The famous floating staircase and the compact auditorium of The Magic Circle's headquarters
An Evening With the Magic Circle
Tuesday 29 March 2022
Bring your family and friends
NEWS
Headlines
Vincent Keaveny completes year as Lord Mayor - November 2022
Andrew Marsden, MagnaMaster Marketor, is the non-aldermanic Sheriff elect for 2022-23. Appeal to help fund his badge of office. For a few weeks in the autumn both the Lord Mayor, Ald. Vincent Keaveny, and one of his Sheriffs will both be MagnaMasters. What a vintage year 2014-15!
David Illingworth - we remember with affection and gratitude David Illingworth, Past Master Chartered Accountant, who died in 2022 after a long illness.
Jeremy Balcombe - We remember with affection Jeremy, the MagnaMaster Tin Plate Workers, who died mid 2022.
Rupert Best - we remember with affection Rupert, MagnaMaster Fruiterer, who died February 2021.
Lord Mayor's Christmas message - Dec 2020 - Keeping cheerful over the bleakest Christmas the national psyche can remember since World War II
Gala Dinner 2021 Postponed - Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the 2021. Programme for 2021 published. More....
New Chairman - Patrick O'Reilly appointed chairman to succeed Jeremy Randall (2015-202) at AGM Nov 2020
Fifth Gala Dinner success at Girdlers' Hall
Sell put for Loire trip in June 2020.
Programme for 2020 includes visit to Tideway Tunnel, Dinner at Lincolns Inn and an evening with the Magic Circle
MagnaMaster Ald. Vincent Keaveny senior alderman "below the chair" of Lord Mayor in 2020
A 2019 Christmas letter from Annemiek - widow of Lt. Col. Paul Holder, MagnaMaster Carmen, and son Frank are doing well in Holland with regular visits to the UK.
Fifty support weekend in York - Magnamasters, Consorts and invited guests sat down to dine at the 14thC Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York on
the evening of Saturday
28 Sept 2019 as part of a
weekend in this
beautiful City.
See report in Past Events
OBEs for two MagnaMasters in Summer 2019 Birthday Honours
Congratulations to Dr Ian Frood (Coopers) and Eddie Donaldson (Basketmakers) who have been awarded the OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours: Ian for services to the British Cattle Industry and Eddie for services to charity.
Magnificent Drapers' Hall hosts Fourth Gala Dinner with 146 paid to attend
With 146 paid-up to attend the Fourth Gala Dinner, Drapers' Hall pulled out all the stops to make this a great occasion.
Mark Henderson (MagnaMaster Currier) has been elected inaugural Master Investment Managers, a group he has worked for several years to establish as a Guild.
Best wishes to Ald. Vincent and Amanda Keaveny as Sheriff 2018-19
Many congratulations to Alderman Vincent Keaveny (MagnaMaster Solicitors) on his election as Aldermanic Sheriff for the coming year serving with fellow shrieval candidate Liz Green. We wish Vincent and Amanda all the very best in their year to come. See Vincent’s website here
Memorial service for Wynne Gilham, MagnaMaster Upholders held on Thursday 11 October 2017
Congratulations Sir Andrew and Lady Wendy Parmley
Sir Andrew, Lord Mayor 2016-17 and MagnaMaster Aldermanic Sheriff, has been knighted by The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
MagnaMaster Mark Henderson's success starting new Guild
Two years of work by MagnaMaster Mark Henderson has resulted in the successful launch of the Guild of Investment Managers
Third Gala Dinner Success
Fishmongers' Hall staged an outstanding banquet for the MagnaMasters and CartaConsorts third annual Gala Dinner on 1 February 2018
MagnaMasters skiers claim bronze
Our intrepid team of skiers this year competed against two other Past Masters Association teams in the Livery Ski Championships at Morzine 25-26 January - and took bronze.
Well done Ald. Vincent Keaveny - Lord Mayor November 2021-22
Alderman Vincent Keaveny was elected as the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London on 29 September 2021 and took office on 12 November 2021. He previously served as Sheriff of the City of London in 2018-19 and in that capacity supported the then Lord Mayor, undertaking numerous engagements and activities at home and abroad.
