This year pigs will fly Meet Ruby

Footwear Friends Award for Innovation 2015

Summer 2017 Issue 33

in fundraising: record sums raised in 2017

‘fun’ Putting the

Success at last for De MontfortHanging up their court shoes

Plus

2 The Cordwainer

Our News

New scholarship fund for nurses at the Royal Free HospitalThe Royal Free Hospital Nurses’ Home of Rest Trust is a charity jointly managed by the Company and the Royal Free Hospital that provides scholarships and awards to nurses. At the Trust’s May meeting, the Board agreed to launch a new scholarship fund named in honour of the late Past Master Richard Stillwell, in recognition of his contribution to the Trust and the family connection to the Royal Free, where Richard’s wife, Jennifer, trained as a doctor. Since 2010, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has required pre-registration nurses to hold a degree, and as a result many employers expect nurses to hold a degree qualification. There are still a substantial number of highly experienced registered nurses working at the Royal Free who hold a Diploma in Nursing rather than a BSc (Hons). Many would like the opportunity to undertake a top-up degree in nursing to maximise their development and career progression. The new scholarship fund will provide five scholarships for registered nurses at the Royal Free to undertake their BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Nursing at Middlesex University. It is hoped that the first recipients of these new scholarships will start their top-up courses in October 2017.

On 19th March, 70 brave souls – Cordwainers, family members, friends and a few dogs – took on the Marsden March challenge to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The starting line for those attempting the 14-mile trek was at the Royal Marsden site in Chelsea where the upbeat music, hundreds of brightly coloured balloons and boisterous starting countdown certainly woke up everyone at 9.30am on a Sunday morning! Marching through Chelsea and Putney, they wombled across Wimbledon Common before joining up with the five-milers in Raynes Park. With groups of Cordwainers travelling at various speeds (dependent on leg length or how much time was spent in the many pubs ‘using the toilets’) everyone eventually arrived at the final destination, the Royal Marsden site in Sutton. With the age of Cordwainer participants ranging from three years old to 75 years young, it was a truly inclusive family event. Everyone finished with a smile on their face – until they realised that there was no bar at the finish line (apologies from the organisers for not passing on this vital piece of information). And mention must be made

of Freeman Guy West who definitely wins the prize for the best dressed person at the March - in fact, the best dressed person at any sponsored event ever! Our sensational strollers did the Company proud: this event alone raising almost £35,500 for the Master’s campaign. At the Ladies Dinner in May, the Master presented the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with a donation cheque for £55,000. This combined with sponsorship sent directly to the Royal Marsden and a previous donation from the Cordwainer Charities, means that we have given an overall total of £63,000 to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

This amazing amount will be used to purchase a Hamilton Starlet Robot, which processes tumour samples from breast cancer patients more quickly and accurately than is humanly possible. The hospital will also be able to purchase 15 CADD Solis VIP pumps, which allow blood cancer patients to continue their rigorous chemotherapy treatment from their homes. Cordwainers should be very proud of our connection with the Royal Marsden and the part we are playing in supporting the life-changing work of the hospital.

NewsThe

Cordwainer marchers raise record sums

Freeman Guy West marches in his winklepickers

The five-milers leave Raynes ParkNancy Treves, Charity and Events Officer

The Cordwainer 3

When I reflect on the last year, I am very pleased to report that one of my main ambitions, to encourage more participation in Company events, has not only been successful, but also the source of many happy memories and great achievement for us all. Participation, which is a key tenet of the 2020 Vision, can be demonstrated in a number of ways, from attendance at events and dinners, to sponsored fundraising, to making the suggested annual donation or sharing your experience and expertise to support the Company’s work. The Cordwainers are an overwhelmingly friendly livery company and we welcome ideas and suggestions from everyone. I am pleased to say, that after a bit of gentle persuasion, more people than ever have joined in this year and discovered how we put the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising’! Always keen to practise what I preach, I have been delighted to participate in many events on behalf of the Company. We have watched footwear students at work in the wonderful new facilities at De Montfort University, seen top quality brogues roll off the production line at Cheaneys in Northamptonshire, and had the pleasure of meeting many footwear designers, bespoke shoemakers and representatives of the trade and education.

