The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects

Newsletter
From the Master

Issue 24 - May 2011

I am now well into my year as Master and have behind me various events which provide insight into what other companies are doing. Before becoming Master my knowledge of other companies was limited and I had little means of knowing what activities they were involved in, except what I was told by Past Masters, the Clerk or dual liverymen. Now the involvement is first hand it inevitably leads to questions beginning with 'should we be thinking about ....'?. For example, we have no Milo lecture this year when others are promoting a variety of talks; also its a few years since we had a banquet at the Mansion House. There are subjects like having a hall, obtaining a Royal Charter, considering the range of events, dinner costs and fund-raising. These subjects get raised particularly between the modern companies. We do well on the number, variety and cost of functions but they seldom involve other companies, which is one reason why the Milo Lecture was important. Dinner costs are a cause for concern and indeed are for all companies without their own hall where hire costs need to be factored into the ticket price. I was surprised to discover that even some companies with Halls have ticket prices similar to our own while some companies even have subsidised or free meals for their liverymen. Fund-raising is interesting - the advice from skilled achievers in other companies has been to think big (ie. millions ) think long term and provide memorial scholarships and the like as a specific focus. If we need it, help and advice is on offer. Two modern companies with the help of benefactors, have established their own hall / accommodation in the City. Although these bring liabilities the option can be attractive. My own thoughts are that a start could be made with a city flat which could serve a number of purposes such as Masters overnight accommodation, committee meeting room, robe and storage facility, city address etc. This is not likely to happen anytime soon but things can change. On the matter of Royal Charter, the Constructors recently had their Charter presented by H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester- (I did ask him as an architect, if he would consider joining us, but he was politely non-committal). From what I heard the process has attracted sponsors and helped in raising charity monies. A key component in all the things I mention is membership, which I've 'banged' on about in both of my previous news letters , we are small and it is vitally important to remember that we need to increase membership.To keep an understanding of where we are going I propose to ask the Court if we can include an annual report on our numerical position. I am aware that most if not all of the matters that I mention above have previously been discussed in committee or in Court but if any of you feel it might be time for a review please let me or the Clerk know. There is a report on the recent trip to Valencia elsewhere but it would be remiss of me to let this opportunity pass without thanking those who were involved and helped make the visit possible. Firstly my thanks to all who came on the trip and made it so enjoyable and in particular Yasmin Shariff, who made the introduction for the Calatrava office visit , Alex King for his help, advice and photo skills (see the company blog) and David Cole-Adams for his sound advice and 'Clerking' skills. With two days to go I received four different emails, each could have had a disastrous effect on the arrangements and caused me some stress, but in the event it all seemed to work out well. I now have the very pleasant prospect of representing the company at The Queen's Garden Party in June and joining other Liveries for a long weekend at Ironbridge and I will let you have a report on these in the next newsletter. I shall now be turning my attention to the reprogrammed trip to Chichester for Early September and the date might well be fixed by the time you receive this news letter.
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News from the Court

The April or Accounts Court is, from the Clerk's perspective, the least welcome of the year. While he is equipped with some cunning software which is capable of regurgitating the numbers he enters into the system in a host of fascinating combinations, he struggles to relate them to what the very helpful accountants produce for presentation to the Court. A satisfactory conclusion was reached and the accounts for the year to 30 June 2010 (happily showing that expenditure was balanced by income) were duly signed off. There was also a report on the situation for the current year and approval in principle of a draft budget for the year commencing on 1 July. It is certain that there would be a shortfall of income if there was not a modest increase in quarterage. We are faced with increasing costs of hall and church hire and of catering; postage costs are rampant etc. The Court reluctantly accepted that quarterage needed to rise by 30 for a full year with effect from July1 and it is this sum which will be collected through the direct debit system. There was discussion on a range of topics covering the future of the Aldgate Arch project (likely to go ahead only on a substantially reduced scale due to budget constraints and a lack of adequate sponsorship), the possible linking with a London based Cadet Unit and the proposal to award Student Drawing Prizes in lieu of those formerly given at the RA Summer Exhibition. The Master was pleased to be able to admit three new Freemen at the meeting - Paul Finch. Christopher Johnson and Polly Damen. Their details appear below. Paul Finch OBE Hon FRIBA A Londoner, Paul took a History Degree at Selwyn College Cambridge before going into architectural journalism. He was deputy Editor of Estates Times from 1976 -1983, Editor of Building Design 1983 -1994, Architects' Journal (1994 - 99) and The Architectural Review 2005 - 09. He served as a Commissioner at CABE, its Deputy Chairman from 1999 - 2007 and Chairman from 2009 - 2011. He chaired the Olympic Design Review from 2006 to 2010 and has been Joint Editor of Planning in London since 1994. Currently Paul is Chairman of Design Council CABE

