The unseasonably wet weather which has blighted sporting events this April and May, took a surprising, but welcome turn for the better on 16 May, as teams from over a seventy Livery companies assembled in the sunshine at Holland and Holland’s shooting grounds at Northwood in Middlesex for breakfast before this annual charity competition.

The Feltmakers, this year, were only able to field one team of four guns, whereas in previous years, we had two or even three teams entering the event. Absent Feltmakers who have shooting skills, certainly missed out on a most enjoyable day. As usual, there were 10 stands, where we were challenged by different pairs of clays at each stand, each pair launched 4 times. So a Liveryman could score up to 8 kills at each stand, or a total maximum of 80 for the course. Added to this is the flurry, for which all four of us shot as a team as waves of clays totalling another 80, were sent over our heads from a high tower, and we had to blaze away and hit as many as we could in only a few minutes. For this adrenaline raising frenetic activity, we each had the luxury of a member of Holland and Holland’s staff acting as a gun loader. The team members this year, under the captaincy of Brian Minnighan, were Peter Winfield, William Battersby, our Clerk Jollyon Coombs, and Peter Shirley. Yes, 5 Liverymen, but Jollyon nobly gave many of his stands to Brian, so that he had a good share of the sport.

A fine sunny day, but there was a chilly breeze blowing, so after a long morning out in the field, with an 8.30 start and a 1.30 finish, we were looking forward to returning to Holland and Holland’s building beside which a large marquee had been erected and in which lunch was served. The lunch is always excellent and traditionally now features spit-roasted pigs, although many other dishes are provided in a very generous buffet.

Although this is a competition, and many high scores are obtained, the emphasis is on enjoying the day, rather than taking it too seriously, and so relative novices can happily shoot with their more experienced colleagues, without fear of any discouraging comments, but far more likely receiving encouragement and practical advice. So Feltmakers who are already experienced at shooting, or who would like to have a go at this most interesting sport, should contact Brian to see about taking part next year. This year’s team members are certainly looking forward to next year.

Peter Shirley

As ever, the Camberley Heath course was a challenge and much enjoyed by Liverymen and guests alike. The winner was one of Edward Hutton’s guests, Stewart Womersley, and the runner-up was Anthony Philips. Prizes were also awarded for longest drive and nearest the pin.

Despite the weather, it was a most enjoyable day. We were delighted that the Master and her husband joined us for dinner where the Master regaled us with an amusing address before presenting the prizes which she had generously donated.

Gerry Higginson

After a champagne reception and grace by our Chaplain, The Very Reverend Colin Semper, guests sat down to a delicious luncheon accompanied by fine wines. Congratulations are due to Sodexo Prestige for the high quality of the fare provided and the attentiveness of the waiting staff.

Following luncheon, professional charity auctioneer Russ Williams conducted the auction, possibly the showpiece of the whole event. Eda and George had worked very hard to secure a most impressive list of auction lots to suit a wide range of tastes and credit cards. At the high end, the lots included amongst others an all-expenses-paid four-day trip for four to a luxury chateau in Cognac; a bespoke solid silver watch by Simon Benney (a warrant holder to Her Majesty); a week in a villa for eight in Corfu; a week in a chalet for six in the French Alps; golf and accommodation for four at the famous Woburn golf course; lunch for four with the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth; dinner for four at the Waterside Inn at Bray, hosted by Jenny Agutter; dinner for eight at the Ritz, hosted by Lord and Lady Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame and George and Eda Lawson; and a box for ten at Royal Ascot. However, the silent auction offered a range of equally interesting and less expensive lots to tempt the guests. And tempted they were; the main auction, together with the silent auction and the raffle, raised some £43,000 on the day.  This was a truly staggering result. Thanks are therefore owed to the generosity of the many contributors as well as those, including a good number of Liverymen, who donated auction lots and raffle prizes. There were also many generous donations from people who could not attend on the day.

Ladies were invited to wear their best millinery, adding dazzling colour and glamour to the day’s activities and, during the afternoon, and with the help of ten professional models, the Master organised and compered a fashion show of magnificent couture designer dresses and hats, all specially created for the day. The dresses were designed by Kruszynska Couture of Knightsbridge, and the hats by Eda Rose Millinery, both considered to be amongst the leading couture designers in the country today.