Footwear career advice The Company has worked hard to cement the links between footwear education and the shoe trade. Four years on, the Cordwainers Footwear Student of the Year competition is now well established as a recognised means for leading companies in the footwear industry to meet some of the brightest and best footwear designers emerging from the three universities that we support. This year, with the help of the British Footwear Association, we introduced a new workshop, entitled, ‘My Career in Footwear’, which enabled the student competition entrants to meet young professionals in the footwear trade and to ask them about their careers.

Jane and I have travelled to Glasgow, York, Basle, Tidworth and Buckingham Palace to support our charitable partners and other members of the Cordwainer ‘family’. As a keen sports fan, I very much enjoyed watching the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers boxing match in Tidworth. The reigning champions, they were sadly defeated in the quarter finals this year, but their enthusiasm and camaraderie were immense. What an exhibition of toe-to-toe boxing! As we have seen this year, the Cordwainers are about so much more than just dinners, but dinners have been a subject of heated debate (if not pugilistic activity). For the first time, the entire Livery was invited to our Civic Dinner in March, and record numbers attended to meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. Part of the 2020 Vision is about the Company’s profile within the City and it is important that all members have a chance to share in this and to learn about the role of the City livery companies within the Square Mile.

In a year of wonderful memories, the highlight was undoubtedly the spring Sunday when 70 intrepid walkers, ranging in age from 3 to 75, joined the Marsden March in my second large fundraising event of the year. We raised over £35,000 from this one event, which enabled me to present a cheque for a whopping £55,000 to the Chairman of the Royal Marsden Hospital at our Ladies’ Dinner in May. It has been a great pleasure and privilege to preside over a Company of such dedicated individuals: thank you to everyone who has supported the charitable campaign of the year, whether it was by rowing, singing, walking or donating. I would particularly like to thank my wife Jane and my two daughters, Sarah and Catherine for their stalwart support. As ever, the Office team have worked tirelessly to ensure that our events ran smoothly. Finally, I would like to wish my successor, Patrick Peal, the best of luck and if he has half as much fun as I have had, he will have a good year!

Master’s Column

When I reflect on the last year, I am very pleased to report that one of my main ambitions, to encourage more participation in Company events, has not only been successful, but also the source of many happy memories and great achievement for us all.

The Master in Cordwainer Ward

An incredible £55,000 for the Royal Marsden

4 The Cordwainer

Katie Greenyer

2017 Winners1st PRIZE Rachel Hamill , De Montfort University

2nd PRIZE Xiao Xiao Wang, London College of Fashion, UAL

3rd PRIZE Eva Hau, London College of Fashion, UAL COMMENDATIONS Yoon-Yi Lee De Montfort University Joanna Eden De Montfort University

Nicholas Kirkwood (4th left) with the winners and judges

Children’s shoes from Vevian

The Cordwainers National Footwear Student Awards are many months in the planning: the students work on their design projects for several months, the Cordwainer office liaises with the universities, the judges, the British Footwear Association (BFA) and organises a fantastic show. None of it happens overnight. In fact, it is clear that it takes less time to arrange a general election. The date clash on 8th June was a minor annoyance and certainly did not detract from the animated atmosphere at the 2017 awards ceremony. Leading footwear designer and this year’s keynote speaker Nicholas Kirkwood presented the prizes, advising students to ‘Create your own niche, be true to yourself and get a wingman to watch your back’, advice that could usefully be shared with our political masters. Industry professionals and representatives from the education sector came together to view the amazing talent that is emerging from De Montfort, the University of Northampton and the London College of Fashion. Freeman Katie Greenyer, Creative Director of Pentland Brands and chair of the judging panel, paid tribute to the students and their teachers, saying ‘I know how hard you all work to drive the students through and on to great things’. Guests were able to view the work of five showcase companies, all members of the British Footwear Association and keen to promote their work. First prize was won by Rachel Hamill of De Montfort University, whose portfolio was in the form of a pop-up dolls’ house and reflected her background as an architecture student. It focused on architectural details which she adapted and incorporated into intricate shoe designs. Rachel said, ‘I’m so grateful to the Cordwainers for the opportunity. To get that recognition of me as a designer, from other designers who I admire, was really amazing.’

The Cordwainer 5

Organised jointly by Cordwainers and the British Footwear Association (BFA), a new workshop for the Cordwainer footwear competition entrants is intended to support footwear design students along the next stage of their career path.

