The Drapers' Journal 2018 - The Drapers' Company
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The
Drapers’
Journal
2018
The Drapers’ Journal 2018
2 The Master and Wardens 2017-18
From left to right: Renter Warden, Admiral of the Fleet The Master, Steven Beharrell; Second Master Warden, Timothy
Lord Boyce; Master Warden, Professor Philip Ogden; the Orchard; Junior Warden, Professor Morag Shiach.
Contents
A Review of the Year Enduring connections, Company Activities Governance and
3 Remaining Relevant old & new 34 70 Years a Draper Membership
4 Reflections on a Master’s 12 Draperstown 38 Planning an Event: why not 58 Governance and the
Year 14 The Honourable the Irish hold it at Drapers’ Hall? Membership
Society 40 FODAH 60 The Junior Warden
Charities Review 16 Support for Harold Hill 41 The Drapers’ Barge Royal 61 Obituary: Past Master
9 ‘An enduring force for Community Thamesis and her outings Richard Beharrell
good’ 18 The Textile Working Group during 2017 62 The Drapers’ Medal
10 Westminster School’s 20 The Drapers’ Multi- 63 Company Staff
Academic Enrichment Academy Trust Sporting News 64 Forthcoming Events
Programme 22 Blundell’s School links with 42 Drapers’ sporting 65 Dinners
11 The Sick Children’s Trust the Drapers’ Company endeavours
24 Kirkham Grammar School: 44 What good sports!
Enter in order to profit
26 Outreach at St Anne’s History The views expressed in this
College, Oxford 46 Faith and Fraternity Journal are those of the
28 The Gift of Education 48 Bells4StGeorgeYpres authors and not necessarily
30 Drapers’ Company those of the Drapers’
Grinling Gibbons Scholars Military Affiliations Company or of the Editor.
at City & Guilds of London 50 HMS Monmouth
Art School 52 The Welsh Guards in 2017 Editor: Penelope Fussell
32 The Mansion House 54 71st (City of London) Copyright © 2018
Scholarship Scheme Yeomanry Signal Regiment
56 RAF Shawbury The Worshipful Company
of Drapers
The Company’s Year 2017-18 | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
Remaining Relevant
By Colonel Richard Winstanley OBE, the Clerk
Last summer, the Immediate Past Master Mercer invited Thamesis, taking part in the Vogalonga. The Bargemaster
all 110 livery companies to come together in support of gives you a good insight (on page 41) into the Barge’s
a future collaborative project. Its purpose was, and activities this past year.
remains, to better unify the livery movement, quietly Close to home, don’t forget that the Company will
demonstrating to the wider community that it remains a match-fund your sponsorship monies raised through
force for good. Nine months later, what has emerged is charitable endeavours (page 42) up to £2,500 in any one
a greater understanding of how, and in what arenas, we year, and the myriad of sporting activities that you can take
all operate, what is and may in the future be of mutual part in (page 44).
interest and most importantly the need to remain With the commemoration of WW1 this year, the
relevant in a society wary of status and exclusivity. ‘Bells4StGeorgeYpres’ article (on page 46) is a timely
reminder of the 19 members of the Company and staff who
The Court is currently in the early stages of a strategic lost their lives in the conflict. A battlefield tour of the
review; a health check, if you will, of its purpose and the Western Front to commemorate their sacrifice is being
direction it wishes to take the Company in the next 10 years considered for this autumn.
and beyond. Is it broken? Far from it, but the Court Our Service affiliates have not been idle… be it HMS
recognises the need to closely scrutinise its activity to Monmouth’s vast drugs seizure in the Indian Ocean (page
ensure its charitable support is placed where it is most 50); the Welsh Guards’ preparations for their Afghanistan
needed. Such support is ever growing. The Company has deployment this year (page 52); 71st Yeomanry’s new
doubled its grant-making since 2009/10 and the landscape operational focus (page 54); or RAF Shawbury’s planning
and prioritisation of need has evolved with it. for the RAF centenary (page 56). The links remain ever 3
We very much hope that what you read in the strong and the invitations to witness them in their natural
subsequent pages of this Journal will reassure you that the habitats keep coming, so do take advantage of them as
Drapers’ Company could not be more engaged in support they are advertised in the monthly newsletters.
of the societal interests of today. We hope this year’s Journal will continue to convince
What are the headlines? Well, we must begin with the you that the Company remains both engaged and relevant
wonderful news that Her Majesty The Queen became an on all fronts. I will continue to seek your help with
Assistant on 31 May 2017, some 70 years after she was numerous initiatives, particularly in support of education,
admitted to the Freedom by Patrimony (see page 34). so please do seize the opportunity to do so when offered.
You may be interested to read about the support the The feedback we have received from students and staff
Company gives to one of its historical areas of interest – alike makes it clear your support has an extraordinarily
Northern Ireland. Patsy McShane’s article (page 12) about positive impact. So thank you and keep it coming!
the support the Company continues to give to
Draperstown, County Londonderry illustrates this. Peter
Dunphy’s synopsis of the support we also give through
The Honourable the Irish Society (page 14) is an excellent
articulation of the old adage that a little goes a long way.
You will all be aware of the co-sponsored Multi-
Academy Trust centred on Harold Hill in North-East
London. But fewer of you may know that the Company has
deliberately sought to support the community, from which
the schools’ pupils are drawn, through grants for its
foodbank, and through the local Home-Start and School-
Home Support (page 16). The educational reports that
follow all speak to the theme of support to the less
fortunate, in some cases going back centuries.