(following the merger of the two organizations in April, Director of the World Architecture Festival and Inside World Festival of Interiors and Editorial Director of both the Architectural Review and Architects' Journal. He was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA in 1994, was granted an Honorary Doctorate from University of Westminster in 2004 and an Honorary Fellowship from University College London in 2006. He is also an Honorary member of the British Council for Offices and was awarded an OBE for his services to architecture in 2002. Paul has long given service to the Company in his role as Chairman of the New City Architecture Awards Jury for many years. Christopher Johnson BA(Hons) Dip Arch (Birm) RIBA Chris has worked in London for the past 25 years for two of the world's largest practices As one of the first UK employees of SOM's London office, he cut his teeth on the Bishopsgate Project and was re-located to Chicago to work in the US office under the direction of Bruce Graham. Back in London he worked on an array of projects around the world finishing with leading the design for the Schroder's headquarters in Gresham Street. In the 14 years he has been with Gensler, Chris has enjoyed a multitude of projects ranging from the award winning Headquarters for GCHQ in Cheltenham, to the Gate Building for the DIFC Headquarters in Dubai. However his heart has always been in the City of London where Gensler's London office is located and his most recent award winning project is the Thames River Park, conceived by Chris and currently under design development for completion by the Queens Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in June 2012. A member of Gensler's Board for the past 10 years, he has helped the firm grow enabling it to become a key player on the global architectural stage. Increasing the usability of buildings through innovation and cross fertilization of different creative industries is Chris' passion, as is the delivery of enlightened solutions that create enhanced customer satisfaction. 2

Chris has also spearheaded Gensler London's Community Outreach programme, a recipient of two Dragon Awards - for the delivery of pro bono works for projects such as Centre Point and Hackney City Farm as well as the innovative 'Art for Kids' campaign. Chris has five children, lives in Clerkenwell and is a member of the ULI, CoreNet and BCO Polly Damen BSc (Hons) BArch (Hons) RIBA Polly took her Parts 1 and 2 courses at Bath University and her Part 3 at the AA in 2003. She currently works as an Associate Director at Assael Architecture. Much of her early experience was gained outside the UK working with three different practices in Milan prior to qualifying and moving to Hong Kong where she work-ed for Wong and Ouyang for two and a half years. Her return to Europe saw her working in Paris on residen-tial schemes for Pierre Rousse. On her return to the UK she had stints with Chapman Taylor and John Seiffert Architects involved in the redevelopment of the Gare de Lyon and a hotel in Disneyland, Paris. She currently leads a design team at Assael for the master planning and regeneration of Erith to include housing, a hotel and commercial users. Among her other work are a residential tower in Stratford and a luxury residential development in Bayswater. Polly is fluent in Italian and French. She loves skiing, Italian food and Scandinavian design.

Company's guests. The winners of the new City Architecture Awards and a couple of Commendations were announced with the certificates being presented by Sir Alexander. Details of the recipients appear later.

pictured above are the Clerk, Mrs Susan Wilkey, The Upper Warden, Mrs Valerie King, Sir Alexander Graham, The Master. Lady Graham, the Renter Warden. Mrs Ann Yorke, the Junior Warden and the Rev Canon David Parrott.

Following the Court meeting there was an informal gathering of Company Students and their Mentors along with members of the Court and Charity and Education Committee in the Church of St Mary Woolnoth. This gathering had been arranged by the Master of Students & Junior Warden Jaki Howes and student Alex Scott-Whitby who, by dint of his occupation of the churchs belfry as a studio (more details of which appear later), was given permission to host the evening and to take escorted parties up to the tower. He gave a short talk about the building and Past Master Roger France talked about the work of the architect - Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Recent Events
The annual Livery Banquet was held in the splendid surroundings of Merchant Taylors' Hall on 23 March. Despite the fact that the Great Kitchen of the Hall has been in use for over 650 years, its current staff produced an excellent meal following a reception in the cloisters and courtyard. The principal guest - former Lord Mayor Sir Alexander Graham GBE responded to the Master's toast to the

Thanks are due to both and to Rosemary Curry who assisted in ensuring that there supplies of wine, bread and cheese were available to ensure that the event was an enjoyable one.
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As noted by Master the visit to Valencia was a great success - one of the participants, Jaki Howes writes: Supercalatravaexpeditionalaudacious was how the Renter Warden described the trip to Valencia when thanking the Master and his wife at the Saturday night dinner. Spot on, Mervyn. The four days were filled with interesting events and visits.

