Upholding the Craft of the Upholsterer The Newsletter of

PRIZE GIVING at London Metropolitan University, 11th June A visitor to the recent Open Day was heard to remark “just to think in my day it took three or even four years to get to this standard’’! This neatly sums up the gratitude we and the students owe to the tutors, Malcolm Hopkins, Alex Law, Mathew Gates in the Upholstery section and Denise Tree, Jacqui Wasef the Course Organiser and Maggie Loughran the loose cover queen, from the Soft d Furnishing Department. U i The Worshipful pb a Below are the First Prize winners for 2008: Company of Upholders r City and Guilds Level 2 UPHOLSTERY Louise Richardson City and Guilds Level 3 UPHOLSTERY Nicole Mays City and Guilds Part 1 SOFT FURNISHING Hilary Wilson Issue 12 - Summer 2008 City and Guilds Part 2 SOFT FURNISHING Mahbuba Choudhury Derek Austin Award for Cabinet Making level 2 James Burlack & Viraf Mehentee Derek Austin Award for Cabinet Making level 3 Prakash Patel & Daniel Tomlinson Masters Message Derek Austin Award for Restoration Level 3 Anita Garner Services at St Paul’s, being possible links with Interior presented to the Princess Royal Designers in line with the 1747 COURSE CLOSURES Hilary Wilson in her role as Centenary Master of definition of an Upholder “This For your Diary Last year the University announced the closure of the Upholstery and Soft Furnishing Courses as from July 2008. This setback the Guild of Freemen and the Tradesman’s Genius ... (is) a produced letters of complaint to MP’s and Ministers from liverymen. The replies received in every case explained that the University weekend at Ironbridge with 83 Connoisseur of every article that 11th September was an autonomous body and therefore not within their jurisdiction. What they did not explain however was that the withdrawal of other Masters and Prime Wardens belongs to a house.” At our Audit Court & Dinner government funds for Further Education left the University in an impossible position. We like to think however that following the and also Sheriff Ian Luder. I have Court meeting, I was delighted to Tallow Chandlers’ Hall. lobbying of MP’s and the notification of the Upholders concerns to the All Party Parliamentary Committee for Furniture under the also had the privilege of presenting clothe Malcolm Hopkins, Senior Dinner 7.00 for 7.30pm excellent Chairmanship of Madeleine Moon MP the situation has eased. our Company’s prizes to the Lecturer in Upholstery at the AMU Liverymen & Company talented students of Upholstery, and Barry Lewis as Liverymen. We Guests NEW COURSES Soft Furnishing and Furniture also agreed to form an affiliation 29th September Thanks to Professor Falconbridge, Charlotte Gorse and their colleagues at the University the content of the courses will not differ Restoration at London Metropolitan with HMS Triumph to continue our Election of Lord Mayor but the accreditation of City and Guilds has been withdrawn. Discussions continue on how our Livery and the AMUSF working in University (LMU). We were connection with the submarine Guildhall followed by partnership might have greater involvement with this course. Students will now pay a portion of the cost, £850 for one day a week delighted to learn that the lobbying service of the Royal Navy. Our luncheon at Furniture of MPs and other bodies on behalf recent Common Hall provided a for thirty weeks, but, doing our sums we realise that this is not viable without funding from the university budget. So a very big Makers’ Hall. 11.30am apply of our Livery has paid off and the rare opportunity for the Livery to to Clerk for security pass and thank you. For details of courses contact: Malcolm Hopkins [email protected] Upholstery Course which was raise matters directly with the vote FIRE! On the afternoon of June 25th Malcolm Hopkins looked out of the upholstery workshop window at the University and was planned to end this summer will Court and to expand on the strategy 16th October continue. The Warden to the Trade statement on the events cards more than a little surprised to see flames licking at the window sill. He hurtled downstairs as the alarm bell sounded and joined the It has been 3 months since my Mansion House Banquet. committee are exploring opportunities distributed in April. I look forward installation on April 22nd and 7.00 for 7.30pm others at the assembly point some distance away and the building was soon safely cleared. Commercial Street was closed to traffic for our Livery working with the to an eventful autumn which will already I have represented the Liverymen, Freemen & as ten fire appliances played onto the roof of the university from the building opposite. AMUSF, to become even more include my sponsored walk around Guests Upholders at nearly 40 events. We understand that the damage on the fifth floor at the back of the building is extensive. The students’ work in the upholstery involved with this course and also all 40 Livery halls accompanied by These have included Beating the 20th November department at the back of the fourth floor suffered severe water damage, but luckily some of the