Master Water Conservator

Photo courtesy of Stephen Richards Awarded its Charter in 1394, the Salters’ Company has its origins in the salt trade of medieval London.   By the fourteenth century, salt was an essential commodity in England, used mainly for preserving meat and fish, but also in cleaning, dyeing fabric, bleaching, degreasing, dehairing and softening leather and in the formulation of medicines and ointments.   These chemical processes are what has made the Salters’ Company the Livery Company for chemists and the promotion of education in chemistry. The Company was awarded its Grant of Arms in 1530 by Henry VIII. A group of 50 or so Consorts assembled at the hall for a tour, a “demonstration” and lunch.   Our guide Hilary was most informative. We began by climbing the stairs, passing a most impressive modern chandelier, representing nuggets of salt.   Women have only been admitted to the Company since 2010, but have already had two lady Masters. The current hall is the C...

This was the third and final seminar in the Royal Society’s joint programme on Nature and the Economy. The broad aim of this programme was to bring together leading scientists and members of the finance sector to discuss key areas of common interest.   The seminar focused on how to embed nature into our financial models. Alderwoman Alison Gowman introduced the seminar, which was chaired by Professor Louise Heathwaite CBE FRS, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The speakers were: Sir Ian Boyd FRS, Professor of Biology at the University of St Andrews Claire Coustar, Global Head of ESG & Sustainable Finance at Deutsche Bank Christina Hicks, Professor in the Political Ecology group at Lancaster University Jo Paisley, President of the GARP Risk Institute Peter Smith FRS, Professor of Soils & Global Change at the University of Aberdeen and Science Director of Scotland’s ClimateXchange They discussed the challenges and opportunities...

Four modern Livery Companies and the Livery Climate Action Group (LCAG) joined together to tackle the biggest challenge of our time - how to achieve a rapid, just and sustainable transition. They aimed to identify how our skills, knowledge and connections can support industries in their journeys and agree specific and actionable next steps to ensure this is the start of real impact. Participants included Livery members from the Insurers, the Engineers, the Entrepreneurs, the Information Technologists, and LCAG representatives from other Liveries. The session was in three parts: a series of short-sharp 'fire starter' comments from a series of experts; working sessions in tables of ten people, with a cross-Livery mix; and then a share-back to the full group from each table with a clear focus on next steps. They are due to write up the overall event and nominated "table leaders" to take one or more of the actions forward. The presentations started with Past Mas...

Investment in the water sector is a subject of intense discussion at the moment.   One successful high profile investment nearing completion is the Thames Tideway.   After substantial debate and years of construction it is nearing completion with the caps being put in place on the various combined sewer overflow (CSO) drop shafts which connect the existing sewage system to the new “super sewer”.   The Thames Tideway construction company “Tideway” occasionally invites organisations to learn about the Tideway and progress in its construction and commissioning.     Water Conservators were invited to join a boat for a tour of the sites. We started at the London Bridge City Pier and travelled downriver to the King Edward Park foreshore where they have built an extension to the park to cover the drop shaft, air treatment chamber, valve chamber and interceptor chamber.   Here is where the main tunnel diverts away from the river via the Limehouse Cut to Abbey Mil...

Many thanks to the Worshipful Company of Carmen for their invitation to a fascinating set of talks on transport. The first speaker was Louise Cheeseman – recently retired Director of Buses for Transport for London (TfL) and founder of the ‘Women in Bus and Coach’ initiative.   She described the sexism she faced as the only female rail guard before her career rapidly advanced.   Even then, visitors would ask her to make the coffee or take the Minutes.   She rapidly changed that so everyone shared in the responsibilities.   In the bus and coach sector, 91% of employees are men and the average age is 52.   The sector urgently needs to recruit new, younger staff.   Louise sought to achieve responsible positive change and get rid of the macho culture.   She fostered a more supportive community, advancing talented individuals regardless of gender.   She also challenged the physical constraints, eg cabs designed for 6ft men.   Toilets at depots ha...

 At last the day dawned!   Big question – was it going to rain?   Armed with umbrellas, just in case, we set off for the train, Martin resplendent in new morning suit and waistcoat, Eileen with a new hat almost as wide as her shoulders.   The hat had a seat of its own on the train. A group of us assembled at the RAF Club, kindly hosted by Master Apothecary Aroop.   After a splendid range of canapes and most attentive serving staff, Aroop led us on a brief tour of this prestigious building, very popular even at a mid-week lunchtime. By the time we came to leave, the rain had just begun.   It wasn’t far to join the queue for the Hyde Park Entrance to Buckingham Palace.   Eileen soon found her small umbrella offered little protection for The Hat, so swapped with Martin’s larger one. Identity check, then we were in.   What beautiful gardens: an appealing mixture of formal and wild.   Fragrant roses.   Upright foxgloves (are they a weed...

It all started several days before, when the Stela (a section of ancient wooden pipe from the City of London) was returned to Hampton Court Palace ready for this year’s Tudor Pull on 19 May as part of the Annual River Inspection of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. On the day itself, the Master Watermen and Lightermen and the Master Water Conservator were welcomed to the Garden of the Director of Hampton Court Palace.   This was near the Banqueting House on the Barge Walk.   There we were joined by the Chaplain & Deputy Priest-in-Ordinary and Choristers of HM Chapel Royal and many visitors.   We were also joined by a crew from Lion Films who were making a film for the Royal Palaces. A table had been placed in the centre of the garden, and on it was the Stela. The Royal Watermen in their red tunics then processed into the garden with their oars. The Master Water Conservator welcomed all present, especially the Royal Bargemaster and the Royal Watermen...