October 2008 Newsletter

Newsletter

Issue 14 - October 2008

From the Master How to follow in the footsteps of a Master such as Jonathan Ball?- suggestions readily received! It is a great pleasure to attend functions and meet other Masters who recognise the Company; even with those fearful words- “ah, yes, you are the Architects, your immediate Past Master came from Cornwall, didn't he!” It is clear that Jonathan raised the Company profile in his year, and has left me a strong legacy to continue and hopefully build on. I offer my sincere congratulations to both Victoria and Jonathan for such a successful year, and wish Jonathan well in the pursuance of Rescue 2010. I have become Master at a difficult time. That the economy would take some form of backward step was, I suggest, anticipated but the speed, severity, and timing would not have been. I attended a City lecture in early September on "The Recent Financial Turbulence" given by Lord George of St Tudy (Eddie George, ex Bank of England) at which there was little to suggest the coming storm in our banking system. The effect on individuals will be considerable as it will on major projects such as 2012 and indeed Rescue 2010. My hope is that the Company and its Charitable Trust can look forward to your continuing support and participation despite the general pessimism all around us. On a happier note, in less than a month of office I have enjoyed a remarkably active and involving time. I had the very good fortune to have Professor Richard England (pictured here) as my guest, at the Installation lunch and many of those present have commented on his thought provoking discourse. Although he is, in simple terms, an architect of Malta, he is without doubt an architect of the world -it was a great pleasure to have such an eminent guest among us. I note that in January 1984 the first letter proposing the formulation of the Company was written - our learned Clerk remembers it well! Those involved at the time set an ambitious timetable, achieving Livery status in September 1988. In the context of the City, that was life in the fast lane! I intend to have a 25th anniversary Lunch following the Court meeting on 27 January which, I hope, many of the early Past Masters and founder members may feel able to attend. Due to the proposed study trip to the West Coast of the USA in April, I brought my Master’s weekend forward to the last weekend of September weaving the date around German holiday weekends arising from various Saints' days on reflection, currently, a better name for them than bank holidays! September has been a very lucky month for me the sun shone on every day, making the visit so much more enjoyable. I am grateful to those who joined Ann and myself, in making it a memorable weekend, and I am very sorry that others who would have very much liked to have joined us were prevented by other circumstances. My practice is over 120 years old and many of the buildings designed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are still around although substantially changed in their use. Two major elements of work carried out by the founder (Captain Stanley Peach, late of the Artists Rifles) are still very much in the public domain. The first was his work as a consultant architect to St. Pauls - he introduced the stainless steel chain, to prevent the spread of the dome; the second was the Wimbledon Centre Court. To honour the past history of the Practice I have arranged a visit in November to St Paul’s with the assistance of the Surveyor to the Fabric - Martin Stancliffe - followed by a reception in Temple Bar. www.architects-livery-company.org 1

On with the same theme, I am hopeful of arranging a visit to Centre Court in July, after the Championships, to see both the old and the new including the new roof currently being installed. Immediate Past Master Jonathan Ball set some long term aims, specifically involving other construction based Livery Companies and the City in a "2012 Legacy Project" and also aligning the Company with Tower Pier Lifeboat Station giving our ‘Regiment’ a more City based relevance. I will continue to support these initiatives and do my best to maintain our profile within the City. I am looking forward to the year as your Master.

presentation event at the RIBA. Currently the Award of £2000 is available to support one or more students for a period of travel of up to 2 months expected to take place during the summer holiday period between the end of the first year of Part 2 and the start of the final year. This step has been taken following the frustrations of previous years during which it was found to be well nigh impossible to find applicants for the Award. The Company is grateful to the RIBA and, in particular, Richard Brindley and his colleagues for giving us this chance to boost the profile of the Company within the profession and the student membership of the Institute.

