TheWorshipfulCompany ofBlacksmiths

Newsletter29th IssueOctober 2006

Joint Editors:Chris Childs and Nigel Whitehead

Published by: The Publicity and Public Relations Committee,Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 48 Upwood Road, Lee, London SE12 8AN

www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk

The Worshipful Company of BlacksmithsContinues to Forge Strong Military Links

The fifth “Artisan blacksmith” competition took place under the blazing,July sunshine and hammers and anvils once again rang out at the NewForest and Hampshire County Show near the village of Brockenhurst.

Serving craftsmen within the Armed Forces are eligible to enter thisevent if they are skilled in the art of the blacksmith. This year the furthesttraveller was Lance Corporal Paul Hunter who travelled from Brunei todefend the title that he won last year. He managed an honourable secondplace and this year the title of Champion went to Corporal Steve Ashtona metal smith from the 4th Scots.

The competition was again an “open” class with competitors makinganything of their choice under field conditions. Corporal Ashton produced aninspired matching poker and toasting fork within the two hour time limit.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of David Waight, a blacksmithing instructor to theArmy, the competition for the Cup is now part of the New Forest Show. TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths is grateful to the Army for releasingsoldiers from postings throughout the world to ensure there is a meaningfulcontest of skill.

The Army Cup winner Corporal Stephen Ashton andAndrew Hall, The National Championship Blacksmith

On Other PagesPrime Warden’s Message 2New Liverymen 2Apprentices 2The Very Reverend Dr John Moses 3Lady Soames 3The Stephen Rook Story 4St Paul’s Cathedral – Past and Present Master Ironworks 4Prime Warden’s Weekend 5The Michaelmas Court and Awards Luncheon 2006 6-7

Annual Banquet 2006 8The Lord Mayor’s Collar 8Peter Hurford’s View from the River 9York Consortium for Conservation and

Craftsmanship Award 2006 10Obituaries 10-11Surgeon Captain R M C McNeil Love 11Theft of Winning Screens 12Company Diary 12Company Shop 12

Corporal Steven Ashton

Blacksmith’s Army Cup

Photography by M. O’Sullivan

2

PrimeWarden’s message

My family links with theWorshipful Company ofBlacksmiths go back over

many years. During the 19th Centuryan ancestor was a member of the Craftand became Prime Warden and in therecent past through my late mother’stwo brothers, Ron and Eric Earey. Setagainst that period of time one year inthe great office of Prime Wardenseems very short.

I am, of course, honoured to havebeen elected Prime Warden and I wasalways mildly surprised when as hecame to the end of his year in officevarious Prime Wardens have said thatthey were relieved but happy. I haveonly been in office for a few monthsand while it is exhilarating I can nowsee the stamina needed.

It is a wonderful experience torepresent our ancient Company atsuch a wealth of different occasions,from county shows to services in St.Paul’s Cathedral and formal dinnersto relaxed receptions. Always thereare interesting people to meet and it isamazing how often coincidences ofpast involvements with people andplaces are discovered.

My first hope is to represent youeffectively and to continue the work

of my predecessors in enhancing thereputation of the Company and thecraft. However the one ambition Ihave is to establish the CharitableTrust on a really strong financialfooting so that we can be assured ofour ability to support the BursaryScheme which we know is vital tostudent blacksmiths and our futurestrength.

All too few Liverymen contributefinancially to the Trust and amonthly standing payment of aslittle as £10 would make a hugedifference to the Scheme. The Clerkwill be only too willing to provideyou with a bank mandate and thenecessary Gift Aid declaration.Alternatively, both are in the annual‘Yellow Book’. Consider a bursary inyour name, your company name or amember of your family. Your giftcould help our future. A full bursaryis £1,500 and a half bursary is £750.Please do think carefully about thisand I hope to report that this appealhas been successful.

