The latest news about and from the Worshipful Company of Butchers

The Master's blog

I, like most of you, watched the Queen’s emotional address to the Nation on Sunday night. I cannot remember a time so dramatic in my lifetime and I’m sure neither have you. We must work our way through this, it’s affecting all of us on a personal basis, and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe passage though this in business and, more importantly, in health.

We’re all missing out so much on the social side here at the Livery and you’re all still working hard in the trade and going through a torrid time - our thoughts are with you all as you take the steps necessary to ensure survival. My local butcher is as busy as ever, it’s an extraordinary time and I wish you all well.

Our Court Meeting on Friday was a first in that everybody participated using the video conference call facilities of Zoom! I commended the Court for their discipline and participation in what was a very different meeting. We continue to liaise with Charity Bank, keeping them apprised of our financial position and with Life’s Kitchen as we strive with them to move potentially cancelled functions in the Hall into postponements. Members of Court continue to work hard in their committees to keep the Livery ticking over despite the Hall being closed. We’re keeping all the functions going as best we can, and definitely doing everything we can in the modern, telecommunications world.

It seems a million years ago that I, together with other Liverymen, sailed up the Thames on HMS Tyne. You can read all about that and other reports, written before the dreaded virus appeared, in our Company Newsletter which will be arriving with you towards the end of this month.

The Recruitment Committee continues to interview prospective Liverymen and we hope to be able to hold Zoom interviews next month, culminating in a large clothing ceremony as soon as we can reopen the Hall. Positive thinking.

The Charity and Education Committee is busy, especially as the charities are in lockdown too, so this is particularly difficult for them. The Events Committee is looking to new and exciting times later this year, while the Master’s main charity event has been moved to September 11th, the day after Common Hall, so that we can make a weekend out of it. It’s my hope that by September we will all wish to get together to celebrate the fresh air, the fellowship and our survival from the dreadful virus. So please put the 11th September in your diary for an event we’re all going to be excited about.

I need to finish on a sad note, by formally announcing the retirement of our great stalwart, friend and colleague, Geraldine Cavener.

Geraldine joined the Livery in March 2003, as Assistant to the Clerk replacing the much admired Lindsey Jones. Since then she has been the Assistant to two Clerks and many Masters, managing at least two diaries, and balancing the many competing requests for their time or presence. Her principal responsibility is the smooth running of the Court and, like any process that runs well, the complexities of pulling together all the sub-committees, correctly convening the Court meetings and then recording its transactions only become apparent when something goes wrong. Mercifully that rarely happens and, true to form, Geraldine took Friday’s Zoom session in her stride. Processing new applications, constructing and overseeing the Newsletter, keeping Golfers on the fairway and Shooters with their Clay Pigeons, Geraldine has calmly managed the frequent calls from ever more frequent and seemingly more bizarre enquiries.

One of the great strengths of the City’s Livery system is the maintenance of traditions which unite past and present in a special way. This can only happen if protocol is followed and correct procedures maintained while aligning to the many requirements imposed by the City of London Corporation. To new members of the Livery they may often seem strange to the point of being arcane but collectively they all add up to making the Livery companies as very special as they are. One of Geraldine’s challenges has been to ensure these traditions are carefully maintained whether that’s the correct method of admitting a new Liveryman or simply ensuring that an invitation to a Bishop follows the advice of Debretts and Correct Form.

I’m thrilled that the Court agreed unanimously that Geraldine be made an Honorary Liveryman at the first possible opportunity and I am sure we can do that at a Court meeting in September.

That just leaves me with this message to you all: please stay well, stay safe and look out for each other.

Tim Dumenil, The Master

Worshipful Company of Butchers