Message from the Master

I could go on reminiscing in the rear view mirror over the last, wonderful year as Master, but let me spend just a few brief moments looking ahead to focus on the future.

1. Sustainability – I am proud to say that we had already shared an action plan on the Livery Climate Action Group website indicating the direction of travel in the long term. As we think about the next steps, Robert Raffety, Harry Cole and I are working on measuring progress on the property front. It is rather complex but worthwhile – what gets measured gets done (as the saying goes).

2. Diversity and Inclusion – there’s never any room for complacency but I am pleased to report that there is plenty of activity thanks to our young ones, who dined here in the Hall, with the Guild of Young Freemen (see the separate note) , in an effort to progress our shared ambitions to make a real difference by collaboration. You only have to look at a beehive to see that it is all about working together! I think we all get a real buzz out of the fact that we have had quite a few Queen Bees and another two are making terrific contributions and should become Master very soon (if elected). I might observe that in the beehive, the females seem to do a lot of the work – but I won’t drone on about that!

3. Charitable Giving – in common with other Livery Companies, we keep our charitable giving under review. The Charity Committee does a great job in making really quite challenging and nuanced decisions looking at the longer term.

4. Being a lawyer, would you believe it, I have rather enjoyed John Sleeman’s and Sue Green’s in-depth Governance Review. I found the hundred pages of new Terms of Reference for all the Committees a gripping read. They will make us more efficient with the means of good decision-making and the Court will be better informed! It was a huge piece of work for which I am most grateful (I was worried that I would have to do it myself!).

5. In the world of beekeeping, there is always much to enjoy – and learn! A particular treat was the visit to Shropshire for the BBKA Spring Symposium which I could not have enjoyed more. Joyce Nesbitt, the organiser and her husband were always there for me whenever I needed them. I am sure the same will happen again! It was there that I was able to spend more time with Richard and Jane Ridler and learn so much about Bees Abroad and its imaginative projects. I hope you will join me in supporting them! However, most Past Masters have a very soft spot for the National Honey Show. I was the lucky one to go in its centenary year and to be greeted by no less a person than the very well-informed Princess Royal! I went 3 times! Much to look forward to!

Not surprisingly, the greatest moments of any year are our lovely lunches and dinners. The intimacy of the Hall and the many flickering candles will continue to make such a special atmosphere that lifts the meaning that Livery Company word “fellowship”. I love them all! The Masters’ and Clerks’ Dinner was just wonderful and gave rise to a huge pile of ecstatic letters. A big thank you to Richard and Stanley. (Clerk and Beadle), Sarah and Debbie (Administrator and Book Keeper) for making it all so special!

Dame Fiona Woolf, DBE, DL