Summer 2013 Issue 25

A year of celebration Our News Master’s Column The News Northampton welcomes In these challenging economic times, the continuing the lives of others by contributing to charitable causes in many generosity of our Company members in so many ways is ways. It is this charitable ethos that remains at the heart of our the Cordwainers very encouraging. Company to this day. The Company visit to Northampton on 20 May was a wonderful But this does not surprise me, as Cordwainers have When Marsden, then only 32, founded the London General example of how one trip could pull together several strands of the demonstrated the same generosity of spirit for generations. Our Institution for the Gratuitous Care of Malignant Diseases – Company’s causes. earliest benefactors, John Fisher, Richard Minge and John Came, the forerunner of the Royal Free Hospital, he could not have envisaged quite what he was starting. But crucially, he had a We revisited our shoemaking roots, at Church’s factory; we saw the tangible results not only exhibited great munificence, but also far-sightedness in vision, and like him, the Company is now looking to the future. of the company’s charitable giving by viewing an exhibition of student work at their endowments. the Northampton Shoe and Boot Museum; and we learned about the education William Marsden, another great Cordwainer philanthropist Over the past few months, the Court has been developing a of young footwear designers and leatherworkers in our visit to the University of typified the attitude of many Cordwainers by working to new vision and strategy for the next seven years and beyond. Northampton’s tannery. At the same time, we entertained the Cordwainers of York, improve the lives of the less fortunate and although most of Appropriately, it is called ‘2020 Vision’, and it encompasses four reinforcing the Cordwainers’ reputation for convivial hospitality. us are unlikely to found hospitals, we can all work to improve broad aims. We are extremely grateful to Sue Cummings, the Clerk’s PA and a freeman of the Cordwainers of York to Past Master Christopher King and At Church’s Shoes to Freeman Caroline Southernwood, Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton for organising the day’s activities. Our 2020 Vision. We went from appreciating Wren’s work Step in time – and the famous Bow bells, past the Aim 1: Increase further the statue of Cordwainer associate Captain walk around participation and John Smith, who appears to have had involvement levels of a Flashman-like existence, down Bow Cordwainer Ward Liverymen and Freemen Lane past Cheaney’s and Ye Old Watling Aptly dressed in boots made for in the Company’s social, pub and turned right on to Bread Street. charity and governance walking, I joined the 30 or so Here we briefly stepped out of the Ward activities. Cordwainer nursing award winners at the Royal Free. Cordwainers and guests to visit the plaque commemorating the outside the St Mary-le- site of our old hall under the shadow These are ambitious and clear aims, but they are concert in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Bow Church on the cusp of of St Paul’s dome. We then strode Aim 2: Increase the brand also well within our grasp. Let’s try to achieve at St Paul’s Cathedral in May when the Cheapside and Bow Lane. along the south side of the awareness and profile of them before our 750th Anniversary in 2022. Cordwainers were the main music supporter. An enjoyable and interesting ward to St Mary Aldermary, the Company, both We have a wonderful basis on which to build, Secondly, I was very pleased that we were able tour followed as we before admiring the bronze internally among and we should be cautiously confident. You to complete and open in June Gifford House, a trod the invisible lines Cordwainer Statue on members, and externally will hear more about our aims, and we fully new block of 15 bedrooms at our hall of of Cordwainer Ward, Watling Street. in the footwear trade, in the City, and among our intend to listen to and involve all our members residence at Cordwainers Court in Hackney. in the heart of We then retired to the Bow New in this process. We intend to begin with a charitable and business Thirdly, we have had a successful year with the City. Under Lane Wine Vaults having survey of all members this autumn. Company partners. your generous support, raising more than the entertaining reconnected with our We believe the survey results and conclusions £50,000 for the charitable campaign linking guidance of Murray heritage and learnt a brochure will prove most helpful in shaping how we one of our charities, the Guildhall School of Craig, Clerk to the great deal about how we Enclosed with this copy of The Aim 3: Double the amounts achieve our aims. Music and Drama, with our other long-term meld with the City, then Cordwainer you will find a short given by Cordwainer Chamberlain’s Court at I am now approaching the end of my term as charitable beneficiaries through the and now. There was much guide to the Worshipful Company charities to targeted the Guildhall, we strode Master. It has been a great privilege and a Community Outreach Programme and the talk of what we could of Cordwainers. Every Cordwainer external charity through Cordwainer wonderful year for both Nicola and me. formation of ‘The Cords’. This is a long-term do with a new ‘home’ as knows that it can be a slightly painful beneficiaries from 2012 history, which is littered Three highlights stand out and will remain in programme, which both supports music raised by the Master in his process to explain what a Cordwainer levels, while ensuring with facts and delightful our memory. students and introduces music to others. address. We look forward to does or did. We hope that this short value for money. anecdotes. We were able seeing the aims of the soon- booklet will go some way towards Firstly, I had the honour to be Master when, for I could not have achieved anything without to envisage the apprentices to-be-published 2020 strategy, alleviating the problem. Visually Aim 4: Progressively increase the the first time since the Second World War, the the dedication and loyalty of our excellent brawling on Cheapside or although having been within dynamic and with minimal text, we financial strength of the Company has had its own Cordwainer Lord office team led by our Clerk, John Miller, the past masters taking the spitting distance of St Pauls hope that it will provide Company Company so that we are Mayor, Alderman Roger Gifford. We have friendship and encouragement of the Court, before, the bar has been set City Corporation to task affiliates with an overview of able to consider acquiring certainly celebrated this great honour starting and the wonderful support of the Livery high in terms of potential over the loss of our halls Cordwainer activities – none of which our own ‘home’ not hall. with the Lord Mayor’s Show, continuing with and Freedom. I am very grateful to all of you and artefacts! site of any new home. have anything to do with rope! the magnificent dinner at the Mansion House for giving me the opportunity to serve as Liveryman Caroline Squire last March, and ending with the glorious your Master.

