Coachlines - October 2019
16.10.19 The Clerk
The Election and Installation of the new Master
On Monday 2nd September 2019 the Master for the ensuing year was elected and installed in the Court Room of Tallow Chandlers’ Hall, after which he led the Court and their guests to join members of the wider Livery in a Service of Thanksgiving at St James, Garlickhythe. For those Coachmakers who have not yet taken the trouble to attend this annual event, it is a significant moment in the yearly cycle of the Coachmakers’ Company and highly recommended.
This year, the 342nd since the granting of the Company’s Charter by King Charles II in 1677, Richard Charlesworth MVO was elected by the Court to be the Master Coachmaker and installed into office.
Following the Service of Thanksgiving, the Master led the Court, their guests and other Coachmakers back to Tallow Chandlers’ Hall for the traditional celebratory dinner, after which Edward Dye entertained the gathering with a medley of automotive related tunes on the piano, culminating in a rendition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Assistant Christopher Walkinshaw
The traditional congratulatory welcome of the new Master and Wardens by a newly installed Court Assistant was delivered by Assistant Christopher Walkinshaw; his words can be read here.
The Master responded with his first speech of the year in which he told a little of his background and journey to becoming the Master Coachmaker and he explained what he hoped to achieve during his year in office.
The Master Richard Charlesworth MVO
He concluded by saying how much he was looking forward to spending time with everyone, to helping more young people into our affiliated industries, and to representing our great Company in the City of London and beyond. The full text of the Master’s speech is available for you to read at this link.
Finally, the Immediate Past Master, Graham Cole CBE, thanked the Company for their support during his year and expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve as Master Coachmaker. He concluded by proposing the traditional toast to the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers. You can read his speech here.
Next year of course, the whole process will be repeated and a new Master will be elected and installed. Will you be there to witness it?