The New Committee Structure

News from the Court Ian Head was installed as the new Master of the Company at the Installation Court on Tuesday 16 September. Ian’s first duty as Master was to thank Jonathan Ball - for what had been a stimulating and enjoyable year. He had done much to raise the profile of the Company in the city, the Athenaeum and in the Duchy of Cornwall (and it must be said, its outlying islands). The Master then installed Roger France as Upper Warden, Edward King as Renter Warden and Michael Wilkey as Junior Warden. John Millard was confirmed as the Deputy Master for the year. Two new Freemen were admitted to the Company Barry Coupe and James Burrell. Details of both are set out below. The constitution of the Company requires that Past Masters should retire from the Court seven years on from their year in office. The Court can elect retiring Past Masters as Honorary Assistants if it is felt that they have a continuing contribution to make and if they are interested in continuing to serve. At this meeting it was agreed that Michael West’s election to this role will ensure a continuing strong link between the Court and the Charitable Trust which Michael chairs. The one item of general business of wider interest is the decision to tie our annual Stuart Murphy Travel Award to the RIBA Awards programme. The Institute will administer the Award with the officers of the Company playing an active role in judging the entries received from the London Region Schools and in the

The composition of the various committees for the coming year were agreed as below. The Master and Wardens are members of all Committees and the names of the Chairmen are underlined: Finance and General Purposes Committee The Master Roger France The Renter Warden The Junior Warden The Deputy Master Mervyn Miller The Immediate Past Master Charity and Education Committee The Almoner (Tom Ball) Edward King The Master of Students (Jaki Howes) Clerk to the Trustees (Alan Downing) Mervyn Miller David Falla Geoffrey Purves John Drake Ronnie Murning Rosemary Curry Dennis Sharp Richard Brindley Simon Lincoln Events Committee Mervyn Miller Jeff Robertson James Walker Stephen Wagstaffe

Tom Ball Patricia Stefanowicz Richard Biggins David Penning

Promotions Sub-Committee Michael Wilkey Howard Copping William Murray

David Falla Peter Murray 2

There is also a 2012 Legacy Sub-Committee which has been set up with involvement from outside the Court and from among other construction based companies (currently the Constructors and the Engineers). Its current membership is: Peter Murray Laurie Chetwood Duncan Greenaway Dexter Moran Paul Weston

The Master Frank Duffy Anne Markey Barry Munday

into a keen interest in aviation history and design. It has spawned a library which nearly matches, he advises, Ann's collection of books on plant hunting and gardening. When time permits Ian takes great pleasure in 'making things' - particularly furniture and other domestic woodwork projects. His anticipated activities in the coming 12 months suggest that some may run behind programme. BARRY COUPE BA Dip Arch RIBA

THE NEW MASTER - IAN HEAD DipArch RIBA Ian is just old enough to have received a 'significant' decadal birthday card from the Almoner. He trained at the Kingston School of Architecture from 1966 to 1973 spending his year out split between a practice in Germany and Stanley Peach and Partners. He served time in a variety of commercial practices 'gaining experience' including a brief stint with an organization seeking to set up a profit base in the Middle East (and there were many such then as there are now) before rejoining Stanley Peach and Partners in 1980 becoming an Associate and then, in the Practice's centenary year 1985, a full Partner. Ian specializes in mental health, security and custodial projects and is frequently out of town visiting one or more of HM's Prisons from which, the Clerk can report, he manages to get back to the City for the numerous functions he has so far been invited to attend. Long may this exemplary record of good behaviour continue! Ian and his wife Ann share a specific interest in the arts and crafts devoting considerable time and energy in building up a collection of Studio Ceramics and a few paintings. Ian is a Trustee to a gallery in Farnham promoting Art and Education. His early dabbling in things aeronautical has developed

After education at Leeds University Barry Coupe moved into commercial architecture with Fitzroy Robinson in Cambridge and London - primarily on international hotel projects. In 1980 he founded Forum Architects - ultimately a 95 strong practice spread across three offices acting for major national organizations in commercial, health care, veterinary and animal welfare (something of a speciality) and hotel and residential projects. He remained a Consultant after selling the practice in 2004. Since then he has been involved in Barry Coupe & Associates providing consultancy services to clients and Island Architects on the Scilly Isles. Determined not to be affected by economic conditions after the 90's recession he looked to do work in a niche market and made animal welfare his own. He started a Project Management business in 1998. JAMES BURRELL BSc AADipl RIBA FRSA Born in Brentwood, Essex James was, in his youth, fascinated with wildlife, drawing and painting. He was accepted for a Fine Arts degree at St Martin's School of Art . Persuaded by his Mother to follow a more practical career in Architecture he changed tack and spent ‘3 miserable but very useful years at North London Polytechnic’ and, after his year out, at the AA, being taught by the brilliant Rem Koolhaas, Elia Zengalis, Zaha Hadid and Ron Herron. www.architects-livery-company.org 3

He then worked for John McAslan and, after 5 years with Terry Farrell, started his own practice - now 15 strong - in 1989, working on a broad range of projects from offices in the City and abroad, private houses, clubs and restaurants for The practice has won a number of awards including an IDEA gold award for our Vodafone offices in Portugal. They are currently working on houses for private clients, a number of restaurants, clubs and a London casino.