‘My Career in Footwear’ is the latest innovation by the Cordwainers and the BFA to strengthen the links between the footwear trade and the three universities which offer footwear design courses. Among those who attended were the students whose work had been submitted for the Cordwainers National Footwear Student of the Year Award and they came to listen to the experiences of young professionals who have been working in the footwear trade for up to ten years. For the students, the prestige of the Cordwainers National Footwear Student event and the recognition of their peers and tutors is no small thing, but this year they also had a chance to hear how recent entrants into the footwear industry have managed their careers. The BFA had lined up five young professionals from different areas of the industry and from companies as diverse as Hotter, Dr Martens, Lacoste, Pentland Group and Dune. Each one had approached the trade from a different route: from the factory production line, from an apprenticeship, and another via a sports science degree. The message was clear: if at first you don’t succeed in your chosen career path, think creatively and try again. Perhaps the most impressive speaker was Abbie Morris, who started work on the Hotter production line at the age of 18. Five years on, she works in a management position as a factory team leader, having worked her way up by sheer force of her motivation and talent. Abbie won a ‘Young Manager’s Award’ from the Pattenmakers and it was interesting to hear how this livery company award had created further opportunities for her. Adam Wharton from Dune has worked as a merchandiser for five years and reminded the students that although good design is critical, the underlying role of everyone in the trade is to make profit. John Saunders, Chief Executive of the BFA, advised the students to open their minds to the prospects within the industry and reminded them there are many ways to launch a career, footwear design being just one path.

Everyone enjoyed it and in the words of one participant, ‘I think the event was a huge success and I really loved being part of it all’.

Footwear Conference

The buzz in the room was palpable as students launched questions at the young professionals during the breakout session.

John Saunders of the BFA with exhibitors

LCF students showcase their entries

Jonathan Chow, of Oliver Sweeney talks to students

First steps in the footwear trade - workshop for footwear design students

Education

6 The Cordwainer

Biometrics and bespoke trainingThere are approximately 35 students in each year group. Head of Footwear, Steve Weston, explains that at first students learn the basics such as making, lasting, patterns, seams and closing. Shoe design and technical making skills are developed throughout the course, as students perfect design, research,  3D CAD drawing and illustration skills. They also learn modern shoemaking skills and make prototype shoes of their own.

A wall of yellow lasts at the entrance to a large studio is the main teaching space where all three year groups work together. Smaller spaces housed sewing machines, lasting equipment, laser cutters and rolls of leather.

Steve Weston himself has impressive credentials having worked in a series of high profile positions in the USA. He brings with him extensive industry experience and connections that he passes on to students.

Bespoke is taught by Tony Slinger, who once made shoes for the Coldstream Guards, and Bill Bird, who served an eight-year apprenticeship with John Lobb. Their specialist skills are passed on in many projects. The students studied biometrics in preparation for a project with the sportswear brand New Balance, for example, while they focused on bespoke shoemaking in conjunction with a project for Cheaney Shoes.

Students embark on a wide range of shoe design projects with companies such as TOMS, Next, New Balance, All Saints, Dune, Boxfresh and Clarks among other notable brands. The annual Cordwainers project, which is set in the third year of study, leads to the Cordwainers National Footwear Student Award and the students also work on a design project, set and exhibited at MODA (the UK’s largest fashion trade exhibition). 

This is not the only role or contribution that the Cordwainers make. For example, a recent second year trip to Lineapelle in Italy (the leading industry leather goods trade fair) was also part-funded by Cordwainers’ bursaries. In addition, the Company also contributes to hardship funds and special awards for achievement.

Students thinking about moving to Leicester to study are understandably wowed when they step onto the campus of De Montfort University in Leicester. Freeman Elisa Anniss went to visit the new facilities. The Cordwainers’ relationship with De Montfort (DMU) stretches back nearly a decade and the Company endows a number of footwear design scholarships and bursaries worth £23,000 per year. These awards recognise outstanding achievement, help students fund materials for their course, and include travel bursaries.

The Footwear Design department moved in 2016 into the stunning new Vijay Patel Building with its workshops, studios and 250-seat lecture theatre that is the star act. The building’s state-of-the-art-facilities have become the new creative nexus for the university’s art and design courses, from contour fashion, textile design, and, of course, footwear. Although it may not be as famous for shoes as the neighbouring county of Northamptonshire, Leicester has long been associated with footwear. Indeed, by 1870 shoemaking had become the city’s largest source of employment.