It was a wonderful day even without the racing. Due to a waterlogged course, the Ascot race card was transferred to Kempton Park where the races could be watched by guests on the large TV screens in the restaurant.  The Tote was onhand to take bets.

Guests were finally treated to an excellent afternoon tea in preparation for the return home.

Many little touches added to the sense of occasion. The champagne was Taittinger. Each guest had a beautifully designed booklet, a personalised name card for the table plan with the Company’s crest, and a copy of the Racing Post. Each table also had a beautiful display of orchids. It all went to show that a huge amount of thought had gone into making it a day to treasure for a very long time.

I and many others were “blown-away” by Springtime at Ascot.  In summary, this was a brilliantly successful occasion thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended.

Edward Hutton

The judges at work

The annual Judging for The Feltmaker’s Design Award took place on April 25^th at Haberdashers’ Hall under the new organizing team of Rachel Trevor-Morgan and Philip Wright. There were over 35 entries and seven judges in attendance. We were very pleased to welcome two new judges to the panel, Lecia Finch – the accessories buyer at Fenwicks of Bond Street and Amber Morales – the Fashion Editor of The Daily Mirror.

First prizewinner

We were also very grateful to Edwina Ibbotson, Milliner and Carol Denford, The Editor of The Hat Magazine for once again lending their expertise to the proceedings. Past Master Bill Horsman, having retired as organizer of the competition, actually had the opportunity to judge this year, along with Liverymen Philip Wright and Rachel Trevor-Morgan. Of course Master Eda Rose Lawson, a master milliner herself joined in the judging as well as welcoming The Lady Mayoress, Liz Wootton and the Sheriff’s Consorts, Liveryman Gilly Yarrow and Robert Tipping who were there to witness the final winners being selected.

2nd prizewinner

The First Prize was awarded to Melanie Lewiston from Waltham Forest CLAss  for ‘Tally Ho’, a delightful little perching riding hat with beaded vintage veil and veiling ‘snood’. It was beautifully crafted and well balanced. She will receive a cheque for £1200.

3rd. prizewinner

The Second Prize went to Emily Curtis from Northampton College for her winter white felt hat. Sculpted in fur felt and hand encrusted with pearl beading, this was a contemporary take on a vintage look. Several judges would have been happy to wear it home.  She will receive a cheque for £600.

Craftsmanship prizewinner

Commercial appeal

The Third Prize was awarded to Anna Sargent from Waltham Forest CLAss, for ‘Winter in Ragnarok’. A felt hat with white fur and beautiful silver embroidery.  The use of colour was subtle and the shaping exact so that when worn the hat framed the face.  She will receive a cheque for £400.

Prizewinner for artwork

Further prizes were awarded; the Craftsmanship Prize went to Rosanna Totiah from Leeds College of Art for her sculpted felt headpiece with hand stitched felt flowers. The prize for Commercial Appeal went to Charlie Evans from Kensington and Chelsea College for her felt rose swirl.

Innovative use of felt

The Artwork and Presentation Prize went to Katherine Gerrish from Waltham College CLAss for her night out at the movies, which was concise and illustrated her witty popcorn and film reel hat beautifully.

The Innovative Use of Felt Prize went to Jo Miller from Kensington and Chelsea for her large black felt coolie hat cleverly made to resemble cowhide using two types of fur felt and chicken bones!

We were also joined by Jollyon Coombs, our Clerk, and Liveryman Peter Shirley who took the photographs for this piece.

The Judges and guests were then able to enjoy a delicious lunch after all the excitement of the morning!

The judges and guests enjoy a well-earned lunch

Rachel Trevor-Morgan

The Master and her guests are clapped into the dining hall

This year, our Spring Livery Dinner was held in the historic Vintners’ Hall, which is situated on Upper Thames Street at the north end of Southwark Bridge and a fine venue it turned out to be for the Feltmakers. Our Master, Eda Rose-Lawson welcomed the five new Liverymen, who had all been sworn in at the preceding meeting of the Court, Mrs. Lydia McClure, Mrs. Cynthia Gresham, The Reverend Andrew Pritchard-Keens, Ben Robinson and Charles Samek.

Our Chaplain, The Very Reverend Colin Semper, offered grace before the staff served us most efficiently and charmingly with an excellent meal, complemented by fine wines.