students had taken their work away to award qualifications in liveryman David Johnson. Bounds of St Andrew’s by the Visit to Whitechapel Bell at the end of term. At the time of writing there is no definite news as to when the University is likely to reopen but the target is to be Upholstery to individuals. The Wardrobe and a Civic Luncheon Foundry same committee is also exploring Master, Richard Nevard ready for students at the start of next term. with Castle Baynard Ward Club, 5.30 for 6.00pm Past Master Bert Chapman Liveryman, Freemen & guests 15th January CHEAPSIDE STREET FESTIVAL AND MARKET, 19TH JULY Upholding our Charitable Activities Court & Dinner Carpenters’ Hall A street festival and market was held in Cheapside and adjoining streets on Farriers and their dray horses demonstrated their unique crafts. The event In my report I include details following our decision this In addition to the donations identified above we were able to 7.00 for 7.30pm Saturday 19 July as part of the London Festival of Architecture. Cheapside proved to be a great success and many people were drawn to the Upholstery year to support two new and significant projects by the stan- support the following:- Liverymen & Guests demonstration on two chairs by became a contemporary ver- dards of our Company. Nine retired upholsterers identified by the Warden to the 12th February new Liveryman Malcolm Many of you will know the connection that the company Trade at a total of £2,250. Awards and bursaries to sion of the medieval market Hopkins and Louise Richardson, Church Service & Dinner. has with Hampton Court Palace and some of you will recall students of upholstery totalling £4,900. for which it became famous. Upholders’ first prize winner at St Michael, Cornhill 6pm, The name derives from the City and Guilds level 2 from the the fascinating tour given by Past Master Bert Chapman The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Appeal of 1,000 guineas, plus Dinner 7.00 for 7.30pm Old English word ‘cheap’, LMU. Amongst the visitors to showing us the restoration work following the fire. In 2007 20 other charities. Armourers’ Hall meaning market, and the our stand were Deputy and we were able to assist again with the renewal of Queen Payments to the pensioners and the total amounts paid for Liveryman, Freemen & Liveryman Robin Eve and Caroline’s Throne Canopy at a cost of £1,000. For those education and charity exceeded £12,000, an achievement roads leading off it still bear Guests Sheriff elect George Gifford and interested the canopy can be seen at the Royal Apartments in that has only been made possible by the support of our names that relate to goods his wife. There was musical Hampton Court, ask for Queen Caroline’s Audience Liverymen. On behalf of the trustees I extend our thanks to 19th March originally traded there - entertainment from the Chamber and one of the assistants will direct you. you all for your support throughout 2007 and look forward Court Ladies Dinner Worshipful Company of Honey Lane, Milk Street, Those who attend the church service in February will to your continued support during the current year. Watermen’s Hall Musicians jazz quartet. 7.00 for 7.30pm Bread Street and Poultry. recall the contribution of the choir at St Michael’s Cornhill. Our total charitable funds were just under £70,000 at Court & Guests The Worshipful Company of The day also gave the public Unfortunately the choir had a funding crisis in 2007 and it December 2007. These have been enhanced during the year Poulters returned geese and and architecture professionals looked as if it might cease to function. The Company was by a most generous legacy. Both the Peter Jackson Charity During the year the Master is chickens to Poultry to launch alike an insight into the City of asked with others to support the choir with a commitment and the Neville Hayman Charity are able to receive legacies also hoping to arrange visits the Day, while alongside the London’s major regeneration over three years. Given the pleasure that the choir has given and these are free of inheritance tax in the estate of the to the Rolls Royce Upholders, Carpenters, plans for Cheapside. to the Company over the years it seemed entirely appropriate donor. If any liverymen or freeman would like further Foundation, the Thames www..co.uk/ Masons, Paviors, Bakers, that we should commit about £3,000 of our charitable funds details please do not hesitate to contact me. River Festival and in due news.php?idnews=27 Blacksmiths, spread over a three year period. course to HMS Triumph Louise Richardson and Malcolm Hopkins at Cheapside Past Master Hugh Taylor 8 Common Hall Upholding the Craft of the Upholsterer COMMON HALL DISCUSSES FUTURE STRATEGY

