The Worshipful
Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers’
Banquet 2019
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Contents 4
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
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OUR HISTORY
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OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES
Graham Cole CBE FRAeS, Master, The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
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KIRI TE KANAWA FOUNDATION
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FOUNDATION SINGERS
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THE LONDON BANQUETING ENSEMBLE
How the Coachmakers has evolved
Investing in education and training
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A brief background to the charitable organisation that helps young singers to make their way in the world of opera Biographies of this evening’s talented performers
A profile of tonight's musicians
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PROJECT 350 AND BEYOND
Looking to the future of the Company
THE LIVERY COMPANIES OF THE CITY OF LONDON
A history of the development of the City Livery Companies
14 AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS
The Coachmakers’ support for the armed forces through affiliated units
16 QUICKSILVER AND THE HISTORY OF THE MAIL COACH The story of how a legendary mail coach was restored to its original form
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LIVERY MEMBERS’ EVENTS
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THE LIVERY WARDENS
A review of some of this year’s visits Profiles of the Coachmakers’ three Wardens
Acknowledgements With thanks for their support to: The City of London Corporation GNC Associates Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Court Steward Mark Broadbent, Fenix Carriages Freeman Portia Kennaway RVL Group
Produced by Harfield Media – www.harfieldmedia.com Edited by Barry Davies | Designed by Herita MacDonald
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Welcome and introduction Graham Cole CBE FRAeS Master, The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
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t is my great pleasure to welcome you to the famous Guildhall and to our annual Banquet. The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers, to give the full name of our Livery, received its Royal Charter during the reign of King Charles II, when coaches were the dominant mode of transport. Whilst today we also represent modern transport of automotive and aerospace, we proudly retain links to our origins, and our commitment to support young people wishing to enter our industries is as strong today as it was nearly 350 years ago. This evening we will have the opportunity of seeing one of the famous, historic coaches from coaching’s heyday: Quicksilver. The skill and dedication of Coachmakers, which have been a hallmark of our Livery since the 17th century, are evident in the restoration of Quicksilver to its original standard. I am very proud that we
play an active role in encouraging young people to join our industries and maintain these worldclass skills via our apprenticeships, bursaries and outreach programmes, as well as through our charitable purposes, about which you can read more in the following pages. I am also delighted to welcome Sir Andrew Parmley as the Representative Lord Mayor and our senior guest this evening. Sir Andrew is a former Lord Mayor, an Honorary Coachmaker and a long-standing friend of our Livery. It is a great pleasure to have Dame Kiri Te Kanawa with us this evening and to be entertained by singers from her world-famous Foundation. I am also pleased to be able to record that, earlier today, Dame Kiri became an Honorary Coachmaker and received the Freedom of the City of London from the Chamberlain. My thanks to everyone who has been involved in arranging this Banquet. I trust you will have an enjoyable evening. 4
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Our history A brief chronicle of the evolution of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
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he Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers received its Charter from King Charles II on 31st May 1677, creating the 72nd Livery Company of the City of London. By the Charter, no one could lawfully carry out the trade of coachmaker or coach harness maker within 20 miles of London without being a member of the Company. The Charter states that the Company may purchase and hold lands, plead and be impleaded in law, possess a Clerk and a Beadle; that no person other than a Freeman of the Company shall follow the trade; and that, after obtaining a warrant from the Lord Chief Justice, and accompanied by a constable, the Master, Wardens and Assistants may enter “shopps, cellars, sollars,
stables, coachhouses and suspected places,” and examine coaches and materials, find out defects, and prosecute offenders. EARLY MEETINGS
Initially, the Court met at various locations, including the Painter Stainers’ Hall, at Guildhall or in taverns, before the Company bought its own hall from the Worshipful Company of Scriveners for £1,600 in 1703. The site, in Noble Street, was rebuilt in 1843 and 1870, but was destroyed in an air raid in December 1940. The Company’s library and many of its possessions, including a Master’s chair from 1670, were lost. Luckily, the plate and other treasures, including an original model of the Royal State Coach from 1761, had been removed. 6
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The Company has strong connections
and HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught in 1927. Current Royal Liverymen include HRH the Duchess of Kent, HRH Prince Michael of Kent and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. In 1865, the Company began to give prizes for the encouragement of good design and workmanship in the construction of vehicles. The encouragement of technical education and the improvement of design are objectives that the Company has always supported.
with all three of the UK’s armed forces q
The decline of the horse-drawn carriage
saw the Coachmakers' membership change to reflect the rise of automotive and
aerospace engineering and manufacturing
CHANGING FASHIONS
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The subjects reflect the changes in fashion and habits of the day. In 1884, there was a prize for ‘a lady’s driving phaeton’, and in 1904 a design was invited for ‘a motor car to carry four people in the hind part and one or two in the driver’s seat, suitable for a petrol engine’. When the horse-drawn carriage was superseded by the motor car, the number of coachmakers that changed with the times was not great, and their number diminished even more when handmade motor coachwork gave way to the mass-produced car. Fortunately, the growing number of motor manufacturers were recognised by the Coachmakers Company, and they were soon joined by makers of the ‘coaches of the air’. The two industries – motor and aircraft – became the modern equivalents of the coachmakers of old. Whilst not the wealthiest Livery, the Coachmakers is arguably one of the City’s most active Livery Companies – in its enduring and dynamic support for the Lord Mayor’s efforts to extol and promote British industry across the globe, and in its support and encouragement for British automotive and aerospace companies.
HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (centre), is one
of the Coachmakers' three current Royal Liverymen
The Company has long-established links with all three branches of the armed services. In 1900, the Company organised a competition for improving the design of horse-drawn ambulances for the Boer War. Today, the Company maintains strong connections with the services, which foster mutual understanding of arms, industry and the City. Five members of the Royal family have honoured the Company by accepting membership and office, including the Duke of Edinburgh in 1863
GROWING MEMBERSHIP
The modern Livery has not faded – membership increases year on year. Having adopted these two evolutions of the original craft of coachmaking, the Coachmakers has embraced its responsibilities, from helping young people to become engineers and designers in these industries, to providing outstanding contacts and communications to help British business succeed in all viable markets. 7
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Our charitable purpose and activities An active livery investing in young people
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he focus of the Coachmakers is on apprenticeships, students and young people who are interested in or work in our affiliated industries. Our purpose is to feed the demand for creative, qualified and ambitious people that the automotive, aerospace and coachmaking sectors need today and will need tomorrow. It is almost 350 years since the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers became the City of London’s sole trade association responsible for the manufacture
of wheeled vehicles and associated equipment – coaches and coach harnesses, to be specific! We were, in common with all Liveries, a closed shop; a privilege that was guarded as fiercely as good trades unions guarded their members some years later. Livery companies looked after their own from the start. This tradition has evolved to an ethos of benevolence and charitable endeavour, so that today the Coachmakers, in common with the whole Livery movement, has become a strong charity with a particular focus on our 8
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three main industrial legs: coachmaking and coach harness-making, the automotive sector and the aerospace sector. Broadly speaking, the background of most of our members covers an involvement in the engineering, design, manufacture, sale, repair or restoration of coaches, motor cars or aircraft. Some years ago we defined our vision thus: “An active Livery, investing in young people.” It is this vision that drives our charitable activities, led by the Charity Committee, which meets several times a year to define, adapt and put into effect what that means in practice.
at Imperial College, City University, Kingston University, Durham University and Bath University, all reading for first and further degrees in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects. We make an award to a postgraduate student of the Royal College of Art, studying vehicle design, while at PhD level we interview up to five students at Cranfield University, all of whom are working at the highest levels of engineering research, for the Eric Beverley Bursary. Past winners have tended to use these funds to go to overseas conferences and symposia that would otherwise have been impossible to attend. Our three flying scholarships – named after de Havilland, Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown and Victor Gauntlett – are provided for individuals that have shown aptitude and determination to become a pilot. It is well recognised that being able to control an aircraft competently, or race a car well, are both skills and traits that enhance an engineer’s capabilities and add an important dimension to talent and education. The Coachmakers are especially proud that, with Jaguar Land Rover and, in future, with Dowty Propellers we have a scholarship programme to encourage young women who wish to read for a STEM degree. We do this
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Principally, what we do is focused on education and training, with the Company providing scholarships and bursaries to support this at various levels in ‘our’ industries and crafts. Apprentices whom we support directly work and study at Xtrac Transmission Technology, Fairbourne Carriages, the National Motor Museum and at a new appointment, Dowty Propellers. We provide a valuable annual Scholarship to enable a mechanic or technician to obtain an aircraft maintenance licence. We have undergraduate and postgraduate award-winners on Scholarships and Bursaries qu
The Coachmakers' charitable activities focus on education and
training for students of all ages. This includes helping to inspire younger children in the classroom with hands-on activities
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The Coachmakers actively encourage young women
because there is a severe shortage of graduate engineers in the UK and, for too long, young women have been discouraged from joining the sector. We believe that women add a valuable depth to problem-solving and have set up these programmes specifically because of the value that women bring to individuals, schools and colleges, and to our industries.
to enter the automotive, aerospace and coachmaking
industries by setting up dedicated training programmes q
Emily Leese was recently appointed as a workshop
apprentice at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and is also a recent recipient of a Coachmakers’ Motor Bursary
SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS
All this is most positive, and to be encouraged. There is another side to what we do, though, which has its focus on individuals who may not have the advantages that others enjoy. To that end, we support schools and students through the Livery Schools Link (LSL) on an ongoing basis. This organisation, which functions across the whole Livery movement, aims to help inspire school students and develop their employability skills. Volunteers are encouraged, whether someone is starting their career or has many years’ experience – there are opportunities for everyone and all are welcome. 10
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The Coachmakers is a key player in LSL and we participate in the annual Careers Showcase held at Guildhall. For many students, the Coachmakers message and mantra is that we seek to help inspire young people whose personal career expectations are low. All students have potential, we believe, and Liverymen are encouraged to become involved in helping to develop that potential into a career. The LSL website is a good starting point for anyone keen to find out more: www.liveryschoolslink.org.uk NATIONAL SATURDAY CLUB
The Coachmakers company has published
Another vital involvement we have is with the National Saturday Club – a new take on an old idea. In 2016, the Saturday Club Trust was launched as an independent charity through which young people can spend Saturday mornings at their local university, college or museum discovering more about subjects they love. Saturday Clubs are open to 13-to-16-yearolds and are free to attend. Science & Engineering Saturday Clubs, one of which we support at Kingston University, introduce young people to the latest industry thinking and technologies, and highlight the extraordinary past achievements of key scientists and engineers. Each Science & Engineering programme focuses on a specific theme, and encourages club members to develop practical and analytical skills, while thinking creatively. The Kingston group has looked at robotics, broadcast engineering, renewable energy, and wellbeing and nutrition. The programme includes demonstrations and hands-on investigations, as well as workshops and masterclasses with prominent professionals working in the sciences and engineering. Our involvement with Imperial College’s Makerspace Programme is relatively new and hugely important to children and the local community in one of the more deprived areas of the UK. Makerspace is a place where young people can learn to design and make a wide variety of objects and develop their ideas.