Twenty eight people arrived at the Hotel Ingles on the Thursday by various routes and had time to rest, explore or acclimatise before dinner at which copious amounts of delicious food and wine were consumed. The Hotel is to be recommended as it is central and comfortable. After a briefing by the Master the next day the party was divided into 'the Architects' and 'the Arts' groups. The Arts group were taken on a walking tour of the old city by Malek Murad Mateu. He is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable architect who teaches at Escuela Technica Superior de Arquitectura. One of the highlights was the Silk Exchange - a 15th Century building with twisted "barley sugar" columns. The Architects went to Calatrava's office, where German Fornes spoke about the background of the practice. Manuel Alcaide described the development of the Opera House. There was a lively question and answer session. Both groups made their way via lunch to the Opera House, whilst the Master delivered a book on London Architecture, signed by the Lord Mayor, to Valencia City Officials for their Mayor.

Not everyone did the same thing. There were a few blisters, sore knees, confusion about north not being 'up' on the tourist map, and nasty culinary surprises but over-all it was wonderful. Valencia was founded by the Romans in 138BC. It has been occupied by many invaders including the Moors (c714 to 1238); all have left lasting influences. The ancient walled city was bounded to the North and East by the River Turia. The walls have disappeared apart from the road pattern and two impressive medieval gates. After a devastating flood in 1957 the River Turia was diverted to the west and south of the city. The old river bed has been transformed into a 7km urban park accommodating football pitches, tennis courts, parks, fountains and a range of public amenities. The original bridges remain. At the north west extreme, the Parque de Cabacera is a major piece of recent urban landscape, with man-made hills and lakes; at the south east is the Cuidad de las Artes y de las Ciencias. This is dominated by Santiago Calatravas glistening white Opera House and Science Museum.

At the Opera House the Architects were given a technical tour (including the under stage) by architect Ignaco Alcaniz . The Arts Group were shown some softer parts, including the dressing rooms by Veronique Fortier and Elena Lopez. This was all fascinating and thought provoking and resulted animated

after-visit discussion about design quality, sense of place and the efficacy of the whole development. The day ended with another excellent and long dinner.

more of the wonders of the city.

Coming Events
The annual Lunch on the SB Ardwina is scheduled for Wednesday 8 June. The talk by Adrian Barlow - a lecturer in English and Architecture at Cambridge - on the work of Charles Eamer Kempe and GF Bodley has been well supported and few places remain available. Similarly the 16 June outing to Lutyens' Goddards & Munstead Wood has enjoyed great support and only a couple of places are available. Common Hall for the Election of the Sheriffs and other City officers takes place on Friday 24 June. This will be followed by lunch (among members of other Companies) at Founders' Hall - a calling notice accompanies this newsletter. There has been something of a rush of blood to the head this year with no fewer than four candidates contesting the two Sheriff positions. The Aldermanic candidate Alan Yarrow is likely to enjoy the full support of the Livery leaving Wendy Mead, Nick Bonham and Andrew Whitton to contest the Lay Sheriff position. There will be a show of hands at Common Hall which will hopefully produce overwhelming support for Alan Yarrow and one of the other candidates. If not then a ballot will be called for on Friday 8 July. This may be the proverbial surfeit of democracy. All who were Liverymen before 31 May 2010 are encouraged to take part in the election but please ensure that you have your pass for Common Hall which is available from the Clerk. The Annual Service and Election Court Dinner take place on Tuesday 5 July at St Mary Woolnoth and Salters' Hall respectively - calling notices giving all the details (previously sent to those with email addresses) accompany this newsletter. The Master hopes that there will be a full house on the occasion on which we honour Coxswains from the Tower Lifeboat Station and present the WCCA Award to the person judged to have done most in raising the profile of or funds for the benefit of the Architects' Benevolent Association. Despite the change of venue for the service, the Company's Honorary Chaplain will officiate and the Organist and choir from St Lawrence Jewry will provide the accustomed music.
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Having noted the wear and tear on some parts of the group, the Master hired a bus, plus wonder guide Malek. We were shown important sites on the way to Parque de Cabecera (shown above) where there was a walk about; the unfinished football stadium on the way to Norman Foster's Conference Centre (refreshments here); Cala-trava's bridge and underground station in Parque Turia and then to the Chipperfield America's Cup Building (below left). This was greatly admired, apart from the smell of docks and fish. The building was closed for election purposes. The group fragmented for lunch on the seafront and beach. Again, there were mixed reports from delicious to disastrous. The bus returned to the Hotel, where Malek was thanked for his comprehensive guidance. A few architects then went with him on a walk to pick up some of the highlights they had missed. Another megadinner in the evening, at which the Renter and Junior Wardens presented the Master and his Wife with a book on Islamic decoration in Valencia and a fan. Prior to most leaving for the U on Sunday, many went to the Museo de Belles Artes, via the cathedral, the Valencia marathon or the shops. Here there is a fascinating / revolting major collection of graphic religious iconography, full of severed heads and flowing blood. Not for the fainthearted. There was an exhibition of delightful photography that was uplifting. Some people stayed for another two days and experienced