Vincent is a partner in the international business law firm, DLA Piper. He advises on debt capital markets, structured finance and securitisation transactions in the UK and banks, financial institutions and corporate clients in the UK and internationally on banking, finance and capital markets transactions. He is listed as a leading practitioner in his area of practice by all of the principal legal directories and is included in the legal ‘500’ Hall of Fame for securitisation practitioners. Until May 2019 he was International Co-Chair of the Financial Services Sector at DLA Piper. In 2014/15 he served as President of the City of London Law Society. He is an Honorary Bencher of Gray's Inn.
A Liveryman of the City of London Solicitors', the Woolmen's, Distillers', Spectacle Makers', Stationers’, Framework Knitters’, Upholders’ and Security Professionals’ Companies, Vincent served as Master Solicitor (MagnaMaster) in 2014/15.
Ald. Vincent Keaveny was the third MagnaMaster to serve as Lord Mayor (2021-22). For a brief time in 2022 he overlapped with Andrew Marsden elected to serve as Non Aldermanic Sheriff 2022-23.
Congratulations to Andrew Marsden - will you help with a donation to his Shreval Chain Appeal?
Many friends and colleagues of Andrew have expressed a wish to follow the happy custom of presenting the Sheriff-Elect with his specially-commissioned Chain of Office and Badge.
The Committee formed for this purpose, under the Chairmanship of Sir Michael Bear, hopes to raise the substantial sum required to fund the new Shrieval Chain and Badge. Accordingly, we are writing to a wide representation of those Citizens, Liverymen, colleagues and personal friends who may wish to be associated with this expression of goodwill.
If you feel disposed to contribute to this appeal, you are invited to send a donation to Deputy Keith Bottomley at the address below. Alternatively you may make an electronic transfer using the reference on this slip.
Whichever method you use, please make sure your full name and address is included either by completing the slip or sending an email with the details so that your generosity can be acknowledged. Thank you !
Andrew Marsden Chain Appeal
Account No: Sort-Code:
Andrew Marsden Chain Appeal
A/c 45130509 23-05-80
The Reference is:
AMCA-[YourName]
or cheques to
c/o Deputy Keith Bottomley, Members' Room, PO Box 270, Guildhall, London, EC2P 2EJ keith.bottomley@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Rupert Best, MagnaMaster Fruiterer
Royal Navy commander, Rupert Best, who died at the beginning of February 2021 at the age of 76, commanded the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Courageous during the Falklands conflict in 1982. Latterly among many responsibilities and interests he was a director of Portland Port and ran the renowned Melplash Cider Farm near Bridport, which he took over following the death of his father. Rupert was Master of the Fruiterers and a MagnaMaster. He leaves his wife Maggie and their son Matt.
Lord Mayor's Christmas message - Dec 2020
The Christmas message from the Lord Mayor in December 2020 took on special significance as much of London and the South East was plunged into Tier Four restriction, effectively cancelling Christmas celebrations. Download
Lord Mayor Alderman William Russell and the Lady Mayoress
Gala Dinner 2021 postponed
Following a Zoom meeting of MMA officers it was decided there was little alternative but to cancel the 2021 Gala Dinner, due to be held at Skinners' Hall on 3 February. Skinners' Hall will be closed from next summer for two years. Outline MMA plans (see here) include a MagnaMasters Rising dinner at the RAF Club at the end of April courtesy Chairman Patrick O'Reilly and dinner at Fishmongers' Hall in late Sept/Oct at the kind invitation of MagnaMasters President Sir Alan Yarrow as Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company. NOTE: At the invitation of our President th 2021 Gala Dinner was held at Fishmongers' Hall in October 2021 once Covid restrictions were at last lifted.
Changing of the Guard at 2020 AGM
At the 2020 AGM , held 'virtually' via Zoom thanks to the Covid-19 virus pandemic, inaugural chairman Jeremy Randall handed over the completely virtual 'chain of office' to Patrick O'Reilly, Past Master Engineers. The meeting was chaired by MagnaMasters President Sir Alan Yarrow who praised Jeremy's "style, easy sociability, charm, wit and exceptional oratory" and wished Patrick O'Reilly, stepping up from his role as Vice-Chairman, all the very best in his time of office. See report of AGM here.
