward and is expected to be elected Sheriff
next few years:
2016 Paul Judge
in June 2013.
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 3
Trusteeship
The Company continues to encourage members to engage in pro bono activities. Events
Reach/Prospectus pilot. This session
participate in this initiative, please
We held an informal Trustees dinner
was also attended by members of the
contact katietapponnier@
on 4 July with Chris Jones, Director
new Trusteeship Sub Committee, and
clothworkers.co.uk
General of City & Guilds, as the guest
involved a lively discussion on how
We are also circulating to the Livery
speaker. Twenty Clothworkers
boards operate and what individuals
trustee opportunities we become aware
attended, each bringing the
can bring to such bodies.
of; Alice Syson, Liveryman, asked us to
Chairman or a fellow trustee of their
circulate details of a Treasurer vacancy
charity. We plan to hold a similar
Reach/Prospectus Pilot
at a charity she is involved with. As a
event annually.
As reported previously we are working
result, a Clothworker has been
In September, David Gold, the
with Reach, a volunteering charity,
appointed to the role.
Chairman of Prospectus, chaired an
and Prospectus, a third sector-focused
event at the Hall for the six
recruitment company, on a pilot
New appointments
Liverymen participating in the
programme to match Clothworkers
We are delighted that the following
to charities seeking Trustees; the first
Liverymen have recently secured
Liveryman has taken on a role
trustee roles:
through this route and we expect
■ Tim Hindley, Treasurer, MS
more to follow.
National Therapy Centres ■ Scarlet Oliver, Trustee, Texprint
Opportunities Prospectus work with an individual to customise their CV for a charity trustee role, and help people clarify what is best suited to their skill set and interests. If any Liveryman would like to
■ Amy McVittie, Trustee, The Society for Promoting Training of Women ■ Hugo Robinson, Trustee, The St Giles-in-the-Fields and William Shelton’s Educational Charity ■ Tom Stoddart-Scott, Trustee, The Harrow Club
My experience of trusteeship Robert Hirst, Liveryman: in Europe. The association produces for its
I am also a Governor of my local Church
Robert
members a quarterly journal and, at
of England primary school, where I chair
Hirst
about annual intervals, a book about
the resources committee dealing with a
books and book collecting – typical works
progressively tighter budget. It is a
have been about Ardizzone, the
small school with only 90 or so children,
illustrator, and Bertram Rota, the well-
which means that one is very much in
known London bookseller. As Treasurer I
contact with everyday running and
am responsible for ensuring
events. The full
that there are enough funds
governors’ board meet a
available to cover future
couple of times a term,
magazine and book production,
and the resources
“Not all charities are concerned with
and for the annual submission
committee once or twice
helping less advantaged people. I am the
of audited accounts to the
a term.
Honorary Treasurer and a trustee of the
Charity Commission. This is not
My own children all
Private Libraries Association which is
a particularly onerous task, but
attended this school
an international society of book
it enables me to participate in
many years ago, so it is
collectors, with members in the UK,
an activity in which I have
good to contribute
USA, Canada, Australia and elsewhere
always been interested.
something in return.”
4 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
New Members
Honorary Livery Paul Johnson Paul Johnson was awarded the Honorary Livery for his experience in the textile industry. He is Managing Director of W T Johnson & Sons, dyers and finishers of worsted and worsted blend fabric. The fabric they produce is exported to luxury markets all over the world and used by almost every major luxury brand. They also produce a range of other textiles including scarves, throws, interiors products and technical textiles. He is the fourth generation of this family-owned company.
Freedom
Patrimony
Charlotte Brooks
Phoebe Broome
Hannah Lewis
Fiona Lewis
Daughter of Caroline
Daughter of Susannah
Daughter of Peter Lewis,
Daughter of Peter Lewis,
Brooks (née Purefoy),
Broome (née Yonge),
Freeman. Degree in
Freeman, and sister of
Freewoman. Educated at
Freewoman. Educated at
Biology from University of
Hannah. Degree in
Maris Convent and
La Sagisse School,
Bath and MSc in Nutrition
Fashion Design from
University of Leeds. She is
Newcastle and Newcastle
from Kings College,
London College of
a broadcast journalist.
College.
London. Currently reading
Fashion. Currently works
for a PhD in Biological
at Holly Fulton,
Sciences.
womenswear designers, as a Fashion Studio Manager.
Andrew Mort
Patrimonial Redemption
Son of Philippa Mort,
Sarah Churton
Freewoman. Educated at
(née Godwin)
Manchester Grammar
Daughter of Shelagh
School, then Oxford
Godwin, Freewoman. Her
University and the
grandfather, ‘Gus’ Claxton,
Institute of Education. He
was a former Chaplain to
is a teacher at a primary
the Company. Educated at
school in Dagenham on a
Godalming College and
placement through Teach
Brasenose College, Oxford.
First whilst working
A qualified Chartered
towards a Post Graduate
Accountant, she is
Certificate in Education in
Director at Ernst & Young,
his spare time.
and is currently working in their New York Office.
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 5
Members
Clothworker recognised in Evening Standard’s London’s 1,000 most influential people 2012 Congratulations to Clothworker Will
talent never fulfill their potential. Future
Haggard who featured in the
Forward therefore aims to address
Evening Standard newspaper’s
current inequalities amongst young
London’s 1,000 most influential people
people who are leaving education and
students who are already bi or tri-
2012 as a Philanthropist and Leader.
seeking to enter a professional or
lingual, many students do not appreciate
He was included in the list as he
vocational career.
that their language skills put them at a
founded Future Forward, a not-for-
The project started its pilot phase in
distinct advantage in applying for public
profit enterprise. Here he talks about
Paddington Academy in 2008 and now
international organisations and NGOs.
the organisation:
operates in Pimlico, Paddington, Lambeth,
Recently, Future Forward has been
“In 2008 I founded and now co-direct
Victoria and Brixton. Talks have ranged
working on forging partnerships with
Future Forward, a not-for-profit social
from acting to engineering, online
businesses across the UK economy. By
enterprise connecting young professionals
advertising to business enterprise. Key to
partnering with a large high-street
with London Academies to inspire and
the success of the talks has been
retailer, City law firm, London
inform students through talks and
ensuring that they are tailored to the
architecture practice and seven other
workshops. Whilst some young
specific needs and interest of students
businesses in the Capital, Future
professionals have had the guidance,
within a small-group environment where
Forward aims to develop strong ties
contacts and resources to start their
students feel comfortable to ask
between businesses and schools. If you
careers on the right footing, too many
questions and interact with speakers.
would like to find out more about what
have never had these advantages
A recent talk on languages revealed that,
we do and the latest news, please visit
meaning that students of significant
like so many of London’s inner city
our website at www.futureforward.org”.