There are various other functions in the final planning stage for the current year - a visit to Mansion House, a visit the Shard and a trip to Chichester. Details will be sent out as soon as these are available. The Installation Court Lunch is scheduled for Monday 12 September in Armourers Hall. The principal guest is to be Angela Brady who will, at the time, be in her first week as President of the RIBA. Open House Weekend falls on Saturday & Sunday 17-18 September and, once again, Stephen Wagstaffe and Patricia Stefanowicz will be organizing the stewarding of those City churches able to be open on the days. They will welcome any support you are able to give them if you feel that you can spare a morning or afternoon during the weekend. No particular complications with the voting are expected at Common Hall for the election of the Lord Mayor on Monday 3 October. Again, a lunch will be available following the formalities - details will be available in due course. The only other event currently planned for the year is the Christmas Carol Service at St Lawrence Jewry on Tuesday 13 December. Details to follow.

New City Architecture Award for 2010

The New City architecture Award presented at the Banquet was won by the British Land tower and office block at 201 Bishopsgate (above right). The architects were SOM. The report of the judges (Paul Finch OBE (Chairman), the Master, Dr Mervyn Miller (Renter Warden), Howard Copping and Michael Bailey; assisted by the Clerk) was as follows: Of the 12 buildings / installations visited, one - the New Court development for Rothschild on St Swithin's Lane, was held over for next year since the key public elements of the project were not accessible at the time. Mention was made of the retail and residential project at 12-18 Artillery Lane E1 and 120 Middlesex Street, admired for its brise soleil in the attractive shared courtyard space. A positive addition to the area. The Architects was ORMS, and the client Artillery Lane Ltd. A commendation was awarded for a pair of projects by the City Corporation's Street Scene Team.

The first, carried out in conjunction with Architects Freeland Rees Roberts is the relocation of the St Lawrence Jewry drinking fountain to the south of St Paul's Cathedral, by Carter Lane Gardens. The juxtaposition of High Victorian with Wren was enjoyed.

The second - the improvements to Bow Churchyard were felt to be an oasis of relative tranquillity off busy Cheapside - the collaborating architects are Burns and Nice. A high commendation was awarded to the redevelopment of the site known as The Walbrook bounded by Walbrook, Cannon Street and St Swithin's Lane. The architect was Foster and Partners, the client Minerva.
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The judges regarded this as an impressive contribution to the City's streetscape, partly because of the way louvres have been deployed to blur the junction between elevation and roof in a pleasing way. This is particularly evident from the restored public courtyard garden next to the building, where the geometry of the roof is most impressive. The large (visible) foyer on Walbrook was admired, as was the neat turning of corners. The judges looked forward to occupation of the retail space. On balance, the judges felt that this year's winner made the biggest contribution to provision of new public space in the City, partly because it had the greatest opportunity. The opportunity has been taken with relish, and the architect, SOM, has provided British Land, with a spectacular addition to its Broadgate estate at 201 Bishopsgate. The development comprises a tower and horizontal block, with a glazed roof connecting them, providing a through route which links seamlessly to the rest of the Broadgate / Liverpool Street Station area. The drama of the space between the buildings stems partly from volume, but in particular from a series of huge buttress structural elements which take load from the tower. In terms of scale this was the most powerful design the judges saw, but at the smaller scale of public realm, attention to detail was evident in the paving, seating, and lighting installation. Last but not least, the inclusion of a raised lawn element, and a hanging garden wall now growing, was a welcome complement to the hard landscaping of a development well worth visiting.