About 25 liverymen attended the Common Hall held on 10th July of the Upholders in the upholstery trade. As an example of the at the International Wine & Spirit Centre near London Bridge. The Company’s influence, the Master mentioned that lobbying by our purpose of this special meeting was to explain the new direction Livery had helped to prevent the closure of the Upholstery and set by the Court and the activities initiated to support this. Soft Furnishing Courses at London Metropolitan University. Past Master Christopher Hayman outlined the steps being taken to It was pointed out that the scope of our trade also includes attract additional liverymen to join the Company. A new brochure manufacturers of upholstery for vehicles, public transport, restaurants ART IN ACTION EXHIBITION- on “Benefits and Privileges of Membership” is being produced. and the like. Past Master Alan Kinsey proposed that members of Interviews of candidates for the Livery will take a different form the funeral industry should be attracted into the Company because WATERPERRY, Nr. Wheatley, Oxfordshire 17-20 July in future. Candidates will be shown a PowerPoint presentation of the Upholders’ historic involvement in this trade. which is intended to ensure that new members understand what It was agreed to create a database of Liverymen’s interests to they are joining. respond to invitations from other Liveries to sporting and social The Master explained the process of becoming an Upholder. events. Amongst suggestions from the floor was one for some Christopher reminded liverymen that he acts as sponsor of new “low cost” events to be held, especially for younger liverymen, and to candidates, guiding experiment with them through the starting dinners at rather laborious an earlier time as process of becoming this may be more New Warden to the Trade Installed a Freeman of the City convenient for One of the first acts of the New Master was to Install and then a Liveryman members catching Stephen Chapman as Warden to the Trade succeeding his of the Company. Any the last train home. Father Bert in the role. Bert was appointed in 1991, the current liveryman Upholders’ first Warden to the Trade in modern times and has Wynn Gilham asked who wishes to served since then apart for a break while he was Master. whether the Company introduce a new After presenting him with a book on all the Livery Halls the could sell a range of candidate should Master noted “Bert’s energy and enthusiasm has been behind Company products contact Christopher. many recent initiatives and I know that we will not let him such as umbrellas. The Wood Group of Livery Companies comprising the rest even though he has passed his badge of office on.” Alan Kinsey replied Carpenters, Joiners & Ceilers, Upholders, Turners and the During his presentation, that, in order to be Furniture Makers gave demonstrations of their craft at this the Master, Richard successful, these popular exhibition held from 17-20 July. The Upholders were Nevard, showed an Merit Awards are given by the Livery to companies engaged items need to be represented by two of our Liverymen, Gregory Cupitt Jones analysis of the in the Soft Furnishing or associated with and Roy Theobald, each upholstering items of seat furniture in Company’s sources Upholstery Industry, that can prove specific events. a consistently high standard of the traditional manner, to give the visitors at least some idea of income and the of the techniques and eye for line required to produce an item headings of our An outline was given craftsmanship, client and supplier satisfaction and business integrity that is in keeping with the period of its manufacture. expenditure. In of the Company’s of their enterprise. The most recent answer to a question, charitable activities. winner Giles Bray is seen here Past Master Hugh Support for individuals collecting his award from the then Briefings Taylor made it clear includes awards and Master Peter Lawton at the January that the Company has nothing to hide in its annual accounts and bursaries for younger people entering the trade and modest financial Court Meeting. The Upholders are The City of London Corporation’s Livery Committee runs a they can therefore be made available to any liveryman who asks assistance for those at the end of their careers. Then there is proud to work with The Association of Master Upholsterers programme of briefings for Liverymen, Freemen and their to see them. support for the restoration of historic items of upholstery and soft and Soft Furnishers and the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers partners. These are highly recommended by the Master. The furnishings such as Queen Caroline’s throne canopy, the In our efforts to widen the scope of the Livery, the Master is making to develop our craft. briefings will take place on the following dates at Chamberlain’s throne at Guildhall and a seat at Bevis Marks an approach to the British Interior Designers Association because Innholders’ Hall from 5-8pm: synagogue. of their obvious interests in upholstery and soft furnishings. Our Recently working with the Company already co-operates with four other companies in the The Company spends about one quarter of its charitable resources Construction Liveries Group Wednesday 15th October 2008 Wood Group. Members of the Upholders are also exploring a on contributing to City charities. The Master told us he will be tak- and The Livery Companies Wednesday 12th November 2008 relationship