Fast-forward to the present and that tradition continues with Next, and its sizeable footwear business, located 20 minutes out of the city centre at Enderby. Though footwear at De Montfort University cherishes its links to the past and its locality, the footwear landscape these days is global. Many 21st century footwear graduates are just as likely to spend some of their working life engaging with factories in China, Cambodia, Vietnam or South America well as those closer to home in Europe or the UK.

The Cordwainer 6

UniversityDe MonTfort

LASTING SUCCESS IN FOOTWEAR DESIGN

Education

The Cordwainer 7

The Court trip to DMU, January 2017

‘The investment that has gone into the facilities at Leicester is amazing,’ says Freeman Guy West, and one of the judges of the Cordwainers National Footwear Student Award. West has also forged close links with DMU, including setting men’s shoe projects in conjunction with his own footwear business, Jeffery-West. ‘The response has always been amazing with the students submerging themselves into the Jeffery-West culture, understanding the customer and what influences their impulse to buy,’ he says. Indeed, Jeffery-West’s own designer of shoes, David Evans, is a graduate of DMU and has been with the brand for almost a decade.

Today, the university stays in touch with some of its alumni many of whom play a leading role in the international footwear industry. These include Los Angeles-based Rose Jones, Senior Designer at TOMS, Fiona Adams who created the Diesel and XOXO footwear brands in the US; Nick O’Rorke founder of Tsubo; Chris Kittle, VP of Design at Sperry; Nick Drury, Director of Design for Boxfresh and Kickers as well as Liam Fahy, who in the early days of his eponymous brand won international recognition including the British Fashion Council’s NewGen award. ‘The one thing that always sticks with me from DMU,’ concludes Liam Fahy, ‘was how incredible the technicians were in the various departments – without a doubt some of the best and most specialised in the world. Also, because it doesn’t just offer footwear courses, I had access to the metal labs, the plastic labs, wood, glass, even the sport groups. The computer science department helped make a microchip for a LED shoe that I created that had about 100 LED lights on each foot, so much fun. The second thing is probably the network of designers. Ten years later we’re all spread out all over the world in different design fields and shoe brands, but still in touch.’

‘The one thing that always sticks with me from DMU was how incredible the technicians were in the various departments – without a doubt some of the best and most specialised in the world.’

‘The response has always been amazing, with the students submerging themselves into the Jeffery-West culture, understanding the customer and what influences their impulse to buy.’

Guy West

8 The Cordwainer

The Cordwainer Court

For those members who only observe the Company at its hospitable best, it is easy to overlook the fact that the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is actually a charitable business. The Company embodies fellowship, history, longstanding connections with the footwear trade and education, and our role as a City livery company. Running a successful livery company is complex, and the Cordwainers draw on a mix of tradition, business acumen and the support of the Company’s most experienced members, the Court of Assistants. The Cordwainers are governed by a Master, two senior wardens, two junior wardens and a Court of Assistants, who are responsible for oversight and governance of the company business. They must ensure that ‘the mystery of Cordwainers’ can continue to function effectively long into the future. Day-to-day control is delegated to the Clerk, who is effectively the chief executive responsible to the Master and Wardens. In short, the role of the Court is to drive the Company forward, devising and agreeing strategy, and providing leadership and guidance. Court Assistants make up the Company committees which govern the Company finances, advise on membership, charitable giving and involvement with the footwear trade and education.

‘Discreet and honest persons’ The Court of Assistants consists of past masters or senior members who have been awarded the title of Court Assistant. Until recently, by the time someone attained membership of the Court, they had been a Cordwainer for some 35-40 years with invaluable experience and knowledge of Company traditions, connections and business. In addition, Court members bring with them experience gained in their professional lives.

So how does one progress to serve on the Court? In her 1980 history of the Company, Jennifer Lang noted that service on the Court was down to ‘Time rather than machination’. Today, promotion has much more to do with ability and a commitment to the Company values of giving to charity both in principle and practice. The Ordinances state that every year at Common Hall members of the livery should elect ‘sixteen discreet and honest persons aged seventy-four years or less to assist the Master and Wardens’. We are all Cordwainers for life, but once a Court Assistant reaches the age of 75, they are translated to the position of Honorary Assistant. Rather like a constitutional monarch, Honorary Assistants can advise, but not vote on the workings of the Company. Their influence, however, rarely fades. The Court currently meets six times a year. Proceedings are formal and as traditional as the robes and badges worn by the Master and Wardens. Everyone – Clerk, Assistants and Wardens – defers to the Master and no one is supposed to speak without permission. Votes are proposed and seconded by the two most senior court assistants present (most recently the Skinner cousins, Paddy and David) and voted on by a show of hands and a resounding shout of ‘All’. It’s a little unnerving the first time you hear it.