2 The Cordwainer The Cordwainer 3 Cordwainers:

A performance A year of to remember In May the Company sponsored a wonderful performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy in St Paul’s Cathedral. Proceeds raised from the evening went to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. This was celebration followed by a dinner in the Guildhall with the theme of ‘the future of Europe in the global economy’. With full-page ads in two programmes, the Cordwainer profile is undoubtedly higher than ever before. Resounding generosity The Cordwainers are renowned for their generosity and for the quality of their hospitality, but, without a doubt, this has been an exceptional year.

In addition to the substantial regular donations made by Liverymen and many “What a wonderful, unique evening! Freeman, our members, their friends and families also contributed more than It was a superb performance of Beethoven’s £50,000 this year to the Master’s Musical Fund, which unites our charitable partners 9th, and to hear it sitting so close to the under a musical umbrella. The work at Cordwainers Court is complete and the orchestra under the dome of the Cathedral new student accommodation will be was absolutely breathtaking.” open on time and on budget. We have Sir Brian Jenkins - Lord Mayor 1991-92 proudly supported our Cordwainer Lord and Cordwainers’ Honorary Liveryman. Mayor, Alderman Roger Gifford, and he “We have raised more than in turn has been most hospitable to us. £50,000 for the Master’s The Ladies’ Dinner was earlier than usual Musical Fund.” this year so that we could enjoy it in the magnificent surroundings of the Mansion House. The Cords, the group of student musicians from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, were perfectly placed to perform on the Queen’s Coronation Organ, which is temporarily resident in the Mansion House, prior to its installation in Westminster Abbey. The Cords have also been inspiring the children of The Urswick School and patients at the Royal Free Hospital, playing to them and encouraging musical appreciation and participation.

The Cords

James Sherlock and Jonathan Chan play at the Mansion House. Cordwainers going that extra mile Doing good - Finally, individual Cordwainers have been running with balls themselves into the ground to raise money for The Lord Mayor receives a plaque. The Curriers-Cordwainers golf tournament our charities. and charity auction in September tee’d-off an amazing charitable drive and raised some In March Liveryman Catherine Blanford completed the £30,000 for Company good causes. Hastings Half-Marathon and has raised over £2,750 for the Royal Free Nurses Home of Rest Charity. Liveryman The inaugural golf tournament on Adrian Theed has completed his fourth Black Death Run 25 April between the ‘leathery in Somerset, which is described as a ten-mile course more liveries’ – the Leathersellers, vertical than horizontal, raising over £1000 in the process. Saddlers, Curriers, Glovers and Cordwainers – was a great The Ladies’ Dinner at Mansion House. Guest speaker Michael Portillo. success. The Saddlers won and the Cordwainers, represented by Michael Payne and David Walker, came second.

4 The Cordwainer The Cordwainer 5 Our news our news New accommodation at Cordwainers Court Lord Mayor opens “I am proud to say that Gifford House will mainly be occupied Gifford House. by returning students, all of It was several years in planning and nine months in whom appreciate Cordwainers execution, but Gifford House at Cordwainers Court was Court for its value for money, officially opened on 26 June by the Lord Mayor and convenient location and Cordwainer, the Rt. Hon Roger Gifford. friendly atmosphere.” Gifford House provides an additional 15 rooms, making a total of Sarah Keyte, Student 103 rooms of accommodation for students of the University of Room with a view - a study bedroom. the Arts. Adding space to the existing student accommodation in the crowded streets of Hackney was always going to be a challenge, but everyone involved in the project embraced the We have asked those most closely opportunity to create a building that will provide a lasting legacy for the future. The new facilities are wonderful and it involved to describe the project. is no surprise that the accommodation is already sold out for 2013–14.