In the meantime I will get ready forthe luncheons, dinners and otherexciting events that make up the yearfor the Prime Warden. Here is a noteof events to date:

Photography b

At the Midsummer Court Simon Charles EdwardMinchinton was taken apprentice by his grandfather,Liveryman Geoffrey Berry. The term is four years andSimon joins his brother Edward as an Apprentice toGeoffrey.

For the second time this year a trainee Blacksmith wastaken Apprentice by a working ‘smith. Robert GeorgeBrown signed the indenture document binding him toLiveryman Leslie Armstrong also for a four-year period.

We look forward to them both becoming Free of theirMasters and Liverymen of the Company in due courseand wish them both well in their training and careers.

NAFBAE Annual DinnerEdenbridge & Oxted ShowFarriers Company Diploma CeremonyBlack Country Museum City visitPenhurst Place Dinner and Beating the RetreatBarts. Hospital ReceptionElection of Lord MayorPainter Stainers Company Dinner for Masters and ClerksGoldsmiths Company Prime Warden’s Reception and Annual FairSt. Paul’s Cathedral Foundation ConcertMusicians Company EvensongPainters Stainers Company Reception and Art ExhibitionButchers Company LuncheonFurniture Makers LuncheonReeds School Appeal Luncheon

John Barber

New LiverymenAt the Midsummer Court Mark HillAbrahamwas admitted to the Livery.He was nominated by his father,Geoffrey, and is an accountant. He isthe Finance Director of an Essexbased company that gives logisticalsupport to the construction industryand corporate security services.

The Michaelmas Court saw anexpansion of the number of workingblacksmiths who are Liverymen.Timothy Stevens is based in BeerSeaton in Devon but spendsconsiderable time overseas. He wasnominated by Dave Harman. StevenMiller is the son of Liveryman KenMiller who is a Bronze Medallist andwas the subject of a profile in a recentNewsletter. Steven has developedhis skills under the tutelage of hisfather and has been progressivelytaking over the business developedby Ken.

We welcome all three Liverymenand look forward to seeing them atmany future Company functions.

Apprentices

Prime Warden John Barber

3by M. O’Sullivan

The Very Reverend Dr John Moses

At the Michaelmas Court and Awards Luncheon,held on Thursday 19th October at Stationers’ Hall,the Company was honoured that Mary, Lady

Soames agreed to be a guest of theCompany. This was to witness thepresentation of the Tonypandy Cup toblacksmith James Horrobin for theChurchill Screen in the Crypt of St.Paul’s Cathedral created as amonument to Sir Winston Churchill.

Mary Soames was born on 15thSeptember 1922 the youngest daughterof Winston and Clementine Churchill.During the War she served with theRed Cross and the ATS. Havingaccompanied her father on manyjourneys she was quite accustomed to travel when shewent overseas with her husband, Christopher Soames,whom she married in 1947.

Mary campaigned for him in six successive elections

and then was with him in Paris where he wasAmbassador from 1968 – 1972. There were also postingsin Brussels and Rhodesia.

Lady Soames is an accomplishedand widely acknowledged author. Aswell as family memoirs, one of which –‘Clementine Churchill’ – won theWolfson Prize, she wrote ‘TheProfligate Duke: George Spencer-Churchill 5th Duke of Marlborough’which was published in 1987.

Everybody who attended theAwards luncheon was pleased to seeher in such good health, no doubtfortified by her hobbies of reading,sight-seeing and gardening. As an

Honorary Freewoman of the Skinners’ Company MarySoames is used to the Livery Companies of the City ofLondon and we hope that she enjoyed her time with TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

John Moses was born in 1938 andeducated at Ealing GrammarSchool, before proceeding to

Nottingham University, Trinity HallCambridge and Lincoln TheologicalCollege.

He taught for two years in a largecomprehensive school on the WhiteCity Estate in London prior to histheological training and Ordination in1964.

He served as theAssistant Curate ofSt Andrew, Bedford from 1964 to 1970and then moved to a large inner cityparish in Coventry to establish theCoventry East Team Ministry. TheparishwasdescribedinhisearlymonthsasCoventry’s squaremileofvice. Itwasa part of the city that was to undergocomprehensive redevelopment.