The court in action

CordwainerThe

Court

The Beadle and Hon. Assistant Andrew Ferrier

The Cordwainer 9

Hanging up their court shoesThis year, five Court Assistants (three of them first cousins) will be stepping down, and it seems fitting to pay tribute to their service. They have known each other all their adult lives and have worked together as senior members of the Company like cogs in a well-oiled machine for the last quarter of a century. We asked them for a few memories and thoughts about the changes they have seen.

Paddy Skinner, Master in 1997–98, probably speaks for all of them when he says that ‘The Cordwainers’ Company has been part of my life for as long as I can remember’.

‘At the age of 10, I attended the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Party, dressed as a Cordwainer, as the guest of the Master, my Great Uncle Bish (Douglas) Peal; I became a Freeman by Patrimony at the age of 21 years and 12 days, and

a Liveryman a year later. I was a member of the Finance & Resources Committee for about eight years. Probably my greatest contribution has been as Honorary Archivist, creating a spreadsheet of all the Company’s silver and other possessions, and bringing back most of our silver to the Clothworkers’ Hall from Hoare’s Bank.

Maybe the most significant change over these years, apart from the admission of women, has been the transformation of the Company from a strictly disciplined and faintly secretive organisation into a more open, and fun-loving Company. From being seen and not heard, the Junior Livery now play an important role in the Company’s affairs, inspired by the Events Committee’.

David Skinner, Master in 2001–02 clothed the first lady with the Livery. He has been a member of the Court for 20 years, having served on the Charity and Freedom Committees, but characteristically, he regards his most practical contribution as his most

important. ‘I have served on the Wine Committee since the year dot. I would pat myself on the back having built up a significant stock of vintage port which will be enjoyed by Cordwainers for many years to come’.

John Barrett, Master in 2003–04 emphasises Paddy’s point: ‘When I first joined the Company, one was put off from asking questions as the Clerk was in almost complete control of the running of the Company. Now, committees bring forward their future plans to the Court

for ratification. Business is more open for discussion. On the social side, there is more informality and the Junior Livery are much more active. It is also great to see many active female members and it will not be too long before we see a female Master’.

Sebastian Chamberlain, Master in 2004–05, was appointed to the Finance and Resources Committee in 2000. ‘In those days we [the Cordwainers] ran our own investment portfolio. Back in 2000 we were continually worried about our finances, as we still owed money for Cordwainers Court and had just

started the redevelopment of Eldon Chambers. I think it fair to say that over the past 17 years our finances have improved dramatically. We can now look forward to the future with a level of confidence that we certainly did not have in 2000.’

Richard Brown, Master in 2005–06, and cousin of David and Paddy, also remembers attending a Lord Mayor’s Party. Richard looks back with some satisfaction on the stronger links that have been forged between the footwear industry and the universities. A longstanding member of the Cordwainers Educational Trust, Richard says ‘I have been proud to be a CET trustee for many years’.

All of the retiring members look to the future, while remembering their years of service with great fondness. Sebastian Chamberlain recalls, ‘Seventeen years of great change, of which by far the most important is the fact that the Livery is now full of young who give rather than just take’. We’ll leave the last words to the Hon. Archivist Paddy Skinner: ‘It is the friendships made, and the privilege of being a member of an organisation whose history goes back 750 years without a break, and all the wonderful experiences one has as a result, that makes the Cordwainers so special’.

The Cordwainer Court

David Skinner Master 2001–02

John Barrett Master 2003–04

Sebastian Chamberlain Master 2004–05

Richard Brown Master 2005–06

Paddy Skinner Master 1997–98

‘It is the friendships made, and the privilege of being a member of an organisation whose history goes back 750 years without a break, and all the wonderful experiences one has as a result, that makes the Cordwainers so special’.

10 The Cordwainer

Unanimously elected on Election Day in June, Patrick Peal is a scion of a distinguished and numerous Cordwainer family.