with the Construction Liveries Group. ing part in the Annual Inter-Livery Walk of City Livery Halls on Wood Group, the Upholders Wednesday 18th February 2009 18th September to raise money for our charities and is looking for have started developing a Tuesday 5th May 2009 The Upholders’ Merit Awards will continue to be used both to Wednesday 14th October 2009 recognise first class workmanship and to increase the awareness sponsors. series of awards at Liveryman Steven Dollond Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master levels to recognise and bring to public notice the The Briefings provide a short introduction to the work of many fine craftsmen working in the traditional upholstery, the Corporation, especially the relationship with the Livery bespoke upholstery and soft furnishing sections of the indus- Companies. There will be an opportunity to ask questions try. Sir Michael Latham, Chairman of the Chairman of the of the speakers and the presentation is followed by a light Gerald Sharp Photography Construction Industry Training Board and Skills Council for buffet providing the chance to mix with other Freemen and Liverymen. Official photographs for our major events may be purchased from www.sharpphoto.co.uk (select gallery, livery events, Upholders) Construction will present Master Craftsman awards on The studio, 20 Brownlea Gardens, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex IG3 9NL Phone 020 8599 5070 Fax 020 8599 4474 October 15th at a ceremony arranged by the Construction Livery Group in Glaziers Hall. Applications may be made through the Clerk, Mrs Jean Cody.

2 7 Upholding the City

English Chamber Orchestra. He is married to Dr Clare Taylor and between Court News New Sheriffs elected them they have six children. The annual election of two Sheriffs for the City of London took place on Mr Gillon became a member of the City’s Court of Common Council in the traditional date of Midsummer’s Day at Guildhall. After the election 1995 and sits on a number of committees including Policy & Resources, Court. The secretary guides candi- the Master Richard Nevard and voting Liverymen enjoyed lunch at The Court & Court News City Lands & Bridge House Estates, Port Health & Environmental dates through the process of joining Painter Stainers’ Hall along with Liverymen from 10 other Livery Obituaries Services and the Safer City Partnership Board. He spent 14 years in Committees the Livery. The Court has met on four Companies. Glasgow as a Chartered Surveyor before moving to the City in 1979. occasions since the last publication Many people have asked how our Warden to the Trade Roger Gifford (Cordwainer ward, on right in photo) and George of Upbraid. In September there was Michael Horton Latterly he spent 16 years as a partner at commercial property consultants Court is organised. The following is Committee Gillon (also Cordwainer ward, on left) were an extended discussion of the Drivers Jonas. Mr Gillon is a livery- a rough guide: Chairman - Warden to the Trade - Baylis both elected to serve as Sheriff and will take Strategy paper which was man of the Chartered Surveyors’ Stephen Chapman Michael Horton Baylis up their duties on 26th September, ready to approved. A summary of this paper supervise the election of a Lord Mayor on 29th Company, having served as Master The Court This energetic committee organises of Highgate was born from 2002-2003. Other positions he is included on the events cards September 2008. Chairman- The Master our events in on 19th November 1919 has held include Governor of the City support of the published at the Installation court Alderman Gifford was elected to the Court of The court is the principal decision and died peacefully in Aldermen in 2004. He has spent 30 years of London’s School for Girls, the making body of the Livery. It has up Trade and ensures dinner and discussed at the recent working in international merchant banking in Chartered Surveyors’ Charitable Trusts, to 28 members; Master, Wardens, our Livery is Common Hall. The January Court Wales on 6th August the City and is currently UK Country Manager the Caledonian Club Charitable Trust Past Masters and Court Assistants represented at the meeting is our Election Court. The 2007 after a short for SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank). He is and the Honourable Irish Society. before the Chair. Honorary Wood Group and officers for the ensuing year were illness. He served the also chairman of the Association of Foreign The Sheriffs’ duties include attending Assistants and Honorary Senior the Construction proposed by Past Master Livery as Court Banks, which represents overseas banks based the Lord Mayor in carrying out his Assistants may also attend but do Livery Group. Christopher Hayman as Chairman Assistant from March in the UK. He is a liveryman of the Worshipful Through its mem- official duties, attending the sessions at not have a vote. The Clerk records of the Past master’s Committee and Company of Musicians and the Worshipful the minutes. bership it ensures we work closely 1980 and then generously the Central Criminal