Reverend Adam Boulter, Liveryman talks about moving to Jordan In April last year we packed up our
on the welfare of the sailors has to
scale incident we
house into a shipping container, sold
be done at high speed. Their needs
are on hand to
off everything superfluous and got
are very real, they are generally on
support and
on a plane to Jordan in order to start
six month to one year contracts in
assist the sailors.
a new chapter in our lives with my
which they are away from family and
At the moment,
working for the Mission to Seafarers
friends, and much of what we do is
we have an entire
in the port of Aqaba, and my wife
concentrated on helping the sailors
crew of a Turkish
Beth working remotely as a
maintain contact with their wives
ship under arrest
development consultant. We were
and children back in their home
and on bail, following a fire on their
leaving behind a lovely parish in
countries.
ship, so we have been providing food
zone two of London where I had been
and accommodation and support for
the curate and for Beth a well paid
Providing Support
job as an economist; it was a leap
The other common stress is sailing
into the dark, or more accurately a
past the pirates of the Horn of Africa
Contrast
leap into the blinding light of the
– many have experienced attacks
The work and the country are both
desert.
and bear the psychological scars.
very different from a South London
Aqaba is on the easterly tip of the
Then we are here if there is a crisis, if
parish, but are hugely rewarding, and
Red Sea and from the port you can
a sailor is ill or arrested he will be
a more beautiful and friendly country
see Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
left behind when the ship sails, so we
you could not hope for. If any of you
As a result, it is a tightly controlled
are the only people on hand to visit
are over in Jordan do come and visit
port with the ships having fast turn
them and keep their families
and see for yourselves.
around times, so my job of checking
informed. Then if there is a large-
adamboulter@me.com
6 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
them while their case is processed.
Communication
Clothworkers’ website As you may be aware, last year we launched the new website of the Company and Foundation. Since then, we have been working on a significant upgrade of the secure Members’ Only area. The site will be ■ You will be asked to click on a
going live in early 2013.
upload other information which will
This secure part of the site offers
be of interest to your fellow
website page link within the email
some interactive elements which
Clothworkers, particularly a
■ This will take you to a page on the
should enhance your connection
photograph. As an inducement we will
Clothworkers site. On this web
with the Clothworkers, in addition to
be running a prize draw to encourage
page you will be able to accept
providing regular news from other
you all to update your details.
your own booking and also add a
members and the Company and
guest if relevant ■ Once you have saved the booking,
Foundation.
‘Member Search’
We are writing to all members by
We have created a member search
post with their new logon details
function to help members connect
and an easy-to-follow user’s guide
with each other. The search is heavily
to the new members’ area.
reliant on members updating their
of the card invitations which we
More details about some of the
‘My Details’ section, so please ensure
have sent in the past, including
sections are below:
you update your information.
one for you to print and forward
‘My Details’
Electronic event acceptance
This section allows you to update
As previously advised, the Court has
your main Clothworker contact
decided that we should move to
details. We have also introduced a
electronic acceptance of events
As you will appreciate, it is vital that
number of fields for you to list your
henceforth. In addition to reducing
you ensure we have your up-to-date
interests and your profession. We
cost and dependence on an
email address. If we don’t have your
want to ensure that this information
increasingly unreliable postal
email address please contact
is current, so we have not transferred
system, many of our members now
enquiries@clothworkers.co.uk and
historical information across from
use email as their standard means of
we will update the system.
our internal database. It would be
communication.
We have endeavoured to make the
very helpful if you updated these
The new system will work as follows:
system as user friendly as possible.
fields, as they perform an important
■ The Clothworkers events team
The events team will be able to deal
part of the Member Search function;
email you a message about the
with any problems and we request
in addition, we encourage you to
forthcoming event
your cooperation as we migrate to
a PDF document confirming your place will be emailed back to you ■ This will act as a paper equivalent
to your guest if relevant ■ We will send you an email reminder about the event a week or so ahead of the date
this new system. Queries? If you have any queries about using the Members’ Only section please contact Abby Wright-Parkes, Membership and Communications Officer on 020 7397 4130 or abbywrightparkes@clothworkers.co.uk If you have any queries about our events please contact the events team on 020 7623 7041 ext 206 or events@clothworkers.co.uk
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 7
The Olympics
How did you feel your heats went? My heats went perfectly. I qualified in first place, only taking three jumps to get myself into the final. Talk us through the final when you secured your bronze medal.
Robbie Grabarz
The final was similar to my qualifying, except by the time I got to the medal guaranteeing height I got
As reported in the last edition, the Clothworkers along with the rest of the
slightly too excited and didn’t clear
Great Twelve supported a number of young athletes who were hoping to
the bar. I had to wait for another
qualify for Team GB in the Olympics. Robbie Grabarz, high jumper, secured a
athlete to fail the bar before I knew I
bronze medal. He provides a personal perspective on his first Games.
was guaranteed my bronze.
How did the funding from the Great
When did you arrive at the Olympic
What was the atmosphere like at
Twelve help during your preparation
Park ready for the Games?
the Olympic Park?
for the Olympics?
The whole team were on a training
In one word, electric!
Without the funding from the Great
camp in Portugal for ten days before
Twelve, my Olympic journey would
the athletics actually started. I flew
How did you celebrate your win?
have been an uphill struggle; the
into London four days before my
I spent the evening with my close
support enabled me to train full-
qualifying round, leaving me enough
family drinking champagne, a night I
time, instead of needing a part-time
time to prepare perfectly.
will never forget, although media
job, which in turn allowed me to
commitments at 7.30am the
train at a world class level and get
What was it like being in the
following morning were quite
the results I knew I was capable of. I
Athletes’ Village?
difficult to wake up for!
was able to prepare to the best of my
The Athletes’ Village was great fun,
ability – without the support I would
with thousands of athletes all there
How has life changed since your
have been greatly hindered.
with their own sports to compete in.
medal win?
We were given the option of 24 hour
Since winning my medal life has
food and a great variety of dishes.
been very different, mainly due to
What were the last few months like
people recognising me in situations
for you, in the run up the Olympics? The run up to the Olympics for me
How much training and practice
other than athletic ones. Also I’m so
was busy; between competitions,
were you doing in between heats?
busy my feet barely touch the
training and media commitments I
Between my qualifying round and
ground, but everything I’m doing is
had little time to worry about the
final I did one flexibility session and
with a large grin on my face. I’m
forthcoming Games. This played
took a lot of rest.
already several weeks deep into my winter training ahead
directly into my hands, allowing me to concentrate on the things that
of an exciting 2013
matter in order for me to succeed.
season. Are you hoping to achieve the same success in Brazil in 2016? I’m expecting to achieve greater things in Rio than I achieved in London; I am certainly training for the gold medal.
8 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
8-10 Moorgate
Roman finds at Clothworkers’ development site Ahead of the redevelopment of the Company’s land at 8 – 10 Moorgate, Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) was given access to the site for archaeological excavation.