His third great-grandfather Samuel Peal (1754–1818) is credited with inventing a form of patent leather in 1791 and with founding the family shoemaking firm, Peal & Co. Like so many Cordwainer family businesses, Peal & Co is no more, although the name lives on as a brand name owned by Brooks Brothers.

Patrick is the 13th member of the extended Peal family to serve as Master and says, ‘This is a huge honour for me and fulfils a pledge I made to my late father Christopher, when he asked to be passed over as Master. I have aspired to this since I first became aware of the Cordwainers and our family connections, more than 50 years ago. A wake-up call was reading Ian Fleming’s Goldfinger when I was about 12 – a character was described as wearing shoes “with a hint of Peal”!’

‘But I’m not a shoemaker – I trained as a civil engineer, then worked at Group Lotus in R&D before moving over to engineering sales and marketing. It was then a short hop to setting up my own PR agency in 1996 which I closed two years ago upon taking up the role of Chief Executive at the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity. Through that I unknowingly played a walk-on part in the Queen’s Speech last Christmas’. In recognition of this work, Patrick has recently been honoured by the University of East Anglia with an honorary doctorate.

Patrick’s charity for his year as Master will be SSAFA (formerly known as Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association).

‘I have chosen SSAFA, the armed forces families charity, for many personal reasons – one being that I now have a member of my family in the Army so it’s close to home.’

Home for Patrick and his wife Tish is north Norfolk, where they enjoy the outdoor life. They have three children, all freemen of the company.

Our Charities

Peal & Co. Letterhead

SSAFA is one of the UK’s oldest armed forces charities. In fact, it is the only national tri-service military charity established before World War One that is still in existence today. SSAFA was founded in February 1885 when Major James Gildea wrote a letter to The Times appealing for money and volunteers to help the military families left behind at home when the Second Expeditionary Force set sail for Egypt.

For more than 130 years, in times of conflict as well as during peacetime, SSAFA has provided lifelong support to service personnel, veterans, and their families.

The Cordwainers’ links with SSAFA have grown gradually, partly via our connection with the Fusiliers. In 2017–18 the Company will fundraise for SSAFA’s mentoring programme, which aims to support members of the armed forces who have been medically discharged to make a successful transition to civilian life. Trained volunteer mentors are matched with individuals who are leaving the military to help motivate, support and empower them to fulfil their potential in civilian life.

The need for trained mentors is growing and SSAFA would like to train a further 60 volunteers to ensure that this valuable service reaches everyone who needs help. The cost of training a SSAFA volunteer mentor is £500.

The Events Committee are finalising details of the Company fundraising activities: words such as ‘Sandhurst’ and ‘assault course’ are being bandied about. More details will become available over the summer, so start polishing your boots!

The Peal family

Introducing2017–18the new Master,

The Cordwainer 11

Obituaries

Colin was born on 30th April 1924, the eldest son of Lt.Col. Edward Peal, and was educated at Winchester College, where he excelled at sport despite missing two years through illness. (Indeed, Colin was completely deaf in his right ear – I wonder how many of us realised this!)

He took up an engineering apprenticeship with Vickers-Armstrongs, which led to his appointment as General Manager of Thorneycroft New Zealand in 1954. It was here that he met and married Patricia in 1956. In 1957 he moved to Australia as a Regional Manager of Thorneycroft, but resigned in 1961 following the merger with AEC, and in 1962 moved back to England. He then set up his own business, Peal & Co (Distributors), as well as becoming director of various other companies. He was admitted to the Freedom in June 1945, and clothed in January 1947. He served as Junior Warden in 1962 and in 1976 he joined the Court. Colin himself was elected Master in 1982, during the last year of the Clerk Leonard Grose’s year of office. Arguably Colin’s most notable contribution was when serving as Chairman of the Cordwainers’ College from 1983 until 2000. Then, in difficult

circumstances, he wisely masterminded the transfer of the College to the London College of Fashion. However, it was as Father of the Company from 2009 that we all really took him to heart, through his wise counsel, and sympathetic ear. Colin hardly ever failed to attend Court meetings, right up to the end. We greatly missed his Christmas and New Year greetings at the Carol Service in December, as well as his succinct and amusing congratulatory words at the Master’s last Court. He leaves his wife Pat, three sons (liverymen Simon and Tim, and Andrew, a Past Warden) and several grandchildren. He was a truly wonderful gentleman, with so many talents, and set the standard we, Cordwainers, should seek to achieve.

