The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 4

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
our donations
make
difference.
Information
about
and
trooped back
to a the
quarterdeck
where Coffee,
these, including
the Mark
Evison
Foundation,
Cigars,
and Cognac
awaited
us (I did
mention can
that be
found
on
our
website
www.tobaccolivery.org.
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
The year ahead promises to be both full and exciting.
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
Apart from the usual cycle of events for all Livery
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
Companies, there are also some notable centenaries
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
this year that are impacting on the City calendar
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
– the right of women to vote, the formation of the
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
RAF and the remembrance for Armistice Day. Our
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
Company can look forward to its own celebration in
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
2019 when it will celebrate the quatercentenary since
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
the formation of the First Company in 1619. There
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
will be much to do supporting the Senior Warden as
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
he prepares to mark and celebrate the occasion in his
year such a special start.
year as Master.
Another noted guest was Gwen Rhys, Past Master
Glass Seller, soon to stand in this year’s contested
Shrieval Election. However, our Principal Guest and
Speaker was Margaret Evison, Founder of the Mark
Evison Foundation, one of the charities that our
Company supports through its Benevolent Fund.
Margaret’s son, Mark, was a young officer in the
Welsh Guards in 2009 when he was shot whilst
fighting in Helmand, Afghanistan. All efforts to save
him failed and Margaret has since campaigned for
better equipment and support for British servicemen
and women in theatres of war in an effort to reduce
the number of similar deaths and casualties. In her
moving speech, Margaret described how Mark’s
example in life has been turned into something
positive, the charity that bears his name. Targeting
17-year olds in London schools, the Foundation
invites them to choose, plan and carry out something
that is a personal challenge funded by grants of up
to £500. Hundreds of young people have benefitted
from this inspiring work and it is just one example
of the kind of charity that we support; ones where
Apart from our formal events, we are a busy
Company and have many informal events The
for our
Master
members and their guests. The quarterly drinks
arranged by the Membership Committee are a
particular draw and I encourage members and non-
members alike to attend when they can. There is
3 4