He moved in 1977 to becomeArchdeacon of Southend withresponsibility for 200 parishes and150 clergy in south Essex.

In 1982hebecameProvost (orDean)of Chelmsford where he presided oversignificant developments in there-ordering of the Cathedral.

He left Chelmsford in the autumnof 1996 on taking up his appointmentas Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. Heserves as the Dean of the Order of StMichael and St George and of theOrder of the British Empire. He wasappointed a Knight Commander ofthe Royal Victorian Order in thesummer of 2006.

He has been a member of theGeneral Synod since 1985; a churchCommissioner since 1988 and amember of the Anglican ConsultativeCouncil since 1997.

His publications include books onatonement theology.

He is married to Susan who, untilrecent months, had a practice as apsychotherapist. They have threechildren – one son and twodaughters – two granddaughters andfour grandsons. His recreationsinclude reading (especially novelsand biographies), walking andholidays in the sun.

In the City he will best beremembered for his determination torestore the decorative glory of St.Paul’s Cathedral through its internaland external cleaning programme.He will also be remembered for his

conduct of so many City servicesand those occasions when he hasreflected a national mood, whetherin happy celebration or sombrecommemoration.

In the Blacksmiths Company weare grateful that he has been our gueston many occasions and we wishhim, and Susan, a long and happyretirement enjoying their family andhobbies.

Lady Soames

Dr John Moses

Lady Soames with Honorary Assistant Bob Shillingfordand Past Prime Warden Colonel Sir Neil Thorne

The Lord MayorThe Company was very proud thatThe Lord Mayor, David Brewer wasable to present the Tonypandy Cupand the Army Cup at the MichaelmasCourt and Awards Luncheon. As amember of the Blacksmiths LiveryCompany, he attended this yearsBanquet at the Mansion House and asa Company we were able to supporthim at his Lord Mayors Show and theRoyal Cornwall Show.

The Lord Mayor with Apprentice Robert Brownand his master Leslie Armstrong

4

The Stephen Rook story

The French master metalworker Jean Tijou, one ofthe Huguenot refugees who so greatly enhanced

the cultural and artistic life of Britain, designed thebeautiful wrought-iron screen in the North QuireAisle of St.Paul’s and was also responsible for muchof the decorative metalwork in the Cathedral.

James Horrobin completed the magnificent,intricately-wrought Winston Churchill Memorial

Screen now installed in the Crypt of St Paul’s, inNovember 2004. The screen comprises a set of gatesforged in steel and bronze, stretching across thecentral axis of the Crypt.

Stephen Rook attended the local comprehensiveQueens School Bushey, where he excelled inwoodwork and metalwork, but somehow he ended

up serving an apprenticeship in the motor trade. Afterserving his time, he did a tour of the local garages withhis City and Guilds qualification in his hand, but wasfrustrated by the opportunities offered. Quite by chance

he became the owner of a book onblacksmithing and the die was cast. Hebuilt a small forge in the yard and aftermany hours of forging (what he wouldnow consider to be scrap) he washooked, but realised if he wanted topursue this as a career he needed somehelp. This ultimately led him toHereford Technical College under thetutelage of Derek Lloyd.

In the mean time he had marriedRoz, and the change

of career direction in his late twentieswas a challenge for the both of them.His time at Hereford set him on hislife’s course. In the autumn of 1985,he started his business, Newlyn Forgewith the premises to the rear of hishome. The workshop has expandedsince then but the business is still onthe same site.

During the mid eighties he metFrank Day who ran weekendblacksmithing courses at Cannington

forge in Somerset,and this opened thedoor to meetingsmiths like CourtenayPaull from the Guildof Wrought IronworkCraftsmen of Wessex.These smiths gavehim a unique insightinto the craft andtraditions.

