Dear Members,
It’s been a busy couple of months for the Lady Masters Association and the Committee and I have been delighted to see so many of you at both the AGM and the Wardens’ Evening.
As the new chairman, I am really looking forward to meeting as many members as possible over the coming months and we expect to publish a programme of events for the year shortly.
AGM
It was wonderful to see so many people at our AGM in April.
I would like to extend my thanks to the whole committee for their hard work over the past year, but especially to our outgoing chairman Georgie Gough, and to outgoing treasurer Maureen Marden, who has done so much to keep our finances on the straight and narrow over several years.
Deborah Pullen (Past Master Constructor) has been elected as our new treasurer. A full list of the committee members is here.
For those that were unable to attend, Georgie’s review of the year is available on our website here.
Wardens’ Event 2026
‘Thank you all very much for organising. A very informative and convivial evening. It was good to connect with other women in this sphere to share experiences, ideas and information.’
Some 50 masters, past masters and senior wardens attended this annual event in Guildhall, which acts as a forum for upcoming masters to meet their peers and discuss any questions they may have with female past masters. Maria Chanmugam facilitated a Q&A between Julia Sibley, Chair of the Livery Committee and our new chairman, Judith Millidge.
Robust discussions covered, among other things, planning, communications, clerks, dress codes and speeches. It was a brilliant and very positive evening – a short review is here. Huge thanks to our membership secretary Hilary Lindsay for all her work in organising it.
Forthcoming Events
Visit to the Spectacle Makers Museum 14 July
Please see the Events section of the website for details and email Lis to book secretary@ladymasters.org.uk
We are currently arranging a programme for 2026-2027 – details will be available in July.
If you would like to suggest a visit, event or a speaker for the LMA, please email chairman@ladymasters.org.uk
LMA Charity
Having supported the Magpie Trust for three years, it is now time to select a new charity, a task that has been delegated to the LMA Committee. Our thanks to Felicity Harding for assessing a number of proposals.
After consultation with members in 2021, the LMA established guidelines to assist with choosing a charity: members wished to support one small charity which focuses on women or children in the London area for three years. It was felt our small grant would then have greater impact. With that in mind, three charities have been shortlisted, and the Committee will vote in June.
Sister System sistersystem.org
Beyond the Streets beyondthestreets.org.uk
Baytree Centre baytreecentre.org
LMA Comms
The LMA website has a full list of committee members and is regularly updated with details of our events. In addition, we will aim to send out a short email once a month, with details of our activities and others within the City. If you would like us to promote your City or livery event, please email Lis and we will try to include it in our mailing.
Marketors’ Golf Day 6 July 2026 St Albans
The LMA does not (yet) have a golf team. If anyone is interested in forming one, please email me and we can try to put a team together. The Livery Companies Past Masters Association (LPMA) is keen that past masters’ groups participate with a view to hosting a dedicated LPMA golf day next year.
Forthcoming City Events
Election of Sheriffs 24 June 2026
Election of Lord Mayor September 29 September 2026
Woolmans’ Annual Sheep Drive 27 September 2026
A full list of City Events is available on the Livery Committee website.
Thank you to the Committee for all their support and hard work in making the LMA such a friendly and purposeful group. I hope to see as many of you as possible over the coming months Judith Millidge Chairman chairman@ladymasters.org.uk