Stephen Wagstaffe and Patricia Stefanowicz once again combined to manage the stewarding of the 37 City Churches that opened their doors over the Open House Weekend (20-21 September). The initial pool of 75 volunteers dwindled alarmingly as the weekend neared and Stephen and Patricia were still struggling to provide cover on the two days. Our thanks are due to them both for all the effort they put into this event each year.

James married Jackie in 1984 and in 1989 they had triplets: Katie, Raffe and Chloe and a year later a second son Rory was born. The children are all currently studying and so far no one has expressed an interest in becoming an Architect.

The Installation Court Lunch on 16 September differed from its predecessors in that it featured an illustrated talk in response to the toast to the guests which had been proposed by the Master.

He has lived for 20 years in Islington and, as a keen cyclist, rides regular long distance events with daughter Katie and commutes by bicycle every day to the practice in Red Lion Square.

Recent Events On the basis that an event shared is a workload halved, the visit to St Pancras Station on Tuesday 9 September should have made for an easy night's work for the Clerk but, in his role as Chairman of the Craft Committee for the Tylers' and Bricklayers' Company, he drew the short straw. The event gave the chance to see the exhibition in the German Gymnasium building at St Pancras (featuring models and drawings of the 65 acre site surrounding the St Pancras / Kings Cross site) followed by a talk by Alastair Lansley - the Lead Architect for the St Pancras Development. Alastair, who had recently won the Tylers' and Bricklayers' Company Triennial Award for Excellence in Brickwork for the reconstructed west wall of the station building, gave an engaging presentation highlighting the challenges which surrounded the scheme to produce what has become the 'destination station' - without doubt the best arrival / departure venue in Europe. What Alastair and his team have achieved is exceptional - the station merits a visit and time can be happily passed in the champagne bar on the departure level admiring the detailing and the real success in keeping the station uncluttered. Long may the vision remain in its current pristine condition. In all over 50 people from both companies enjoyed the talk and the wine and commpanionship which followed.

The lunch was held in Salters' Hall - a venue not often used by the Company but very appropriate to this occasion on which the principal guest was that master of concrete and fan of Sir Basil Spence (architect for the Hall), Professor Richard England - pictured below being welcomed by the Master. Richard gave an enchanting talk about his work in Malta and the influences which made his work so distinctive. He and his wife Myriam were most welcome guests who have offered, should the Company wish to make a long week-end visit to Malta, to help out with the plans..

The Master also entertained the Masters of the Plaisterers', Plumbers' and Fruiterers' Companies. Two days later the Master had the chance to walk off some of the excess poundage which he might find himself putting on as he dines for the Company over the coming months. He elected to take part (accompanied by the Clerk) in the Inter-Livery Charity walk around the 40 Livery Halls of the City of London - a 4

trip of about 8.5 miles starting with champagne and bacon butties at Armourers' Hall at 08.30 and finishing at Grocers' Hall after 4.30. The journey was punctuated by stops for photographs at each hall and for refreshments of one type or another at many. Each of the 20 participating companies paid an entrance fee which covered the cost of meals and a donation of £2,000 to the Lord Mayor's Charity. Sponsorship was sought from Company members to benefit their own Charitable Trusts and, we are hoping (once gift aid has been recovered from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's fast dwindling sources) that we will raise over £1000 towards ours. Those who are willing to contribute (at the suggested rate of £1.00 for each of the 40 halls visited) should contact the Clerk or the Clerk to the Trustees - Alan Downing (01628 474561). One of the more lasting memories of the day is the 50 strong march being prevented by the City police from entering Newgate Street after leaving Cutlers' Hall. It seemed that the police could not guarantee the safety of the marchers from a group demonstrating outside the Old Bailey. When the organizers suggested that a group of robed and badged Livery Masters and Clerks - many wearing funny hats - might prove a welcome div-ersion it was pointed out that the demonstration was against the fur trade! By way of proof, the group is pictured below looking demob happy outside Grocers’ Hall, very nearly at the end of the walk. Thanks are due to the Clerk of the Environmental Cleaners’ Company not just for the photography but also for the considerable time and effort he and his Master put in to the organization of the event. .