Stephen has been very fortunateover the years in being able to pursuehis love for forged metalwork, andto have had the opportunity to makesome very fine quality commissionedwork for a variety of interestingpeople. Perhaps more rewarding

has been the warmfriendships he hasmade over the yearsby being involvedwith the blacksmithscraft.

Nevertheless, oneof his proudestmoments was whenhis wife Roz gavebirth to theirdaughter April, inAugust 1990.

St Paul’s Cathedral – Past and Present Master Ironworks

The CordwainersCompany Coat of

Arms

Stephen Rook at work

Forged flower with frost Hyde Park Gate

Churchill Memorial ScreenTijou Screen

5

Friday 12 May was hot and sultry as some fortyBlacksmiths and their partners made their way toLeicester for John and Louise’s weekend based at

the Belmont House Hotel. Such was the hosts’ attentionto detail that even the flower arrangements were in theBlacksmiths colours of yellow and black and these werepresented to the ladies after the meal.

Saturday dawned cool and cloudy but the rainheld off and a coach took us to the National Space Centre,

a striking building with an inflated tower housingrockets, capsules and many space related exhibits.Adjoining the Space Centre is the former Leicester sewagepumping works where four enormous beam engineshave been beautifully restored and were admired by theworking members.

After ‘free time’ in Leicester everyone assembled inevening dress to step back into the age of steam on theGreat Central Railway at Loughborough South. TheStation Master resplendent in top hat and tails greetedeveryone and champagne and canapés were served inthe waiting room. An excellent dinner was served byattentive staff in the dining car while we travelled on theonly mainline steam railway in the country. Louisepresented gifts to all the ladies. The period feel was socomplete that we expected Hercule Poirot to appear atany moment and denounce the murderer.

On Sunday the WCB was accorded the honour ofprocessing into the Leicester Cathedral to take part inSunday Eucharist with the Lady Mayor of Leicester,before the Bishop of Leicester blessed the new gates to theadjoining visitor centre.

The ordeal of fine food and wine continued at Johnand Louise’s home where a marquee in their garden wasfilled with Blacksmiths, family and friends for a splendidbuffet lunch. John presented a cheque to the Lady Mayorfor her charity.

AWeekend with John and Louise Smith

Sewage pump engine

National Space Centre

The Gates

Photography by various Liverymen

National Champio

Champion Be

Diploma

Presentations at the Michaelmas

6

Richard Jones, Andrew Hall and James Crossman

Photography by

Sally Clark

Diploma of MeritThe holder of a Diploma of Merit is an Associate of The Worshipful Companyof Blacksmiths and can use the initials A.W.C.B. on promotional material. TheCompany’s Coat of Arms may not be used.

To obtain the Diploma the blacksmith will have had many years ofexperience and shown the competence to make many different types ofarticles involving many techniques. While by this stage in his career theblacksmith will have developed his own ‘style’ he must be able to followaccurately the designs of others.

Corporal Stephen Ashton receiving the Blacksmith CompanyArmy Cup from the Lord Mayor

Companion of The WorshipfulCompany of BlacksmithsThis appointment is for men and womenwho may not be blacksmiths but whohave given outstanding service to thecraft over many years. We are pleasedto welcome Sally Clark as the sixthCompanion and she may use the initialsC.W.C.B.

This has been an exceptional year forbeen awarded the title National Chamin the Newsletter’s centre pages but h

which entitles him to use the initials AWCaward a blacksmith will have had many yeavariety of articles using many techniques.Blacksmith a title awarded to the smith recethe County Shows which run hot or live forgNational Blacksmith Championship Commit

