28.06.12
On receiving an invitation from St Brides to a discussion on "Holding the City to Account" I must admit that we hesitated, and when the venue moved to St Mary's in the Elephant and Castle, very nearly gave our appologies. However we would have missed a very timely treat. It was the day that the Barcleys Bank rate fixing story broke. The speakers included Greg Palest, author of "Vultures' Picnic", a renowned investigative journalist, and expert on corporate exploitation and corruption. He was joined by Brain Basham, veteran financial PR person who could be regarded as poacher turned game keeper when it came to the question of the City and particularly banking and political ethics.
Opinions from the platform ranged beween the belief that in the least regulated society the worst people rise to the top, and that the Euro crisis is being used to eliminate regulations, through to the belief that corporations manage the world, not politicians. The latter point was ably illustrated by Greg Palest. I was going to raise the subject of Hubris, championed by Lord Owen, but it seemed inappropriate as the audience appeared to be made up largely of the St Pauls brigade.
The Q & A session was mainly devoted to what to do to the bankers and the degree to which the City needed to change. Little time was spent on how to do it and with what. Against the might of the corporate and banking enemy there was the hint of a Dad's Army defensive. There is a need for politicians to turn on the exploiters - but first they must understand their opponents.
As we left we bought Greg's book, "Vultures' Picnic". It looks like a frighteningly revealing, yet somehow entertaining, read.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Monday, 25 June 2012
A New Sheriff in Town
25.06.12
To be accurate it is two Sheriffs and they are in the City. For over 800 years the Liverymen of the City of London have gathered at the Guildhall to elect two new Sheriffs, one of whom may, in time, become the Lord Mayor of London. It happened again today in the presence of over 600 Liverymen, all 108 Masters and other City dignatories in an assembly called Common Hall. In addition such roles as Bridge Masters, Ale Conners and Auditors were elected together with the members of the Livery Committee. Interestingly, there being no political parties in the City, all were elected on merit by their peers.
Afterwards I met with the Mistress and we, together with other Marketors, ajourned to the Farmer & Fletchers Hall for a Livery Luncheon, first stopping off at our office in One London Wall to deposit my gown and chain and sign off various documents. As always the meal, this time comprising of Crab, Duck and Eton Mess, was excellent as was the wine. However the delight was the seating which, on such an occasion, is mainly on the basis of drawing a ticket from a hat. I had a Baroness one side, a fabric designed the other and a firefighter and the Mistress infront of me - so some facinating conversations.
Not only a very pleasant lunch but also, and more importantly, we have elected two fine Sheriffs for the next year.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
To be accurate it is two Sheriffs and they are in the City. For over 800 years the Liverymen of the City of London have gathered at the Guildhall to elect two new Sheriffs, one of whom may, in time, become the Lord Mayor of London. It happened again today in the presence of over 600 Liverymen, all 108 Masters and other City dignatories in an assembly called Common Hall. In addition such roles as Bridge Masters, Ale Conners and Auditors were elected together with the members of the Livery Committee. Interestingly, there being no political parties in the City, all were elected on merit by their peers.
Afterwards I met with the Mistress and we, together with other Marketors, ajourned to the Farmer & Fletchers Hall for a Livery Luncheon, first stopping off at our office in One London Wall to deposit my gown and chain and sign off various documents. As always the meal, this time comprising of Crab, Duck and Eton Mess, was excellent as was the wine. However the delight was the seating which, on such an occasion, is mainly on the basis of drawing a ticket from a hat. I had a Baroness one side, a fabric designed the other and a firefighter and the Mistress infront of me - so some facinating conversations.
Not only a very pleasant lunch but also, and more importantly, we have elected two fine Sheriffs for the next year.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
Sunday, 24 June 2012
151 Regiment
23.06.12
The 151 Regiment Oficers' Mess Guest Night was, on this occasion, held in the delightful setting of Amport House near Andover. Home of the Army Chaplaincy, and housing their museum, the house is located in splendid grounds and surrounded by delightful gardens. However, the most outstanding feature of the weekend was, as always, the hospitality shown to us by the officers of 151 Regiment led by Commanding Officer Lt Col Adrian Lee.
Starting at 4pm with tea, this gave us the opportunity to stroll around the gardens and later visit the museum which covers the history of British Army Chaplaincy, a role that dates back to 338 AD. And so to the dinner where I had the opportunity to thank Lt Col Adrian Lee for his support in developing the relationship between our two organisations, and to wish him all the best for his career as he is moving on in October.