Jet bracelet Here, David Divers, Project Manager, talks about the excavation and finds. “MOLA has completed the main excavation in the central part of the site and the discoveries have proven to be even more exciting than our initial investigations in 2010! The redevelopment of the site by Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan has provided MOLA with a good opportunity to investigate a large area on the banks of the Walbrook stream, a tributary of the Thames that flowed through the heart of the Roman City. Aerial view of the site
A number of finds suggest aspects of
walled buildings, dating to the early
wealth in this part of the City, where
medieval period (11th-12th centuries).
activities such as glass-making, pottery
Their survival is rare in London and their
production, metal-working and leather-
presence exciting for all concerned.
working would have been conducted.
The final phase of the excavation will be
In what appears to be a ritual burial at
an area believed to be over the “lost”
the bottom of a timber well, a human
Walbrook stream itself. Here the Roman
skeleton with two near complete pots was
levels of the site, which may include more
The buildings uncovered date from the
found. There is also evidence of carefully
timber revetments or perhaps even a
1st century (the time when the Roman
placed pots in one area (over several
bridge or a mill, will be preserved.
City was founded) to the 3rd century and
years) suggesting an enduring element of
When MOLA collates all the information
include both masonry, and clay and timber
ceremony or religion at the site.
from both the Roman and the medieval
buildings as well as circular wattle structures, thought to be animal pens.
Above the Roman remains were turf-
periods, it will provide a fascinating glimpse into life in the Moorgate area
In addition to the main buildings,
across the centuries.”
fences, gravel alleyways and wells have been discovered, creating a vivid picture of a community living and working at the eastern edge of the Walbrook stream.
Cosmetic grinder
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 9
Textiles
The National Archives We awarded a £50,000 Conservation Research Fellowship to The National Archives in 2009 to allow them to explore possible ways of opening up access to the Board of Trade Design Register. The Register, which covers the period 1839 to 1991, is a unique resource comprising 10,000 large volumes containing nearly three million designs submitted to the Government office for registration and copyright. The designs are in many forms –
An open volume
drawings, tracings, photographs and samples of objects – and many are textiles – shawls, yarns, printed
public to consult them. Further,
different perspectives into a single 3D
fabrics, upholstery, damasks and
digitisation of the designs would, in
effect image, and a ‘haptic console’
lace.
the case of textiles, give no sense of
which gives the user a feeling of the
the feel or texture.
topography of an object.
The research project by Dr Dinah Eastop, formerly a lecturer at the Textile Conservation Centre, investigated ways of realising the potential of the Register in terms of research, education and Consultation event in progress, showing a design registered by Morris & Co.
inspiration for designers. Her work included looking at recent technological developments, such as
The volumes represent a huge
polynomial texture mapping
challenge in terms of access (some
of textiles, which brings
weigh more than 25 kgs) and, due to
together a large number of
their fragility, it is not possible for the
images of an object taken from
Design registered in 1885 for a printed cotton kerchief with portraits of the Presidents of the Lancashire Football Association As a result of the findings of the research funded by the Clothworkers, The National Archives secured a grant from the Arts & Humanities Research Council to transcribe a number of registers from the mid nineteenth century, taking this mammoth project a further step forward.
A typical volume in the Register
10 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
Textiles
Textile Conference We hosted a major industry conference at the Hall in November entitled ‘A New Dawn: Rebuilding UK textile manufacturing”. Organised in conjunction with the Weavers and Dyers, the conference was opened by the Lord Mayor and featured a keynote speech by Vince Cable, Business Secretary. A strong roster of presenters from industry and academia included the eminent chain logistics.
provided me with some great
Over 260 delegates
commercial opportunities; I secured
attended the conference,
three new contracts with well-known
for which there was a long
high street brands. A worthwhile day
waiting list, and there was
out of the office!”
extensive media coverage
This was an important initiative for
of the issue as a result,
the Clothworkers and an excellent
from the Financial Times, Daily Mail and Independent through to the designer, Sir Paul Smith,
ith ul Sm Sir Pa
and representatives from retailers like Margaret Howell and Brooks Brothers, and manufacturers such as Camira Fabrics. Professor Chris Carr from Manchester University presented the findings of
trade press. In addition to the formal learning the conference offered through the main programme, a number of delegates found the opportunity to
example of cooperation with fellow
network with peers very
Livery Companies with common
useful. As Toby Gaddum,
research into the UK’s relative
Director of Gaddum and
competitiveness and Martin
Gaddum Ltd, a family-run
Christopher from Cranfield talked
textiles business, said: “The
about the crucial impact of supply
conference provided a chance
roots.
to reRt Hon Vince Cable
connect with peers in the industry and it also
FT article
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 11
The Foundation
£100m awarded since 1977 Since the Foundation was set up in 1977, charitable grants totalling over £100m have been awarded. This is an important milestone in our modern giving, although as you can read on page 20, our support of charity goes back centuries.
■ the Small
Income came initially from a
Grants
leasehold interest in 1 Angel Court in
Programme
the City, with subsequent Company
in 2006, a
funding coming from Deeds of
‘mini’ version
Covenant and Gift Aid, together with
of the
the sale of the Angel Court leasehold
reactive
in 1994.
capital Main
By 2011, the Foundation’s assets had
Grants
grown to almost £85m, invested in
Programme
stocks and shares. All grants
with grants
awarded by the Foundation come
of up to
from the income on these
£10,000
investments together with Company
available to charities with an
approval rate (57% in 2012 to date,
donations.
income of less than £250,000; and
compared to 17% in 2004); a new
The last 35 years have seen a
■ the Proactive Grants Programme in
professional website with clear
considerable increase in funds
2007, which involved a radical
information and guidance for
awarded by the Foundation, from
change in approach to some of the
potential applicants and other
£100,000 in 1980, rising to around the
Foundation’s grant-making. The
interested parties; and the option to
£5m mark in recent years.
first proactive initiatives, in
submit applications by email.
The Foundation also administers
Mathematics Education and
Importantly, to maintain links with
three Trusts, rationalised over the
Autism, have now ended, with
its roots, the Foundation continues to
years from 107 initially, to 17 by 2001,
Conservation extended to 2015.
support the UK textiles sector,
to the current Charity for Education,
A new proactive overseas
including via its longstanding
Charity for Relief in Need and Charity
programme has resulted in a
relationship with the University of
for Welfare of the Blind.
major grant being awarded to
Leeds.