Should you be passing through Venice on 20 May
2018 you may well spot the Company’s Barge, Royal
Employment Speed Dating event for
Sixth Form students at Drapers’ Academy
The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | The Master’s Year
Reflections on a Master’s Year
By Past Master William Charnley
The year as Master has that strange elastic quality: you across the widest spectrum you can imagine. I have eaten
look back and all at once it seems to have slipped by in school canteens, on exercise with army rations, and
quickly, and yet it was so filled to the brim you had to have been spoilt rotten at many a Livery Hall, not least our
have had more time than that – didn’t you? Kathy and I own. I have learnt about music, cricket and Wyatt Earp.
have so many memorable and rewarding experiences I even felt like Henry VIII as we rowed our barge down the
it is hard to know where to start. We took many a Past Thames at Henley.
Masters’ advice to heart and did as much as we could. So what would I want to highlight in particular? I was
Supporting not just our friends in the Great XII, but also privileged to take part in the first meeting, convened by the
fraternising with as many livery companies and our then Master Mercer, seeking to develop greater
affiliates as possible. We clocked up over 123 events collaborative projects across the wider City livery where
and 19 trips outside the usual programme of Court and opportunity arises. We continue to watch with interest the
Committee meetings. progress these working parties are making. I genuinely
think we are onto something here and (in this uncertain
It has been an honour to be your ambassador from Rome political climate) being demonstrably engaged and unified
to Royalty, Exeter to York, Northern Ireland to Edinburgh, is an important expression of the livery movement’s
and from Cambridge to Cardiff and many places in- relevance in today’s society.
between. A truly special year, with amazing opportunities Within the Company, the Textile Working Group and
4
The Master’s Year |The Drapers’ Journal 2018
I even felt like Henry VIII
as we rowed our barge
down the Thames
at Henley.
The Master and
Mrs Charnley
5
the sponsorship of the ‘Making it in Textiles’ Conference secondary and primary schools, both in the private and
has gone from strength to strength. Here over 120 weave maintained sectors. Be it around the sandpit in a Primary
textile students meet industry professionals in Bradford School in County Londonderry or on stage at the annual
each autumn. For many it broadens their employment Bancroft’s Visitation in July, I attended lectures and prize-
horizons beyond the traditional fashion industry, where givings galore, including 15 educational institutions with
some may struggle to find employment. We have also which we have a direct relationship. On every occasion, it
supported a nascent venture with the Clothworkers, was so inspiring to meet the next generation of bright
Weavers and Dyers to fund a new set of trailblazer young enthusiasts. I especially enjoyed meeting those who
apprenticeship training standards, headed up by the took part in the Drapers’ Den in November 2016, such
Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield. were their innovative and forward-looking ideas.
My personal belief in the positive power of education, On a personal note, I was so pleased and touched by
regardless of whether you are Tom Brown or Flashman, is the positive response to my charity for the year, the
happily aligned with the Company’s long-standing history Westminster School Academic Enrichment Programme.
of engagement in this sector. Some 60% of our charitable With your support over £38,000 was raised. Over 30 boys
giving supports a spectrum of educational interests. from 21 primary schools, in the surrounding area, were
Remarkably, we had 31 different places of learning lucky enough to be chosen for the programme and the
represented at the Education Dinner in March. These impact on them was transformational. Westminster School
ranged from universities and music conservatoires to takes 28 new pupils each year and, at the time, they
The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | The Master’s Year
On a hot September day, the
Master, accompanied by the
Renter Warden, joined a number
of Masters, Prime Wardens,
Upper Bailiffs and Wardens on a
nine-mile walk touring the City’s
40 Livery Halls.
believed that as many as five from the Enrichment
Programme would pass the entrance exam and thus be
given scholarships to the Under School.
Alongside education, music has been a strong theme
for me throughout the year, be they school concerts, St
Cecilia’s annual service, or a Christmas boogie at the
Almshouses. I particularly
enjoyed our series of My personal
concerts throughout the
year, hearing scholars from
belief in the
the five conservatoires we positive power of
support excel on the Livery
Hall stage. I would partic- education …
ularly like to pay tribute to
Past Master Sir Nicholas
is happily
Jackson who enters his 24th aligned with the
consecutive year of arrang-
6 ing these remarkable Company’s long
events.
The livery movement
standing history
has long enjoyed close of engagement
affiliations with the military
and this is no more so than in in this sector. of our Company, she has remained very interested in our
the Drapers’ Company. We development and kept us on our toes during her visit.
managed to see members of HMS Monmouth prior to The Master’s top tip held true during the visit: if in
their deployment on operations. The Welsh Guards doubt, bow.
hosted a number of events which I was privileged to To my mind, the Mastership is a relay race,
attend and I still remember the pleasure of visiting requiring each of us to do our part to bring
71st Yeomanry on the ranges on the south coast. the Company closer to its highest
I also very much enjoyed visiting RAF Shawbury aspirations. Each of us are only
whose links to the community in the local area custodians of the office for a year and
and Thomas Adams School, Wem remain ever work collaboratively, often continuing
strong. All these visits have left me with work that others started and each
abiding admiration for the professionalism, making sure that we are forever looking
loyalty and sacrifice these men and women to the horizon with a long-term, multi-
make for the security of our nation. generational view.