The following day (Masters’ first weeks in office are, by tradition, busy ones) saw the unveiling of the New City Architecture Award Plaque by Alderman and Sheriff Michael Bear standing in for the Lord Mayor who had been called away for international duties by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Sheriff - no

stranger to the world of construction projects - paid tribute to the developers - British Land and Stanhope and their professional team including architects Foster and Partners - a theme reiterated by the Master in his introduction to the assembled guests. The building ‘s tenants - Willis - kindly offered hospitality and the chance for members to look around the building. The tour took in the balconies created at the set back points in the tower which afford unrivalled views over the City in general and the adjacent Lloyds building in particular

photograph courtesy of Nigel Young of Forster & Partners

Dresden Visit The Master's Weekend visit to Dresden was hugely enjoyed by the participants. A full account of the weekend will be posted shortly on the web-site - what follows here is but one man's views of the visit. Notwithstanding that the Clerk and Past Master Alan Downing decided that the trip should be further enhanced by the joys of rail travel in both directions, the weekend was an excellent one. To dispose of the rail travel tales first - they were less than anticipated. The outward trip thanks to the fire in Channel tunnel, necessitated an earlier start from the splendid St Pancras Station and a longer than desirable sojourn in its appalling counterpart in Brussels where the only sustenance was to be found in Sam's Café - an establishment that should be investigated under the provisions of the EU's Catering Establishments - Fit for Purpose Act 2009 - not to mention the Trade Descriptions Act for posing as a cafe. The rest of the outward trip was excellent and on time. The return journey was problematical. Track management companies the world over take perverse delight in carrying out maintenance on Sundays with the result that the Dresden to Berlin train was delayed. www.architects-livery-company.org 5

We were off-loaded onto an alternative service involving a stop in Leipzig (not at its best in the late hours) for a train to Berlin which, due to more track works, failed to connect with the sleeper train to Brussels. The wait in Berlin at least afforded the chance to have a good look at Gerkan Marg and Partner's recently built, ruggedly exciting and competition winning Haupt-bahnhof station. From Berlin to Cologne to meet up with high speed commuter train to Brussels (also late and not offering any available seating accommodation). The last Eurostar of the morning had gone and , apart from a brief excursion to La Grand Place in search of breakfast (a pancake which tasted as though it had been made the night before), several more hours staying as far from Sam's Café as possible. So much for the efficiency of German railways.

something old, something new, something borrowed and... blue sky - photographs couretsy of Alan Downing Additional photographs will be posted to the blog site shortly

Dresden itself was a revelation. The activities carefully arranged by the Master, commenced with a tour of Henn Architeken's Die Gläserne Manufaktur - known locally as the Transparent Factory. This was built as a production / assembly line and showcase for VW’s less than commercially successful Phaeton which is being heavily outsold by the Bentley Continental which enjoys the same engineering and chassis. The state of the art production line was fascinating even if the building itself fell a little short of top quality in so far as its detailing was concerned. The evening culminated with a meal in the in-house restaurant. The next day offered a guided walk around the historic section of the city - much rebuilt after extensive wartime damage. There is something of a feeling of unreality about the setting of the opera house (the Semperoper - the only such building in the world probably to be formally named after its architect), the Zwinger, Fürstenzug, cathedral etc with masses of open cobbled space unrelieved by anything more than the odd equestrian statue and the odd tourist. The recently reconstructed replica Frauenkirche is an extraordinary building which has come to be as greatly loved as was its predecessor. The newly built buildings which make up the square in which it sits are an interesting blend of facsimile copies (façade-wise at least) of the pre-war buildings relieved by a smattering of good modern 'interventions'. The recreation of the square continues. The city centre generally may take years to look lived in. Baroque Churches, palace, galleries etc and even the out of place Soviet style orchestral hall contribute to the feeling of a very elaborate stage setting rather than a living city.