The Work of Members

It is largely due to Alex Scott-Whitby that the venue for this year's annual Service is St Mary Woolnoth. Following the reception at this church and receipt of the news that there was to be a noisy concert in Guildhall Yard at the same time that we were holding our service it was felt that Alex's temporary home might be a a most acceptable alternate venue. Alex is a member of the 'Free Unit' at London Metropolitan University. The unit specialises in self directed study where the tutors eavesdrop on the conversation rather than direct it. In this light last year Alex set off on his journey back into architectural education with The City of London as his destination. The Journey started with Alex working with the RSPB to encourage London's highest inhabitants (The Peregrine Falcon) to nest in a series of designed boxes lifted high up on to the nooks and crannies of the City's high rise office and residential blocks. During this period he came across a series of seemingly forgotten spaces within the church spires of the City of London's Churches. After climbing through many of these spaces he found the belfry of St Mary Woolnoth. Here he persuaded the vicar and the verger to let him use the space in return for a donation. He now uses this space as his studio, and is currently working with the Diocese of London and The city to create a series of low rent studio spaces for young creative people within these once forgotten spires. Laurie Chetwood working with Patrick Collins won a third gold medal for their record-breaking nine metre tall B&Q Show Garden at last weeks RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The gardens imaginary urban concept aimed to highlight the importance of individuals and communities embracing sustainable food production in the city in order to protect the supply chain. It also sought to demonstrate how everyone could use any available space in an urban setting to develop new local and sustainable food growing spaces while enhancing urban greening. The garden represented a development of ideas first showcased in Laurie and Patricks winning proposal in a design competition held last year by the Company of Chartered Architects as their contribution to the 800th anniversary of the building of London Bridge.
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The award and Commendation winners are seen above with the Master and Sir Alexander Graham.

The garden also emphasised the importance of engaging communities and educating young people in the sustainable food production debate, with UK Youth groups and schools contributing to the design and implementation of various elements such as a 90 room insect hotel to encourage biodiversity. Chetwoods Architects specialise in developing and implementing socially, environmentally and economically sustainable architecture. Past Master Roger France played an interesting part in the establishment of what is now the Brunel Museum located in Rotherhithe.

The competition design for a new inhabited version of London Bridge included a self-sufficient organic farm and commercial centre that would take advantage of renewable energy generation, efficient use of water, solar heating, and natural ventilation. It was described by the judges as a beautifully presented scheme, wildly imaginative yet very thoroughly considered, both in terms of its construction and how it could sit within the wider context. Although conceptual, The B&Q Garden at Chelsea sought to demonstrate how many elements of a traditional allotment could be located in a wide range of urban settings represented in the 9-metre tall tower block and 5-metre high 90 room insect hotel. Elements from a typical urban garden were super scaled up such as a water tower metaphor in the giant vertical water butt, a vertical composter and greenhouse. The gardens grid layout and arrangement of structures reflected its urban theme. It was laid out to replicate a model Modernist landscape, mixing typical urban profiles with references to horizontal and vertical allotments. Its central structure embodied many environmentally sustainable features including a hydroponic green wall fed by an imaginary borehole stored in a water tower powered by a wind turbine and photovoltaic wall to convert daylight into electricity.

Roger writes: In 1968 I was appointed leader of the Special Areas Team in the Planning Department of Southwark. At that time we were pleased to have achieved the declaration of the first six conservation areas in the Borough, our response to the Civic Amenities Act of 1967. St Mary's Rotherhithe was one of those areas. Hay's Wharf had recently gone out of business leaving many warehouses empty and in a poor state of upkeep. I was intrigued by the small building with a chimney on the east of the area which housed a monumental mason's workshop which I suspected related to the railway tunnel that ran underneath. A quick search in the library proved that this was an engine house used during the construction of the Brunel tunnel underneath. Shortly afterwards a seemingly innocent piece of paper appeared in my 'IN' tray. It was an A4-sized Ordnance Survey map of the east part of the conservation area and had the engine house site coloured brown. In town planning conventions brown represents housing. This had come from the Greater London Council which had parallel powers in those days with respect to matters of town planning and housing. The document had 'consultation' status. In other words, the GLC wanted the site for housing purposes. It had the powers and resources to
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implement, so this piece of paper was the sign that it was intent on proceeding. Meetings were held with a representative of the Department of Housing and Local Government to see whether the tunnel shaft itself might be listed. Being connected to the engine house, this would be helpful. Protection by way of listing was likely to be more successful than through conservation area designation. The answer was it wasn't 'architectural' enough and was invisible underground.

over, the area was turning itself around: craft worshops now occupied some of the old warehouse buildings and others were even being converted into flats. Now there could be no housing on the Brunel site. My role in the saving of the site was now long past; its evolution into the museum that we know today was to be the handiwork of others.