There have also been a number of
Vision Aid Overseas for work in
The last 35 years have seen the
major changes in the Foundation’s
Sierra Leone. Two further proactive
Foundation develop into a modern
approach to giving since the 1970s,
programmes, each with a budget of
funder – more focused and
including the introduction of:
£1.25million over five years, are
professional in outlook and
12 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
currently being
approach. It continues to deliver
researched.
significant benefit in carefully
Other
selected areas of need, whether by
developments
supporting disadvantaged people
include: more
and/or communities via the reactive
focused categories
capital grants programmes on the
and stricter
one hand, or addressing ‘at risk’
eligibility criteria
skills shortages via the proactive
for the reactive
conservation programme on the
capital grants
other.
programmes,
Please look out for a more detailed
which has resulted
feature on the Foundation’s £100m
in a significant
milestone in the next Annual Review,
increase in the
due for publication in the spring.
The Foundation
Sustainable Tree Harvesting in Brazil Ten years ago, we made a £101,000 grant to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew towards a fuelwood project in Brazil. North-east Brazil is home to the caatinga, a seasonally-dry deciduous forest and one of the world’s most glorious ecosystems, with flora and fauna that are found nowhere else on the planet. 50% shrinkage The local people rely on its trees for fuelwood, but there is concern that over-exploitation may end up destroying the landscape, and the
A red-cowled cardinal, which
caatinga has shrunk by half in
live in the caatinga.
modern times. Kew specialists have been working with
the work as widely as possible to
Brazilian ecologists
academics, government officials
and foresters to find
and conservationists. Illustrated
out the best way to
posters have been produced for
harvest wood from
villagers who make use of the
the caatinga to
caatinga for fuelwood; these use
ensure sustainability.
eye-catching drawings that show
The tree experts
the contrasting volumes of harvest
suspected the
and tree survival following wet and
different species
dry season cutting for each of the
might best be
species.
harvested in different
Kew believe that the work done over
ways and initiated a
Poincianella pyramidalis is one of four free species
research project to
in the study.
@Peter Gasson/RGB Kew & ©David Cutler/RBG Kew
provide the necessary
the last decade, largely funded by The Clothworkers’ Foundation, will mean that the future of the caatinga
evidence to convince the locals.
pollarding was the most productive
It required a period of ten years to
approach with some
produce the results. Some 5,000
species, whereas
mature trees of four native species
crown thinning
were selected and different
worked best for
approaches taken – cutting in the
others. The project
wet and dry seasons, and using a
also drew on Kew’s
range of harvesting techniques – to
experience in wood
find out which was more successful
anatomy, which
for each species in terms of the rate
found that with
of re-growth.
certain species, the
is now looking a bit brighter.
regenerated wood was Findings
particularly good for
The study found that different
charcoal and fuel use.
species responded in different ways –
The researchers have
Kew staff help Brazilian colleagues to monitor and weigh
for example, coppicing and
shared the findings of
the amount of wood that has regrown after each harvest.
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 13
Livery Fund
Livery Fund 2013 Although over 65% of the Livery are
January to review them, and decided
will be awarded at least £20,000.
now donating to the Livery Fund, we
on a shortlist of six charities.
The charities will also be offered free
hope that even more members will
In March, members will be asked to
use of the Hall for an event. This can
decide to contribute during 2013 to
vote for their ‘top three’ which will
provide a valuable additional boost to
this fund which has awarded grants
then be asked to submit applications
our support, as shown in the
totalling almost £475,000 (including
and meet with Foundation staff.
following examples.
matched donations from the
The three successful charities will be
To donate to the Livery Fund, visit
Company) to 27 charities since it was
invited to the Election Dinner on 12
the Members’ Only area of the
launched in 2005.
June, at which they will be presented
website, or contact katietapponnier
The nominations for potential
with cheques by the Master; although
@clothworkers.co.uk for the relevant
recipients of one of three available
we do not yet know the exact
paperwork. It does not take long to
Livery Fund grants for 2013 are in;
amounts, the likelihood is that, based
set up a standing order!
the Livery Charity Committee met in
on previous experience, each charity
The Children’s Trust Tadworth The charity received a £24,250 grant from the Livery Fund in 2011. Based in Surrey, but with a national remit, the charity works with children with acquired brain injury, multiple disabilities and complex health needs. It offers a range of care and
Afghan Action
support services such as specialist residential
A UK-registered charity, it provides
rehabilitation, home-based palliative
In June the Trust held a wine tasting
literacy, numeracy and IT training
care and short breaks to enable the
evening for 110 invited guests at the
for young carpet weavers in Kabul.
children and their families to live the
Hall. It was primarily an opportunity
Carpets made by trainees are sold
best life possible.
to reach new, potentially high-value,
in the UK to raise funds.
Our grant enabled them to
donors, and was also used as a
They also run a sewing and
commission New Philanthropy
stewardship event. Although
clothing project which offers
Capital to research the long-term
fundraising was not the primary aim,
training and education to young
benefits of their residential
the event did generate almost £3,000
unemployed needleworkers and
rehabilitation provision.
from activities and donations on the
tailors to help them become self
night. It also gave
sufficient and develop their own
them the
enterprises. Our £26,250 Livery
opportunity to pilot
Fund grant in 2011 was towards
a new event, Wine-
this initiative.
Lovers’ Call My Bluff,
An event to raise the profile of
which proved so
their work, attended by 90 invited
popular with guests
guests, was held at the Hall in
that it was repeated
June. Carpets made in their Kabul
at a different venue
factory were on display, and one
in December.
was auctioned. The charity raised almost £15,000 as a result of the event.
14 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
Service Affiliations
New Service Affiliation – RAF 47 Squadron
maintaining immediate readiness to support Defence’s requirements
Further events and visits are being planned for 2013. Wing Commander Graeme Gault,
The Company has for a number of
worldwide. In addition to the
who now commands 47 Squadron,
years held service affiliations across
aforementioned Battle Honours, over
said of the affiliation:
the armed forces, but we had never
the past two decades the Squadron
“The Squadron is delighted to
had a link with the RAF. Accordingly,
has also been involved in operations
become an affiliate of the
in 2011 we made an approach to the
in the Balkans, Sierra Leone,
Clothworkers. We feel that both
Royal Air Force, who suggested an
Afghanistan and Libya. The
parties will benefit from this
affiliation with 47 Squadron.
Squadron currently operates two
relationship and are always keen to
variants of the Lockheed
raise the profile of what we do
Martin C130 Hercules
outside the armed forces.
aircraft and moved from
The nature of our work means
its long-time home at
families are often apart for long
RAF Lyneham, in
periods and we know that bringing
Wiltshire, to RAF Brize
families together through social
Norton, near Oxford, in
activities helps to develop the sense
2011.
of community and boost morale. Our own budget for these types of
The affiliation
events is very modest, hence the
The relationship has
support we are receiving from the
started well, with the
Clothworkers means we can offer
History of 47 Squadron
Master and Clerk visiting the
more substantive events to a wider
No 47 Squadron was officially
Squadron in May 2012, where they
group of families. It is already
formed at Beverley, Yorkshire in 1916
were invited to explore a Hercules on
making a difference and is hugely
as a home defence squadron.
the ground. The Squadron
appreciated by the entire Squadron.