The afternoon included a tour of the opera house and free time to explore other parts of the city, and to visit porcelain exhibits in the Zwinger and markets. The following morning was given to modern architectture. The new Synagogue by Rena Wandel-Hofer and Wolfgang Lorch (2001), Norman Foster's new roof to the main railway station (shown above), the splendidly restrained and beautifully detailed State and University Library by Ortner & Ortner (2002), Coop Himmelbau's Kristallpalast were, along with the VW Factory, the more striking examples. The excellently restored 1920's Museum of Hygiene was a joy- not even Coop Himmelbau's naive and unsatisfactory 'slash' through one of the side wings (to effect another seemingly unnecessary entrance) detract from the simple charm of this Wilhelm Kreis building. A paddle steamer cruise on the Elbe in the afternoon passed attractive residential areas, villas and vineyards www.architects-livery-company.org 6

the products of some of which we had sampled at a variety of meals. Mervyn Miller led a tour of Hellerau Garden Suburb (at whose Centenary celebrations he had given a paper a short while earlier) on the Sunday morning. There were distinct references to Hampstead Garden Suburb and other British models though the lack of bureaucratic controls through the Soviet era had led to a more organic development of the suburb. It was refreshing to see some well thought-out modern housing adding to the variety of a charming neighbourhood. What might some residents of Hampstead Garden Suburb give for a tram direct to the City? Seekers after culture returned to the opera house for Verdi's Macbeth and a performance of Giselle. The former appeared to feature the traditional witches in much less than traditional costume. Mervyn Miller was able to report that they seemed to be clad in nothing more than luminous green paint. Had we been there longer he might have made a return visit with binoculars to check that he had not been mistaken. I am not sure that we got much by way of commentary on the vocal aspects of the production. All in all, an excellent weekend which was well and thoughtfully planned and organized by the Master both Ian and Ann are to be thanked for all that went into making the trip so enjoyable.

more Dresden - The Crown Gate to the Zwinger, an integrated transport system and the new Synagogue

Coming Events The Lord Mayor's Show will take place on Saturday 8 November and, while it is probably too late to obtain stand tickets there is always the option of finding a suitable vantage point from which to watch the outward or return journeys of the procession. Once again, the Company will join with representatives of many other Modern Livery Companies in a combined float. Please bring family - children and grandchildren - and friends for the best free day out on offer in London each year. While it is not free, an excellent buffet lunch can be booked with the Clerk at Plaisterers' Hall on London Wall. Timings allow for those making their way to the Hall after watching the outward leg of the procession. The Plaisterers' advise that the two course lunch with wine will cost £37.50 and £15.00 for children. Following lunch there will be further entertainment in the form of Pete Matthews one of the UK's premier jugglers who combines his skills in this field with a comedy act. Bring the children. Early bookings are called for. The Master's practice has had a long association with St Paul's Cathedral - Captain Stanley Peach was appointed in 1925 to advise the Dean and Chapter on the remedial measures to be taken to repair the fabric of the dome and supporting piers caused by the overstressing of the original stonework. In recognition of this fact, he has arranged a visit to St Paul’s on Tuesday 18 November at 6.15 for 6.30pm. A small group of members will be shown round the ground floor and triforium areas by Martin Stancliffe - a Freeman of the Company and Surveyor to the fabric of the Cathedral be followed by a champagne (or rather Cornish) reception in the Upper Chamber of Temple Bar. All relevant details are in the calling notice and a quick response is called for. Should there be more applicants than places available, consideration will be given to arranging a further similar visit later in the year. The Annual Christmas Carol Service will be shared with the Furniture Makers' Company. The service will be at St Mary-le-Bow on Wednesday 10 December. In order to avoid overcrowding and to ensure that all who book in time have a seat at the supper which follows at Furniture Makers' Hall numbers will be limited to 50 from each Company. There will, of www.architects-livery-company.org 7