An absolute highlight of the year was We need constantly to ask how we can
electing Her Majesty The Queen an make sure the Company is still a relevant
Assistant in the 70th year, almost to the day, and influential organisation in 20, 50, 200
since she first became a Freeman of our years’ time. Implicit in this is the need to
Company on 20 May 1947. A great supporter remain engaged broadly across the livery
Enjoying the Summer
Entertainment
The Master’s Year |The Drapers’ Journal 2018
7
The Master’s flag was flown on
the occasion of the Court and
Consorts Dinner in July 2017.
As Master, Mr Charnley was
entitled, during his year in office,
to display his Arms impaled with
those of the Company.
The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | The Master’s Year
The Master in Draperstown, February 2017. Left to right: Patsy McShane (Draperstown Workspace),
the Clerk, the Master, Past Master James Devereux, Graham Mawhinney (Draperstown Workspace),
The Master Warden, Steven Beharrell, Edward Montgomery (The Hon the Irish Society), Damien
Heron (Draperstown Workspace) and The Renter Warden, Anthony Walker.
8
movement, whilst remaining contemporarily relevant to the we attract, engage and develop our membership; the key
issues society faces today. I believe that we continue to to making sure we are a Company fit for the future.
build a reputation that is adaptive I wish the Master, and his team, every success for his
I am also in awe and forward looking. Our welcom-
ing and friendly atmosphere is
year. Kathy and I look forward to lending our support as
they have taken the reins and steer us to the great things
of the amount of essential to this. To that end I want to come.
to reiterate the thanks I have made
work and time over the year to the
members of our Clerk, the staff and the
Chaplain for keeping
Company everything calm and
serene on the surface,
voluntarily swan-like, despite the
devote to the paddling underneath.
going on
various strands I am also in awe
of the amount of work
of our business and time members of
our Company volun-
tarily devote to the various strands of our
business, almshouses, fellowship and common
cause supporting our trade, charities and the
wider City. In short, doing good and having fun
are the key to success; the key to making sure
Charities Review | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
“An Enduring Force for Good”
By Past Master James Devereux,
Chairman of the Charities Committee
The Company’s stated purpose, ‘to be an enduring of 1624 of John Kendrick, which stipulated an annual sum
force for good’, is met in a number of ways, not only of £24 “for the release of six prisoners in London”. Last year,
through charitable donations to the disadvantaged in grants totalling some £150,000 were awarded to charities
society. For instance, over 35 of supporting prisoners and recently, on the
our members act as school Charities Committee’s
governors, trustees or council recommendation, the
members of institutions with Court approved a
which we have close links; we grant of £60,000 over
give financial support for the three years to Bounce
welfare needs of our armed Back, which provides
forces affiliates; we match the construction-industry
fundraising efforts of Drapers training to prisoners
whose efforts benefit others, close to release.
and so on. The will of Thomas
Corney, dated 1858,
Benefactors of old allow us to directed the Company,
make significant grants to trustee of his bequest, to
9
specific causes. Revenue from educate a minimum
Thomas Howell’s Trust, number of orphans. In
established from the Will of Thomas Howell in 1540, still the spirit of this trust, the
to this day supports educational establishments and young Company made a grant of £68,000 over three years to the
people in North and South Wales. Sir William Boreman Drive Forward Foundation for advice, training and
bequeathed money to the Company in 1684 and the mentoring of young people leaving the care system. This
Boreman Foundation continues to make grants to support was just one of the grants, totalling over £450,000, awarded
the education of young people in Greenwich and last year to support disadvantaged young people from
Lewisham. The Francis Bancroft’s Trust founded from his Greater London to realise their full potential.
bequest in 1727 funds scholarships and bursaries at the Last year DCF gave £2.3 million to a wide range of
school, which bears the benefactor’s name. causes. While the two examples above are for fairly
By far the largest of the Company’s trusts dedicated substantial amounts, the majority of grants are for sums
to charitable giving is the Drapers’ Charitable Fund (DCF). between £10-15,000. In this way, we can help a large
When I became a member of the Company the Court of number of deserving causes and contribute to what the
Assistants was trustee of over 85 separate charities, Company has striven for over the centuries – to be an
created from money left in trust to the Company by enduring force for good.
individuals over the centuries. Most of these, by today’s
standards, were extremely small and a gradual process of
rationalisation has resulted in their consolidation and the
enlargement of DCF, whose assets now amount to over £65
million.
Despite losing the names of these small trusts, most of
the causes to which the benefactors left monies are
reflected in the criteria for grant-making today and guide
the deliberations of the Charities Committee. One such
example is the support to prisoners. A number of trusts
were established to benefit prisoners, as did the bequest
The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | The Master’s Charity
The Master’s Charity 2017-2018
Westminster School’s Academic
Enrichment Programme
The first year and the birth of Platform
By Lucienne Kennedy, Director of Development
The Westminster Academic Enrichment Programme capability. It was thus important that bursaries should be
(WAEP) was launched as a pilot scheme in December available for any boy lacking the means to pay for a private
2016, its first year having been made possible thanks to education who goes on to prove himself worthy on
the support of the Drapers’ Company. academic grounds of a place at such a
This marked the start of a year-long set of school .