However, the unit was soon
Commander also provided them
We are looking forward to the next
transferred to duty in Northern
with an insight into their survival
year as our affiliation develops and
Greece, supporting the Allied Forces
training and a tour of the base. The
both organisations find out more
against the Bulgarians.
Master and Clerk then attended the
about each other.”
The Squadron has received Battle
annual Squadron
Honours for: Macedonia 1916-1918,
Reception in late
East Africa 1940–1941, Egypt and
May and were made
Libya 1942, Mediterranean 1942–
to feel most
1943, Burma 1945, South Atlantic
welcome.
1982, Gulf 1991 and Iraq 2003.
The Company was
Current role
representatives of
The Squadron is responsible for
the Squadron
providing all Tactical Air Transport
attended the
capability (aerial delivery of both
December 2012
personnel and equipment) to UK
Livery Dinner.
Defence in support of planned and
The Company are
contingency operations, both in the
contributing to
UK and overseas.
Squadron family
47 Squadron’s crews are currently
outings and towards
operating in Afghanistan and the
the Annual
Falkland Islands as well as
Squadron Dinner.
@Crown copyright
delighted when
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 15
Notable Clothworkers
Sir Robert Beachcroft 2012 marks the three hundred year
Master
anniversary of Sir Robert
In 1700, Beachcroft
Beachcroft’s term as Lord Mayor of
became Master of
the City of London, 1711-1712.
The Clothworkers’ Company and a
Background
Sheriff of the City
Sir Robert Beachcroft was born
of London. During
c1649, the son of Daniel Beachcroft, a
his shrievalty, he
yeoman farmer of Derby. In
was one of a party
September 1668 he travelled to
of Aldermen and
London to take up an apprenticeship
Sheriffs who
with Thomas Paulfreyman,
travelled by coach
Clothworker, and on 5 October 1675,
to Hampton Court
he became a Freeman of The
to welcome King
Sir Robert Beachcroft
William III on his
Clothworkers’ Company.
safe return from
Little is known of Beachcroft’s early career but it is assumed he acquired
trade from medieval times until the
Holland. As a mark of royal honour,
a thorough knowledge of the cloth
nineteenth century.
Beachcroft and his companions were
trade from his former master, who
Traditionally, provincial
knighted by the monarch on the
was a clothworker by trade based in
manufacturers and clothiers came to
same day.
Mark Lane, close to Clothworkers’
Blackwell Hall to display and sell
He was a Common Councilman of
Hall.
their woollen cloth to merchants and
Tower Ward between 1699 and 1701
drapers. In the mid-seventeenth
and an Alderman in Lime Street
Blackwell Hall
century, factors or agents were
Ward from 1703. In 1711, he was
Later, Beachcroft was recorded as a
introduced, charging a fee to handle
elected to the Mayoralty of the City.
factor at London’s Blackwell Hall, the
goods. By the 1690s, they had almost
At his inauguration, The City Poet,
centre of England’s wool and cloth
completely taken over the market,
Elkanah Settle, presented Beachcroft
acquiring significant wealth in the
with a congratulatory address, bound
process as cloth remained the
in a dark green leather and gold
primary commodity traded in
tooled armorial binding, now in the
England at this time.
Company’s collections. In this, Settle
As such, Beachcroft was able to
cited the importance of the cloth
purchase the extensive More Hall
trade, in recognition of Beachcroft’s
estate (formerly the home of Sir
career and his Company’s craft:
Thomas More, and
Congratulatory address to Sir Robert as Lord Mayor
16 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
also known as
Augusta Triumphans
Gubbins or Gobions
When up to her Great SONS of INDUSTRY,
House) near North
The fair AUGUSTA lifts her well-pleas’d Eye;
Mimms,
And her Rang’d CITY WORTHIES on each side,
Hertfordshire in
Do’s into Twelve Chief COMPANIES divide:
1697. He sold the
Oh! Why, in these Distinctions Classes Plac’d,
property in 1708, but
The MERCERS First, and CLOTHWORKERS the Last?
also owned a
All a mistake! Ill marshall’d Herauldry!
country house at
Look up to their Great LABOURS, and there see
Low Leyton in Essex,
Their sweating Brows Unequall’d GLORIES shine.
all the time retaining
Who but thy CLOTHWORKERS, proud ALBION, layd
a town house in the
Ev’n thy Foundation of COMMERCE and TRADE?
City for business.
Notable Clothworkers
Estate Despite marrying twice, Beachcroft
became
had no children, and upon his death
Clothworkers by
on 27 May 1721 he left an estate
servitude,
valued at almost £20,000 (in excess
redemption and
of £1.6 million today), including
later patrimony so
significant stock in the South Sea
that the
Company, of which he was Director,
Beachcroft
1711-1712.
connection with
He bequeathed his lands in Preston,
The Clothworkers’
Suffolk and elsewhere to his nephew
Company
Samuel Beachcroft, Clothworker, his
continues over
principal heir, and the residue of his
three centuries on
estate was shared between the same
to the present
and another nephew, Joseph
day. There have
Beachcroft. Both were executors to
now been four
his will.
Beachcroft
Amongst numerous bequests to
Masters, the most
siblings, cousins, nieces and
recent being
nephews, Beachcroft bequeathed
Major (Philip)
£100 each to Christ’s and St Thomas’
Maurice
Hospitals, £200 to the Corporation of
Beachcroft,
the Poor in Bishopsgate and small
Master 1945-
legacies for the benefit of poor
1946.
householders in Low Leyton,
His daughter,
Hackney and Shoreditch. He was
Mary, Free
buried at St Mary’s, Low Leyton,
woman, was the
where a monument to his memory
historian of the
still stands.
family and preserved a
Sir Robert’s inventory
Family connections
number of
Although Sir Robert had no children,
important documents relating to the
have recently been gifted to the
descendants of his nephew Samuel
family during her lifetime. These
Company’s Archive by her executors (one of whom is Carolyn Boulter, Assistant), following her death in January 2010. They include an original inventory of Sir Robert’s possessions, dated 17 June 1721, Clothworker apprenticeship indentures and Freedom certificates, 1767-1938, an early twentieth century rolled pedigree and several volumes of Major Maurice Beachcroft’s Clothworker-related papers, including letters, photographs, invitations, dinner menus and speeches from his year as Master. The papers have recently been catalogued and are now available for study.
