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Drapers’ Hall,
Throgmorton Avenue,
London
EC2N 2DQ
T: 020 7588 5001
F: 020 7628 1988
E: mail@thedrapers.co.uk

Company News

Master’s Charity

This year, the Master has chosen the Kids’ Company as his “Master’s Charity”. This organisation, headed by Camila Batmanghelidjh, is already immensely effective in helping and protecting many thousands of traumatised and at-risk children in inner London.

These are children who are affected by broken homes, family violence, drugs, prostitution, gangs or a criminal environment and who live a life that most of us would find difficult to comprehend. However, in the present climate, Kids’ Company like many other charities needs to raise more funds. Since the shocking and dreadful riots of last August, the work of Kids’ Company is more relevant than ever in giving these young people an alternative to their often bleak and hostile environments and a better way for a more productive life.

Today, Kids’ Company supports some 17,000 vulnerable children and young people. They provide a range of services and help in four main London centres and across 40 London schools. For example, they offer counselling and therapy, safe and closely managed after-school programmes combining learning, games and an evening meal, and alternative educational programmes for young people up to the ages of 23/24 which are designed to lead to further education, training and employment. This work is right at the core of one of the Drapers’ Company’s principal charitable objectives, namely the education and support of under-privileged inner city children, and is supremely relevant in today’s society.

The Master and Clerk have recently visited the Arches II Centre and were both very impressed by what they saw and heard. The Master hopes that, if you feel able to do so, you will contribute generously to our Company appeal this year. The money raised will specifically help towards funding the Under 16 Education Programme, which re-integrates children back into mainstream education so that they can gain qualifications and move into employment, and the After-School Clubs which support over 500 children per week, providing activities, food and someone to talk to. Please click here to download details on how to donate.

A fund-raising event at the Hall on Wednesday, 20 June is also being planned and more details of that will follow in due course.

The Lord Mayor's Show - 12 November 2011

The Drapers’ Barge took part in the early morning River Procession of Livery Companies together with the barges and cutters from other organisations on Saturday 12 November 2011 from Westminster to HMS President, to escort the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Wootton, as he made his way into the City to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show.

The Sheriff's' Breakfast - 28 September 2011

Following the installation of the two new Sheriffs of the City of London, Alderman Alan Yarrow and Ms Wendy Mead, the annual Sheriffs’ Breakfast was held at Drapers’ Hall on 28th September 2011. Two hundred and seventy people, including Aldermen, Common Councilmen, Old Bailey Judges, Masters of Livery Companies and other City grandees sat down to a formal luncheon to welcome the two new Sheriffs and to applaud and thank the outgoing Sheriffs Alderman Fiona Woolf, CBE and Mr. Richard Sermon MBE. The Master Draper and Clerk attended.

Countryside Live – 21 and 22 September 2011

The Company’s Barge, the Royal Thamesis, was once again afloat on the River Lee on 21st and 22nd of September to take part in the annual Countryside Live event at Lee River Park.

The Royal Thamesis

Countryside Live is a country fair for school children organised by The Countryside Foundation for Education (CFE). It is a fun and educational event, with links to the National Curriculum and covers areas like new life and growth, people and places, caring and products and materials. A number of organisations attend the event and present hands-on practical learning experiences for the children that will introduce them to aspects of the Countryside Management, Farming, Food, Conservation, Environment and Country Crafts. Led by the Bargemaster, Andrew Thomson, a group of Drapers took parties of primary school children for short trips up and down the river. Each was given an opportunity to row alongside a crew member and for many it was the first time that they had ever been out in a boat. They loved it.

The Clerk with some passengers

The proximity of the venue to the Drapers Almshouses in Tottenham gave us the opportunity to take a party of residents from Edmanson’s Close almshouses for an hour’s trip on the River. It was a lovely afternoon and several of the passengers belied their age and took a turn on the oars!