The Third Warden John Smwith the Dipl

The Blacksmith’s Army Cup

County ShowNorth Somerset Show 7 May

Devon County Show 17 -19 May

Royal Bath and West 30 May – 2 June

Royal Cornwall Show 7 – 9 June

South of England Show 7 - 9 June

Three Counties Show 5 – 17 June

The Royal Highland Show 21 – 24 June

Royal Norfolk Show 27 – 28 June

onship Blacksmith

st Blacksmith

of Merit

7

Court & Awards Luncheon 2006

y M. O’Sullivan

Peter Parkinson Stephen Rook

Silver MedalThe holder of a Silver Medal is a Fellow of The Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths and can use the initials F.W.C.B. on promotional material. TheCompany’s Coat of Arms may not be used. He also enjoys the title ‘EminentMaster Blacksmith’

He will be assessed by other Silver Medal holders and will havedemonstrated skill in Design Work, Public Works, Restoration andKnowledge of the craft and its history. Skill and flair in the execution of workwill have been obvious in the years preceding the award of a Silver Medal.

The Tonypandy CupPast Prime Warden Lt. Colonel Delwyn Dennis, presented this Cup to theCompany in 1998. It was given in memoryof Lord Tonypandy (George Thomas;Speaker of the House of Commons) whowas an Honorary Member of the Court ofThe Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

The Cup may be awarded annually for apiece which is considered to be anoutstanding example of the skill of ablacksmith. The Company welcomessuggestions from any source for workwhich meets the criteria of ‘outstanding’. Aspecial panel has been set up to assess thepieces nominated. James Horrobin

Richard Jones

Reserve Best Blacksmith

Blacksmith Andrew Hall who not only hasmpionship Blacksmith for his work describedhas also been awarded the Diploma of MeritCB on promotional material. To achieve thers of experience and be competent making aHe has also been judged Champion Best

eiving the highest number of points from allging competitions at shows approved by thettee.

mith presents Andrew Halloma of Merit

Dates for 2007Royal Show, Stoneleigh 1 – 4 July

Great Yorkshire Show 11 – 12 July

Royal Welsh Show 23 – 26 July

New Forest and Hampshire 24 - 26 July

Edenbridge and Oxted 26 – 27 August

Town and Country Festival 25 – 27 August

Dorset County Show 1 – 2 September

Italics are Shows not yet on NBCC circuit

8

Annual Banquet 2006

Proposing the Civic Toast, thePrime Warden said heconsidered it a special honour

to have as our principal guest theLord Mayor the Rt Hon Mr D WBrewer, who is a Liveryman andmember of the Company. The PrimeWarden made special mention of theachievements of the Lord Mayor inpromoting commerce with the Cityand in particular his work with thePeople’s Republic of China.

To celebrate the occasion of theLord Mayor’s appointment, theBlacksmiths had entered a float in theLord Mayor’s procession and a sailmade for the float by Rodney Stouthad subsequently been presented tothe Lady Mayoress.

The Prime Warden presented a setof commemorative candlesticks made

by Bob Hobbs to the Lord Mayor andLady Mayoress and praised the workof the Sheriffs and their contributionsto charity.

On behalf of the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths the PrimeWarden also made a donation to theLordMayor’s charity, TheTreloarTrust.

After the fourth Warden hadwelcomed the many distinguishedguests including the Masters of threeLivery Companies who could also beclassed as “Metal Bashers” the LordMayor rose to thank the Blacksmithsfor the beautifully crafted gifts andreminded diners of the long traditionsof his post. He is the 678thLordMayorand was tonight wearing the chain ofesses made in around 1530 in 23 caratgold and believed to have been wornby Sir Thomas More.

After the ceremony of the LovingCup and music including the CoachHorn and Post Horn gallopsculminating with a spirited renderingof the Blacksmiths’ song, a contentedthrong departed the Mansion House,full of praise for a very well organisedand choreographed Annual Banquet.