Major Maurice Beachcroft speaking at Mary Datchelor prize day 1961
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 17
Collections and Archives
Bookbinding 2012 marks our sixth year of support
who argued for
for the Design Bookbinders’ Annual
universal male suffrage
Competition. We sponsor the first
at the Debates in 1647.
and second prizes in the ‘Open
Second prize went to
Choice’ category of the competition,
Kate Holland for her
where practitioners bind a work of
elegant gold tooled
their own choice for submission.
binding of “Lysistrata”,
ate Holland Binding by K
a play by Aristophanes. Winners
The bindings
This year, first prize went to Jeanette
submitted to the
Koch for her binding of “The Putney
Competition were on
Debates”, a play by Jack Emery. The
display at John Rylands
binding features the famous words
Library at the
‘the poorest hee that is in England
University of
hath a life to live, as the greatest hee’
Manchester up to the
spoken by Thomas Rainsborough,
end of January. anette Koch Binding by Je
Dr Peter Turner and St Olave’s A seventeenth century alabaster memorial bust of Dr Peter
was spotted by a Museum of London curator. Dreweatts
Turner, a distinguished physician and botanist, has become
the auctioneers froze the sale while the Art Loss Register,
a temporary addition to our collections.
acting on behalf of the church, negotiated for its return to
Dr Turner practised at St Bart’s and is known to have
its rightful home.
attended Sir Walter Raleigh during his imprisonment in
St Olave’s were reunited with the bust last year, some 70
the Tower of London. His father, William Turner, also a
years after it had first disappeared, and we agreed to place
physician and former Dean of Wells Cathedral, is
it in our Archive vault for safekeeping whilst its proper
renowned as the author of the first
reinstatement in the church is planned.
herbal in English and the first printed book on ornithology.
Conservation The Clothworkers’ Foundation makes
Missing The bust of Dr Peter
annual grants to the
Turner previously
Friends of St Olave’s
stood in St Olave’s, Hart Street, our guild church, but went missing from the
towards the cost of maintaining the fabric of this historic church and we are pleased that our 2012 grant
bombed
will be used towards
ruins on
the conservation and
17 April 1941. It resurfaced at
reinstallation of the bust.
auction in
It is hoped that it will
2010,
be back on display this
where it
year, ahead of the fourhundred year
The bust – with shipping documents!
18 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
anniversary of Turner’s death in 2014.
19th century illustration of the monument in situ
Obituary Nigel William Seville Yonge Master excused service 2002-2003
regatta in support of the Sea Cadets,
On 12 August 2012, aged 85
sailing in a Livery Company boat. He also added skydiving and parachuting
Nigel Yonge was born on 12 September
(over 1,067 jumps) and bungee
1926, one of six children. His mother
jumping to his repertoire.
had been a lady in waiting to HRH
He wrote doggerel verse and
Marie Louise de Bourbon, Duchess of
presented the Company with a
Seville, and as the Duchess agreed to
compilation of his poetry, ‘Jest
be his godmother, Nigel was given the
Hossing Around’, in 2000.
third name Seville.
Other interests included squash and beagling. He was also Chairman of
Background
the Royal British Legion Sussex
After early schooling by governesses,
Wealden Branch.
Nigel was educated at prep school in Reigate before going to Downside,
Clothworkers’ Career
near Bath, which he loved. In 1944, he
the terrorist group IZL, led by Ezer
Nigel joined The Clothworkers’
volunteered for the army, and served
Weizman, a future president of Israel.
Company by Redemption in 1960,
with 60th Rifles (King’s Royal Rifle
He suffered many painful eye
upon the nomination of his father-in-
Corps) until 1949. He saw action in
operations as a result and would
law, Sir Rupert Brickwood, Master
the Middle East, Tripoli, Egypt and
often find shrapnel in the wound
excused service 1965. He was elected
Palestine where he was wounded by
decades later.
to the Livery the following year and
In civilian life, Nigel went into
became a Junior Warden in 1990 and
insurance, working for Scottish
an Assistant in 1992. He was excused
Deaths
Provident, Sedgwick Collins and later
service as Master in 2002, and later
Trade Indemnity Co. Ltd, of which he
became an Assistant Emeritus. He
Alison Studer, Freewoman
was London Branch Manager.
was primarily interested in the charitable work of the Foundation.
January 2012 John Whalley, Liveryman
Family
He was a committed member of the
July 2012
In 1956, he married Sally Brickwood,
Grants Committee and particularly
Frank Hutchins, Freeman
Freewoman, with whom he had four
enjoyed visiting the many charities
September 2012
children. He was for many years a
that the Foundation had helped to
Sue Bousfield, Freewoman
member of the London Bach Choir.
support.
October 2012
He was also a member of several
He is survived by Sally, his four
Jenifer Coombe-Tennant,
yachting clubs, including the Royal
children – three of whom are
Freewoman, November 2012
Corinthian. At the age of 70, he took
Clothworkers – and eight
Margaret Forrester, Freewoman
part in the fifth leg of the Clipper
grandchildren. He will be fondly
Date unknown
Round the World Race, in 1997, and
remembered by his Clothworker
two years later participated in a
colleagues.
New Silver Commission The Company has commissioned a
jewellery quarter to view her progress
new piece of silver from the up and
on the piece, which promises to be a
coming silversmith Theresa
dazzling addition to our important
Nguyen.
collection of plate. As well as
Theresa is making a silver
demonstrating her techniques,
centrepiece based on a starburst-
Theresa put the Master through his
shaped foliage design for display at
paces – here he can be seen
Company lunches and dinners.
hammering a silver bowl!
Recently the Master, Peter Langley
Theresa plans to enter the
(Chair of the Works of Art
centrepiece into the Goldsmiths’
Committee) and Archivist visited
Craft and Design Council
anticipate taking delivery of the
Theresa’s studio in Birmingham’s
Competition this month and we
finished piece in March.
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 19
Early Charitable Giving
Silver cup commemorating John Bayworth
Our History and Wardens. In 1628, Samuel
This article looks at the origins of the Company’s support of charity. It draws on research undertaken by Dr Annaleigh Margey of the Centre for
Middlemore gave the Company
Metropolitan History at The University of London, specifically her paper
£800 (c£71,000 today) to purchase
entitled ‘People, Property and Charity: The Clothworkers’ Company,
land for pious and charitable uses.
1500 – 1688’.