a Guide to Careers in Engineering. This has
been circulated to more than 1,000 schools,
universities and colleges, and has been seen by
students, teachers and academics across the UK. It is available for free, both as a digital
publication and as a document to download
from the following link: inl.co.uk/coachmakers/ engineeringcareerguide
Please read, share and help spread the word.
They are helped by professional staff, who advise on method and tool use. One element of the programme is that ideas worthy of commercial exploitation can be directed, with their inventors, to people who can help. Just imagine being 15 or 16 years old and having the opportunity to test your idea, for real, alongside people who know how to develop good ideas into saleable products. ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT
The Coachmakers is proud of what it does, which goes so much further than merely sending funds at arm’s length. Several individual Liverymen get actively involved, giving up their time in the evenings and at weekends to help support these and other projects. The aim is simple: the UK will engineer its future and, to do that, it needs engineers. The Coachmakers, in its own small way, is helping to create and fund those vital components of success. 11
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Project 350 and Beyond Christopher Walkinshaw, Chair of the Coachmakers' Committee 350 and Beyond, on developing an ambitious vision for the Company's future
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he Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers was granted its Royal Charter in 1677, fulfilling a pivotal role: setting standards and leading by example in the oversight and control of the coach and coach harness making industries; helping London to get around with safe and high-quality transport. By the time of our 250th anniversary, the Livery had evolved to maintain its relevance in the modern day by adopting both the modern horseless carriage (the car) and the flying carriage (the aeroplane) – insightful moves by our forebears in the Livery, who recognised the
importance of adapting to the new technologies that would become so ubiquitous, not just in London, but all around the world. Now, as we approach our 350th anniversary in 2027, the Master and Wardens, with the backing of the Court, have established a new committee to use the opportunity of the anniversary to consider how we might also reshape the Livery to ensure that the Coachmakers adapt and evolve to remain relevant, not only within the Livery movement, but also to our three core sectors – Coachmaking, Automotive and Aerospace – embracing new technologies and trends, such as electrification and autonomous operation, and even outer space. 12
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• REWARDING MEMBERSHIP
Being a Coachmaker is an honour. How can we evolve that into an aspirational ambition for individuals across all three of our sectors, so that being invited to become a Coachmaker is seen to be the ultimate reflection of your standing and the contribution you have made to one, or more, of the sectors. Each of us takes subtly different things from being a Coachmaker, and that variety is to be prized. The 350+ Committee will need to understand all those motivations and will seek to propose ways in which we can build on each of them. • FINANCIAL STRENGTH
The Coachmakers is not the poorest Livery Company, but we are a long way from being the wealthiest, and we operate year by year under tight, and restricting, limits. Our only dedicated resource is our hard-working and resourceful Clerk and his part-time Assistant Clerk. Otherwise, we are almost entirely reliant on willing members to volunteer to undertake essential roles and keep the show on the road. How much more could the Coachmakers achieve if we were able to invest in delivering our many programmes, and how much more our charity committee could do if they had more to disburse each year? What would a confident, financially strong and independent Coachmakers look like and how do we transform our finances? By the time of our 400th anniversary in 2077, it would be great to see the Coachmakers widely considered to be the pre-eminent Livery Company, renowned across the UK and overseas for being relevant and integral to our core sectors and beyond, and where membership is prized, valued and a realistic ambition. There will be the opportunity for all members of the Livery to participate in this exciting project, so that together we can shape the Company for the next 350 years.
Court Steward Christopher Walkinshaw, Chairman of Committee 350 and Beyond p
The Royal Charter of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers, granted in 1677 t
It is an honour to have been invited by the Master and Wardens to chair the new 350+ Committee and to have the opportunity to work with fellow Coachmakers to develop an ambitious vision for the future, through which we can ensure that, by the time of our 400th anniversary, we are one of the pre-eminent Livery Companies, with a special place not only in the City of London, but also within our three core sectors. As I see it at this early stage, building on the important work of the Way Forward Group over the past five years, there will be three core strands to our approach: • RELEVANCE
What role can we fulfil that adds value in each of our three core sectors, and how can we build on this to ensure that we are widely recognised to be an integral part of those sectors? This might, for example, be about investing in and setting standards for apprenticeships across each of our sectors. Could we, through our charitable trust, fund more, high-quality apprenticeships in these areas? How do we make sure that being a Coachmaker Apprentice is widely seen to be a gold standard?