A well earned refreshment

“Topping Out” of new Academy Buildings: 15 September 2011

A landmark stage in the construction of the £24m new Academy buildings in Harold Hill was reached when the final section of concrete was poured.

The Master, Anthony Walker, and the Chairman of Governors, Adrian Lyons

The Master, Anthony Walker, addressed the gathering, followed by a blessing from Rev. Russell Moul from St Paul’s Church. The Governors joined the Academy staff, guests and the building contractors, Kier Group, for a traditional “topping out” ceremony, where a ceremonial trowel was used to complete the concrete work.

Mr Slater, Principal of Drapers' Academy, completing the last section of concrete

The “topping out” of a new building is an ancient tradition first believed to have been performed in Britain in 1393 during the construction of Winchester School but remains a custom still practiced by builders today. It is a symbolic ceremony performed to ensure good fortune.

Gareth Clutton's Memorial Service: 8 July 2011

Gareth Clutton's (1960-2011) memorial service was held at St Sepulchre without Newgate in Friday. St Sepulchre's is the largest City parish church and a centre for music as the National Musicians' Church (For more details go to www.st-sepulchre.org.uk ). It is linked to St Michael's Cornhill as Rev Peter Mullen holds both benefices.

As predicted by the Evening Standard (See earlier blog)there was a very substantial turnout drawn from Gareth's family and wide circle of friends. The church was full. Moving the service from the smaller St Michael's to St Sepulchre's was the right decision.

Fiona gave a most moving, yet beautifully constructed, personal tribute to her husband and two of their children, Anna and Rafe, read. Richard Jonas, who until very recently was Master Clothworker and a fellow partner of Gareth's at Cluttons, also contributed a reading.

Richard Lay, in his capacity as Chairman of the Portman Estate, gave the professional address. He painted a picture of Gareth that many of us knew along with insights that many of us were not aware. He described Gareth's life before becoming a surveyor, where he had tried almost everything, to becoming the seventh generation Clutton in his family firm and finally the appointment to be Chief Executive of the Portman Estate. Garetth had remarked to Richard that he felt more at ease in a boardroom furnished with portraits of Portmans rather than one where past generations of Cluttons looked down.

Afterwards a very well-attended reception was held at the Hall. It was a day of emotion but also one of pleasure in seeing so many who respected, admired and liked Gareth coming together to remember him.

Article courtesy of The Master Draper

Gareth Clutton: 1960 - 2011

The news was not at all unexpected but sad nevertheless. Gareth, after a few weeks heroic final struggle against a particularly virulent form of cancer, died on Saturday morning. Many of us had followed his family's postings on Caring Bridge -see http://m.caringbridge.org/visit/garethclutton - with great admiration in the way that Fiona, his wife, their children Anna, Rafe and George had handled this huge personal tragedy with great spirit and warmth.

Gareth was by birth almost bound to be a surveyor and to enter the family firm of Cluttons, he was the sixth generation of the family to be a partner in the firm. His evident experience and popularity resulted in his being invited into the Drapers' Company in 2003. Past Master Martin Sankey, a one-time fellow partner from Cluttons, played a major part in this. In 2008 he left Cluttons to be the Chief Executive of Portman Estates and a major influence in the London and wider property market.

From his earliest time in the Company he played a positive and constructive role. I can recall his efficiency as a fellow governor of Bancroft's School. Subsequently he was on the Investments Committee with, of course, a big contribution to make on some major property decisions affecting the Company. He was elected to the Court in 2009 and had a successful year as Junior Warden. He was just beginning to get into his stride as a major player in Court life when a second occurrence of melanoma proved to be fatal.

An individual of great acuity with an unerring eye for the uncomfortable detail. This precision was accompanied by a dry wit and a natural ability to socialise. An abiding memory is a general zest for life aided by the odd glass of fine wine and a decent cigar.