Master of Students Report - Travel Award and Drawing Prizes

Rather than presenting a prize for the best architectural drawing at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition over the last two years, it was decided to allocate the charitable funds involved for the benefit of a hard hit architectural student community. Last year a grant was made to the RIBA's Student Hardship fund and in the current year it was decided by the Charity and Education Committee that we should look again to architectural draughtsmanship - in this case, from London based students. Entries will be invited with all 9 London Region schools of architecture asked to submit the best drawings from both their Part 1 and Part 2 courses. Two first prizes (one from each of Part 1 and Part 2) of 250 will be awarded along with two runners-up prizes of 125. Jaki Howes will handle the logistics of the Competition assisted by Alex ScottWhitby. There was a substantial increase in the number of applications for the 2011 Stuart Murphy Travel Award with 11 entries (from 5 schools) being considered. Six were short-listed and the students were interviewed and a decision was reached that the award would be split between two students. Naveen Amandakumar - a student from London Metropolitan University - sought help to fund a project running workshops in hard to reach communities in Sri Lanka aimed at establishing what the communities might like to see incorporated into proposals for post civil war redevelopment . David Fenster from Greenwich University aims to travel to China to look at the policies for the retention of old /historic structures when considering plans for the rapid redevelopment of Chongquin. He will see if it is possible to establish a meaningful comparison to similar policies in the City of London.
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Brunels Grand Entrance Hall - built above ground ad allowed to sink under its own weight - photo courtesy of The Brunel Museum

I went into overdrive; after all Brunel was involved. These were still early days with respect to formal public participation, but I thought it worth a try and spent time phoning local and national amenity societies and editors of railway magazines to engage their interest, alerting them to the danger of the loss of a valuable structure, and making the suggestion that the building might be more profitably used to celebrate the achievements of Brunel father and son as a museum, perhaps displaying some of the artifacts of their achievements. Shortly afterwards I moved on from Southwark; the fate of the Engine House was left for others to pursue. I was surprised, when about four years later I visited the conservation area to discover that it had been granted 'outstanding' status. A Central Government grant had been received to help smarten up the forecourt with paving, and the monumental mason had moved on. More-

Charitable Trust
In order to give the Charitable Trust funds a much needed boost the Charity Steward - Jane Lamb - and her colleagues have launched a couple of specific initiatives. Firstly, they are preparing a small leaflet setting out the basic facts about the Charitable Trust, how members can support it and how the Company needs to respond to the obligations placed on all Companies to do their utmost in the area of charitable donations to worthy organizations and individuals. An amazing statistic produced in a small leaflet published by the Mercers' Company in collaboration with the other Companies advises that, in 2006 (the last year for which such figures were collated) the companies collectively gave a total of 41 million to charitable causes. Of this the main beneficiaries were the welfare and education sectors. We as a Company would like to be able to play a much larger part than we currently do, but we do need the support of all members. The second initiative is the printing of a Company card. While this is seen as a card for the Christmas market, it will have no specific message inside so that it can be used for general purposes or, indeed, overprinted with your individual message. It is proposed to sell these at competitive prices to raise funds for the Trust. We are grateful to Jane Lamb's husband, artist Francis Farmar for allowing us to use of one of his paintings of the City on the front of the card. At this stage the cards are not yet available but it is hoped that the next newsletter will be accompanied by an illustration and order form so that you can purchase your supplies in good time for the festive season.

lecture; it has its own library for the use of members on many topics relating to London at Sir Mortimer Wheeler House near King's Cross, and it operates a book sale scheme. Any members of the Company who wish to know more are invited to look at its website www.londonsociety.org.uk

Company Bow Ties (would you believe) It appears increrasingly likely that the long-awaited delivery of the bow ties is now imminent. The Clerk is told that there may be a few more that ordered so those who may now want one of these fashion accessories may apply to the Clerk.

Of General Interest
Members may not be aware of the existence of the London Society which was founded in 1912 to act as a resource for the general appreciation of the artistic heritage of London, and for the general improvement of it as a city. This was, of course, well in advance of the sophisticated system of town and country planning that we now enjoy and / or labour with or against as well as of the existence of a veritable plethora of more recent national and local amenity societies. Irrespective, it holds its annual Bannister Fletcher

David Cole-Adams The Clerk The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects 82A Muswell Hill Road London N10 3JR www.architects-livery-company.org www.architects-livery-company.blogspot.com

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