A message from the Master
Dear Fellow Loriners
Since I last reported to the Court, the on-going “Will he? Won’t he?” question of 19thJuly and the easing of Covid restrictions has overshadowed our way of life and has disrupted the usual summer activities enjoyed by all. This is no different for our Company.
The annual Masters’ weekend in York and the visit to Ironbridge were both cancelled along with many other activities. However, Immediate Past Master, Sue Douthwaite, and I did enjoy a very warm welcome at Melton Mowbray where we watched the first leg of the United Kingdom Armed Forces Equestrian Association competition. We both presented rosettes and small prizes to the competitors.
On 11th July Carla Humphreys, an equine bitting consultant and a Loriner Journeyman, and I travelled to Wales to give a presentation to British Dressage Youth Wales. She had been invited to speak to two groups of youngsters aged between twelve and twenty at their summer camp in Ammanford, in Carmarthenshire.
A very enthusiastic audience listened intently as Carla explained how to choose a suitable bit and the pros and cons of each type. The sessions were extremely well received and grateful thanks are due to Carla.
The event was sponsored by the Loriners and will hopefully provide the Company with an exciting new link into the world of dressage. I, as Master, was delighted to attend (despite the long journey!) and gave a short talk on the Loriners’ Company.
We look forward to a Welsh contingent joining the Company!
At the end of May, the Glovers’ Company kindly invited me to a Zoom “Question & Answer” evening with Alison Gowman recently elected as Sheriff.
Our three Zoom Meet & Greets have been extremely well attended and talks on the Dickin Medal, the Alleyways of the City and Urban Art have been much appreciated. It is especially gratifying to see so many familiar faces enjoying our on-line social gatherings and also to welcome back some members we have not seen for a while.
On 14th July the Wardens and I visited The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at their barracks in Woolwich. We were the guests of the Commanding Officer, Major Victoria Flood, together with her Adjutant and RSM. We were treated to a full tour of the barracks and the CO and her team met us in full uniform. A full report on the day, written by the Upper Warden, is contained here.
Our committees continue to work hard on behalf of the Company. The Livery Committee has been concentrating on possible sponsorship for the Mansion House banquet and on the Livery reception which is being held at the Old Bailey in September.
Kate English has produced and carried out a survey of our membership which I hope most Liverymen found time to complete. She is due to give a presentation to the Master and Wardens’ group shortly on the findings. I would like to thank her for all the hard work she has put into this project.
The Company’s trip to the Isle of Wight is being masterminded by the Under Warden who has put a huge effort into arranging what promises to be a truly memorable weekend. I believe there are just a few rooms left.
At the heart of all of this is a dedicated and professional Communications team who guide us on all our communications both internally and externally including producing a most accomplished newsletter which is enjoyed and appreciated by many Liverymen.
Our links with the Saddlers’ Company are flourishing and the Immediate Past Master continues her work on the Equine Fitters Council project and the Loriners’ involvement at the Leather Skills Centre at Walsall. I sit in on all the EFC meetings as an observer.
Recently, the Immediate Past Master and I awarded two Loriner pin badges to the two Apprentices who came up with the name “Lori” for the horse’s head teaching aid that is destined for the Lorinery course at the Leather Skills Centre. Congratulations to Gabri and Findlay!
The Inter Livery Shoot took place on 23rd June and the Loriners’ teams captained by Nick Bensted-Smith came 24th and 25th out of 115 teams taking part. The top Loriner gun was also 25th. So many congratulations to all taking part and thank you to Nick for organising our participation.
Finally, I would like to thank the Master and Wardens’ team, the Clerk, all committee chairmen and the members of all the committees for their support and hard work since my last report three months ago. Despite all the restrictions the Loriners’ Company goes from strength to strength.
Mary-Jane Atkinson
Master Loriner 2021-22
20 July 2021