The collar of “SS” is one of theearliest and finest in existence.It has 28 ornate letters “SS” in

gold, with a red and white Tudor roseand a knot alternately between eachpair of letters. In the centre is aportcullis, from which is suspendedthe Diamond badge or Jewel. TheCollar originally of 24 “SS”, wasbequeathed by Sir John Alen, aMercer, Lord Mayor in 1525 and 1535,in his will dated 1545 for the use ofthe Lord Mayor. It is of unhallmarkedgold and may therefore be of 23 carator even a bit higher – as near topure gold as those times could get.The roses are made of enamel. Beforethis date nothing is known of theCollar and the Goldsmiths’ Companyhave no records of it having beenmade, however, in 2003, theCollar was loaned to the NationalMaritime Museum for the “Elizabeth”exhibition, and the researchersthere ascribed the maker as RobertAdamas, a London goldsmith (butno date).

It has been suggested that it formedpart of Sir Thomas More’s regalia asChancellor and was forfeit to HenryVIII on More’s execution in 1535 and

that Sir John Alen purchased thecollar from Henry VIII. (A portrait ofMoore by Holbein shows himwearing a collar of “SS”, but of aslightly different design). It wasenlarged in 1567 by the addition offour “SS”, two knots and two roses,and has since undergone a numberof repairs and restorations. They aresaid to be at least twelve meaningsof the “SS” in the collar, of whichthe two most likely are “souventme souvient” (forget me not) or“souverain”. It is generally acceptedas a Lancastrian device made moreacceptable by the addition of theTudor roses. The knots, it is believed,are garter knots.

Today the Lord Mayor only wearsthe real collar of “SS” on specialoccasions for example Lord Mayor’sShow day, his own livery companydinners, and just recently for theQueen’s 80th birthday lunch. Formost occasions, he wears a replicacollar which was presented to thehouse in 1981.

The Lord Mayor’s Collar

Friday 28 April 2006

The Lord Mayor’s Collar

The Prime Warden greets the Lord Mayorto the Banquet

Pho

togr

aphy

by

M.O

’Sul

livan

9

Liveryman Peter HurfordsView from the River Thames

– Part 2

Trafalgar Day 21 Oct 2005 – First Sea Lord passing HMS BELFASTWhat gives the Thames its unique appeal is the almost limitless number of facts,figures and stories, and many of these have the evidence for their truth along, under,over or beside the waterway. This distant shot is of the Royal Navy’s First Sea Lordbeing rowed past HMS BELFAST on Trafalgar day last year, the 200th anniversary.

My subject area is but a small part of the Thames’ 210 mile course, 1/3 of which istidal. The full tidal range in London is about 25 feet and the river flows up and downat up to 5 knots between the arches of London’s many bridges.

James PriorOn 20 September 2005 – a 200 ton barge called James Prior had left a wharf used forloading road building materials upriver of the 115-year old, cast iron Battersea Bridge.The tide was ebbing but still quite high and for some reason the barge got out ofposition for a passage through the central arch which would have been the normalpractice.

Bert Prior passing under Battersea BridgeThe master decided to pass under one of the side arches of the bridge. Tides in theriver are very strong and although he realised his mistake and went full astern beforehitting the bridge, the tide carried the ship under the bridge.

Upriver shot of repair siteBecause there was insufficient headroom there was a serious collision which broke acrescent shaped segment 30 inches across from one of the main cast iron bridgebeams, cracked a further 6 feet of beam and badly damaged the bow andwheelhouse of the ship. The bridge is Victorian and there were doubts for some timethat it would ever be safe enough for road traffic.

Repair barge and safety boat at siteHowever, the engineers from Transport for London decided on a “plate and stitch”repair where a steel plate is laid over the crack and welded to the beam. The bridgere-opened, taking its normal load of road traffic, on 16 January this year.

Close up of repair siteThe collision does illustrate a constant problem on the Thames in this section – therisk of boats striking bridges. It also shows the benefit of having bridges and mostother forms of transport in the capital under a public body, TFL. Because of this thebridge was repaired well in advance of the original schedule.

Photography by Annette Hurford

Obitu

10

Following his education in Ireland, Geoffrey joined thearmy, (as had many of his ancestors before him), withthe 11th Hussars (PAO), where he spent some time as

an aide-de-camp, he developed a taste for internationaltravel, and the “high Life”.

