Newsletter - March 2025
After a brief period of happy reflection upon the Installation Dinner at Vintners’ Hall, the Loriner year started with a flurry of activity. Commitments in the first week included the launch of the Equine Fitters Directory, The Society of Master Saddlers Prize Giving, the Lord Mayor’s visit to Treloar’s and a visit to the Household Cavalry Museum.
The launch of the Equine Fitters Directory was well supported by the Company, with Past Master Sue Douthwaite, Liveryman Olivia Turner and Freemen Charlotte Warman and Jack Day present. The prize giving for the Society of Master Saddlers event is well written up by Past Master Chris Walton in this newsletter.
As always, a visit to Treloar’s, the college for physically disabled children, is an inspiring and uplifting occasion. I very much hope that we shall be able to arrange a visit to Treloar’s for members of our company later in the year. The visit to the Household Cavalry Museum was excellent and Assistant and Steward Stephen Macklow-Smith and our Gallant Clerk are due to visit shortly so I am sure there will be more to say next month.
Early March saw our intrepid Loriner team compete in the Inter-Livery Pancake races at Guildhall. The weather was perfect and, by all accounts, we did very well. I had actually taken part in the races some years before, with my abiding memory of being Past Master Nick Fraser’s ‘runner’ proving that it was not - and still is not - as easy as it looks. You will be able to read more about it in the next newsletter.
Lastly, and with much sadness, I must report the death of Past Master Glen Neville Smith. Glen was Master Loriner in 2003. Longer standing members will remember him for his energy and enthusiasm. On behalf of the Company, I have written to Glen’s widow Trish and to his son, Liveryman Tim Neville Smith.
Nick Bensted-Smith, Master 2025/26
Celebrations to mark Sister Mary Joy's Retirement
On Saturday the 21st of December I attended the retirement celebrations of Sister Mary Joy, who has been CEO of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Center in West London for more than 30 years.
I attended with my Consort, Cate Athienitou, and was happy to be joined by Honorary Liveryman Martin Clunes and Liveryman and CEO of the BHS, James Hick. Martin and James were a great help to Sister Mary Joy on the day, acting as Master of Ceremonies and sound engineers.
Sister Mary Joy was supported by a large number of companions and fellow instructors from previous years and many ex-students and local helpers. The turn out was evidence of the high regard and appreciation of a life of generous service to the community through horse riding and caring for horses.
She gave us an in-depth history of how she came to love and value horses through her early days on her parents’ farm on the South Coast and how she ended up becoming a religious Sister, as well as the first fully qualified female fire fighter with the Kent Fire Service.
Sister Mary Joy explained how she took on a desperate piece of land located under the West Way flyover when it had no security or running water or mains electricity and started offering young people the positive experience of being around horses. We heard about her travails with the local council and how, ultimately with connections in very high places and through the Challenge Anika TV programme, she managed to get the indoor ménage and centre built. It was inspirational to hear how her determination overcame all obstacles.
As I was standing in for IPM Colin Gurley, I delivered his prepared speech, which was well received by all the assembled guests to generous applause. Martin and James helped with awards and raffle prizes and, afterwards, very welcome tea and cakes were taken by everyone. All in all, a fantastic afternoon in East Acton and a worthy celebration of Sister Mary Joy’s dedication and hard work.
Under Warden, Nick Athienitis
Society of Master Saddlers Celebrates Annual Reception and Awards Dinner
On 4th February, the Master was joined by Past Master and Steward to The Society of Master Saddlers Chris Walton, at Saddlers’ Hall for the Society’s annual reception and awards ceremony. The Master inspected a wide range of exhibits and projects, including saddles and bridles, as well as other miniature pieces of leather work, produced by students of all levels.
The Master and Steward then joined nearly 100 others in the main hall. The Prime Warden of The Worshipful Company of Saddlers welcomed everyone to the ceremony and this was followed by the Society’s President Catherine Baker, who gave a short presentation on the Society’s work and publicly recognised the vital contribution of the Loriners and our bursaries for bit-fitting.
This was then followed by the presentation of awards and prizes, under the supervision of the CEO Hazel Morely. On completion, everyone retired to the exhibition area, where they engaged with the students and in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Past Master and Steward, Chris Walton
Loriner Focus
This month, we are pleased to welcome Alice Page. Recently enclothed as a Liveryman, Alice reveals her background and passions for both the City of London and all things equine.