Court Steward Christopher Walkinshaw Chairman, Committee 350 and Beyond christopher@walkinshaw.org 13
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Affiliated associations The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers supports and engages with the armed forces through active participation with specific affiliated units HMS BULWARK
The Coachmakers’ Royal Navy affiliated service unit is HMS Bulwark – an 18,500-tonne Amphibious Control and Support ship currently undertaking a period of extended readiness,
which will continue until she emerges from a significant refit in 2023. Since February 2017, Bulwark has been used extensively as a training ship, hosting young marine and weapons engineers, who have worked on board as part of the team and who, while learning their trade, help the Bulwark project before rejoining their units. Bulwark has also hosted a number of successful Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) events, which have seen hundreds of young people and their teachers board the ship to develop their skills and knowledge. The ship has seen more than 70 visits, attended by over 1,500 people ranging in age from nine to 79.
THE SEA CADETS AND THE AIR CADETS
The Coachmakers’ affiliated Sea Cadet Unit is the Hornchurch and Upminster Unit, and we are formally affiliated to the Air Cadets through 452 (Hornchurch) Sqn ATC. The Sea Cadets organisation was formed to help orphans of the Crimean War, as coastal communities came together to provide places for sailors to pass on skills to destitute young people. Today, Sea Cadets acquire new ways of thinking and acting from their adventures, including powerboating, sailing and catering for a crew. Now a charity, the Sea Cadets organisation works with 14,000 young people between 10 and 18 years, and has 400 units across the UK and in Bermuda, run by 9,000 volunteers. The Air Training Corps (ATC) is one of the UK’s largest youth organisations, with 40,000 cadets who take part in activities including flying,
adventure training, sport and overseas camps. The aims of both Sea and Air Cadet organisations are to provide experiences that will be of use to the cadets in their future lives, and to encourage a spirit of adventure, develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship – all while having a lot of fun!
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RAF BRIZE NORTON
The Coachmakers’ RAF affiliated service unit is RAF Brize Norton – the nation’s hub for military air transport and air-to-air refuelling, which steadfastly meets the Ministry of Defence’s short-notice, routine and unusual commitments without fuss or fanfare. The site, which was built in 1935, hosts No 99, 10 and 100 Squadrons, flying a range of aircraft, including C17, Voyager, C130 Hercules and Airbus A400M Atlas fleets. These aircraft often move large and outsized
loads all over the globe, and have regularly stepped in to support relief efforts following many natural disasters around the world.
COMMANDO HELICOPTER FORCE
The Coachmakers’ affiliated naval helicopter unit is Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), part of the Joint Helicopter Command, which
supports ground forces in lift, find and attack operations on land and water. Since its return from deployment in Afghanistan, the unit has been based at RNAS Yeovilton, and has seen the arrival of a new fleet of Merlin Mk4 helicopters, as well as the new HMS Queen Elizabeth II aircraft carrier, which it supports. Unexpected military or humanitarian assistance across the globe demands a flexible and rapid response, and has become more difficult to predict. The CHF, as part of the UK’s highreadiness amphibious response force task group, is ideally structured to respond with global reach and speed to any crisis to protect and promote the nation’s security, prosperity and reputation.
ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS
The Coachmakers’ Army affiliated service unit is the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG), which traces its roots back to the 1680s, when James II and William of Orange battled for the English throne. The regiment remains at the forefront of change and has helped to shape some of the early work towards STRIKE – the plan to transform the British Army for the 2020s and beyond, in response to the strategic challenges it is likely to face in the future. The regiment regularly attends training at the British Army Training Unit in Alberta, Canada, and is part of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, deployed on operations. It remains one of the best-recruited
Royal Armoured Corps regiments, and is planned to relocate from York to Warminster in 2020.