course, be places available at the service for anyone wishing to attend but who have other plans for the latter part of the evening. The calling notice gives all relevant details and early bookings are recommended. As noted by the Master, 2009 is the year in which the Company marks 25 years since the effective founding of the Company. In 1983, Stuart Murphy proposed at a meeting of the Cities of London and Westminster Society of Architects (who had been charged with identifying ways in which the 150th anniversary of the founding of the RIBA might be recognized the following year) that a livery company for architects be founded. This idea was enthusiastically endorsed and in January 1984 Stuart wrote to all London Region architects and others with an interest in the City. The inaugural meeting of the Company was held in Guildhall shortly after and a Organizing Committee was set up. To mark this chain of events an Anniversary Lunch is to be organized on Tuesday 27 January at Cutlers' Hall. Details are being finalized and will be circulated as soon as possible - please mark the date indelibly in your 2009 diaries and make no other arrangements for the afternoon. It is hoped that we will be able to use the occasion for a real celebration and to repay some hospitality to other Companies. The Master hopes to organize a Lunch on the SB Ardwina in March - a date is to be finalized and speaker is being sought. Just to show that it is not only Cornishmen who know their grapes the Master is proposing to hold an informal Wine Tasting Evening following the Committee Meetings which are scheduled for Tuesday 24 March. More details of a suitably low-priced event are to follow. The United Guilds Service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday 27 March and be followed by lunch at Palisterers’ Hall. The Company's Annual Livery Banquet is to be held once again, in the rich suroundings of Drapers' Hall on Wednesday 1 April. The Master's chosen principal guest and speaker is to be the renowned artist Ben Johnson whose impressive Liverpool Cityscape 2008 has been greatly admired while on display in that city..

Bookings for the 2009 Architectural Study Trip to the West Coast of the USA (16 April - 1 May) taking in Phoenix, Arizona (primarily for Taliesan West though there are numerous other attractions), Los Angeles and San Francisco have almost reached critical mass though a few places are still available. Please contact the Clerk if you want details or to make reservations. The Annual Service and Election Court Dinner will be held on Tuesday 7 July. The dinner will be at Vintners’ Hall. It is proposed to hold the Annual Service at the Wren designed Church of St James Garlickhythe but this decision will be subject to review once a new Honorary Chaplain has been appointed to replace Rev’d David Burgess who has now officially retired from St Lawrence Jewry. Details will be made known as soon as possible. The Installation Court Lunch will be held at Watermans' Hall on Monday 14 September. DOCOMOMO EVENTS Jane Wernick, who was in charge of the Arup office in Los Angeles from 1986-88 and an Associate Director in their London Office from 1989 is to give a talk on Ove Arup's Concrete on Monday 3 November at 7.00pm. at the Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street EC1. Dennis Sharp and Sally Rendell will give a talk on Connell Ward and Lucas's early careers and their houses of the 1930's on Tuesday 9 December venue and timing as above. The cost of attendance is £4.50 as the Company has an institutional membership of the DOCOMOMO and bookings should be made direct to Philip Boyle on 020 7253 6624 or email to [email protected].

Inter-Livery Sports By way of diversion from the pressures of work and worrying about the collapse of civilization as we know it (or the banking infrastructure of the nation / world) the Clerk thought you might like some relaxation. He occasionally receives invitations for the Company or its members to participate in a range of leisure pursuits. At the more frivolous end of the spectrum are those activities which require nothing more than enthusiasm www.architects-livery-company.org 8

and a little time - such as the bi-annual Red Cross Inter-Livery Wine Challenge (for which a team has already been assembled to defend the title we won at the last running of this event) and Pancake Racing (for which volunteers are sought). Then there are other sedentary and non-olympic sports like Bridge. For the seriously competitive, sailing, clay pigeon shooting, golf and swimming are on offer. If anyone is interested in any of these activities please advise the Clerk who will, as they say, mark your card and forward details of future opportunities on to you. The other recreational activity which you may wish to condider revolves around travel - a matter in which the Clerk takes a keen interest. While it might seem foolish to be thinking of leaving these shores while shares are misbehaving, it is as well to plan for the future. Following the splendid Master's Weekend in Dresden, the Upper Warden is looking at a week-end closer to home for his year and details will be released as soon as possible. Representations have been made to the Clerk following the enticing pictures of Malta shown by Richard England during his talk at the Installation Court Lunch that a trip be organized to the Island. There have also been requests for a further wine and architecture tour - possibly to a different part of Spain, Portugal or to Italy. for longer study trips, Libya and the Silk Route are destinations on the horizon - please contact the Clerk if you have other suggestions.