Nick Hilliard

The toast to the guests was proposed by Assistant Nicholas Hilliard QC, and in a witty speech, he stressed to his audience that the Master’s special guest, Sir Ivan Lawrence QC, in his role as recorder, was one of the finest judges on the circuit, which Nicholas felt he should mention, just in case he should appear before Sir Ivan. He added that if there were any other judges dining with us this evening, he felt that obviously the same would apply to them, as well …. for the same reason. He mentioned that as MP for Burton-on-Trent, a seat he represented for 20 years, Sir Ivan had held the notable record for the longest speech in parliament, of 4½ hours, and it was hoped that Sir Ivan would not be tempted to repeat that feat this evening.

Sir Ivan Lawrence

Sir Ivan responded with a very amusing speech, that had the assembled company in fits of laughter. He was sporting an impressive pair of House of Commons yellow braces and entertained us with anecdotes from both his legal and parliamentary careers. He remarked that nothing was better than to dine with nice people, to wine with nice people and to sleep with a peaceful mind. He proposed the toast to the Company and to our ‘beautiful and elegant Master, Eda’.

The Master, Eda Rose-Lawson

Our Master responded to Sir Ivan, making reference to his involvement in the Brinks Matt bullion robbery, albeit it transpired, only in his legal capacity. She encouraged us to attend her charity event, Springtime at Ascot, to be held at the racecourse on 2 May and said that it promised to be, not only a most enjoyable day, but also a great fundraiser for her chosen charities.

As tradition dictates, the evening was rounded off with the call to join the Master for a stirrup cup.

Peter Alvey

Cynthia Gresham

Cynthia Gresham

Cynthia was born in 1946 , and brought up and educated in Ruislip, Middlesex. After completing her nurse training at St.Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, she was a Sister at the Addington Hospital in Durban, South Africa for 2 years. On returning to England she had a career break to have 4 children, a daughter and 3 sons, who are all now married and she has 6 grandchildren. Returning to her career after 8 years, and after holding a senior position in Community Nursing for several years, she bought a property and started a very successful Nursing home in Dunstable which she ran until her retirement. She has since become actively involved in community work as a Trustee for several organisations. Cynthia is in Rotary, the Church, Chairman of Governors of a Special School and works for an organisation for homeless young people. In 2009 she was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and she is currently  Deputy Lieutenant of the County. She lives with her partner David who works for Central Bedfordshire Council and the Fire Authority. They enjoy travel, the theatre, music and their family.

Lydia McClure

Lydia McClure

Lydia was born in 1947, the daughter of John Christie-Miller, chairman of Christy & Co. Stockport and Liveryman of the Company (Master 1956) She was brought up in Cheshire and educated at Badminton School Bristol.  She spent a term at Vienna University learning German. During her father’s tenure as president of the European Federation of Hat Manufacturers she accompanied him to conferences in Barcelona, Milan and Vienna. After a secretarial course in Stockport she applied to the British Red Cross Society for a job in their London office.  Instead she was directed to the Service Hospital Welfare Department and trained as an occupational therapist and medical social worker.  Her first posting was to the Royal Naval Hospital Plymouth and then to the Far East to the British Military Hospital Singapore.  She met her husband Ian in Singapore while he was serving as a naval officer in HMS Glamorgan.  She married in 1969 and settled in Devon.  After bringing up two children she worked for ten years as a manager for The National Trust and then managed a local Tourist Information Centre.

Her voluntary work includes eight years with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the charity Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, twenty five years of running a French twinning and membership of the Parochial Church Council.

Her interests include tennis, opera, languages, gardening and travel. She enjoys her four grandchildren.

The Reverend Andrew Pritchard-Keens

Andrew Pritchard-Keens

Andrew was born in 1957. He read Sciences at Van Mildert College, Durham, and then took his PGCE at Christ Church, Oxford. Andrew enjoyed playing rugby for both universities and did some college rowing.

In England he has taught Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Religious Education and Sport. Overseas he has worked as an English teacher in Colegio San Andrés, Paraguay, and after that as a youth worker and Christian educator based in Holland which involved travelling to Russia and the Middle East. In 2007 Andrew studied theology and ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford in order to be ordained. In August 2012 he is starting in a new post as Priest-in-charge of Beckley, Stanton St John, Forest Hill and Horton-cum-Studley.

Andrew has been married to Fenella for eleven years. Fenella teaches at Magdalen College School, Oxford. Andrew’s interests include classical guitar, singing, walking, chess and bridge. He enjoys watching England rugby internationals, the varsity match and the boat race.