As always, we later retired to the bar where conversations and fellowship continued late into the night. However, this did not deter people from breakfast the following morning which, as might be expected, was a full English. As always an excellent occasion and much thanks to Liveryman Hugh West for the work he put in as Event Director.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
The 151 Regiment Oficers' Mess Guest Night was, on this occasion, held in the delightful setting of Amport House near Andover. Home of the Army Chaplaincy, and housing their museum, the house is located in splendid grounds and surrounded by delightful gardens. However, the most outstanding feature of the weekend was, as always, the hospitality shown to us by the officers of 151 Regiment led by Commanding Officer Lt Col Adrian Lee.
Starting at 4pm with tea, this gave us the opportunity to stroll around the gardens and later visit the museum which covers the history of British Army Chaplaincy, a role that dates back to 338 AD. And so to the dinner where I had the opportunity to thank Lt Col Adrian Lee for his support in developing the relationship between our two organisations, and to wish him all the best for his career as he is moving on in October.
As always, we later retired to the bar where conversations and fellowship continued late into the night. However, this did not deter people from breakfast the following morning which, as might be expected, was a full English. As always an excellent occasion and much thanks to Liveryman Hugh West for the work he put in as Event Director.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Butcher Baker
22.06.12
The Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery was designed to celebrate 850 years of London's Livery Companies through a display of some of their treasure. Starting today with a special evening reception, the exhibition is then open to the public until 23rd September. Treasures range from the Weavers Charter of 1155 through to a from life painting of Henry VIII handing the Charter to the Barber Surgeons in 1541. More up to date was the impressive Goldsmiths plate to commemorate the Millennium. A truly impressive display of the origins, craft and pageantry of the Livery.
While the Marketors treasures were not included, our skills were on display in all aspects of the marketing of the exhibition. This was because our Court Assistant Peter Rees, via the Outreach Programme, had been supporting this aspect of the project; he was also in attendance this evening. Attended by almost all Livery Masters and other City dignitaries and supporters this was a delightful opening of an impressive display.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
The Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery was designed to celebrate 850 years of London's Livery Companies through a display of some of their treasure. Starting today with a special evening reception, the exhibition is then open to the public until 23rd September. Treasures range from the Weavers Charter of 1155 through to a from life painting of Henry VIII handing the Charter to the Barber Surgeons in 1541. More up to date was the impressive Goldsmiths plate to commemorate the Millennium. A truly impressive display of the origins, craft and pageantry of the Livery.
While the Marketors treasures were not included, our skills were on display in all aspects of the marketing of the exhibition. This was because our Court Assistant Peter Rees, via the Outreach Programme, had been supporting this aspect of the project; he was also in attendance this evening. Attended by almost all Livery Masters and other City dignitaries and supporters this was a delightful opening of an impressive display.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
Friday, 22 June 2012
City Livery
21.06.12
It was the Mansion House today and yesterday. Yesterday it was lunch, or to be precise, almost two dinners. We (Master, Mistress and Clerk) were at a tasting in the afternoon to decide the fare for the Marketors banquet in July. As always, an interesting occasion which I feel sure will result in an excellent selection of food and wine.
Today, or rather this evening, we attended the City Livery Club's Civic Reception and Dinner at the Mansion House where we were greeted by the new President Michael Hudson. While I was announced during the presentations as a guest of the Club, I was in fact a guest of my wife Brenda who is the member of the club. It was an excellent evening with some familiar faces from the Livery and the Marketors including Valerie Boakes who is Past President of the Club and also Liveryman of the Marketors. Not surprisingly the Lord Mayor was in attendance with the Lady Mayoress, after all it is home for their year. The reply on behalf of the guests was given by Sheriff Alan Yarrow who, coincidentally, will be addressing us at the Marketors banquet. So a small world in the City.
In all an excellent two days mainly centred around the Mansion House.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
It was the Mansion House today and yesterday. Yesterday it was lunch, or to be precise, almost two dinners. We (Master, Mistress and Clerk) were at a tasting in the afternoon to decide the fare for the Marketors banquet in July. As always, an interesting occasion which I feel sure will result in an excellent selection of food and wine.