"My connections with the City of London go back to childhood when I attended the City of London School for Girls. I was always fascinated by the livery companies, which were actively involved in the school, and the workings of the City. It was with delight that I returned to the City as a banker with UBS, via an 18-year detour living and working in Hong Kong, to find the role of the livery companies as important today as it was back then.
'When I decided to become more involved in the life of the City, the Loriners was a natural fit. I started my own riding journey at the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre (one of the charities supported by the Loriners) and was actively volunteering for the RDA there. While living and working in Hong Kong for almost two decades, I fell in love with horseracing, rode ex-racehorses and became so interested in horseracing that I took a specialist MBA in Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries, with my dissertation looking at the investment of venture capital into sports.
'Since returning to the UK, I had the privilege to be appointed a Trustee of the Racing Foundation. This is one of the UK’s largest grant-giving charitable foundations with a focus on supporting the sustainability of horseracing in the UK. The Racing Foundation has a number of charities in common with the Loriners, including Racing Welfare. My personal passions relate to racehorse welfare and aftercare. I also have my own retrained racehorse which I take to the occasional dressage competition.
'With my background in the City and my personal interest in charitable support for all things equestrian, the Loriners 'found' me and my introduction to them has been a great experience. Meeting so many people with such varied backgrounds, who share a love of the horse and its importance in society has been a real plus for me and has also given me some great new connections and friends.
'The many events, including the black tie dinners (which are such fun!), are not just a reminder of the traditions we inherit. They also represent the important role that the livery companies will have in the future of the City, just as they did when I was a girl walking past the churches, bankers and livery halls on my way to school".
Liveryman, Alice Page
Equestrian Experts attend annual BETA AGM and Conference
On 24th February, The Worshipful Company of Loriners was honoured by an invitation from Claire Williams, Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), to attend the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference. BETA was established in 1979 and has grown to be recognised as the official representative body for the equestrian manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade in the UK.
BETA has a membership of more than 800 equestrian experts, covering retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, sales agents, dealers and service-based businesses. The organisation supports them in their efforts to achieve the highest levels of reputation, knowledge and profitability in the industry, which has an economic value of approximately £5 billion to national and international equestrian governing bodies, government and in export markets.
Following the AGM and an introduction from Conference Chair Nikki Newcombe, a wide range of presentations was given by equine professionals, discussing varied subjects from the social value of equestrian sport and activity to the ethical use of animals in sport and the importance of using appropriate images of horses in advertising. After a Q&A session with all the speakers, delegates broke for lunch, providing an opportunity to discuss the morning's presentations and the wider equestrian industry.
Post-lunch, delegates were then given a briefing on the current political landscape in the UK, a practical demonstration on the transformative power of AI in businesses (relating specifically to saddlery) and a presentation on greenwashing and how to avoid misleading on-pack claims. The afternoon session concluded with a Q&A and closing remarks from the Chair.
It was a great day to meet businesses from across the industry. It was also an excellent opportunity to talk about the Worshipful Company of Loriners' commitment to promoting horse and rider safety, education and the Loriners' support for British business and individuals involved in the trade of Lorinery.
Liveryman and BETA Steward, Michael Bacon
Messages from The Gallant Clerk
Dear Loriner,
Given last month's bumper edition, there is very little to report from the Clerk this month. However, we do have one very important notice:
We are pleased to announce that The Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King, DL and The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Florence King will be joining the Company at the Worshipful Company of Loriners' Annual Banquet at Mansion House in May.
Additionally, this year’s guest speaker will be Her Honour Judge Anuja Dhir KC, who was the first non-white judge at the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey. As ever, the event will be spectacular, with a sparkling wine reception, four-course meal and a special programme of music, including an outstanding rendition of the famous Post Horn Gallop, presented by The Royal Marines Association Ensemble.
Two other diary dates to mention:
April: Liveryman Gill Sainsbury is organising an Informal Lunch for Loriners to meet up.
May: Badminton Horse Trials. Details will be released in due course but there will be limited places available and tickets will include lunch and a walk around the course.
Communications Committee - March 2025