Ben Robinson

Ben Robinson

Charles Samek

Charles Samek

The Castle is truly remarkable in architecture, from the oldest part, the Keep, standing on its own hill with a dry moat now filled with flowers, to the later additions, as one of the Guides described it – a small town.

As we walked in the sunlight to St. George’s Chapel a smart squad of Her Majesty’s Guards marched briskly past. The sheer size of the Castle is amazing, but to tour it, we were much helped by our electronic Guides secured by neck bands.  This told us the story of St. George’s Chapel and of the service held there each year by the Members of the Order of the Garter headed by the Queen.  I am sure we have all seen the ceremonial procession in the striking hat and robes.  We noted that the Order is personal to the individual and after his death, Lord Ridley’s Coat of Arms and Sword had been removed from his seat.

We then toured the State Apartments, and were able to admire the wonderful restoration work carried out after the disastrous fire of 1992. We examined the Great Hall in which the Queen entertains visiting dignitaries to State Banquets and admired the expert fashion in which the roof had been totally rebuilt, with the Coats of Arms of those honoured by successive Kings and Queens together with the blank spaces of those who had transgressed and been stripped of their honours.

I think we all viewed with interest the Grace and Favour apartments in such a secure and serene environment once the members of the public had gone home.

To cap the visit, a most elegant Afternoon Tea, with champagne for those who wished it, was laid on at the Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel, a stone’s throw from the Castle Gates. Enjoying a relaxed cup of tea with the Master, sharing our thoughts and experiences, we looked back on a lovely day.  Thanks go both to the Master and to Steward Louise Waller, for organising it.  Sadly, due to a prior commitment, Louise was unable to be with us.

Past Master David Bentata

The impressive panorama from the penthouse suite

The Feltmakers’ Livery Society met for their annual dinner on 27th February in the new and elegant surroundings of the penthouse suite of the Grange City Hotel. With fantastic panoramic views of the soon to be completed Shard, the evening was enjoyed by a good number of new liverymen, others of slightly longer standing, Wardens, and our guests including the Master, our Gallant Clerk and the Chaplain.

Diners enjoy the Grange chefs' fare

After dining on a Rack of Lamb and other excellent fare prepared by the Grange chefs, we were reminded by Past Master Geoffrey Farr, exactly what was the purpose of the Livery Society.

Geoffrey Farr

Having proposed the idea originally to have a body within the Company where liverymen of up to ten years standing could meet in less formal surroundings than the normal dinners, to promote the fellowship that the company is widely known for, he was encouraged to see its continued good health.

Assistant Simon Wilkinson then said a few words regarding Wear a Hat day on 30th March. This day has been organised by an umbrella of charities concerned with fighting brain tumours, and details of this very worthy, and for Feltmakers, topical, cause can be found at http://www.braintumourresearch.org/wear-a-hat-day .

The Renter Warden, Simon Bartley, took the opportunity mention the work of Providence Row, the Charity of which he is Chairman, and to which  the Feltmakers’ Charitable Foundation makes a donation. Continuing the charitable theme of the night, Assistant Gilly Yarrow told the assembled diners about an evening of ballet followed by drinks at the Old Bailey, all in aid of the Sheriffs and Recorders Fund. Details of the evening have been circulated.

The Master in full flow entertains us all

Finally, we got to hear from the Master, Eda Rose-Lawson, who urged everyone to support her Charity Day at Ascot on 2nd May. With over 300 guests already confirmed, it promises to be a huge success, but as the Master pointed out, there is plenty of room for more people! In addition a visit to the State Rooms at Windsor Castle has been arranged on 29^th March, which is an interesting addition to the Feltmakers’ calendar for the year. The Master finished with an anecdote about the French idea of happiness, which rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable dinner.

Simon Millar who gallantly stepped in as host at the last moment in the absence of Sarah McLeod

The only sad part of the evening was the non-attendance through illness of Assistant Sarah Mcleod, who had put so much time and effort into making the dinner the undoubted success that it was. Our thanks must go out to her for pulling together a fantastic evening, and also to Assistant Simon Wood for arranging such a wonderful venue.

The next Livery Society dinner will take place on Monday 19th November, 2012, slightly earlier in the livery year than usual. Full details of the event will follow in the Summer, but please save the date in your diary now.

Simon Millar