monthly sessions delivered by teachers One measure of The 2017 programme was perhaps
at Westminster Under School (WUS) in somewhat guardedly described as a pilot
Vincent Square. The sessions were
success has been scheme and there have certainly been some
attended by 31 Year-5 boys from 17 the retention and small lessons to learn, as well as experiences
different primary schools, some local but to reassure. What is unquestionable,
most from boroughs south of the river, attendance rates, however, is that the scheme has proved
including Lewisham, Bromley,
Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth.
both well over 90%. successful on a number of levels and there is
no doubt that it should continue and, indeed,
10 The three-and-a-half hour sessions develop and expand further. One measure of
included four 40-minute lessons, two of which success has been the retention and attendance rates, both
concentrated on Maths and English whilst the other two well over 90%. The boys themselves have revealed how
were aimed at the broader curriculum (Music, Art, much they have enjoyed the sessions and progressed
Drama, Latin, etc). In July, there was an additional two- through them, whilst their teachers have also remarked on
day session which followed the same model in the how the programme has improved the boys’ performances
mornings but explored other activities (sport and at school. Perhaps the most telling feedback, however, is
computer programming) in the afternoons. the fact that 16 of the 31 boys have applied to take the ISEB
(Independent Schools Examinations Board) pre-tests and
The focus of the sessions was very much on enriching and have applied for 2018 entry for WUS, something which, for
developing the academic profiles of the boys who had all all of these boys, was probably unthinkable 12 months ago.
been selected by their respective Head Teachers because The role of the head teachers of the primary schools
of the high level of ability and potential they had shown in involved in the programme is vital. Their support and
the classroom. A key aim of the programme was to enable advice has been invaluable and their belief in what we are
such boys to be able to add academically selective and trying to achieve has been uplifting. In the light of their
competitive schools – including but not exclusively WUS comments and the progress that has been made during
– to their lists of possible destinations after primary school, this first year, it has been decided to expand and develop
a prospect that requires financial as well as academic the programme in a number of ways. Twelve more schools
have been approached and it is planned that up to a
total of 40 pupils will be taken on and will now include
girls. ISEB test familiarisation sessions have been
delivered pro bono by a London-based tutorial
company to help optimise the efficacy of the
programme when considering 11+ applications and
this will increase in the years ahead. Meanwhile, a new
website has been created which will act as both an
information source for new and prospective pupils and
as a resource portal for existing ones. Plans are alreadyThe Master’s Charity | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
in motion to initiate other hubs based on the existing
template and facilitated centrally, so that boys and girls
across London can benefit from what is on offer. The
programme has been re-branded as Platform and was
officially launched in December 2017, an occasion that also
marked the completion of the 2017 (WAEP) group and the
beginning of the class of 2018.
www.westminsterplatform.co.uk
11
The Master’s Charity 2017-2018
The Sick Children’s Trust
The core belief of The Sick Children’s Trust is that The Sick Children’s Trust seeks to resolve this
keeping families together significantly improves the problem by providing free, high-quality accommodation
recovery of seriously ill children. Its aim therefore is and support through ‘Homes from Home’ at specialist
to aid the recovery of sick children by supporting the paediatric hospitals across the UK. Here, families can stay
whole family. together in a comfortable environment, with all the
amenities of home, just moments from their sick child’s
Whilst medical staff are trained to comfort children as best bedside. The Trust also provides these families with
they can, nothing compares to a hug from Mum, calming emotional and practical support.
words from Dad, or play with a sibling. However, families The Trust relies solely on donations to keep its ‘Home
often face being separated from one another, as many from Homes’ open for the 4,000 families that need them
serious illnesses require an extended stay at a major each year.
hospital far from home. Families find themselves comm- Please consider giving to support the invaluable work
uting for hours each day or paying hotel bills they cannot of this charity.
afford, just to be with their child in their time of need. www.sickchildrenstrust.orgThe Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Enduring connections, old & new
Draperstown
By Patsy McShane, Director of Workspace
Draperstown/Ballinascreen is a vibrant, largely rural space (Draperstown) Limited as an organisation emerged
community located on the western edge of the Mid- from that process and has become one of the most
Ulster Council within County Derry/Londonderry in successful social enterprises in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland.
Workspace
In the early 17th century King James awarded the lands that Workspace is a ‘profit for purpose’ social enterprise set up
make up the County of Londonderry in the North of Ireland in 1985 by the Draperstown Community in response to
to the City of London, and in particular to the livery endemic local decline, disadvantage, unemployment and
companies, as part of the Plantation of Ulster. The Drapers’ underemployment along with limited local opportunities.
Company was granted some 30,000 acres to the Since 1985 The Workspace Group has developed into a
southernmost part of the county, bounded by the lands of diverse organisation and is widely accepted as one of
the Skinners, Mercers, Vintners and Salters and by part of Ireland’s leading social enterprises, employing 182 staff
Country Tyrone. across its 19 locations. It provides property/workspace and
The first town created by the Company was Money- support services for business and is also involved, through
more which became the headquarters and remained the its subsidiary companies, in recruitment, training and
main settlement until the early 19th century. Draperstown, employment, energy efficiency and insulation, heat
on the other hand, essentially dates from the turn of the recovery, childcare and recreation/leisure. It works to the
18th/19th centuries when a local fair became established. vision of –
Within a couple of decades, the Company had re- ‘A prosperous, dynamic and healthy Draperstown
12 awakened its interest in its holdings in Ireland and set community’
about planning and building what remains the historic core and underpins that vision with four aims:
of urban Draperstown. The Company relinquished its ■ To stimulate economic prosperity
lands around 1903 and for over 80 years had little or no ■ To facilitate community regeneration
contact with the area. ■ To foster continuous improvement
■ To ensure long-term sustainability
Vulnerable 1970s The company is a registered charity but generates
By the 1970s Draperstown was a vulnerable, declining surpluses from its more commercial activities such as the
place; declining from what had been a low starting point manufacture of waste heat recovery systems, the delivery
and fixed firmly on the economic margins. Emigration was of employability programmes, business incubator units,
a fact of life, jobs were scarce, local industry was installing home insulation and recruitment services.
