Inside this Issue

    Master's Message

As those who were present, at the Service of Dedication at St Martin Within Ludgate, heard me say, following the Master's Declaration, I am very well aware of the great honour the Company has shown me by installing me as Master.

However I am also very well aware that my name is but the most recent to be added in a list stretching back over 500 years.  Each Master receives and passes on the responsibility for the care of the Livery in his year.  My predecessors have passed on a healthy Livery.
The Company owes a great debt to those who over the last decade have transformed the Company's structure, manage

ment and status, culminating in Past Master Robin Wilson's work in obtaining our Royal Charter.  We are also indebted to the Immediate Past Master for his careful arrangements of the formalities for receiving the Charter, which gave all those who were able and willing to take part an opportunity to do so.  I am very grateful to him for the care and trouble he has taken to involve me in his thoughts and work over the year.  It will make the handover much smoother.

The Corporate side of our affairs has benefited from a steady increase in membership, an improving financial position, a modern corporate structure and a well supported social programme.  There appears to be little need for significant new initiatives but rather for good housekeeping and the reinforcement of successful policies.  However you will all be aware our continued good health depends on a steady flow of new members.  I ask you all to look amongst your friends and acquaintances for potential Liverymen.

Our charitable activities, following consultation with the Livery, do offer significant opportunities.  Several ideas have been identified, by correspondence and at the Common Hall, these will be worked upon so that informed choices can be made.  We will ensure that you are informed and consulted as things develop.  It is probable that some of this will take longer than one Master's year to complete, so my likely successors will play an active role in the development of the work.  I look forward to working with you on these matters and enjoying your company at the Company's functions during the year.

John Carpenter

Last Call for Nominations for the
Paviors Medal 2005 must be returned to the Clerk by 30 April 2005.  If you know some one (not necessarily a Liveryman) whose excellence in innovation should be recognised, or who has made a lifetime contribution to the 'craft of paving' in its modern context - why not nominate him (or her) for the Paviors Medal?  Nomination forms are available from the Clerk.

Robin Wilson