T H E M A S T E R ’ S P E NT H E M A S T E R ’ S P E NT H E M A S T E R ’ S P E NT H E M A S T E R ’ S P E N

N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W ON E W S L E T T E R O F T H E W O R S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R SR S H I P F U L C O M P A N Y O F F I R E F I G H T E R S

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S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F I N -

T E R E S T :

• The Master’s Pen - the corporate way forward.

• The Fire-fighters Memorial

“ How often misused

words generate mislead-

ing thoughts" - Herbert

Spencer.

What do you know of them?What do you know of them?What do you know of them?What do you know of them?

More in next issue..More in next issue..More in next issue..More in next issue..

I am pleased to report that progress is being made on many fronts.

Thanks to our Editor and judging by the comments of many of our members, the first issue of our news letter 'The Salamander' has been well received. An article, a comment or just a word of support will go a long way in build-ing team spirit. Let Peter know your views! May I thank those members who have taken up my offer to raise matters directly with me. I have listened with interest to some very useful and en-couraging suggestions. With all honesty, the views expressed have been very supportive of the efforts being made for our way forward. Although there is still much to achieve, your committees are working with tremendous enthusiasm. It is my intention to seek ways to make the important decisions taken by the Company, together with financial reports, more readily available to our members. More on this later. Upon receiving Worshipful status, the Aldermanic Court set us an upper limit of 250 Liverymen. For those Freemen of the Company who have not yet applied for their right to become a Liveryman, now is the time. A revised procedure has removed the two year time constraint before advancement from Freeman to Liveryman. We are expecting an increase in applications for new membership to shortly take place. Successful applicants will also be able to advance to Liveryman without the previous two year wait. Naturally, it is our wish that existing Freemen should be given the first opportunity to apply for ad-vancement to Liveryman. Please do not miss your opportunity for progression as this privilege will be made available to all future new members. Since my election, I have endeavored to accept and attend every invitation we have re-ceived. Of course, a Buckingham Place garden party and Livery diners are splendid occa-sions. However, it is the numerous talks, presentations, exhibitions and charitable events that have given me a far greater insight into the Livery, its work and most importantly the opportunity for future involvement for your Company. Fellowship, a feeling of belonging and involvement, is the team spirit that I wish to pro-mote for all our members. It does of course take time and effort to organise such events that underpin this direction. But it is already happening. The atmosphere at 'The Pudding and Pie' luncheon was extremely uplifting, with many of our members asking for more of the same. How wonderful it was to have seen some members who have been off the scene for a while. I sincerely hope we see more of you and others in the future. A warm welcome awaits you! All members will, in the near future, receive a ques-tionnaire. It is our aim to develop your Company by taking into account your wishes and expectations. PLEASE make time to complete and return your ques-tionnaire and help us further prepare your 'Worshipful Company of Firefighters' for its future.

Yours,

Colin J Livett

Colin J Livett

For your support in printing & distributing this

newsletter

To prevent such murders, the following plan was devised. When one of the company stood up to drink, he required the companion who sat next to him or someone of the party, to be his pledge. The consenting companion would also stand and raise his drawn sword to defend the exposed bearer of the cup

as he drank from it.

Nowadays, the cup passes around the table at an appropriate time towards the end of a banquet or dinner, normally to the left and each person in turn pledges their neighbour. Only three people should be standing at a time, the bearer (the person holding the cup); the neighbour on their immediate right who drank last and handed them the cup, who

remains standing with their back to the bearer to protect them; and the person pledging, on the bearer's immediate left, who stands facing the bearer and removes and holds the cover whilst he or she drinks from the cup. Thus when a person receives the Loving Cup from

The Loving CupThe Loving CupThe Loving CupThe Loving Cup

The Loving Cup. Usually a silver chalice with two handles and a

cover.

The ceremony of the Loving Cup is a tradition at banquets and dinners in all Livery Companies which dates back to before the Norman Conquest

of 1066

The tradition derives from the assassination of King Edward, who was killed whilst he was drinking, by Elfida's command. It was the custom of our Anglo-Saxon forefathers to pass round a large drinking cup, from which each person drank in turn to some of the company. As the person drinking stood up and lifted the cup with both hands he was completely exposed and defenceless, giving an enemy the opportunity to strike and murder

him.

the person on their immediate right, who has just drunk from the cup, he or she turns to face their neighbour on their immediate left and they bow to each other. The latter removes the Cup's cover and holds it whilst the bearer of the cup drinks and then wipes the rim with the napkin provided. The cover is then replaced, the two bow to each other again and the cup changes hands. Each person who has drunk from the cup and passes it to the neighbour on their left, remains standing with their back to the bearer now drinking from the cup until the cup is passed on, when they resume their seats. The same procedure continues round the table until everyone has

drunk from the cup.