underpinned by a fading textiles sector and prospects Surpluses from these activities are used for the benefit of
were grim. the Draperstown area. To date these benefits include:
The great local strengths, meanwhile, included strong ■ A youth centre
heritages and traditions, a powerful sense of community, ■ Draperstown Library
a deeply embedded attachment to place, entrepreneurial ■ After-School Club
flair, a belief in hard work ■ A recreation centre
however and wherever it ■ A community fund
could be found, and a ■ A carers programme
passion for self-help and ■ An industrial park
local co-operation. That ■ Social housing
passion for self-help and
co-operation led to local The activities of Workspace attracted the attention
people first coming of the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
together in 1981 to talk the Right Honourable Peter Brook MP, now Lord
through how the area’s Draperstn Brook of Sutton Mandeville CH. When asked why he
chronic unemployment Cunity had wanted to visit Draperstown, he simply said he
might be tackled. Work-
Hub was a member of the Drapers’ Company, and asEnduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
The future home for the Community Hub
such he helped, alongside Sir Peter Bottomley MP, also a Meeting space requirements
Draper and a Northern Ireland Minister, in reigniting the Currently there is no designated meeting space available
Company’s interest in their past settlements, both in the Draperstown area. The main facility available for use
Draperstown and Moneymore. is St Colm’s High School which is far from ideal and
Since then there have been many visits by the interferes with the efficient running of the school.
13
Drapers’ Company to Draperstown and by representatives Overall this project will provide a solution through the
of the Draperstown and Moneymore communities to provision of a central facility that meets all the above needs.
Drapers’ Hall in London. Much support, both financial and It will also encourage the sharing of space and equipment
otherwise, has been generously provided by the Company with the end result being a stronger, more efficient and
for a range of community projects over the last 30 years dynamic community.
and in Draperstown this has included support for the
following: Conclusion
■ A visitor centre Overall, the relationship developed between Workspace
■ A recreation centre and the Drapers’ Company over the past 20 plus years has
■ Reprinting historic maps of the area been positive in every way. The reconnection of the
■ Research into maintaining the landscape Company with its former estate shows how a partnership
■ Greenpower with St. Colm’s High School can really work for the benefit of a local community and
help remove decades of decline and disadvantage.
The Community Hub That visit of Peter Brook to Draperstown set the way
The project currently underway is to provide a rural forward for a modern, vibrant and dynamic town and
community hub using a derelict and empty building just surrounding area.
outside the town, to serve the needs of the local community
in Draperstown and the surrounding area.
Alongside meeting the needs of the
community, the facility will also provide a central
home for various community groups within the
area so that they can share services and become
more sustainable. So many of these successful
community organisations are currently operating
inefficiently from a number of isolated and poor
locations. Also included will be the provision of
much-needed meeting space for use by everyone.The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Enduring connections, old & new
The Honourable The Irish Society
By Liveryman Peter Dunphy, Trustee of The
Society, and Edward Montgomery, The Society’s
Charity Manager and Irish representative
The Honourable the Irish Society was founded by the in County Londonderry. The Society facilitates these
City of London in 1613 and is now a leading cross- grants to local organisations in conjunction with a cross-
community charity. The Drapers have maintained their community Local Advisory Committee of locally elected
historic link with Northern Ireland and have been Councillors. Peter Dunphy, himself a Draper, is a trustee
working closely with the Society in financially assisting of the Irish Society and was recently elected as Deputy
good causes in and around the Drapers’ historic lands Governor for 2019-2021.
Grants Awarded during 2016-17 from the Drapers’ Charitable Fund through The Irish Society
Stendhal Festival, Limavady: This Festival is an annual counselling. They sought assistance with the cost of
celebration of art and music for all age groups, held since promoting Mind Care through social media, flyers and
2011 on a farm near Limavady. Visitors to the Festival business cards.
(voted Ireland’s Best Small Festival in 2013, 2014 and
14 2015) can expect to be immersed in the arts – design, Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG) ‘Big Splash’
craft, sculpture, animation, performance, installation, Triathlon and River Festival: The Committee sought
words, comedy, talks and dance – and develop their funding towards The ‘Big Splash’ Triathlon and River
creative capacity within a rural landscape. Festival (now in its 21st year) in July 2016 in response to
popular demand and expectations of attendance in excess
Learmount Community Development Group, Claudy: of 3,500 people.