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Quicksilver and the history of the mail coach Returning a legendary mail coach to its original form was a considerable task requiring detailed craftsmanship
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n 1782, John Palmer, a theatre owner in Bath and Bristol, became so frustrated at long postal delays that he took his idea of a postal service using a coach with armed guards to Parliament. In 1784, after a trial run, sanctioned by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, William Pitt, who saw the revenue potential in such a service, Palmer was given the go ahead. The trial run had cut 35 hours
from the delivery time for mail from London to Bristol and, by 1796, there were more than 40 routes across the country. The mail coach system was up and running, but more money and more coaches were needed. Palmer was approached by John Besant, an eccentric designer who also happened to be a wheelwright. Besant patented a design for a new coach and, in 1788, the first purpose-built 16
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vehicle was presented to the public as the official mail coach. In partnership with John Vidler, Besant & Co of Millbank, London, was established to manufacture all the mail coaches. In 1805, the company name was changed to Vidler and, under the control of John Vidler’s son, Ffinch, the coaches were modernised, designs altered and the coaches became more like those we know today. It was under his auspices that the Quicksilver was built. By the late 1820s, the mail coaches had reached the height of their development and Britain possessed the fastest, cheapest and most efficient form of public transport the world had ever known. The coaching industry increased employment across the country, thanks to the demand for coaching inns, blacksmiths, clerks, guards, ostlers and coachbuilders, among many other supporting trades. The rapid growth and improvement in roads and communication held the British in awe – in particular, the
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The restoration of the legendary Quicksilver would
bring the mail coach back to its original form. Although
the majority of the woodwork had survived, parts of the body required replacement timber
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mail coaches, known as ‘The Mails’, with their record of speed, punctuality and smartness. No other country could match its excellence and, according to the British, ‘it was perfection’. The mail coach routes were organised by numbers, the most famous being the London to Devonport mail, number 209. This was the fastest long-distance mail in the country, and also one of the most important, bringing back news from the naval ports. A distance of 215 miles took 21.5 hours, including stops for changing mailbags and horses. LEGENDARY STATUS
The mail coach commanded a legendary status among the public. It is said that people set their watches by the mail, as it was so accurate. Timing had never been that precise before the mail coach system. The guard, who was in charge of the coach, would be fined if the mail was late. It became a legend in its own lifetime, the only mail coach out of hundreds covering the country to be given a name to capture its fame, speed and panache: the Quicksilver. The Devonport Mail, Quicksilver, by Vidler, was almost 200 years old when it ended its service at the close of the year 1835. After it was taken off the road, it was acquired by Jack Stracey, an early member of the Coaching Club during the early coaching revival period (1850 onwards). As with many retired mail coaches, it was altered and turned into a private coach, or park drag. It was passed on to Stracey's nephew, another coaching enthusiast, Edward Stacey Clitheroe, who inherited Hotham Hall in East Yorkshire in 1865, where he kept the coach. Quicksilver ended up in the Hull Museum of Transport, among a carriage collection, having been turned back to resembling a mail coach, albeit rather incorrectly. It was then sold in the 1970s to a private buyer and stored away, until his death, whereupon it was sold in an auction of classic cars by Bonhams in 2015. Quicksilver was bought by Portia Kennaway, a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers, for her fine collection, and more importantly, to keep it in the UK. Portia
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The spokes, hubs and felloes of the wheels were
sound enough to be reused, unlike the rear boot, which required considerable alteration
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conserving what is incorrect. Over the years the Quicksilver had already been altered, changed back and painted incorrectly in both colour and crests. A complete strip-down was required. The first stage was to rebuild the wheels. Fortunately the majority of the spokes, hubs and felloes were sound enough to be reused and the old wheels were tightened and made sound, without requiring a major rebuild. The body structure needed more replacement timber in parts, but again, the majority of the woodwork had survived. The rear boot, where the mail was carried, required considerable alteration, as did the guard’s seat. It was necessary to return it to being top-opening, and therefore to alter and remake the seat ironwork to suit. Throughout the body perch and undercarriage, any rotten timber parts were replaced, broken panels repaired and, in places, the main structural ribs of the body reinforced. LEVELLING UP
The whole coach suffered from a list to the right, so resetting and tempering some of the side springs was necessary to level it up. The spring leaves were separated and checked, sand blasted and refitted, as was all the ironwork. The main body panels are covered in leather under the paint. Mark restored and kept the original leather parts of the top quarter panels, which included the four orders of knighthood painted on them. These were carefully removed, restored, touched up and refitted to the body. Blending in the new paint with the old, then varnishing with numerous coats, it is hard to believe the orders now visible are the originals. The leather on the remaining body panels was also renewed. Once all the structural work was complete, the task of painting proceeded, with numerous primer coats, under coats and rub-downs. Matching the colours to descriptions found in correspondence of the time was important. The coach was finished in the original colours of vermilion wheels and carriage work, black body panels, and with the royal claret colour to the doors and lower quarter panels.
consigned the coach to fellow Liveryman and Steward, Mark Broadbent of Fenix Carriages, to undertake its complete restoration. As Mark had restored other carriages for Portia, she was well aware of his enthusiasm, fastidious attention to detail and desire to get things right. This was an enormous task, and one of the most exciting projects ever undertaken by Fenix Carriages. Mark went to tremendous lengths to research and investigate Vidler’s history and work. This was made even more interesting when he met David Honour, who has spent a lifetime researching and studying Vidler. His input and extensive archive collection has unearthed detailed facts, which have resulted in a finished article as true to the original as possible. Mark’s philosophy is really quite simple: to conserve wherever possible, and restore and rebuild where need be. Bearing in mind there are plans to use the coach, it was not just a question of restoring it to look smart as a museum piece – it had to be structurally sound, and work well. Additionally, there is no point in 19
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The painstaking work of painting by brush returned
Quicksilver's original colours, crests and lettering
William IV was monarch at the time that the coach was built, and also when it was taken off the road in 1836. Therefore, it was important to put the correct cypher on the front boot panels, and the arms on the door – all brush-painted, as with all 20-plus coats of paint on the whole. Finally, research revealed a description of the style of the interior. The woollen cloth was woven and dyed to suit, and the inside ceiling was covered in oilcloth painted to match what was written at the time. Mark researched the making of the oilcloth, which is no longer available, and recreated what would have been originally fitted. The final trim of broadlace with two crimson stripes was also specially woven to finish the interior. New exterior seat cushions were made and, again, oilcloth was used to cover and protect the footboards and floor. With the addition of fitting the now highly polished handles, various straps and appointments, the Quicksilver is now standing tall and proud, as a true legacy for the next 200 years. 20
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Since its creation 15 years ago, The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has provided financial assistance, mentoring and guidance to more than 100 outstanding musicians whose talents have been recognised by the Foundation’s musical advisors, headed by Dame Kiri. Grants are provided to assist with attendance at international conservatoires, language training, competitions, auditions and more. As part of its mission the Foundation has funded the Kiri Project in New Zealand, identifying and The Foundation is a registered Charity in the United Kingdom. Please contact
preparing the next generation of New Zealand singers, as well as
the Foundation for regular information
creating the Kiri Te Kanawa Cover
about the Foundation’s activities and
Awards, at the Royal Opera House,
to receive future editions of the Foundation’s newsletter Aria.
Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK) – c/o Gillian Newson, 23 Prince of Wales Mansions, Prince of Wales Drive, London SW11 4BQ e: foundation@kiritekanawa.org gilliannewson@outlook.com
Covent Garden, annual scholarships at the Royal College of Music and enjoys close contact with many international musical organisations, including the National Opera Studio, The Jette Parker Young Artists Scheme at the Royal Opera, and in New Zealand, The Lexus Song Quest.
www.kiritekanawa.org
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Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation
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ame Kiri Te Kanawa created the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation in 2004 to provide judicious mentoring, financial support and career assistance to New Zealand and selected international singers with exceptional potential, to find their place in the world of opera. One of Dame Kiri’s motivations in establishing the Foundation was to find imaginative and constructive ways to assist outstanding singers with their international career development. She believed that it was relatively easy to give young singers a big cheque and send them on their way hoping for the best, but thought a more considered and strategic approach might produce better results. It might be more efficient, for example, to provide additional support in specific areas of training, so that young singers are better prepared. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported over 70 talented singers. Support has been geared to helping them to attend international music schools and has included tuition fees, funds for travel, auditions, profession visa-application advice and language tuition. Support for the young singers has not been restricted to funding – Dame Kiri has also taken time out from her international schedule to mentor and coach small groups of singers studying in the UK, usually in the form of weekend sessions at her home. The feedback from the selected singers has been inspiring. In 2016, the Foundation launched its most ambitious initiative. The ‘Kiri Programme’ was designed to provide a high-level, personalised
and sustained skills boost to small groups of outstanding young opera singers preparing for international postgraduate training and career development. The Programme is organised by the Foundation and led by prominent international teachers and coaches. The singers that participated in the inaugural modules credited the 'Kiri Programme' with playing a large part in an impressive string of successful auditions and competition results. Special annual projects supported by the Foundation include the annual Kiri Te Kanawa Cover Awards in association with the Royal Opera House, and the Kiri Te Kanawa Scholarships, awarded to selected singers at the Royal College of Music, now in its seventh year. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa writes:
When we were asked to suggest some songs
to entertain you during this wonderful banquet, we immediately thought that the setting at the Guildhall was sure to be ‘An Enchanted
Evening’. So we have brought together some much-loved songs.
The composers we have chosen range from
the brilliant Leonard Bernstein, with songs
from his ever-popular musical West Side Story, and the always witty Cole Porter. We have also included lively music from South America, while not forgetting a nod to opera with a duet by Mozart!
We hope you enjoy this evening’s
entertainment.
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Foundation singers Profiles of this evening's performers from the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation
Julieth Lozano SOPRANO
J
ulieth Lozano is a Colombian soprano awarded a Master in Vocal Performance at the Royal College of Music (RCM), continuing her studies at the RCM International Opera School with Dinah Harris. Julieth is an Irene Hanson Scholar, supported by a Jessie Summer scholarship, the Henry Wood Accomodation Trust and a Sybil Tutton award for 2019. Julieth won first prize in the 2015 Emmy Destinn Awards Competition, held in London, and was the winner of young and professional categories in Colombia’s National Singing Competition, as well as a Salvi Foundation Young Talent. She was a participant in Georg Solti’s Academy 2016 summer programme. She also played the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni at the Verbier Festival, where she was awarded the Prix Thierry Mermod for singers. She has had masterclasses with, among others, Angela Gheorghiu, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Richard Bonnynge, Roger Vignoles, Carmen Gianattasio and Dann Ettinger. Julieth has also performed the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen, Tytania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Serpina in La Serva Padrona. In 2018, she performed in both India and China, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover and RCM. Upcoming performances include recitals of Spanish songs and playing Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the RCM International Opera School, directed by Sir Thomas Allen. 24
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Julien Van Mellaerts BARITONE
A
warded the Maureen Forrester Prize at the 2018 Concours musical international de Montréal and winner of the 2017 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition and the 2017 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, British/New Zealand baritone Julien Van Mellaerts was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal on graduation from the Royal College of Music (RCM). Julien was supported by the Fishmongers Company during his time at the RCM, and is grateful to the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation for its ongoing support of his career. Highlights of 2017-18 included recitals with pianist Julius Drake for the BBC Lunchtime Series at the Wigmore Hall, the Enniskillen International Beckett Festival and the Juan March Foundation, playing Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos for Longborough Festival Opera, the title role in Eugene Onegin for Cambridge Philharmonic Society, and Elizabeth with the Royal Ballet at the Barbican Hall in London.