Court in the Old approved by the Court. At the April Company of International Bankers, a trustee of with the AMUSF meeting Richard Nevard was duly moved aside to become St Paul’s Cathedral foundation, St Paul’s Bailey and presenting petitions from Past Masters’ in matters affecting the Upholstery installed as Master and Julian an Honorary Senior Cathedral Choir School Foundation and King Edward’s School Witley. He the City to Parliament at the Bar at the House of Commons. Committee trade. Squire as Junior Warden. Due to Assistant in order for has a strong involvement with music and the arts and is Chairman of the www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/files2008/new_sheriffs.htm Chairman - Past Finance Committee illness installation of the Senior another liveryman to Master Chairman - The Honorary Treasurer, Warden Elect Rev. John Cowling become a Court Past Master Joseph Byllam Barnes Christopher was postponed. The Audit Court Assistant. He was Hayman This This committee meeting held in the Aldermen’s recommends the Senior Partner at influential com- Court Room Guildhall in June New Livery Company budget for each Richard Ellis. He mittee recom- approved the accounts for the year year (January - leaves a wife, Mary. May saw the 108th Livery Company come into being as the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals was granted its Letters Patent. mends to the ending 31st December 2007. At all Part of the criteria for this final step is to have more than £300,000 in the Company’s Charitable Trust Fund and £50,000 in the General Fund. Court Officers for the year, member- December) to the Court and ensures meetings the LMU, finances, (Under these criteria the Upholders might not be able to become a Livery today! - ed.) ship of committees and recommends attendance, awards and recruitment David Baker Over 400 people gathered in Mansion House to witness the Company gaining livery status at the hands of Windsor Herald, Major William Hunt. new Court Assistants after inter- compliance with applicable were discussed. The Drill Team from the RAF Regiment performed in Guildhall Yard. viewing them. Its membership is all David was clothed in accounting regulations. It also has For more Livery news see the Livery Live section of www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Past Masters and the current Master. the Livery in January Meets 2-3 times a year. oversight of the Investment and New Junior 1985. His wife, Audrey Charity Committees. Membership Warden Installed survives him. Planning Committee includes the Master and Wardens. Julian Squire became a Liveryman age 50 he was unknown but at 60 he was internationally Chairman - Junior Warden, Julian in 2000 and member of the Court in FATHERS AND SONS famous. He died of typhus in Kherson, southern Russia where Squire This com- Investment Committee Harold Edward 2007. He lives with his wife Susan in mittee is respon- Secretary - Aubrey Cox he is buried. There is a memorial to him in St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Cotswold village of Sherston in Stephen Hunt sible for long This small committee of investment Some Upholders achieved distinction through their children a statue in Bedford, and-unusually for a civilian- his death was Wiltshire and has two children. term planning as professionals is Harold was a long rather than through their craft skills in furniture making and reported in “The London Gazette”. His name lives on today in empowered to standing Freeman of well as helping Born in central London, he spent upholstery or through business acumen. the Howard League for Penal Reform. manage the prepare the the first 20 years of his business the Company who company’s invest- Court Assistant & Hon. Archivist John Houston Wardens for their career with Gardner Merchant. He passed away in 2007. ed funds. John Howard was admitted as a Freeman in 1710 and became years as Master. participated in the company’s Peter Jackson Master in 1734. He is recorded as working from “The Talbot”, The chairman is management buy out from Trust Charity & Neville Long Lane, as an upholder, appraiser and dealer in tapestries and appointed from House Forte in 1992. In 2002 he Hayman Charity Mr David Baker those Court founded Infracare Group which Oriental carpets. When he died in 1742 he left handsome for- Committee 2.4.26 - 9.7.08 Assistants approaching the Chair became a major property developer tunes (always helpful!) to his children. Chairman - a Trustee A devoted family man, and remains until they become of premises for occupation by the The committee is responsible for Master. Membership is Master, NHS. he is survived by wife His son (1726-1790) also named John, achieved fame as a Wardens, IPM and up to 4 others. managing our charitable funds, Audrey, daughter Helen donations and ensuring compliance philanthropist and prison reformer. His appointment in 1773 as Meets on ad hoc basis between 2-4 He sold the business in 2007 and and two grandchildren. times a year. with the Charities Act. Its member- now spends his time travelling and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire where he lived at Cardington ship includes the 3 trustees of our A service of thanksgiving was surprising for a dissenter and brought him into contact with managing a diverse portfolio of Interview Committee charities. personal investments. Julian was a was held on 21st July. prisons. Shocked by what he saw he rode into neighbouring SecretaryPast Master finalist in the 2006 Entrepreneur of David was a quantity counties to view their prisons and went on to tour, on multiple Christopher Hayman Publicity Committee the Year. surveyor and was occasions, the entire country. In effect, he appointed himself Two members of this committee Acting Chairman - The Master well known in his Personal interests include music, chief inspector of prisons and gave evidence to the House of interview candidates wishing to This committee prepares the annual shooting, skiing and driving tours neighbourhood for his become Liverymen or Freemen and issue of Upbraid and also has over- Commons on corruption, abuses, diseases, and the evils of the around Europe. He is a governor of bee keeping. make their recommendation to the sight of our Website and other prison hulks. His writings, especially “The State of the Prisons”, material. Westonbirt School. were hugely influential although he was no sentimentalist. He John Howard, Bedford also toured all the major European countries searching for what Our Clerk Jean Cody has announced her intention to retire in 2010. This is a key role ensuring the smooth running of our Livery and also representing it on would be called “best practice” in later times. It is said he many occasions. The Court is considering how the needs of the Upholders’ might best be served and would welcome contact from anyone, particularly travelled 50,000 miles and spent £30,000 of his own money. At The above is from a series of articles on Fathers and Sons - Liveryman or Freeman, interested in the position. more in future Upbraid issues.

6 3 Chamberlain’s Chair in The Nicoll Loving Cups Chamberlain’s Court, Guildhall Upholding Our Livery New Freemen and Robert Nicholas Ward engineer. I was an apprentice (Jan 08) upholsterer at Barrett and Liverymen Bolton Limited and changed . companies to advance my Patricia Ann Ayres skills on the contract side of (Sept 07) the industry. I joined the then London College of Furniture in 1985 As we are peripatetic it is difficult to make our silver available (now LMU) and am now for our dinners, however arrangements have been made to use Senior Lecturer in charge of these Loving Cups at our dinners this year. The cups were the Upholstery section. I have presented to the Company by Thomas Nicoll, Master 1705. been privileged in being able They are a pair of antique silver cups and covers engraved with to forge links between the uni- the arms of the Company. The cups were made in London in London, where he has versity and the Association of 1686, while the covers were made in 1904 (makers unknown). remained apart from an inter- Master Upholsterers and Soft Each cup (with cover) stands 21.0cm (8.3”) high. lude of four years in Nigeria in I am married to David who Rob is a Professional Furnishers and the Upholders Past Master Anthony Usher the early eighties. became a Liveryman in June Indemnity Insurance specialist Company, as well as presenting The Usher Loving Cups In recent years, Ian has been On 16 April, our immediate Past Master Peter Lawton, his 2007. My love of the city, its and is Managing Director of the annual Upholders awards wife,Vera, Warden to the Trade Elect Stephen Chapman and our active in local government, buildings and traditions began Sennet Insurance Services Ltd. at the LMU. I am married to Clerk, Mrs Jean Cody, attended Guildhall to present the serving for two terms as when I started work there in based in Canterbury where he Jean with two children Daniel Chamberlain of the City of London, Chris Bilsland, with his newly- Chairman of Chobham Parish the 60s after leaving school. relocated after thirty years in & Julie. My interests include restored chair. They are pictured with the Chamberlain’s Clerk (left). Council. He married Victoria David and I started our own the City which he visits fre- demonstrating at Livery Royal Warrant holder Albert E Chapman Limited, the family busi- property business in Essex in in 1970 and they have lived in events, gardening and DIY, ness of Past Master Bertram Chapman and Court Assistant Stephen quently. He enjoys travel, the 80s. We have a son and Chobham, Surrey since 1972. socialising with close friends Chapman, was delighted to be charged with the responsibility of cookery and most of the good daughter and two grandsons and cruising holidays. replacing the upholstery to the seat which, prior to restoration, had things that life has to offer. Malcolm Hopkins completely collapsed and the leather covering had perished. The (who I hope will be I feel both very proud and new seat is hand-sprung using coil springs, with a hair over-stuffing Liverymen one day). I am a Ian A C Taylor CA (June 08) honoured that I have been which was finished with a hand-stitched