Past Master Paddy Skinner

David joined the Company as a Freeman in January 1949, and the Livery sometime during the same year. He served as Steward Warden in 1963, became a Court Member in 1979, then served as Master in 1983–84 during Christopher Codrington’s first year as Clerk, when they became firm friends.

ObituariesPast Master Colin Peal, 1924–2016, Father of the Company

David knew by the age of ten that he wanted to go to sea and went to study at Pangbourne Nautical College, joining the Merchant Navy with the Cunard Line in 1942 as an apprentice. He sailed in the North Atlantic Convoys with the occasional side trip to South America and Australia, seeing the scuttled Graf Spee in the River Plate, and returning home via the Panama Canal and Iceland. Following the war he decided that he wanted to leave the sea and become a farmer so, after the required year on a farm, he studied at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. In 1951 David met Mary, who was visiting friends and asked her to the Ladies’ Dinner in May 1952. They married on 4 October 1952 in Dulwich, and remained together until her death last year, a mutually supportive unit. They had three children, Jeremy, our most recent Past Master, Susan, our first lady Warden, and William, a Past Warden. He was immensely proud of them all. He was a member of the Charity Committee for 16 years and attended Court meetings until a third hip operation made it difficult and then impossible to travel. David was much admired, respected and loved. The Court has had to accept David’s absence for some time, but will be pleased to know that he followed the progress of the Company closely and with great interest up to the moment of his death.

Past Master Geoff Blanford

Tom joined the Company as a Freeman in January 1959 and became a Liveryman in 1961. He was appointed to the Court in 1989 and served as Master in 1993 to 1994. Those of us who were there will remember Tom’s speech at his Oath Day Dinner when he dropped his notes and gave his speech in the reverse order.

Tom was born in April 1930, the youngest of four children. His two older brothers, Tony and Geoffrey were both Cordwainers as was his father Alven Upfill-Brown. But they were all living a lie. They weren’t Upfills. They were really Weber-Browns. Tom’s father became engaged to a Miss Joyce Upfill, whose only brother had been killed in the First World War. Joyce’s father gave his consent to the marriage as long as they took the name Upfill. Despite protestations from Alven’s father, Harry Weber-Brown, a good British compromise was reached. They became Upfill-Browns. Tom remembered visiting Cordwainers Hall in Cannon Street before it was destroyed by enemy action in 1941. He played golf for the Cordwainers and he was an accomplished bridge player, being captain of the Cordwainers bridge team for several years and partnering Past Master Jeremy Blanford. Tom never married, despite two reluctant attempts, and he is survived by his sister Jill, who accompanied him to many Cordwainer events.

Past Master Tim Weber-Brown

Past Master David Blanford 1925–2017 Past Master Thomas Upfill-Brown 1930–2017

Events Calendar 2017-18

Jul 7th Fri

Oath Day Common HallFisher’s, Minge’s and Wild’s Anniversary Service (St Katharine Cree)Supper

16:1518:00

19:00

BA A

Sep 4th Mon Events Committee 18.30

Sep 21st Thur Junior Members’ Event (Clothworkers’ Hall) 18:30 C

Sep 29th Fri Lord Mayor’s Election 11:00 B

Oct 5th Thu

Charity Committee Finance and Resources Committee Master and Wardens Meeting Court Court Supper

11:3014:0016:3017:15

Nov 1st Wed

Cordwainers Educational Trust (CET)Freedom CommitteeMaster and Wardens MeetingCourt Court Supper

11:0014:0016:1517:15

Nov 7th Tues Fusiliers’ Dinner (Clothworkers’ Hall) 19:00 A

Nov 16th Thu Marsden Lecture (Royal Free Hospital) 17:00 A

Nov 22nd Wed Festival of St Cecilia (Westminster Cathedral) 11:00

Nov 28th Tues Cordwainers’ Footwear Education Dinner 18:30

Dec 4th Mon Events Committee 18:30

Dec 7th Thu

Finance and Resources Committee Master and Wardens MeetingCourtAdmission and Clothing CeremonyCarol Service - (St Mary Aldermary)Light Supper