During 2018-19, he has toured with James Baillieu for Chamber Music New Zealand. His current engagements include recitals with Julius Drake at the Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, and at Temple Music, London, Schaunard in La Bohème for New Zealand Opera, the title role in Stanford’s The Travelling Companion for New Sussex Opera, Britten’s War Requiem in Lincoln and Salisbury Cathedrals, Copland's Old American Songbook with the Joenssu City Orchestra, Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen on tour with the Israel Camerata, and recitals at the Lied Festival Victoria de los Ángeles (LIFE Victoria), Barcelona, and Oxford Lieder. Julien makes his debut in Salzburg in January 2020 in a new production of The Marriage of Figaro, in the title role. 25
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Gary Matthewman PIANIST
G
ary is one of the UK’s leading song pianists, performing worldwide. A regular artist at Wigmore Hall, other recent and forthcoming appearances include recitals at Carnegie Hall New York, the Musikverein Vienna, Philharmonie Paris, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, and in Stockholm, Lisbon, Prague, Toronto, Washington DC, São Paulo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney. His UK festival performances include Aldeburgh, Brighton, Buxton, Leeds Lieder, Oxford Lieder and Glyndebourne. His recital partners to date include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Ailyn Perèz, Sumi Jo, Joan Rodgers, Joyce DiDonato, Mark Padmore, John Mark Ainsley, Sir Thomas Allen, Roderick Williams, Andrei Bondarenko, Markus Werba and Adam Plachetka.
Gary has made numerous live broadcasts and recordings for BBC Radio 3, and his recording of Schubert’s Winterreise with Matthew Rose for Stone Records was released to critical acclaim, featuring as ‘Recording of the Month’ in Gramophone magazine, and as BBC Radio 3’s Disc of the Week. He is Professor of Vocal Repertoire at the Royal College of Music and song coach for the Jette Parker Young Artists at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Whilst continuing his recital work, Gary is currently studying conducting with Sian Edwards at the Royal Academy of Music. He made his professional debut in November 2018 in a performance of Britten’s War Requiem at the Sage, Gateshead, conducting the chamber orchestra, and recently became the Artistic Director of the Orion Orchestra. 26
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The London Banqueting Ensemble
S
teve Fletcher served 14 years as a military musician with the band and orchestra of the Royal Artillery, During his time with the Royal Artillery, Steve attained the post of principal trumpet, and also deputised as principal cellist. In 2002,
he formed the London Banqueting Ensembles (LBE) and has provided top-class musical entertainment for some of the most prestigious functions, events and weddings in the UK. Consisting of various ensembles including Fanfare Trumpeters, String Quartet, Palm Court Trio, Brass Quintet and Salon Orchestra, the LBE has rapidly gained an enviable reputation as leaders in the field of function music. The LBE Salon Orchestra performs regularly at some of the most prestigious functions in the London area, at venues including the Mansion House, the Guildhall, the Dorchester Hotel and the Banqueting House. Flexible in size from four to 22 musicians, the LBE Orchestra can easily adapt to suit any occasion – performing wellknown music in many styles – with the addition of the LBE Fanfare Trumpeters highlighting key points of your function and performing a dazzling rendition of the Post Horn Gallop. 27
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The Livery Companies of the City of London A history of the development of the City Livery Companies and their initiatives to train and educate future generations
T
he Livery Companies and the city of London have grown up together – they share common goals and, since the earliest beginnings of the City, have both been strong and active in its support. They are integral to the City’s governance and each Liverymen elect Sheriffs of the City of London, endorse the election of the Lord Mayor and play a prominent part in major events. Today, there are more than 100 liveries, and though trading conditions have changed since
their inception, their work is as pertinent as it has always been. Although the Companies are different in size, structure and interests, they share the same ethos: supporting trade, education, charity and fellowship, and work in the best interests of the communities in which they operate. The charitable dimension of their work now amounts to over £65 million each year The earliest Livery Charter still in existence was granted to the Weavers’ Company in 1155. The principles behind the formation of the Guilds 28
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was that those working in the same craft lived and worked near each other, and by grouping together they could regulate competition within their trade and thereby maintain high standards. They benefited their members and customers alike by controlling the manufacture and selling of most goods and services in the Square Mile. As they became more established, many set up their headquarters in large houses or Halls, which, as well as a being a meeting place, became the venue for settling trade or domestic disputes. Many London street names still bear witness to areas where individual trades gathered and flourished.
From their earliest days, the Companies emphasised the importance of good training and, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the Livery Companies prominently underpinned all industries and professions through research funds, excellence awards, sponsorships and other carefully targeted trade support. Added to these activities were many forms of technical and other education, simultaneously supporting new industries and training young people to work in them. Founded in 1878, the City & Guilds Institute was a notable outcome and is still prominent in vocational education today, and is actively supported by the Livery Companies. In 1385, a regulation was introduced requiring each Lord Mayor to have previously served as a Sheriff and, today, each Lord Mayor will still belong to one of the City Livery Companies and be supported by their fellow Liverymen. Nowadays, the Sheriffs have only nominal duties, but the role evolved from the Shire Reeve of Norman Conquest days, who had wide-ranging powers as the representative of the king in a city, town or shire. The City of London is the world’s oldest continuous municipal democracy and the Lord Mayor, as the Head of the City of London Corporation, presides over its governing bodies. The Livery Companies and the City of London have enjoyed a long, close and extremely effective working partnership, sharing objectives, supporting excellence, financing educative programmes within their profession and, together, promoting the Square Mile. This partnership is fostered through the Livery Committee, which strengthens these ties, as well as constantly seeking new ways to enhance joint initiatives for the future – the next generations. In keeping with their origins, the Livery Companies provide substantial funds to charitable and educational organisations and support universities and other vocational institutions, along with apprenticeship schemes.