Lest we forget
Mary Jane Donaldson
Mary Jane Donaldson, CartaConsort and wife of Eddie Donaldson, MagnaMaster Prime Warden Basketmaker (see report).
David Illingworth - died 2022 after a long illness and having been our financial examiner since the founding of the Magna Masters Association. David was the Past Master Chartered Accountant of our year
Wynne Gilham - First Lady Master Upholder and Magnmaster (2 Feb 1941 - 1 July 2018). A memorial service was held on 11 October 2018 at which husband Michael gave a moving tribute.
Lt. Col. Paul Holder, Past Master Carmen and MagnaMaster, on 5 March 2017. He died just three months after being diagnosed with incurable cancer on the eve of returning to South Sudan where he was Chief of Operations for the United Nations and Commander of the British Troops. His funeral was held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, on 15 March 2017. Paul leaves a wife, Annemiek, and a son, 'Frankie' Frank Paul Holder, born 16 December.
Richard Walker-Arnott DL
Consort to Debby Ounsted, MagnaMaster Mercers', died 4 April 2022. Memorial service 18 July, St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside 3.30pm followed by reception at Mercers' Hall
Rupert Best RN died 21 February, 2021, aged 76. Rupert was MagnaMaster Fruiterer. He commanded the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Courageous during the Falklands conflict in 1982.
Jeremy Balcombe died February 2022 was
MagnaMaster Tin Plate Worker after a long illness.
Fifth Gala Dinner held at Saddlers' Hall
The MagnaMasters Fifth Gala Dinner was held Saddlers' Hall on 29 January 2020 opening with a welcome from host Magna Master and Past Master Saddler Mark Farmar. President Sir Alan Yarrow proposed the toast to the MagnaMasters and chairman Jeremy Randall excelled with what could be his valedictory performance as chairman, completing his promised fifth year at the head of our association. Among his remarks of thanks to all those who helped make the association so successful he welcomed MagnaMaster Solicitor and last year's Aldermanic Sheriff Alderman Vincent Keaveny and Consort Amanda.
Congratulations to
Dr Ian Frood OBE
Dr Ian Frood (Coopers) has been awarded the OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to the British Cattle Industry. Ian, who now farms in partnership with his wife Mo and two children, Andrew and Helen at their Stanford-Le-Hope farm in Essex, has been very active in the National Farmers Union and a member of the national livestock board for many years. For some 15 years Ian was chairman of the English beef and lamb assurance scheme. Outside interests include being a school governor and chairman of the Coopers' Educational Foundation.
Congratulations to
Eddie Donaldson OBE
Eddie Donaldson (Basketmakers), who has been awarded the OBE in the Summer 2019 Birthday
Honours, is Deputy Chairman and Treasurer of the RNLI, Chair of Create arts working with the socially disadvantaged and Vice Chair of XLP working with young people on Estates in London. Eddie has received his award for his significant and demanding portfolio of charity work.
Magnificent Drapers' Hall hosts Fourth Gala Dinner - 31 Jan 2019
With 146 paid to attend the Fourth Gala Dinner, Drapers' Hall pulled out all the stops to make this a great occasion. Our guest speaker and distinguished guests for the evening were Ald. and Sheriff (and MagnaMaster) Vincent Keaveny and Amanda Keaveny flanked by by Hon. President Sir Ald. Alan Yarrow and Lady Yarrow and Chairman Jeremy Randall and Irene Randall. Our host for the evening, Past Master Draper Nick Bence-Trower, there with wife Nicky, opened proceedings with a warm welcome to one of the three organisations of which HM The Queen is a member - along with, he reminded us he reminded us, the Balmoral WI. In his address Vincent urged his fellow MagnaMasters to support the Sheriffs appeal and make up a table or two for the Sheriff's Charity Ball September. Also in attendance was Hon. Vice-President Fiona Adler with husband David Moss. Hopefully all made it home safely - including the unfortunate couple whose taxi driver texted to say he wold not be coming to collect them because of the snow and the gallant Watsons who came down from Edinburgh for the occasion. Great to see you and all who attended and condolences to those who for various reasons could not make it on the night. One statistic: we have 100 paid up members of whom 75 registered to attend. That's pretty good considering the busy lives most lead - and thank you for your continued support.