Charitable Donations As noted in the previous edition of the newsletter, the Company's ability to support a range of charitable giving is dictated by the size of our Charitable Trust. The Trustees are doing their best to build up the capital and need to strike a balance between ensuring growth in the fund and making sufficient available for distribution to selected causes. In the current year the following causes are among those supported: Student Travel Award Art Prizes for the City Schools TeamBuild Competition Royal Academy Drawing Prize Lord Mayor's Appeal Master's Donations ABS Sheriffs' & Recorder's Fund

£2,000 £140 £1,200 £1,300 £750 £500 £500 £125

AND BY WAY OF LIGHT RELIEF ……………… While we are putting the banking industry to rights, might there not be some attention paid to a planning system whose rule makers may well have lost the plot? The following is a seemingly genuine Design and Access Statement submitted by a Planning Consultant in support of an application for the erection of an agricultural shed. Best remain silent on the name of the applicant and local authority. Context Analysis: The site is adjacent the existing farmhouse and surrounded by farmland. Planning consent has been granted for the conversion of an existing stone barn to the north east. The use is compatible with a farm because it is a farm building. It is located where it is because it in the most convenient place, being on the farm and near the farmhouse. It is the size it is because the farm equipment needs this space for storage. The topography is flat, the architecture is agricultural up to two storeys, and a mix stone buildings and later sheds; the historic environment is a farm, the density is like on a farm, the social context is a farm in the country, the economic context is farming in the United Kingdom in 2008 (which is not very economic), the opportunities are to store equipment inside rather than outside, the constraint is the planning system. The Statement then runs through unexceptional comments on the predictable headings - The Proposed Amount of Development, Layout, Scale before it gets to ... Appearance: It looks like atypical modern agricultural shed in green profiled metal sheeting because that is what it is, and a great architect once said 'Buildings should look like what they are'. Landscaping: The applicants and previous occupants have spent a long time, probably more than a thousand years, making the countryside around the house look like farmland so that everyone can enjoy the pretty English countryside. Access: The access is from a road which connects the farm to the rest of the locality, region and nation as a whole. There used to be railways at …… and ……….. and ……….. but there aren't anymore. There is an airport at ……… which can be accessed by driving your tractor along the road. This gives direct access to warm and sunny places all over the world. There is a bus service to …… which will allow people from the local towns to come and visit the proposed shed. However, you have to change buses at ….. or somewhere else if you want to go to somewhere else. There is nowhere to park tractors www.architects-livery-company.org

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(where you would have to change buses). It is a similar situation if someone wants to travel from somewhere else, but in reverse, although it is easier if you use forward gear. If you are disabled and can't drive a tractor or manhandle agricultural equipment then the shed helps because it doesn't have any steps and the doors are very wide. The access from the road is level concrete and tarmac which is good for wheelchairs but the tractors may make it a bit muddy, This could cause difficulties for people so the design includes space for some brushes to sweep away the muck. This applies to access from the farmhouse as well, except the farmhouse already has a place for storing brushes.

any thought for a caption?

The Master and Alderman and Sheriff Michael Bear at 51 Lime Street (below)

History does not relate the outcome of the application this statement supported or whether the authority required further and better particulars; nor is the identity of the Planning Consultant available - not even for a price. Heaven help us!

Annual Appeal

Views of the Company

the Elbe must have been a less pleasant outlook in earlier times. (above)

(left)Master with Upper Warden, Roger France and Renter warden, Edward King .

Each year as he prepares the information required by our accountants and auditors, the Clerk has to undertake an extensive audit of the Company’s possessions. One of the more lasting collections held in his office - purchased by a Past Master with an eye to a bargain - is the supply of Company ties. Numbers do dwindle year on year but very slowly. Mindful of the words in Matthew 6.19 which advise us ‘to lay not up for ourselves treasures upon earth where rust and moth doth corrupt and where thieves break trhough and steal’ the Clerk makes an urgent appeal to members to buy early (and copiously) for Christmas so that the collection be saved - at least from moths. These fashionable items, without which Company members are not properly attired, are availabe in red or blue silk at the bargain rate of £16.95 each of £25.00 the pair. Buy a few and have your own bow tie made up!

Mervyn Miller paying homage to the founder of Hellerau (right) and a bit of local colour in Dresden (below)

The Clerk: David Cole-Adams 82A Muswell Hill Road, London N10 3JR Ph / Fax: 020 8292 4893 www.architects-livery-company.org www.architects-livery-company.blogspot.com

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