Based in Park Village, a small village situated at the
foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, the Group was Cookstown & Magherafelt Volunteer Centre: Providing
established to provide a wide range of activities for people network and co-ordination services to those volunteering in
living in the area. Having previously been recipients of the the area, the Cookstown & Magherafelt Centre has been
Queen’s Award for Volunteering, they wanted to recognise running a programme which aims to support older people
the support their 120+ volunteers had given over the in the local community who have early-stage dementia and
years, and sought assistance with the cost of marketing those who are socially isolated.
and staging events to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Drapers’ representatives visited during their tour of County Londonderry Scout Council Explorer Unit:
Londonderry in February 2017. ‘Explorers’ is the final youth section in the scouting family
for members ranging from 14-18 years. The Scout Council
Limavady Senior Citizens’ Community Club: Establish- is going through a period of renewal and restructure aimed
ed to provide recreational, health and social welfare at making scouting within the County more youth-led and
activities and facilities for people aged 60+ in the vibrant.
Limavady area, this Club sought funding for their annual
outing which usually proves to be a major social event for Dromboughil Community Association: This centre is
a great many of their 96 members. accessible and affordable and provides a social outlet for
residents. They applied for financial assistance to help
Mind Care Services, Limavady: Established in 2015 to defray costs associated with a planned programme of
provide an accessible, confidential counselling service to activities and workshops for their senior citizen club which
local people who may otherwise have to endure a lengthy meets on a weekly basis. The Drapers’ delegation visited
wait or look further afield for support. Their team of the hall in February 2017.
volunteers are local people with an understanding of the
level of need vulnerable and isolated people in the area Gortnaghey Social Club, Dungiven: Run by older people
face. They work with mental health services, local GPs living in a small rural village, the Club aims to reduce
and others to relieve the pressure and provide isolation, enjoy improved social welfare and better theirEnduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
Learmount Community Development Amelia Earhart paintings
Group, Drapers' visit, 24 February 2017
condition of life by offering activities, outings, games, tea community playschool formed by a group of mothers in
dances, crafts and cross-community workshops to anyone the area. They sought to update their facilities by
over the age of 50. The Club sought funding towards costs purchasing a computer for the children’s use. The
associated with their craft classes, including tutor fees, Drapers’ representatives were able to visit the Playgroup
room hire and materials. during their visit in February 2017.
Greysteel Community Enterprise: A hub for local Foreglen Community Association, Dungiven: FCA runs
15
residents to create and strengthen cross-community a partially funded Day Care service for people aged 65
relationships in the village. Serving prisoners from and over. A small room became available, which the FCA
HMP Magilligan, in the last months of their sentences, intends to decorate and furnish to provide a smaller, cosy
attend the Centre each day to assist with ground space that users can call their own and display their
maintenance as part of their rehabilitation and integration artworks and crafts. The Committee agreed funds
back into society programme. The application made was towards decorating and refurbishment costs.
for funds to purchase a new strimmer and leaf blower.
Dungiven Outdoor Bowling Club: Founded in 1985, the
Shackleton & Aviation Museum, Ballykelly: The Club currently has a membership of 28 – all ages, from a
Shackleton & Aviation Museum was formed in 2009 to couple of under-20s to several 65+. They applied for help
preserve the early history of Aviation in Ireland. The charity with the purchase of new team sweaters that include the
wished to add to their collection a painting of aviator Club’s crest.
Amelia Earhart (who flew solo from the USA to Derry in
1932) by Derry artist Lolita Art Cooke. 1st Limavady Girls’ Brigade: Running over 40 years, they
cover various topics and activities for girls of all ages
Texas Kickers Line Dance Group, Limavady: Based in (3-18 years) to earn badges and enjoy practical arts and
Drummond Cricket Club, this line dance group has been crafts, painting, baking, etc.
kicking its boots since 1997 and currently has a steady
membership of men, women and youngsters ranging from
11 to 71 years of age. They perform at many festivals, fun
days and charity events – travelling all over the North West
to demonstrate their skills without charge.
Boveedy Community Association, Garvagh: With the aim
of providing social, educational and recreational
opportunities for all, the Association has spent 16 years
improving their facilities. The community building is now
fit for purpose and accessible to all and the kitchen is used
by five or more groups every week. A blanket
made by the
Straidarran Community Playgroup: A rural, cross- Girls’ BrigadeThe Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Enduring connections, old & new
Support for the Harold Hill Community
By Andrew Mellows, Head of Charities
Through its grant-making, the Company is committed
to supporting the work of the Multi-Academy Trust and
the local community in Harold Hill where many of the
pupils who attend the MAT schools live.
Elsewhere in the Journal, the Company’s block grant to
the MAT schools and the impact that has had on pupils
(through the provision of mental health support, speech
and language support, an artist in residence, a facility to
improve science teaching in primary schools, educational
visits and small capital projects) is well documented. In
addition, the grant to School Home Support, to provide two
full-time practitioners across the MAT schools to address
absenteeism and to support the wider pastoral care teams
in the schools, is starting to take effect.
Two other small charities which the Company is
supporting, and which serve the communities in and
around Harold Hill, are Home-Start Havering and Harold
Hill Foodbank.
16
Home-Start Havering
The charity provides support and advice to families with
young children to deal with the challenges they face.
Through the charity’s staff and trained volunteers parents
are supported as they learn to cope, improve their
confidence and independence, and build better lives for
their children.
During the past year, 96 families have been
supported. Of new referrals to the charity, over half were
from families living in Harold Hill. Many of these families
have complex needs, including child protection issues, mental health problems, and children
with behavioural or other special educational needs. The
support which Home-Start provides to such families
frequently involves multiple agencies and
longer–term interventions. The trust and
confidence which the charity staff inspire
in these families is often key to ensuring
a satisfactory resolution to their deep-
seated problems.