Congratulations Ald. Vincent Keaveny
Alderman Vincent Keaveny (MagnaMaster Solicitors) was elected in June 2018 as Aldermanic Sheriff for the coming year serving with fellow shrieval candidate Liz Green until mid 2019. In 2020 he is senior Alderman below the chair ands elected to serve as Lord Mayor from November 2020. See Vincent’s website here
Memorial service for Wynne Gilham, MagnaMaster Upholders
A memorial service for the life of Past Master and first Lady Master Upholder Mrs Wynne Gilham was held on Thursday 11 October 2017 at the Church of St Botolph without Bishopsgate, Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3TL at 11am and afterwards in the Church Hall. Please advise Mrs Liz Wicksteed clerk@cityliveryclub.com by Monday 1 October at the latest if you are planning to attend. The family have set up a page so if you would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in memory of Wynne, the link is here. Wynne had been the first Lady Liveryman of of the Upholders in 2002, the Company’s first Lady Master in 2014-15 and among the first amongst Livery companies with both husband and wife serving as Master.
Congratulations Sir Andrew and Lady Parmley
Sir Andrew Parmley, Lord Mayor 2016-17 and MagnaMaster Aldermanic Sheriff, has been invested by The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Sir Andrew was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2018 New Year Honours for services to Music, Education and Civic Engagement.
Lady Parmley, reports: "It was a huge honour and privilege that Her Majesty took the Investiture ceremony herself. It was a very happy occasion with the Queen taking the time to say a few words with every recipient. On being congratulated by her, her ‘youngest’ knight told the Queen that it had been a team effort by staff at the Mansion House, the Guildhall and his friends in the Livery."
Sir Andrew is Master Elect of the Vintners and takes up post in July, and Lady Wendy, subject to election year, should be Master IT in October. We wish them both great success.
Sir Andrew and his wife Wendy, Lady Parmley, following the Investiture at Buckingham Palace by The Queen.
MagnaMaster Mark Henderson starts new Investment Guild
Two years of work by MagnaMaster Mark Henderson has resulted in the successful launch of the Guild of Investment Managers
Mark writes: As many of the Magna Masters know I have been working, for the last two years, to form of a new "Guild" for investment management professionals. There are Livery Companies for all sorts of financial services, International Baking, Accounting, insurance....and even Actuaries but not one for asset managers!
Well there is now....the Court of Aldermen granted GIM the status of "City of London Guild" at their meeting on Tuesday so there is the realistic possibility that we will progress to full Livery. The aim of the GIM, in a nutshell, is fellowship for the members and an opportunity for those who had fared well financially and would like to put back into the City and the industry a little of what they made.
I invite MMs to tell their investment manager friends who are not Liverymen about it so we can widen our membership and therefore the Livery fraternity as a whole
Mark Henderson, Past Master Currier
Sponsoring Alderman, John Garbutt, Mark Henderson and Alderman Alison Gowman, Chair of the Aldermen & Magistracy Sub-Committee
Mark Henderson (MagnaMaster Currier)
Mark Henderson (MagnaMaster Currier) has been elected inaugural Master Investment Managers, a group he has worked for several years to establish as a Guild. He serves from July 2018 for 12 months.
Third Gala Dinner Success
Fishmongers' Hall staged an outstanding banquet for the MagnaMasters and CartaConsorts third annual Gala Dinner on 1 February 2018. Attended by 70 MMA members plus Consorts and guests the toast to MMA was proposed by our President, Sir Alan Yarrow, and our Chairman, Jeremy Randall, excelled in response. Comments included "fabulous evening" RF; "Truly enjoyable" PC; "food...absolutely delicious" GL; "great fun evening" NB; "Fishmongers simply impeccable" JR
MagnaMasters ski team awarded bronze
Our intrepid team of skiers this year competed against two other Past Masters Association teams in the Livery Ski Championships at Morzine 25-26 January - and took bronze. For the first year the prize awards by the Tpots (2010) was not won by themselves and went to the All4One (2014) team. Edward claimed the award for the most careful skier despite being delayed at the last fence (as it were).