If anyone does not wish to drink from the Loving Cup, they may simply bow to their neighbour and pass the cup along in the usual way. In practice it is often usual to have more than one Loving Cup passing among guests in the prescribed manner for the sake of

expediency.

O U T A N D A B O U TO U T A N D A B O U TO U T A N D A B O U TO U T A N D A B O U T

T H E A R M C H A I R

F I R E F I G H T E R S M E M O R I AF I R E F I G H T E R S M E M O R I AF I R E F I G H T E R S M E M O R I AF I R E F I G H T E R S M E M O R I A L T R U S TL T R U S TL T R U S TL T R U S T

The Master, Wardens, Clerk, many Liverymen and Freemen of the Worshipful Company, accompanied by their partners, attended a Service of Remembrance and Dedication of the United Kingdom Firefighters National Memorial at St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 16 September 2003, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The Princess Royal is patron of The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust and our Founding Master, Gerry Clarkson is Chairman of its Trustees. The Master read a Lesson and later laid a wreath at the Memorial on behalf of the Worshipful Company. Following the Service, Members of the Worshipful Company, Trustees of

The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust and guests enjoyed a 'Pudding & Pie Luncheon' at The Living Room restaurant in

West Smithfield.

It is hoped this inaugural luncheon may become a permanent event in the calendar of both The Worshipful Company and The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, to honour the firefighters who gave their lives

during war and peace and the anniversary of “The Great Fire of London".

Page 2 I S S U E 2I S S U E 2I S S U E 2I S S U E 2

Closing date for items for

the next issue of

The Salamander

is:

Friday,

25 March 2004

Email your comment to: me!! Peter Hopkins at: Ph@safetyco.co.uk

THE CLERK’S DESKTHE CLERK’S DESKTHE CLERK’S DESKTHE CLERK’S DESK

8th November is The Lord Mayor’s Show If you can’t attend, watch it on TV, but do it early as the Company is in the first sec-tion of the Parade.

The West Midlands Band will be leading The Modern Companies, where the Mas-ter Colin Livett and Under Warden Martin Coffey and two of the Company will be walking with members from 9 other Companies, formed since 1930.

At the rear is the horse drawn Fire Steamer.

5pm Fireworks on the Thames, best viewing spots, Southwark Bridge and along the Embankment 11th December The Fire-fighters’ Carol Service at 5pm at St: Lawrence Jewry

Unless otherwise suggested

please contact

The Clerk :

Margeret Holland Prior Tel: 020 7600 1666 Email:

clerk@firefighters.demon.co.uk

Christmas Carols! During early evening on

Thursday 11th Decem-ber 2003, St Lawrence Jewry Next Guidhall welcomed Liverymen and Freemen of the Wor-shipful Company, their families, friends and especially children, to a festival of carols con-ducted by our Honorary

Chaplain, The Reverend David Rhodes.

The Master, Colin Livett and his wife Patricia, hosted the festi-val and made especially welcome a group of children from the Barbican Play Group invited to share with us the joy of Christ-mas. Following the Service the children tucked into a veritable feast of drinks and good things to eat, then gave a rousing greeting to Father Christmas who stopped by to meet them during his busy schedule and give presents. Fortunately, the children left some tasty treats for the grown-ups to enjoy to-

gether with wine set aside for them by Past Master and purveyor of fine wines, David Cartwright.

Despite over-cast skies and dampness in the air everyone enjoyed the relaxed and happy atmosphere of the festival which instilled the Spirit of Christ-mas in their hearts. A special thanks go to The Master and his Lady whom, with a band of willing helpers, provided the catering and en-sured everyone enjoyed themselves.

OPEN FORUMOPEN FORUMOPEN FORUMOPEN FORUM

In the next issue of In the next issue of In the next issue of In the next issue of

SALAMANDERSALAMANDERSALAMANDERSALAMANDER

◊ A small competition A small competition A small competition A small competition putting a humorous putting a humorous putting a humorous putting a humorous phrase to an odd phrase to an odd phrase to an odd phrase to an odd picture...With a prize picture...With a prize picture...With a prize picture...With a prize

for the winner.for the winner.for the winner.for the winner.

◊ Role of the Beadle!Role of the Beadle!Role of the Beadle!Role of the Beadle!

◊ What is a Freeman?What is a Freeman?What is a Freeman?What is a Freeman?

And much, much more!!!And much, much more!!!And much, much more!!!And much, much more!!!