In addition, families
struggling with post-
natal depression, phys-
ical health problems,
bereavement and many
other issues receive the
support of a volunteer
each week in their homeEnduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
in a way that best supports the family unit. The charity is Over 80 organisations, including churches,
also working to build relationships with other charities and businesses and individuals, donated over 20 tonnes of food
agencies within the community which are able to offer last year. This is checked and sorted by volunteers before
additional services to the families referred to Home-Start it is stored at the charity’s depot located at the Guardian
Havering. Business Centre in Harold Hill. The foodbank partners with
The Company is currently supporting Home-Start some 80 local referral agencies, including all local schools
Havering with a grant of £25,000 per annum for three years. and a wide variety of care professionals and social
workers, who identify people in crisis and issue them with
Harold Hill Foodbank a foodbank voucher. Foodbank clients bring their voucher
The foodbank is one of over 400 foodbanks across the UK, to the foodbank depot where it is redeemed for three days’
under the umbrella of the Trussell Trust, giving emergency emergency food. The staff and volunteers meet clients over
food and support to local people in crisis. a warm drink and are able to signpost people to agencies
During the past 12 months, 2,624 people have able to solve their longer-term problems.
received a three-day emergency food supply, including The foodbank also runs a Job Club for the long-term
17
over 1,000 children from families in need. Over 80% of the unemployed who in addition to the financial impact of
people supported live in Harold Hill. The main reasons unemployment often experience social exclusion and
why families face food crisis relate to delays in payment or mental health issues. The Job Club supports and prepares
changes to the benefits which they receive; but low people for work and in some cases helps them secure paid
incomes and debt are also reasons people find themselves employment.
in crisis. The introduction of Universal Credit in March The Company is currently supporting Harold Hill
2018 is likely to see a rise in the number of people referred Foodbank with a grant of £20,000 per annum for three
to the foodbank. years.The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Enduring connections, old & new
The Textile Working Group
A review of recent activities
By Assistant Jane Mather, Chairman of the TWG
The Textile Working Group has six members from the For three years we have supported the ‘Making it in
Freedom and Livery with expertise in textiles. Textiles’ Conference held in Bradford. This conference
It comprises a freelance designer, a professional buyer, pays for 150 – 200 textile students from colleges around
a production expert, a wholesale draper and a high the UK to come to Bradford, with their tutors, for two days
street fashion director. We are united in our aim to to learn from industry experts about the breadth of job
encourage and mentor young people who have trained opportunities in textiles in the UK.
in fashion or textiles and want to enter the industry. We have speakers from large mills and small design
partnerships, we have managing directors who have years
of experience and younger
people at the start of their
careers. We organise visits
to local weaving and
finishing mills. The
conference ends with a
workshop to encourage the
students to think about what
they will have to do to get a
18 job when they graduate.
Having attended the con-
ference for three years, I think
the students are getting more
receptive or maybe we are
getting better at putting the
information across. This year
we were joined by our Clerk
who had several good
suggestions for next year. So
watch this space.
For the last three years we
have also supported six Leeds
University Fashion students
doing work placements in
London. The Drapers funds help
with rent and sustsistence as
these work placements are
unpaid. In addition to providing
money, Liveryman Mrs Helen
Titley, from the TWG, mentors the
students. Most encouraging from
our perspective are stories of
students we have helped who
have secured jobs in the industry.
Opposite are two short resumes
from Aimee Fawcett and Subenaz
Ali whom we supported in 2014/15.Enduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
Aimee Fawcett doing the internship I also worked in their stores part-
Glad to hear that time to earn some more money, which also gave me a
Drapers are still giving great and completely different insight into the
bursaries to fortunate company, customer feedback, fit etc. The internship
students, I definitely was meant to be six months long but by the beginning
would not be in the of December they had offered me a full-time job
position I am now starting in January under the Assistant Product
without it. technologist. I am still at Seraphine a year on. I do a lot
So here is what has of working with fabrics. I do all of the bulk approvals
happened since I for production and so communicate a lot with the
graduated from univer- suppliers and factories. I also get to do a lot of going
sity in 2016 out and fabric sourcing. We have recently been
I worked part-time working on some Kate Middleton maternity pieces,
back in North Yorkshire which was great. I do colour and design research,
whilst looking for a job in fashion. After a few drawing up designs, some cutting out, as well as get
interviews, I decided to take on another internship. It to work for the photoshoots in the studio and on
was at Seraphine Maternity in London. I started at the location in London. I really enjoy working here: the
very end of October 2016. It was low paid, but it offered team is lovely and I have learnt a lot and grown in
the opportunity to work in the design department, in confidence since being here. I think it is a great
product development, garment tech, production and company to work for as it is growing and expanding
to work with patterns, cutting out etc as well. Whilst all of the time.
19
Subenaz Ali
I’m so happy to hear you are still running the bursary; it was
tremendously helpful for me, and I am so grateful for it.
I am currently working at Parka London. I interned with this
company during my Year in Industry. I was offered an assistant
role whilst on the internship; I assumed the role after
graduation. I was promoted to Menswear Designer three
months ago. Yesterday, I was promoted once more to Head
Designer which I’m obviously really pleased about!