Pictured from left are the MMA (2015) team of Ian Locks (Stationer) Edward Martineau (Weaver) and Martin Miles (Actuary).
Mary Jane Donaldson
A message from Nick Bence-Trower
(MagnaMaster Draper)
We are sad to report the death of
Mary Jane Donaldson,
CartaConsort and wife of Eddie Donaldson, MagnaMaster Prime Warden Basketmaker, and to whom, on behalf of all MagnaMasters, we express our sincere condolences and very best wishes.
A message from Nick Bence-Trower (MagnaMaster Draper)
My cousin Mary Jane, and far more importantly the wife of Eddie Donaldson, MagnaMaster Prime Warden Basketmaker, died a few days ago.
I now have details of the arrangements for the Service of Thanksgiving.
Eddie and his family will be holding a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Mary Jane at All Saints Church, Greenbanks Close, Milford on Sea, Hampshire, SO41 0SQ [but park in Sea Road car park, SO41 0DA] at 2pm on Friday 5th January, 2018, and they would warmly welcome all who would like to join them.
After the Service, everyone is invited to join them for refreshments at Chewton Glen Hotel (BH25 6QS), which is only 15 minutes from the church. The family has created a website with all the details, including transport details, so if you follow this link http://www.celebratingmaryjane.co.uk/ you will find all the information you need.
The family has requested no flowers but donations to Oakhaven Hospice, via Tappers Funeral Directors. Again, details of how to do this are on the website.
I know that many of you may wish to attend this Service. For catering purposes, it would be very helpful if you could let the Clerk of the Basketmakers’ Company, Fiona Janczur, know if you plan to attend. Her email address is clerk@basketmakersco.org. Although the Basketmakers’ Company office will be closed over Christmas, Fiona will periodically be checking her emails.
For those who cannot attend, but wish to write, they moved recently and Eddie’s new address is:
Sotello
Victoria Road
Milford on Sea
Hampshire
SO41 0NL
Support MagnaMaster Gwen Rhys standing as non-Aldermanic Sheriff for 2018-19
Some of you may already know that one of our MagnaMasters, Gwen Rhys, PM Glass Seller, Liveryman Needlemakers, Spectacle Makers and the Welsh Livery has decided to put her hat in the ring as prospective non-Aldermanic Sheriff for 2018-19.
Her first step is to gauge the level of support within the Livery Companies and the wider City. After that, and if it looks as if she has a good chance, it will be time to formalise the current support team, of which I am one, with a Campaign Chairman and Committee, in time to submit candidate forms ahead of the June election in Guildhall.
Gwen launched her campaign at the beginning of October. One of the first actions is to publish a list of supporters.
Her Supporters Sign-Up Form is available on the campaign website http://www.gwenrhys.com
Alternatively simply sign up NOW! http://ow.ly/3bzj30fqKVP
Gwen wants to play her small part in giving back what the City has given her by serving the Lord Mayor in the role of Non-Aldermanic Sheriff of what is one of the world’s greatest Cities – a melting pot of people, a catalyst for ideas and somewhere that she’s proud to call “home”.
Putting people together, making connections and reaching out to a wider world are part of her DNA and she’s pledging to use these attributes to the full when serving as Sheriff.
I do hope you’ll feel able to support her and I know she’d be grateful if you could encourage others in your Livery network to do the same. Gwen will be at our AGM and I’m sure she’ll have some business cards with her!
For those of you who Tweet – it’s #gwenforsheriff @GlassSeller
Lord Mayor shows no fear abseiling down Cheesegrater
Lord Mayor Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley showed no fear as, on a wet September day he abseiled down the Leadenhall building - The Cheesegrater - helping to raise more than £100,000 for his charities.
The adventure down the 224 metre (736 feet) high building started from the 43rd floor with a number of City figures, including many Livery Masters, taking part. Our picture of the Lord Mayor in abseiling gear is courtesy City AM whose founder was among those taking part.
The Lord Mayor Andrew's charities for his year, under the theme of Educate, Support, Inspire, and reflecting his background in music, were LSO Discovery Programme; St Paul’s Outreach Programme and Music in Hospitals.
