The Newsletter of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of The River Thames Volume 2 – Issue 32 Introduction to the New Master A Message from The Clerk Welcome to the start of the new – Duncan Clegg Company Year. With the Government’s public sector cuts As the new Master of the package to be announced on 20th Company I am partic- October, there is no doubt we are all ularly proud and grateful in for a continuing period of severe austerity. The Company’s Hall Hire to have been elected to business has struggled, though the that signal honour. It will coming period to the end of the year be my job to serve you all; looks more promising. The Kitchen Committee is looking for Freemen to so I would like to hear assist with our marketing efforts. If from you if you have any there are any Freemen who have concerns relating to the marketing experience, particularly in Company. the Venue and Catering Sector, please let me know if you can volunteer a Like some of my little of your time. predecessors my intro- Forthcoming events duction to the Company was through . I rowed in for Oxford in 1965 and 1966 and my SEPTEMBER 2010 25th Great River Race oldest son, Robert, rowed for Oxford in the middle 1990ies. My three other sons also rowed. I organised the Boat Race each year for the twenty years up to 2004 and was a OCTOBER 2010 non-executive member of the board of the Port of Authority for nine years, 5th River Thames Lunch Club finishing as Vice-Chairman in 2006. So though I come from a competitive rowing 6th Quarterly Court 13th Freemen’s Lunch background I’d like to think I also have a pretty reasonable understanding of and 13th National Service for empathy with the commercial side of the river as well. Seafarers 24th Thomas Martyn Once, the ability to row was essential for the watermen’s daily business. That is no Foundation Service at longer the case but rowing is very much the Company’s sport and it allows us to provide St Mary, Putney each year the competitors for Doggett’s Coat and Badge. This race is one of the oldest NOVEMBER 2010 continuously contended sporting events in the country, dating as you will recall from 2nd River Thames Lunch Club 1715 and predating the Boat Race by over 100 years, and it is vital that we and 13th Lord Mayor’s Show Fishmongers’ Company ensure its survival. In this regard I was delighted to see the very 17th Lightermen’s Lunch at the strong turnout of apprentice scullers at the recent Cambridge Weekend in early National Liberal Club September. Not only was the turnout good but the standard was high and the two days 25th Freemen’s Lunch certainly seemed to be enjoyed by the scullers and a large contingent of supporters who 30th Court of Bindings also came along. Thank you all. I hope that most, if not all, of the apprentices who attended this year will continue to train through their years of apprenticeship so that they will be very competitive when it is their chance to enter the Race. There were 2 lady apprentices at Cambridge this year so who knows, because the course needs skill more than strength, we may see our first female Doggett’s winner before too long. It is a great source of pride within the Company, and no little envy from other Companies, Colin C. Middlemiss that we continue to bind apprentices to our trade. This year we have over 140 in total. September 2010 I think this speaks reams for the value of our training. Volume 2 – Issue 32 February 2002

Forthcoming Events Quarterly Court Luncheon on 6th October Once Court Members and their guests are accommodated, there is usually some space left over for Craft- Owning Freemen who would like to attend a Court Lunch. Please let the Clerk know if you would like to apply for a place on a first come first served basis.

Freemen’s Luncheon – 13th October 2010 This luncheon is open to all Freemen and their business guests. Dress is lounge suits.

Thomas Martyn Foundation – 24th October Today this Foundation makes financial grants to children of licensed Watermen and Lightermen. In 1718 Thomas Martyn established a Watermen’s School at Putney for the children of Putney Watermen. The School continued until 1911 when it was closed. This Annual Service commemorates Thomas Martyn’s gift. Its Annual Service of Thanksgiving takes place at 16.00 hours at St Mary’s Church, Putney Bridge.

Cambridge Sculling Weekend This year’s annual Watermen’s Company Apprentice Weekend at Cambridge in early September saw 21 apprentices take to the River Cam in a weekend of rowing, competition and mastery of water skills. The weekend has the aim of introducing complete novices to the sport of rowing and to encourage the Company’s Apprentices to participate in the historical and world famous Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race. Twelve of this year’s apprentices had never before sat in a sculling boat and by the end of the weekend had all achieved the Watermen’s Company Level 1 Sculling Award and had all participated in Sunday’s Mini Regatta, won by Billy Waylet. The novice apprentices’ confidence and willingness to ‘have a go’ was admirable as all twelve apprentices mastered basic boat and technique skills and were all daring enough to attempt to stand up in a fine boat. The more experienced rowers amongst the apprentices had the chance to train with, and compete against, potential opposition. A head race over 3000m was held on Saturday and was won by Harry McCarthy. In addition to the rowing there was the opportunity for the apprentices to sit down to a dinner in Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College, accompanied by their masters and significant members of the Watermen’s and Fishmonger’s Companies. Also present at the sculling weekend was this year’s Doggett’s Coat and Badge Winner, Dan Arnold who shared his experiences of what it takes to prepare for, and participate in, such a race. A sincere thanks to all those involved for the generous giving of their time. The next apprentice’s sculling event is to be held at the London Regatta Centre, on 20th November. Simon McCarthy, Rowing Officer September 2010