Our loss is very great but of course it pales into nothing with that of his immediate and wider family. I can do more than conclude in his wife Fiona's words:

'To say that he lost his battle with cancer would imply that he was struggling against it, which is simply not the case. He walked calmly and courageously with it until he could do so no more. He soldiered on for weeks without any sign of fear or unrest, beating the doctor’s best estimates by a country mile, and when he finally ran out of energy he did so peacefully and with his usual dignity.

Whilst the last few months have been the hardest of our lives they have given us some truly wonderful memories, for which we will always be so grateful. Gareth spent his last couple of months exactly how he said he’d wanted to, at home enjoying the company of many old friends and surrounded by the three things he loved the most, cigars, fine wine and his adoring family.'

Had he lived he would have been an outstanding Master.

The Master
30 May 2011

Twelve Great Companies' 2012 Athletics Fund

In a characteristic display of unity and common purpose, the so called “Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London” have combined to support a group of young athletes who because of their lack of financial means, would otherwise not be able to reach their full sporting potential but who, as a result of this initiative, are enabled to enter training with a view to being selected for the British Olympic Athletics team in 2012.

Inspired by the work of the Ron Pickering Memorial Trust (RPMF), which is a charity set up in memory of that respected coach and BBC sports commentator with the purpose of supporting young athletes, the Companies have each made pledges to provide grants from their charitable funds over the three year period leading up to the London Games. A sum in excess of £150,000 has been promised, which will be administered by the Trust. A group of 21 very promising young track and field athletes have been chosen as beneficiaries by a panel of the trustees of RPMF with the approval of British Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee, and Jo Jennings, UKA Futures.

The athletes are already in full training and, although mostly very young, each of them has a real prospect of being selected of them have real prospects of being selected to compete for Great Britain in the next two years and beyond. While many of our star athletes are already being given financial support from lottery and other national funds, others get nothing and thus even the modest sums of money that are being awarded to these young people are giving each of them the opportunity to concentrate on a rigorous training regime, proper nutrition and access to the right kit without having to worry about how to support themselves.

On 11 March, 17 of the Athletes attended a lunchtime reception at Drapers’ Hall in London, (whose rooms were used recently in the making of the successful film the King’s Speech), where they had an opportunity to meet senior representatives of the Companies that are supporting them, and to learn a little more about the work of the City Livery Companies. It was fitting that the architect of the whole idea, Lady Victoria Leatham, who will be the Master of the Drapers’ Company in 2012, was present. She is the daughter of the great hurdler, the Marquis of Exeter, who as Lord Burghley was the Gold Medal winner of the 440 Yards Hurdles in the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and who was depicted in the famous film Chariots of Fire by Nigel Havers.

Pictures by Gerald Sharp Photography

Lady Victoria said: “I think that is an outstanding way for the Historic City of London Livery Companies to show their support for the London Games, by helping these inspirational young people to achieve their maximum potential and to realise their dreams of competing and perhaps winning fame and glory for their Country. My father would have thoroughly approved of this initiative and I am very proud to be a part of".

March 2011

Drapers' Hall

Drapers’ Hall is sometimes transformed into a film set, usually as Buckingham Palace, but has, on occasion, been known to become a Russian building.

The Hall is on the big screen again as Buckingham Palace in the film The King's Speech which has won a number of awards including the Oscar for best picture.

February 2011

Technical Textiles Awards at Drapers’ Hall – 16 November 2010

The Drapers’ Company has been seeking to revive its former links with the textile industry through support of technical textiles. This is a sector that deals with materials and products that are manufactured for their technical performance and functional properties.

From 2005, the Company has supported the Industrial Trust which recently merged with the Educational Development Trust. This is an organisation that aims to enhance the career prospects of young people and enable companies to recruit talented people to work in the technical textiles sector.

For the past five years, the Company has hosted the Trust’s annual technical textiles awards at Drapers’ Hall. This year, the awards ceremony was held on 16th November and was very well attended. There were three levels of entry: those about to take GCSEs, sixth formers and university students. All prizes included a cash element as well as work experience and mentoring for the older students.