The Present Day - People

The Master

The title refers not to some sinister being as portrayed in 'Dr. Who' but to a person who in years gone by would have been an 'accredited' Master Baker, Joiner etc and who by virtue of proving himself as a 'Master craftsman' would have had the right to employ others.

These days it is rare to find a true Master craftsman in any Livery Company and the title is now given to the person who has been so elected by Liverymen (Freemen cannot vote).

The Master is normally addressed as such during formal meetings but those who know him well, or who are past the Office of Master, would not expect to be formal all the time. However it is good manners to be deferential to the Master when talking to or about him.

The Upper Warden

This person is next in line to be Master, and is normally referred-to during formal meetings as 'Mr. Upper'. He will have served the office of Renter Warden and will be watching the current Master carefully.

Towards the end of the current Master's term of office the Clerk will be discussing the Master-to-be's desires so far as culture, dining facilities etc in preparation for his year of High Office.

The Renter Warden

This person is responsible to the Court of Assistants and the Livery for the good order of the accounts, money and valuables of the Company.

He keeps simple books of account and has to report to the Court of Assistants upon each meeting. He is referred-to as 'Mr. Renter'

The Clerk

The Clerk is very often (as in the case of the Joiners) one of only two paid employees (the other being the Beadle). The Clerk is a busy person and very important, and not to be confused with a 'Secretary' (as in Hon. Sec. of an Association) nor a secretary (as in typist).

Some City Clerks are highly paid and preside over sizeable organisations with millions of Pounds of investments etc. Others, like our Clerk are part-time for the Joiners and have other Clerkships.

Our Clerk is highly respected within the Company and also within the City and is a Freeman of the Company, which was bestowed upon her to mark her Chairmanship of the Clerk's Consultative Committee in 1995/96.

The Immediate Past Master

This person is last year's Master. He is not involved in any way with Company business from the date the new Master takes over for a period of one year. He is a Past Master, not a passed Master, the latter being someone who has 'passed-up' the opportunity to be Master. Past Master's jewels are only granted to those who have past through the Chair.

Past Master Emeritus

The position of Past Master Emeritus is conferred upon Past Members of the Court of Assistants for long and meritorious service to the Company

Beadle

The office of Beadle appeared many years ago not long after that of the Chaplain, when the Wardens required a tipstaff to execute their orders to the members and to maintain discipline among the sometimes unruly Freemen and Liverymen.

Today the Beadle is the Company's ceremonial officer, responsible for making sure our ceremonies are conducted with decoration and dignity

Read more about the role of Beadle inc history etc [here]

John Yates Liveryman and Hon Steward

The Hon Steward.

Court of Assistants

This is like the Board of Directors, with the Master acting in a similar role as a 'Chairman' for the year. The Assistants (normally 12) guide and approve all aspects of the Company, with various committees reporting to them.

These meetings are open to all Liverymen (not Freemen) where they are updated with news and matters of interest by the present Officers and have the opportunity to take part in discussions and raise topics of interest. The Joiners is almost unique in this tradition. Liverymen sign into the meeting and are rewarded by a Livery Fee of 1 guinea (£1.05) for attendance. Each Liveryman will have been sent the formal agenda in advance. If he wishes to raise any queries at the meeting he is encouraged to do so, and normally addresses the Master and says his piece. There is no special 'hat' to wear nor procedure to be followed; the meetings, although structured, are normally fairly relaxed.

Court in Action

The meeting is usually followed by a drinks at the bar and a Livery dinner at which there are speeches and toasts. The whole thing is much less formal than the three main events' which are the Gentlemen's Banquet in November, Ladies Banquet in May/June and the Church Service lunch/dinner in July. Guests are invited to Livery dinners.