Several benefactors wished In the first few centuries of its
dependants, but also to
to provide clothing to the
existence, most of the Company’s
outside bodies such as the
needy. William Lambe was
benevolence related to the
City parishes. Support for
discharging of conditions attached to
members included relief for those
instructing the Company to provide
gifts and bequests received. As the
who had fallen on hard times,
gowns, shirts, smocks and shoes for
Company’s prosperity grew, it was
pensions to widows, benevolence to
twelve poor men and twelve poor
able to use its own funds to make
prisoners and grants for those
women who would be present at an
charitable grants, initially largely to
travelling to the New World.
annual church service in his memory.
help its own members but
Most significant benefactors to the
The practice of donating shoes
progressively to broader
Company included some charitable
continued until 1986 and an annual
constituencies, leading to the
provision in the terms of the
service is held by the Master and
important philanthropic role which
donation – these ranged from small
Wardens in Lambe’s memory to this
the Clothworkers plays today,
sums towards Company member
day.
primarily through the Foundation.
relief, to parish poor relief, and to the
Thomasine Evans, the widow of John
building of almshouses for the
Evans, Citizen and Clothworker,
Company poor.
directed the Company in 1596 to
Origins
one such philanthropist,
provide two cart-loads of coal to the
Following the Reformation in the early sixteenth century, City Livery
Poor Relief
poor of St Katherine Coleman and St
Companies became an important
Following the Reformation, there was
Mary Abchurch parishes from the
component in the administration
a greater emphasis amongst
rents from her properties in
and distribution of charity to the
benefactors to direct their funds
Crutched Friars.
poor. At a time of religious upheaval,
towards parish and Company poor
Giving was not confined to the City
many wealthy Londoners entrusted
relief rather than sermons and
of London. Many Clothworkers had
their money and the rental income
masses for the salvation of the soul
come from around the country to
from their properties to Livery
(known as obits) as had previously
serve their apprenticeships and carry
Companies in order that it be given
been popular. In 1555 for example,
on their trade in London, but
over time to charity.
John Rogers stipulated that rents
retained strong associations with
These bequests, along with some of
from the property he gave to the
their roots. William Franckland
their own funds, were used to
Company be distributed among the
stipulated in 1574 that amounts
provide charitable relief, primarily to
poor within its membership.
should be paid each year to the poor
the Companies’ own members and
John Watson in the same year gave
in his home parish of Skipton in
their families, although specific
detailed instructions that 20s be paid
Yorkshire. Similarly, John Bayworth in
conditions often applied.
to the parish of St Mary Aldermary
1622 requested that money be paid to
and the residue of income from his
the poor of the almshouses of
The Clothworkers and Charity
property to the poorest Freemen in
Farnham in Surrey, as well as for
The Company administered
the Company.
repairs to the church and school
numerous trusts where specified
In 1622, Sir Thomas and Dame
there.
amounts were distributed to a range
Frances Trevor gave what was at the
of charitable causes. Over and above
time one of the largest donations to
Loan Schemes
such requirements, the Company
the Company for poor relief, £100
It was common amongst Livery
used a portion of the surplus income
(c£9,600 today), to allow annual
Companies after the Reformation to
to provide charitable relief, primarily
payments of £6 to six poor women of
establish loan schemes to provide
for its own members and their
the Company, selected by the Master
capital to young Freemen to set up
20 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
Early Charitable Giving
business. The loans were generally
to the Company and asked that rents
interest-free and required two
be used to support a free school at
guarantors.
Peel on the Isle of Man, with the
The earliest scheme was endowed by
money to be used to pay the school
a Past Master and Alderman,
master and go towards books and
Augustine Hynde, in 1556, and
stationery.
provided for four three-year loans of
In 1569, Sir Rowland Heyward, Past
£25 to young Clothworkers.
Master and Alderman, gave the
In his will of 1585, John Lute, a Past
Company £200 (c£34,800 today) on
psychiatric facilities, medical
Master, granted £100 (c£14,000 today)
condition that it pay £12 per annum
hospitals and even prisons.
to five young Freemen for a three-
to support a free school that he
Several Clothworker benefactors,
year term. Samuel Lese instructed
established.
including James Trussell, John Hobby
the Company in 1634 to set up a loan
Many benefactors, including Edward
and Thomas Dixon, gave money and
scheme in his name, and part of the
Pilsworth, William Heron and John
property to the Company, the income
income from Thomas Ormeston’s
Heath, provided support for university
from which went to Christ’s Hospital.
bequest in 1556 was used for a
scholars, and annual exhibitions at
In 1599, William Hewett established
similar purpose. Such schemes
various Oxford and Cambridge
annuities through the Company to
continued into the late seventeenth
colleges supported several students
Bart’s, St Thomas’s and Christ’s
century with James Burkin, Past
each year.
Hospitals.
£100 to provide five interest-free
Almshouses and Hospitals
Relief of Prisoners
loans of 10s each to Freemen of the
Endowments were also left towards
In the early modern period, most of
Company.
almshouses and hospitals in London.
the City’s prisoners lived in squalid,
Margaret, Countess of Kent, was the
overcrowded conditions, and many
Education
daughter of a Clothworker, James
had been imprisoned for failure to
Income from many of the properties
Finch, and an important benefactor.
pay their debts.
left to the Company funded schools
She gave the Company control of her
A number of benefactors left
and university bursaries, as did
almshouse at Whitefriars (in what is
endowments to the Company to
monetary donations.
now EC4) and property to provide
ensure that such inmates could be
William Lambe requested the
income to support seven poor
provided with food and other
Company to provide income from
women resident there. Later, in 1679,
necessities.
some of his properties to the school
Sir John Robinson left a total of £300
For example, in her 1596 will,
he founded in Sutton Valence in
(c£25,000 today) for maintenance of
Margaret Holligrave provided
Kent. This precipitated a long
the almswomen.
annuities to four prisons – Newgate,
association with the school up to the
In 1640, John Heath gave money to
Ludgate and the two compters (small
twentieth century.
the Company on condition that some
prisons for civil offences).
Philip Christian in 1653 left property
of it be used to erect five tenements
Artist’s reconstruction of Whitefriars’ Almshouse
Master and Alderman, bequeathing
to serve as almshouses for ten poor
Company Benevolence
Clothworkers, with the balance to
As the Company’s wealth and
generate an income which would
disposable income grew, it was able
support the residents. The almshouses
to provide support and benevolence
were built in Islington and were
to Company members and
maintained by the Company up to
petitioners from its own resources.
the twentieth century.
Such philanthropy included
The City’s hospitals, including Christ’s,
pensions, poor box relief, clothing
St Thomas’s, St Bartholomew’s and
and benevolence payments,
Bethlehem (or Bedlam), served
including support during periods of
various functions during their
illness or for losses sustained during
history, including as schools,
fire and rebellion. In the sixteenth and seventeenth
Portrait of Philip Christian,
centuries, pensions were a common
Clothworker and benefactor
means of the Company providing
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 21
Early Charitable Giving
benevolence. During this period over
received £5 for relief ‘having been
700 pensioners received money from
exposed to want and misery by the
the Clothworkers. Recipients
Irish rebels”.
included members, their widows and
The Company made numerous
former employees, with amounts
payments to prisoners and their
ranging from 20s to £5 a year. At
families. It was particularly
times, the demand was such that a
supportive of Clothworkers
survived up to the end of the
restriction needed to be placed on
imprisoned for little more than non-
twentieth century in trusts
the number of beneficiaries.
payment of debts, and would pay to
administered by the Company and
Many pensioners were described as
help secure their release. Its support
subsequently the Foundation.
the ‘poor of the Company’ and in
could also extend overseas, with two
However, the size of most of the
some cases conditions were attached
payments recorded in the seventeenth
trusts was such that they were
(for example, payment would cease
century to obtain the release of men
uneconomic. This led to several
should a widow remarry); many were
in Algiers, one a ransom, the other
waves of rationalisation, whereby
paid to the surviving spouse and, on
redemption out of slavery.
individual charities were merged,
occasion, payment was terminated
The Company’s benevolence also
allowing the maximum level of
(for example an almswoman in 1577
extended to broader causes. Money
income to be distributed to good
lost her entitlement due to ‘lewd
was given to help individuals
causes, rather than be absorbed by
behaviour and demeanour’ with a
following a fire: in 1630, Mr Grace, a
regulatory costs.
porter at Whitefriars).