Apprentice’s Upriver Redecoration of Training Trip the Hall

During the summer recess, the entrance hallway and the staircase have been redecorated by Hare & Humphreys, a company who specialise in the redecoration and conservation of historic buildings. Next time you visit the Hall, look up and marvel at the gold leaf work below the atrium. This work was made possible by way of a grant from the Watermen’s Hall Preservation Trust. The Trust has held a The Lighterage Committee, in conjunction with the number of events throughout the last couple of years to Watermen’s Company provided an educational return raise funds solely for the preservation of our Georgian Hall. trip from Westminster Pier to Teddington Lock for Thank you to everyone who has supported the Trust by Company Apprentices on board the PV Cockney attending these events or by making a donation. Sparrow on 7th September 2010. Our special thanks to Richard Maynard, the owner of the vessel, his captain and crew, who provided a useful commentary, pointing Ironman out particular places of interest, safe courses to steer and local marks that are essential for anyone navigating Lanzarote: professionally on the upriver tidal reaches of the River Thames. With some additional financial Major Ted Hunt came along to impart his expertise as a funding from the Master and Court Members, craft owning former Company training tutor and still maintains the Freeman Andy Lingham and his art of igniting the enthusiasm of all onboard in his Military team, took part in this indomitable way. Many thanks Ted. year’s IRONMAN Lanzarote. Court Assistant Dr. Iain Reid, Craft-Owning Freeman Andy would like to offer his Captain Simon Culshaw and Sandra Watts, Assistant thanks to those involved for their interest and support with this challenging event. Training Officer, were present to ensure the apprentices studied their charts and made notes and observation on The race followed a long-course triathlon format, the vessels position. Journeymen Freemen from the consisting of a 2.4 mile sea swim, 112 mile Company came along to offer their advice and answer mountainous bike ride and then finishing with a any questions. relatively flat marathon of 26 miles. Ironman Lanzarote is often quoted as the ‘hardest Iron We would also like to thank all those who have distance course in the world’ because of the supported the events organised by the Lighterage combination of severe terrain and weather. This added Committee for, as John Henry (committee chairman) to the long distances, the 2550 metres of climbing and commented, “it is only with the money raised that we the constant heat certainly make for a long and can run these trips and all monies raised goes towards the interesting day. All members of the team survived the Phillip Henman Foundation and other charitable aims course (just) with Andy taking a little over twelve hours of the Watermen’s Company”. from start to finish. Volume 2 – Issue 32 September 2010

Watermen’s

Shop The Newsletter of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of The River Thames Contacting the Hall Colin Middlemiss (Clerk) 020 7929 7451 [email protected] A limited number of Watermen’s Company T-shirts (£12.00) & Polo Carol Ratcliffe Shirts (£15.00) are still available. (Assistant Clerk) Contact Susan at the Hall to see if we 020 7929 7456 have your size. [email protected] Gear up for winter – order your Martin Laws Watermen’s Company fleece now, just £25.00 Time and Tide by Jack Gaster £14.99. (Commercial Events) 020 7929 7453 [email protected] An additional charge for postage and Susan Fenwick packing applies to all items purchased (Administrator) from the Watermen’s Shop, unless 020 7929 7455 collected in person. [email protected] Sandra Watts (Company Events and Lightermen’s Committee Cuff Links at Training) £12.00 and Lapel Badge at £7.00. 020 7929 7452 Hatches, Matches & [email protected] Dispatches Tim Keech (Training Officer) Journeyman Freeman & 07798 623786 Doggett’s Coat & Badge Winner 1953 [email protected] Bowles, Raymond Ernest Simon McCarthy Passed away 23 March 2010 (Rowing Officer) Craft Owning Freeman 07968 593842 Hilditch, Peter [email protected] passed away 20 July 2010 “Dido” – by A N Blackman Craft Owning Freeman Unframed Print - £15.00. Lovell, Lt Cdr Bernard J J, RD RNR Watermen’s Hall Passed away 13 September 2010 16 St. Mary-at-Hill London EC3R 8EF Get your Christmas Cards early and Craft Owning Freeman Tel: 020 7283 2373 support the Watermen’s Company. Sutton, Thomas Howard Fax: 020 7283 0477 Special offer - £10 for 4 packets. passed away 24 June 2010 www.watermenshall.org