Today, there are more than 100 liveries, and though trading conditions have changed since their inception, their work is as pertinent as it has always been The Guilds, so called as the word derives from the Saxon word for payment, since membership was paid for, became known as Livery Companies by the introduction of distinctive clothing and regalia to distinguish their members from those in other guilds. The peak period for the formation of guilds was the 14th century, when many received charters or ordinances, and by 1515 there were 48 companies. CHALLENGING TIMES
However, after the 17th century, the Livery Companies suffered a series of setbacks. With their powers and practices restricted to the Square Mile, most were unable to compete with cheaper traders springing up outside its boundaries, while costly wars and political intrigues saw first Tudor and then Stuart monarchs levying hefty charges on their companies. The Industrial Revolution that followed, whilst adding to their problems, also stimulated changes that saved them and, as a result, the Companies broadened their horizons to include new skills. 29
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Livery members’ events A review of some of this year's visits
E
ach year a number of visits are arranged for members of the Livery. Amongst others, this year’s visits have included:
and evolution that the Company has enjoyed over the years. Although the style of coachmaking has changed over the years, it is evident when carriages and coaches are examined in detail that many of the skills have been retained and translated into modern transport.
P&A WOOD
Internationally Recognised as the authorised Rolls-Royce motor car and accident repair agent for the UK, P&A Wood is also a Bentley Approved Service dealer and specialises in sales, service, restoration and spare parts for the entire range of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars, from 1904 to the present day. The company employs around 65 people and initiates the training of young people through its Classic Vehicle Restoration Apprenticeship Scheme. The visit included a guided tour of the workshops, the showroom and the work done by the apprentices, demonstrating how many of the traditional skills are being kept alive by the skilled craftsmen and apprentices.
ARMY AIR CORPS’ ATTACK HELICOPTER FORCE, WATTISHAM AIRFIELD
A fortunate group of Coachmakers had the rare privilege of a close-up introduction to the astonishing capabilities of the Apache helicopter. A former Royal Air Force Second World War bomber airfield, Wattisham was leased to the US Air Force during the Cold War, was later transferred to the Army and is now the UK’s largest Army airfield. After a welcome in the Officers’ Mess from the Attack Helicopter Force’s Commander, Colonel Chris Bisset, the briefing was handed over to Apache pilot Major Chuck Nichol for an overview of the aircraft itself and an insight into the tactics used in battle. The Apache has a maximum speed of 287km/h, a maximum range of 490km, a service ceiling of 14,000ft and maximum endurance of 2.3 hours in internal fuel tanks that can be supplemented by two further external tanks. It has four pylon stations on its stub wings, which, if not fitted with external fuel tanks, can be configured in any combination of Hydra rockets and/or Hellfire missiles. In addition, it has a 30mm M230 cannon with a 1,200-rounds capability.
THE BRITISH DRIVING SOCIETY’S DAY AT SMITH’S LAWN
The Coachmakers’ annual visit to Smith’s Lawn is organised by the British Driving Society. Each year, the Coachmakers make an award to a special candidate in the business who has made a significant contribution to the ‘industry’ of British Driving. The Coachmakers have enjoyed particularly strong links with the British Driving Society for many years and the attendance at the event at Smith’s Lawn is very special. It keeps the Livery in touch with its past, and the progress 30
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The Livery Wardens Profiles of the three Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers RICHARD N CHARLESWORTH MVO Senior Warden
Richard worked for 42 years for Bentley Motors at Crewe, in various commercial roles, including Regional Manager in the UK, then Middle East, followed by Head of Communications. Latterly, he was Director of Royal and VIP Relations, and Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection. Since retirement, Richard has been appointed Non-Executive Director of Classic Motor Cars in Bridgnorth, and Car Curator for the Hampton Court Concours.
SARAH J ADAMS-DIFFEY Renter Warden
Sarah is a former member of the Motoring Committee at the Royal Automobile Club and a current Motorsport UK competition licenceholder, hill-climbing a Brescia Bugatti. She is the Founding Director of a textiles company and has recently had the honour of refurbishing the BRDC Club at Silverstone, enabling her to combine business with pleasure. Her passion is the City of London and organising charitable events for the Livery to benefit young people.
SARAH J SILLARS OBE Junior Warden
Sarah is Independent Director of the Motorcycle Industry Association, Non-Executive Director for Remit Group Ltd and Vice President and Chair of Nominations Committee for the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Formerly, she was Chief Executive and Chair of IMI, CEO of Semta and CEO of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Until 2016, Non-Executive Director of Marshall of Cambridge, Vice President of BEN and External Examiner for Loughborough University. 31
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