edge to the sides and front. member of Farringdon Ward recently made a Liveryman of The upholstery fillings to the back and arm-pads were found to be Club, the Guild of Freeman, (Sept 07) the Company and believe it is in good condition and only required minor adjustments. and a Governor of my Local Ian was educated at Loretto the pinnacle of a long and On completion of the re-upholstery works, the chair was completely At our June Audit Court meeting past Masters Ray & Anthony Hospital Foundation Trust. My School in Edinburgh and in fruitful career. re-covered using a hide supplied by Glasgow-based company Usher presented the livery with two further antique Loving hobbies are travel, dancing, 1966 qualified as a member of Andrew Muirhead and finished with a band to the perimeter made Cups. These will be particularly useful as they are of appropriate walking and scrabble. the Institute of Chartered Barry Lewis from the same hide. Decorative nails were then applied through the sizes to match the usual attendance of around 60 at our Court Accountants of Scotland. (June 08) band, with a space between each nail to expose the band. Dinners. Throughout his working life, Warden to the Trade Stephen Chapman Surinder Kumar Beerh (sept 07) he has been associated with I was born in Liverpool but the Lloyd’s insurance market, soon moved to the Medway Queen Caroline’s Throne Canopy was sponsored by Ray Usher initially in Glasgow and in the future. The Canopy is part of Hampton Court’s collection of towns due to my father’s and Derek Thornton. 1969 moving to the City of (Photo courtesy Historic Royal Palaces) state beds and throne canopies, one of the most significant collec- redeployment as an electrical On 19th July the Master and 9 Liverymen and Freemen visited tions of its type anywhere in the world. The Canopy has remained Hampton Court Palace to see the work supported by a donation in its original historic location, the Queen’s Audience Chamber, The Worshipful Company of Upholders is actively seeking new Freemen and Liverymen, for details since 1715. Regular inspection of the Canopy is impossible because it is of how to join and other enquiries contact: situated at height. The exact nature of the treatment of the valances Mrs Jean Cody, Clerk, Hallinwood, 46 Quail Gardens, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8TF was impossible to determine until they were removed to the studio. [email protected] Over the course of the project the damask, lace and braids were found to be in a very fragile condition. They had become brittle and their fibres dehydrated. The buckram lining of the valances was also found to be very weak. Naval Links The conservation treatment of the valances was undertaken by Since the recent HMS Upholder was sold to the Canadian Navy and HMS Newcastle was put into reserve the Upholders have the furnishings section in the Conservation and Collection Care not had an affiliation with any current Naval vessel. So it was with pleasure that at the Audit Court meeting the court approved department at the Palace. The project was led by Maria Jordan and Mika Takami, the work being completed between October 2007 and the forming of an new affiliation with HMS Triumph. early January 2008. The valances were returned to public display in stages, the final valance being re-instated on 18 February. She is a Trafalgar class, hunter/killer, nuclear-powered submarine, commissioned in October ‘91. After her refit in Plymouth it This conservation project has safeguarded the future of these is hoped that her sea trials period in particular will provide potential for short visits to the boat by members of the Company. valances for a generation. This will ensure that the Canopy, a As the youngest of the “T” Boats she is due to continue in service until 2022. Triumph’s current Commanding Officer is significant piece of Georgian furniture, can continue to be enjoyed from our Peter Jackson Charity. In autumn 2007, Historic Royal Commander Sykes Royal Navy.We have learnt from the Canadian Navy that HMCS Chicoutami (formerly HMS Upholder) is by visitors in its original historic location. We believe that the com- in dry dock in Halifax and there are no immediate plans to re-commission her. Palaces began the conservation of three valances of Queen bination of a new net overlay to protect and support the damask and Caroline’s Throne Canopy. This project is now complete, and the new full lining to protect the buckram will stabilise the valances for valances have been re-instated for the enjoyment of the public. the next 20 to 50 years. Also sharing the Upholder name is TS Upholder - the home of Chelmsford Sea Cadets. The Master recently joined Lt Cdr This report is an edited version of the documentation prepared by Past Master Bert Chapman Lincoln and his staff for their Sea Sunday Dinner. Afterwards he said “I came away with the impression of a thriving unit over the conservators detailing every step of the project as a record for 60 strong with an enthusiastic leadership”. The Sea Cadets will be forming a stair guard at our Mansion House Banquet. 4 5