After studying architecture, he again returned to theseshores where he worked for a number of distinguished

architectural practices before his interest of Archeology andHistory led him to the Historic Building Directorate (nowknow as English Heritage), where he became DeputyKeeper of Historic Plans.

From there he went to be the Chief Architect of theHoward de Walden estate which covers most ofMarylebone. After this he joined Frizzell Partners wherehe worked on the Palace of Westminster and FrogmoreHouse and many other historical buildings. Geoffrey thencame into the commercial world when he joined thenewly formed utility group Hyder, as Director of DesignDevelopment (another opportunity to continue hisindulgence for international travel, not forgetting “the highlife”). Between the traveling and the “high life” he did findtime to marry Mari, and those of us who know Mari, can’tfor the life of us understand her loss of sensibility, and canonly put it down to a mental aberration!

What more can one say of Geoffrey: he has threedelightful daughters Sarah, Ellie andLizzie andenjoyed finewines and expensive cigars, he loved dressing up, white tieand tails, morning suit, mess kit and his love of red socks.He loved people of all walks of life and was at ease as muchwith a ‘down and out’ as a member of the Royal Family.

No pen portrait of Geoffrey, no matter how sketchywould be complete without reference to his interest in theArts: he was a talented amateur water colour artist; andthere are a few membersof the Livery who havefound themselves thesubject of his wit and havetheir own cartoons asevidence! Two years agoGeoffrey went back to ArtCollege to study for a BAin Art and became amentor to all the youngpeople in his class. Hisother interests included“messing about in boats”,in 2000 & 2001 he wasCommodore of the CityLivery Yacht Club (theCity of London LiveryCompany’s own YachtClub), he was an activemember of the RoyalThames Yacht Club, wherehe took an active rolein the publicity anddevelopment of both. Hewas also a Fellow ofthe Royal Society of Arts,a member of the Societyfor Nautical Research, Vice Patron of the Royal Societyof Sculptors, Committee Member of the City ArchitectureForum and Honorary Secretary of Lambda AlphaInternational.

Our Court Assistant will be missed.

Geoffrey David Robertson McMorrough Kavanagh BA (Arch), FRSA14 December 1938 - 15 September 2006

A man to whom good company, good food, good wine and good manners wereimportant; to travel First Class routine

In his element

Geoffrey’s design for the Blacksmiths Float – 2005 Lord Mayor’s Show

Arthur Holt was born on 23March 1922 in Vickers St OldRuncorn Cheshire to Jane and

William Henry Holt. Arthur’s fatherdied of pneumonia when he was onlyfour leaving him, his mother and hissister, Lillian, who was seven yearsold, to manage as best they couldin those very difficult times. Heleft school at fourteen, he was topof his class never collected theprize as he started work at theHome and Colonial store as adelivery boy early to help out hiswidowed mother.

Arthur met Joan when she wassixteen and he was eighteenserving in the army stationed atRhyl, North Wales. He was thenstationed guarding an airfield inthe southeast called Lazenby.Following a bombing raid on theairfield he was injured andinvalided out of the army.

Not put off by his injuries hejoined the Merchant Navy. He servedin the Arctic PQ Convoys to RussiaArchangel, Murmansk and otherports. He did not speak of hisexperiences very often but he wastorpedoed and survived. He was amember of the Russian Convoy Cluband received the White Star issued bythe Russian government.

Towards the end of the war he

served on a repatriation ship. Thiswas a harrowing experience as theywere seconded to repatriate andtransport the Jews to, what was thenknown as, Palestine. After the war,Arthur left the Merchant Navy and heand Joan were married in September

1945 having two sons, Nigel Williamand David John.

Arthur joined the Mersey PowerGenerating Company and one winter,whilst working for the company, hedeveloped bronchitis and pneumoniaand nearly died in Chester GeneralHospital, where he was nursed forover six months.