Siu-Pei Choi. Steve Budding. Sarah Keyte. The Architect The Builder The Student Siu-Pei Choi, Fraser Brown MacKenna Steve Budding, site manager, Speller Sarah Keyte, 2nd year architecture student, University of the Arts. Gifford House. The Master with the Lord Mayor and the Speaker of Hackney Council. Architects. Metcalf Contractors. No client has matched the vision and There have been numerous challenges: Since the autumn of 2012, I have liaised spirit of the Worshipful Company of weather conditions, logistical errors, and between the construction team and Cordwainers. We were delighted to help fulfilling our promise to reduce noise Cordwainers residents to keep students up them achieve their aim of creating a wherever possible. However, the kind to date with the block’s progress. Through quality environment that will promote people of Hackney have been incredibly regular site visits and numerous cups of a sense of belonging among the young supportive throughout the process. I tea with Steve Budding, I have received students. This, combined with the desire would like to thank the Cordwainers’ a first-hand insight into the construction to create a building that formed part Education Trust for the opportunity to industry, a rare opportunity for a lowly of the existing urban fabric and social work on this incredible project. I look architecture student such as myself. community, was an aspiration that forward to it receiving high BREEAM Watching the new build has helped me perfectly matched our own vision. marks (for environmental excellence) develop a much firmer understanding and providing inexpensive, high quality of the construction process, which has accommodation for the hard-working contributed no end to my engineering students of University of the Arts. and legal units, as well as my ability as a designer. The Lord Mayor chats with students residents of Cordwainers Court. “In Gifford House, the Cordwainers have helped create a The Cordwainers have long-standing connections with Hackney well-designed residence that will provide a lasting legacy for and the opening of Gifford House cemented still further the Company commitment to supporting students at the University The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. the future.” of the Arts. Guests at the opening ceremony. Siu-Pei Choi, Architect.

6 The Cordwainer The Cordwainer 7 Notice Board New Appointments Congratulations We are delighted to introduce our new Liverymen and Liveryman Sarah Chamberlain, younger daughter of Freemen. The following were clothed with Past Master Oliver Chamberlain, has announced her the Livery on 6 December 2012: engagement to Struan Cochrane. Liveryman Simon Wilson, who married Jill Francis Leah Coburn in St Paul’s Cathedral Hester Williams on 11th May 2013. Condolences We regret to announce the deaths of : Mrs Betty Skinner (widow of Past Master Banks Skinner) who passed away on 1 March 2013. Lady Freeman Josephine Ann Way who passed away on 21 March 2013. Mrs Patricia Skinner (widow of Past Master Michael Owen Skinner) who passed away on 20 April 2013. Events Calendar Date Event Time Notes 2013 Cordwainers 125 Gala Dinner at The following were granted the Freedom of Sep 6th Fri TBC Mansion House the Company on 5th June 2013: Sep 30th Mon Lord Mayor’s Election 11:00 B Henry Lindsay (Freeborn son of Liveryman Sue Lindsay) Oct 1st Tue Court 5.15 Andrew Peal (Freeborn son of Past Warden Patrick Peal) Oct 22nd Tue TA Supper (Clothworkers’ Hall) Henry Rubinstein (Freeborn son of Court Assistant Nov 6th Wed Court 5.15 John Rubinstein) Nov 13th Wed Livery Dinner 6:30 B Ian Goff (Footwear Lecturer, Cordwainers College at LCF) Nov 20th Wed Festival of St. Cecilia (Westminster Abbey) Cordwainers Footwear & Leather Nov 25th Mon 6:30 James Swanston (Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) Advisory Board Dinner Dec 5th Thu Court 3.30 Carol Service 6.15 A Light Supper 7:30 A 2014 Jan 9th Thu Court Ladies’ Dinner 6.30 AGM Royal Free Hospital Nurses Trust Jan 14th Tue (Venue: Royal Free) Feb 5th Wed Court 4.00 – Mar 10th Mon Harben Armoury Trust AGM 5.30 pm Mar 14th Fri Past Wardens’ Dinner 6.30 United Guilds’ Service and Lunch (Tower Apr 4th Fri of London) Court 3.30 Came’s, Minge’s and Shawe’s Anniversary Apr 8th Tue 5.15 Sermon Apprentices’ Supper 6.30 C May 16th Fri Ladies’ Dinner 6.30 June 4th Wed Court 5.30 Election Day Court 5.00 June 25th Wed Interactive Cordwainers Common Hall 6.00 B Visit the website www.cordwainers.org for the latest news of Supper 6.30 B Company activities. If you need to contact fellow members, the Oath Day ‘Blue Book’ livery list is available for download. Please contact Common Hall 4.15 July 3rd Thu Fisher’s, Minge’s and Wild’s Anniversary the Office if you need a new log-in. 6.00 A Service We now have a Twitter account – look for @cordwainers – and Supper in Livery Hall 7.00 A a blog, which is linked via the main website. We invite anyone to A - All Liverymen, Freemen, Court and Company Widows invited. B - All Liverymen invited. contribute to the blog, please email the Office. C - All Freemen and Freeborn children (aged 14-20) of Liverymen invited.

The Clerk is delighted to hear from all Cordwainers. Please remember to tell the office about changes of address and your family news. © 2012 The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. The Cordwainer is published twice a year. Copies are retained at the Cordwainers’ office. Contact the editor via the Cordwainers’ office: [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 20 7929 1121. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, Clothworkers’ Hall, Dunster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AH.

8 The Cordwainer