Dear LMA Members,
I thought you would all appreciate this typical Springtime image and I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Easter with family and friends. Since the last newsletter, we have held a number of committee meetings and after our meeting on March 3rd, held at Ironmongers Hall, a number of Past Masters joined us for lunch. Sadly, I was unable to attend that day but I am informed that it was a convivial gathering, much enjoyed by those who were there.
I think a number of Livery Companies have difficulty in encouraging members to attend their Common Hall/AGM (the Arts Scholars certainly do!) but it does provide a platform for anyone wishing to voice their opinions on a specific matter. This year’s meeting on April 7th at the Guildhall actually went quickly and without incident! I was pleasantly surprised that so many people turned up and we had an opportunity to chat and catch up afterwards with a glass or two of Mark Grove’s finest wines and canapes.
We are fast approaching our annual Wardens evening on May 19th and I am much looking forward to it. For those of you who haven’t been to one or know little about it, we engage with Wardens, advising them of what to expect during their year as Master or Prime Warden with helpful tips and useful dialogue during the evening. It also gives those future Masters/PWs a chance to meet others in their same year and get to know them in advance. I believe some have already formed WhatsApp groups. However, it is also a great help for them to meet past and current Masters, so if you haven’t already signed up for the evening, please see the details below.
We are also exploring the possibility of a walking tour of Epping Forest (well, not all of it!) sometime in June and details will be sent out as soon as a date is fixed.
Plans are afoot for our 10th Anniversary lunch on October 6th at Innholders Hall. Erica Stary has kindly agreed to talk about Women in the Livery and full details will be available in due course.
We are also exploring the possibility of taking part in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show, when Dame Sue Langley (subject to election!) will be our third female Lord Mayor. I hope to have more details at our May 19th event.
Could I ask you all to look through photos you may have (preferably electronic) of past Lady Masters’ events or one that includes you doing something more unusual than just wearing a robe, to include on our website. Judith Millidge is putting something together for our website. Contact details below.
It just remains for me to thank you for your support of the Lady Masters Association and to reiterate how much I am looking forward to meeting most of you during the course of this year.
Best wishes, Georgie Gough
CHAIRMAN