Clothworker, received 40s after a fire
Today, the Clothworkers’ charitable
In addition to pensions, the Company
destroyed his property. Young
giving is undertaken through The
would also make one-off payments
Clothworkers also received money
Clothworkers’ Foundation and three
to petitioners in need. Most were to
towards their travel to the New
subsidiary trusts for visual
members of the Company who had
World: in 1639, Jeremiah Norcross
impairment, relief in need and
fallen ill or on hard times.
was given £10 towards his travel to
education.
In 1624, for example, the Company
New England, where he probably
The emphasis is now on support for
gave a Mr Pennington 20s so that he
intended to ply his trade.
institutions rather than individuals,
could travel to Bath where he hoped
Support also extended to Court
and there are clear grant-making
to recover from injury to his limbs. In
members and Liverymen who had
policies and rigorous assessment
1637, a Mr Morris received a similar
financial problems, and sought
processes which guide our giving and
amount, as plague had visited his
return of their Livery fines.
seek to ensure the funds are
Nineteenth century pensioner’s ticket
distributed effectively.
house. Small sums were paid for immediate
Foundations of Modern Giving
The Company remains a vital source
relief from poverty, whether from
Most of the early charity distributed
of funds for our charitable giving,
Company funds or the poor box, and
by the Clothworkers went directly to
since its surpluses are transferred
also to assist with the burial costs of
individuals, initially largely funded by
each year to the Foundation which
former members.
donations from members and other
distributes grants to charities.
The Company also supported
benefactors, but increasingly using
Reflecting our long tradition of
foreigners coming to London to flee
corporate funds as the Company’s
supporting individuals in need or
political turbulence in their country.
prosperity increased.
difficulty, we continue this activity
In 1633 a Mr Messinge, a burgess and
The names of some early benefactors
through a small number of charities
councillor of Magdeburg in Germany
who are geared up to help such
received £5 towards the relief of him
people in a way we could not. These
and his five children after they had
charities, which include Friends of
escaped the siege of the city.
the Elderly, Blind Aid and the Buttle
Similarly, the Company supported
Trust, receive a block grant each year
numerous protestant families fleeing
which they use to make small but
Ireland in the aftermath of the 1641
essential donations to individuals in
Catholic rebellion. Two former
need.
ministers in Ireland, Mr Smith and Mr Browne, each were granted 10s,
Miserable female paupers
and a Mr Cox and his seven children
at Bridewell Hospital, c.1808
22 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
Hall Natalie Williams
Hall Lettings As you may be aware, the Hall is
variety of corporate events from
often ‘lent’ commercially to
awards to Annual General Meetings.
external parties, and the revenue
We have recently started to
from this activity contributes to the
accommodate wedding receptions
considerable upkeep of the Hall.
commercially and were privileged
The autumn was a particularly busy
that Michael and Emily chose the
period for the Hall. We were pleased
Hall to celebrate their nuptials. After
to host a number of functions for
a reception and formal dinner the
do admire the seasonal blooms if
other Livery Companies and also
guests enjoyed dancing to a live
you are visiting the Hall.
City firms who used the Hall for a
band. Michael said of the event:
We are also working on plans to re-
“We will certainly recommend
develop the rarely-used ground
Clothworkers’ Hall and Chester
floor flat into additional meeting
Boyd to our friends. Please pass on
space. It is felt that the addition of
our thanks to all the team for a job
more meeting rooms will help when
well done. We were really pleased to
marketing the venue to commercial
be the first wedding at
clients and provide extra space
Clothworkers’!”
when the Company needs to hold internal meetings.
@Copyright Steve Bernard
Development
Michael and Emily
Each year we close the Hall over the
New staff for Chester Boyd
summer for essential
Our catering company, Chester Boyd,
refurbishment and maintenance.
has recently welcomed Natalie
This year amongst the
Williams to cover for Jo Westerbeek
improvements was the installation
who is on maternity leave; and
of window boxes on the ground
Andrew Bapniah is returning to the
floor exterior to improve our facade;
Hall to be front of house.
Staff New and returning staff Stacy Brooks, Senior Finance Assistant, has returned from maternity leave after having her son. We will be wishing her maternity cover Melonie Blunt farewell shortly. Victoria King joined as Events and Administration Officer, replacing Paula Eastop who retired over the summer. We wish
Victoria King
Kathryn Rooke
Mike and Abby
Paula a long and happy retirement. Jessica Collins, Archivist, is expecting her first child in early 2013, and we
Just Married!
wish her well. Her position will be
Michael Drummond, the Beadle,
On behalf of all the Company we
covered by Kathryn Rooke who joins
married Abigail Hazel at an intimate
wish them a long and happy
us on a maternity leave contract in
ceremony in September. They
marriage.
February.
honeymooned in Devon and Italy.
Winter 2013 | THE CLOTHWORKER | 23
Social Events It has been another full social calendar for the Company since the last edition of the Clothworker.
Great Twelve Sailing Challenge Victory was sweet for the Clothworkers in the Great Twelve Sailing Challenge at the Isle of Wight over the summer. Our teams won the senior race and also the combined ranking due to the junior boat’s success in third place. Congratulations to everybody who was involved. These beautiful decanters awarded to the teams are now at the Hall. John and Annie on board the William B
Jubilee The Jubilee offered a number of extraordinary social events including the Great Twelve taking part in the River Pageant and, despite the weather, a great time was had by all.
We always welcome stories from members. Please contact our Membership Communications Officer abbywrightparkes@clothworkers.co.uk with your story ideas.
Dates for Your Diary Masters and Clerks Dinner
Wine Tasting Supper
(by invitation only)
Tuesday 7 May 2013
Wednesday 6 March 2013 Annual Meeting of the Livery United Guilds Service and Lunch
and Election Dinner
Friday 15 March 2013
Wednesday 12 June 2013
Civic Dinner
Election of Sheriffs and Lunch
Thursday 11 April 2013
Monday 24 June 2013
24 | THE CLOTHWORKER | Winter 2013
The Great Twelve barge, the William B
Š Christopher Jonas: www.cwjpix.org
The Clothworker | Design by Chris Monk | Printing by Trident Printing | www.tridentprinting.co.uk
Stoddart-Scott