13:0014:2014:4016:1018:1519:30

AA

Jan 4th Thu Ladies’ 12th Night Court Dinner 18:00

Jan 9th Tue Wine Committee 11:15

Jan 15th Mon AGM Royal Free Hospital Nurses Trust (Venue: Royal Free Hospital) 15:30

Feb 7th Wed

Freedom Committee Finance and Resources CommitteeMaster and Wardens MeetingCourtCourt Supper

12:0014:3016:3017:15

Mar 5th Mon Events Committee 18:30

Mar 6th Tues Harben Armoury Trust AGM (Cordwainers’ Office) 12:30

Mar 9th Fri Civic Dinner 18:30 B

Mar 16th Fri United Guilds’ Service (St Paul’s Cathedral) 11:15 D

Apr 11th Wed

Freedom CommitteeCharity Committee Master and Wardens Meeting Court Came’s, Minge’s and Shawe’s Anniversary Sermon (St Olave’s)Apprentices’ Supper

10:3013:0015:00 15:3017:15

18:30

E

E

May 17th Thu Inter-Livery Golf ‘Prince Arthur Cup’ (Walton Heath)

May 18th Fri Livery Dinner 18:30 F

Jun 4th Mon Events Committee 18:30

Jun 6th Wed Cordwainers/Curriers Golf Day (Piltdown)

Jun 7th Thu Cordwainers National Footwear Student Awards F

Jun 20th Wed

Freedom CommitteeFinance and Resources Committee Court Election Day Common HallSupper

12:0014:3016:30 18:0019:00

BB

Jul 4th Wed

Oath Day Common Hall Fisher’s, Minge’s and Wild’s Anniversary Service (St Katharine Cree) Supper

16:15 18:00

19:00

A A A

Notice Board

The Clerk is delighted to hear from all Cordwainers. Please remember to tell the office about changes of address and your family news.

© 2017 The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. The Cordwainer is published twice a year. Copies are retained at the Cordwainers’ office. Contact the editor via the Cordwainers’ office: office@cordwainers.org or telephone +44 (0) 20 7929 1121. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, Clothworkers’ Hall, Dunster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AH.

Sports Column

Prince Arthur Cup The Cordwainers have maintained their reputation as one of the strongest livery golf teams, achieving ninth place (out of 52) in the annual Prince Arthur Cup competition. They achieved this despite a last-minute team crisis, when Michael Payne stepped in to replace an injured Shon Williams. Congratulations to the Cordwainers team (Cameron Brown, David Walker, Michael Payne and John Peal) for the top ten ranking. East Tankard We contested the annual competition with the Curriers for the East Tankard with a smaller team than our rivals and lost by the narrowest of margins. It was a very enjoyable (and windy!) day and let’s hope for a stronger challenge next year. David Walker won the Cordwainer Cup, narrowly pipping Paddy Skinner. If you would like to join the Cordwainers golf team, please contact Past Warden David Walker (davidwalker878@gmail.com) who would love to recruit new golfers! Inter-Livery Clay Shoot Under the leadership of Arthur Chamberlain, the Cordwainers team survived an incredibly wet day at the Inter-Livery Clay Shoot to emerge 40th out of 108 teams. Having been 36th at lunchtime, the Cordwainers were hopeful that they could retain this position and win a prize for their chosen charity, but sadly the Clothworkers edged ahead to win it. Congratulations to Mark Shaw and Michael Payne, who emerged at joint 38th positon out of 432 guns. A few weeks later the Cordwainer team entered the Inter-Livery Rifle Shoot at Bisley, emerging 24th out of 47, despite technical problems with Arthur’s sights. Congratulations to James Shaw, who put in a fantastic performance, winning first place overall.

A - All Liverymen, Freemen, Court and Company Widows invited.B - All Liverymen invited.C - All junior Liverymen, Freemen and Freeborn children (aged 18-20) of Liverymen invited. D - Senior Livery invited.E - All Freemen and Freeborn children (aged 14-20) of Liverymen invited.F - All Liverymen, Court and Company Widows invited.

Births Freyja Mai Marshall daughter of Liveryman Sian Williams and David Andrew Marshall, born on 22nd November 2016.

Marriage Congratulations to Liveryman Tom Salt who married Charlotte Mulliner on 24th September 2016 at All Saints Church, Brixworth, Northants (the same church where Tom’s parents were married).

Events Calendar