Today, or rather this evening, we attended the City Livery Club's Civic Reception and Dinner at the Mansion House where we were greeted by the new President Michael Hudson. While I was announced during the presentations as a guest of the Club, I was in fact a guest of my wife Brenda who is the member of the club. It was an excellent evening with some familiar faces from the Livery and the Marketors including Valerie Boakes who is Past President of the Club and also Liveryman of the Marketors. Not surprisingly the Lord Mayor was in attendance with the Lady Mayoress, after all it is home for their year. The reply on behalf of the guests was given by Sheriff Alan Yarrow who, coincidentally, will be addressing us at the Marketors banquet. So a small world in the City.
In all an excellent two days mainly centred around the Mansion House.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
PM's and Schubert
19.06.12
The life of a Master is never dull, and certainly wasn't today. First came the Past Master's Lunch at the Guildhall. While a pleasant occasion with, of course, excellent company, it is in effect a mid term review of the Masters year. Needless to say, I cannot divulge what was discussed as it was under Chatham House Rules, however I can advise that it seemed to go well. Which is more than can be said for the second event that day.
The Spittlefields Music Summer Festival in June is one of two they produce in Tower Hamlets throughout the year. We were kindly invited to an evening reception at Shoreditch Town Hall and then to Shoreditch Church for a concert by the Schubert Ensemble. The programme included Martinu, Dvorak and a new piece by Huw Watkins. The music was challenging and rewarding and we were wrapped in it when, as they approached the end of the second movement of the Martinu Piano Quartet No.1 H287, the viola players instrument seemed to explode. The explanation was that "the gut at the end had snapped". Not carrying a spare, a member of the audience offered to pop home and get another one - home only being 5 minutes away. So a brief interlude and they were back on track. While not our usual taste in music it is always exciting to experience such skill and emotion.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
The life of a Master is never dull, and certainly wasn't today. First came the Past Master's Lunch at the Guildhall. While a pleasant occasion with, of course, excellent company, it is in effect a mid term review of the Masters year. Needless to say, I cannot divulge what was discussed as it was under Chatham House Rules, however I can advise that it seemed to go well. Which is more than can be said for the second event that day.
The Spittlefields Music Summer Festival in June is one of two they produce in Tower Hamlets throughout the year. We were kindly invited to an evening reception at Shoreditch Town Hall and then to Shoreditch Church for a concert by the Schubert Ensemble. The programme included Martinu, Dvorak and a new piece by Huw Watkins. The music was challenging and rewarding and we were wrapped in it when, as they approached the end of the second movement of the Martinu Piano Quartet No.1 H287, the viola players instrument seemed to explode. The explanation was that "the gut at the end had snapped". Not carrying a spare, a member of the audience offered to pop home and get another one - home only being 5 minutes away. So a brief interlude and they were back on track. While not our usual taste in music it is always exciting to experience such skill and emotion.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
The Games: Pure Marketing Gold?
18.06.12
The Worshipful Companies of Marketors, Stationers and Information Technologists joined together to create the 2012 Summer Forum which was entitled "London Games 2012: Pure Marketing Gold". Held this evening at the impressive Stationers Hall it attracted an audience of over 100 from a wide range of professions. With speakers from McCann Worldgroups and Lloyds TSB together with representatives from specialist agencies Space and Unruly Media the presentations explored how brand sponsorship, behavioural understanding and digital media will impact the London Olympics 2012.
The insight into the benefits and challenges of the games for the corporate sponsors put their £1.3bn investment into perspective. For many the return will relate to brand awareness and sales while others will gain from the changes created within their own organisations. These revelations, plus the discussions after with the speakers and other guests, created an informative and entertaining evening for the Mistress and I, and proved that cooperation between Livery Companies can benefit all.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
The Worshipful Companies of Marketors, Stationers and Information Technologists joined together to create the 2012 Summer Forum which was entitled "London Games 2012: Pure Marketing Gold". Held this evening at the impressive Stationers Hall it attracted an audience of over 100 from a wide range of professions. With speakers from McCann Worldgroups and Lloyds TSB together with representatives from specialist agencies Space and Unruly Media the presentations explored how brand sponsorship, behavioural understanding and digital media will impact the London Olympics 2012.
The insight into the benefits and challenges of the games for the corporate sponsors put their £1.3bn investment into perspective. For many the return will relate to brand awareness and sales while others will gain from the changes created within their own organisations. These revelations, plus the discussions after with the speakers and other guests, created an informative and entertaining evening for the Mistress and I, and proved that cooperation between Livery Companies can benefit all.
John Flynn
Master Marketor
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