Page 4 - A4 Journal 2022

The Master’s Year

EDITORIAL

There was little to report on through 2020-2021 and passing the Loving Cup, although threatened, has
indeed 2021-2022 took some time to move from on- survived, with the wine replaced by chocolate or
line to in-real-life functions. other sweetmeats.

Our challenge going forward is now to persuade our Since the last issue of the Journal the Company has
members to get back to in-real-life events, breaking adopted a “Style Guide”, so the typeface and colour
the Covid-19 habit and travelling to London. palette of the Journal has been adjusted to follow the
Hopefully this will improve as we get back into the new guidelines.
swing of things, although the historic practice of Roger Lilley - Editor

A Message from the Master

Dear Fellow Constructors,

I am honoured to have taken on the role of Master for the year ahead. I follow a distinguished
line of Masters who have given me so much support and guidance, I would like to express my
thanks to them all.
I would like to thank the Immediate Past Master, Arthur Seymour, for successfully navigating
the Company through the difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic and for Mistress
Tina for her support and her continuing work as Honorary Treasurer.

Looking to the year ahead, I am proud of the new procedures the Company has recently introduced, in
particular, the work of our committees that has put the Company in a very strong position to ensure that we
maintain the important traditions of Livery while embracing the future as a modern Livery Company. The
next year will see the Company embed these new procedures and improve even further the experience of
our existing and new members.
Growing our membership continues to be important to our continued success. Our committees have
combined and innovative plans to attract new members utilising our new marketing and social media
platforms. In addition, I would like to encourage fellow Constructors to be proactive in searching out and
recommending new members and encouraging them to apply.
As City life has now returned to a “new normal”, I look forward to our re-engagement both internally and
with the construction industry at large. As fellowship is such an important and enjoyable part of Livery life,
our Events Committee has exciting plans to deliver a full schedule for our year. This is also a great
opportunity to further connect with the City of London and all its activities which was very difficult during
Covid times. We have plans in place to achieve this.
Our formal events are also all in place with the Livery and Awards Dinner in February and the Sir Christopher
Wren Banquet in June (which is the 300th year since his passing). The Mistress and I are looking forward to
welcoming as many of you that can attend the Master’s Weekend in Portsmouth at the end of June.
Looking towards the City of London we are very proactive in strengthening our ties to the Corporation and
to the wider Livery movement. We have created the new role of City of London Liaison Officer to support us
in this area. We have also made internal Warden reporting changes. As a result, going forward, the Senior
Warden will lead the Company on the Pan Livery activities which both increases our representation and also
helps prepare the individual for their Master’s year.
The Charitable Trust has continued to increase the level of giving to our many good causes, including the
support of our continued scholarships and awards programmes. The Charitable Trust has doubled our level
of giving in the last two years. Increased funds have also come from the kind voluntary donations of our
members which is very much appreciated. We look forward to working together in the year ahead.
I would like to extend my best wishes to you all and thank you for your faith in me for the year ahead and I
look forward to seeing you all in person at our formal and informal events throughout the year!
With best wishes
David Sheehan
Master Constructor

Page 4 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2022