Realising that he could no longer do

physical work, he started night schooland obtained his certificatesin Mechanical Electrical Engineering.The family moved to Yorkshire in1959/1960 and Arthur worked as acontrol room engineer before beingpromoted to Energy Manager for

Hartshead Power Station. Laterhe took an appointment inLondon at C.E.G.B HeadquartersPaternoster and during thisperiod he became involved inworks for St. Paul’s Cathedral.He helped design the lighting forthe new chapel opened by theQueen Mother, as well as creatingthe lighting for Prince Charlesand Lady Diana’s wedding.

Arthur became a liveryman ofthe Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths in 1986 and alsoassisted his sons to becomemembers. Sir David Floyd Ewing,Director of St. Paul’s had earlierhelped Arthur to become a

Freeman of the City of London and alife member of the Freeman’s Guild.He also served as both Master andSecretary to the Blacksmiths’ Lodge.

Arthur enjoyed a full life with hiswife and two sons and grandchildrenand, later, his great-grandchildren. Heattended livery functions wheneverpossible until ill health took its toll.Arthur was a man who gave his all.

uaries

11

Arthur Holt

Arthur in Limoges

23 March 1922 - 31 May 2006

Robin McNeill Love trained at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine,University of London between 1979 and 1984. He was appointed Consultantin Occupational Medicine by the Armed Services Consultant AppointmentBoard on 7 April 2005.

Following successful completion of the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths' Millennium Research Project, he became a Freeman of the City ofLondon in 2005 and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmithsin 2006.

He was appointed and promoted to President of the Naval ServiceMedical Board of Survey at the Institute of Naval Medicine in the rank ofSurgeon Captain on 11 July 2006.

Robin is married with 4 children and is seen in the photograph with hiswife, Poppy, outside the Naval Hospital at Gibraltar.

Surgeon Captain R M C McNeil Love – Royal Navy

One of our Liverymen now appointed toThe Institute of Naval Medicine

12

www.blacksmithscompany.org.ukPublished by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Printed by: Addiscan Graphics Limited, 12A Cowper Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 9RX. Tel: 020 8466 9493.

Theft of Winning ScreensWardens Court 23rd November 2006

Carol Service 15th December 2006

Epiphany Court and Luncheon 11th January 2007

Wardens Court 22nd February 2007

United Guilds Service 23rd March 2007

Ladyday Court and Luncheon 29th March 2007

Annual Banquet 27th April 2007

Prime Warden’s Weekend 11th - 13th May 2007

Wardens Court 24th May 2007

House of Lords Luncheon 21st June 2007

Election of Sheriffs 25th June 2007

Midsummer Court and Luncheon 5th July 2007

Election Court 26th July 2007

Wardens Court 30th August 2007

Election of the Lord Mayor 28th September 2007

Michaelmas Court andAwards Luncheon 11th October 2007

Lord Mayor’s Show 10th November 2007

Wardens Court 29th November 2007

Carol Service 14th December 2007

Prices:• Ties £10• Umbrella £15• Cuff Links £49• Brooches £39

All items available through the kind auspices of our Clerk, Christopher Jeal

Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop

Joint Editor Nigel Whiteheadis asuming the role of Editor for the next issue

e-mail: nigelw@tiscali.co.ukTelephone:015 8071 3302

Company Diary

SHROVE TUESDAYPANCAKE RACESThe Third Inter Livery Poulters Shrove TuesdayPancake Races are being held on Tuesday, 20February 2007 at the Guildhall Yard. The Poulters’Company is delighted to invite Livery Companies toparticipate in this increasingly popular, fun eventand team applications are to be lodged no later than1 December 2006.

Andrew Hall

£500 REWARD

Photography by various Liverymen

National Championship BlacksmithChampion Best Blacksmith

During the early hours of Thursday 15 June the twoscreens shown below were stolen from Andrew Hall’s

workshop at Branscombe Forge. If anyone sees either of themplease let the WCB know, so the appropriate recovery actioncan be taken and reward paid.