Congratulations Nick and Olivia on £18,000 raised for the Alzheimer Society
Nick Bence-Trower (Drapers) and his daughter Olivia were among the record 40,000+ starters in the 2017 marathon raising some £18,000 for the Alzheimer's Society. The JustGiving donations of almost £6,000 and other donations via CAF cheques were also augmented by some matched funding by both the Drapers' Company and Nick's employer, Cazenove Capital. Nick tells their story thus: "Very stiff and sore this morning- but I made it! I was slow, very slow (just over six hours). Sadly Olivia's knee packed up after 12 miles. She had it strapped by St John's but had to give up after another 1 1/2. Sad, but very sensible of her." Nick and Olivia were inspired to support the Alzheimer's Society following family sadnesses.
Lt. Col. Paul Holder
We are sad to report the death of Lt. Col. Paul Holder, Past Master Carmen and MagnaMaster, on 5 March 2017. He died just three months after being diagnosed with incurable cancer on the eve of returning to South Sudan where he was Chief of Operations for the United Nations and Commander of the British Troops. His funeral was held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, on 15 March 2017. Paul leaves a wife, Annemiek, and a son, 'Frankie' Frank Paul Holder, born 16 December. Paul and Annemiek were due to attend the MagnaMasters Shrove Tuesday Banquet at Mansion House on 28 February but, as Paul bravely put it, 'the slippery slope has opened up'
Silver for Morzine skier MagnaMasters
Over 200 skiers representing thirty livery companies and one past masters' year group (2010 - The Power Of Ten) gathered in Morzine, France, on 19/20 January for the 7th inter-livery skiing races. There were five MagnaMasters present in their respective livery teams so we formed a “virtual” MM team and took on the TPOTs in the first Past Masters Associations Skiing Challenge ever held on Planet Earth.
The MM team were (in livery alpha order) Martin Miles (Actuaries), Adrian Scott Knight (Fletchers), Edward Martineau (Plaisterers) and Ian Locks (Stationers). Debbie Ounsted (Mercers) was also present to give moral support. The giant slalom race was timed by the “ESF” to a hundreth of a second and the combined time of the best three finishers in each team determined the winner. The MM competitors did magnificently of course but were unluckily beaten into second place by the TPOTs.
However, we had a “Trump” card up our sleeve and announced that all times would be adjusted to allow for age and sex by a fiendish formula invented by the Actuaries for the main competition. This was duly done for us by the official scorer of the whole competition (who is, of course, an actuary!). And the result was that we got the Silver Medal – yes, still beaten to the gold spot, we are sorry to say, by the TPOTs. At that stage we decided not to insist on seeing birth certificates and gender test results and so presented a prize of a gauntlet and bottle of champagne to the winning team. We hope that the TPOTs will throw down the gauntlet and challenge us again next year.
MagnaMasters Vice President is new Lord Mayor
Alderman Dr. Andrew Parmley, the MagnaMasters' Aldermanic Sheriff, was installed as the 689th Lord Mayor of London on 10 November 2016. His Lord Mayor's Show was a glittering event despite a rather damp day.
Arise Sir Alan
Congratulations to Lord Mayor 2014-15 and our President Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow who received a knighthood in the New Year's honours and to his wife, Gilly, Lady Yarrow, recognising them both for their amazing year. MagnaMasters our proud to have Sir Alan as our President and the Sheriffs of 2014-15 Alderman Andrew Parmley and Fiona Adler as Vice-Presidents.
Meeting of volunteers - Monday 14 September 2015
Twenty-three volunteers signed up for the first MagnaMasters meeting held at Cote St.Paul's on Monday 14 September to agree a draft constitution and plan a programme of events for the coming year.
Well done Roger North and Jeremy Balcome
Roger North (Water Conservators) and Jeremy Balcombe (Tin Plate Workers) came third with a highly ceditable 39 points representing the MagnaMasters in the Past Masters Association Pairs Golf Day on 16 September 2015. Entry was limited to 15 pairs playing at Sonning GC, Berkshire.
CartaConsorts first out of the blocks
The CartaConsorts led the way with the first trip for 2015 with 23 going to Brighton hosted by Mistress Carpenter Margaret Felton and accompanied by Lady Mayoress Gilly Yarrow. Congratulations to them.