Last year’s new TWG initiative was to join with three other The textile livery companies have given funds to the
livery companies – the Weavers, Clothworkers and Dyers Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence to get this Textile
– to fund an Apprenticeship ‘Trailblazer Standard’ for a Manufacturing Operative (TMO) standard approved and
Textile Manufacturing Operative to replace the existing to be given its funding band. This has all been done within
apprenticeship training programmes. This government 12 months and is some achievement. But producing a
initiative asked employers in each industry sector to design standard is only the first stage in training young people in
their own apprenticeships to deliver training to a higher textiles. Our next challenge may well be to help attract
industry specific standard. Once a ‘trailblazer standard’ is young people to do the training.
approved by government, by being given a funding band, All of us in the Textile Working Group find it immensely
companies within the sector can access a certain level of rewarding to help talented young people to enter the
government funds for training. Producing the standards is industry we work in and it is an added bonus to work with
expensive as it involves negotiating government demands. other textile livery companies to do this.The Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Exnduring connections, old & new
It is now more than three years since the Drapers’ Multi- staff and students at QMUL. This has involved, for
Academy Trust (MAT) was established, co-sponsored example, mentoring, organising career visits and place-
by the Drapers’ Company and by Queen Mary ments, running workshops on progressions to university,
University of London (QMUL), and building on the work and supporting a range of other educational visits and
of Drapers’ Academy which was opened in 2010. The experiences (including the excellent Drapers’ Den event
MAT currently consists of five schools: Drapers’ that supports pupils’ entrepreneurial skills).
Academy; Drapers’ Brookside Junior; Drapers’ The MAT aims to deliver a first-class education in all
Brookside Infant; Drapers’ Maylands Primary; and its schools, and to create opportunities for all of its pupils
Drapers’ Pyrgo Priory. to succeed. Its Education Vision proposes that broadening
perspectives and raising aspirations, and thus enabling
All five schools are located on Harold Hill in the London pupils and students to understand the opportunities that
Borough of Havering. Both the Drapers’ Company and are available to them, support success. The Education
QMUL provide a significant number of governors and Vision also expresses a commitment to the view that a
board members to support the work of the MAT. Both strong academic grounding for all pupils is key, because
institutions also support the MAT in many other ways, literacy, numeracy, and an understanding of science and
drawing on the expertise of members of the Company and the humanities increase access to opportunities in life. The
20
The Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust
By the Junior Warden, Professor Morag Shiach,
Chairman of the MATEnduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
Team GB athletes, Serita Solomon (hurdles) and Daniel Lewis (triple jump) encourage pupils participating in
a four-minute fitness-circuit at Drapers’ Pyrgo Priory, to raise money for Team GB and the school.
MAT is committed to ensuring that its schools serve the for two years. The MAT is very grateful for the generosity
needs of their community, and impact positively on young the Academy showed in welcoming this new school into
people and their families on Harold Hill. The schools in the its building. But with three year-groups of children now
MAT are, as was said when establishing Drapers’ attending the school, Maylands needed dedicated space
Academy in 2010, ‘Harold Hill Schools for Harold Hill to allow it to grow and to thrive. The Principal, Trudy
21
Families’. Spillane, and the Governing Body of Maylands worked
In bringing together five schools within the MAT, the hard to ensure that the new school building was organised,
aim is to offer an excellent education for local children from furnished and equipped to meet the education vision of the
nursery to Sixth Form. Over the past year, there has been a school. The building has many wonderful and original
particular focus within the MAT on issues that impact on features, including a well-resourced library with a series
children across all the schools, and where collaboration of comfortable and creative spaces to encourage pupils to
across the MAT schools can bring clear benefits to pupils discover the joys of reading.
and their families. This work has been greatly facilitated Finally, it was very pleasing that one of the schools in
by Bushra Nasir, who has been acting as Senior Education the MAT, Brookside Junior, was judged by Ofsted to be a
Lead for the MAT. Bushra was previously the Head of the good school following an inspection visit in July 2017. This
very successful Plashet School in the London Borough of school was facing many challenges when it joined the
Newham, and has also been a member of QMUL’s Council MAT following a period of very disrupted leadership. The
for some years. Key areas of focus over the past year, which new Principal, Angie Winch, who is also Principal of
are important to educational success for all the MAT Drapers’ Brookside Infant School, supported by her staff
schools, have been attendance, literacy, speech and and her governing body, has made a hugely positive
language development, parental engagement, and pupils’ impact on the school and improved the opportunities it
mental health. Resources provided by the Drapers’ provides for all its pupils.
Company for schools in the MAT, through the original Both sponsors look forward to continuing to support
Academy endowment, through the annual block grant to the work of all the schools in the MAT over the coming
the MAT, and through funding for the MAT’s work with the years.
charity School Home Support, have enabled important
work to address these areas of need.
One significant change this year has been the opening
of the new building for Drapers’ Maylands Primary School,
adjacent to the Academy building on Settle Road. Drapers’
Maylands originally opened for reception children within
the Academy building in 2015, and occupied space thereThe Drapers’ Journal 2018 | Enduring connections, old & new
Blundell’s School’s
22 links with the Drapers’ Company
By Nicola Huggett, Head
Blundell’s School was founded in 1604 through the benefactors including the Heathcote-Amory family, to
generous legacy of Peter Blundell, a local Tiverton cloth purchase the deeds of the Old School building. These now
merchant. Having not received a formal education rest in the care of the National Trust.
himself, he set funds aside in his Will to establish a However, our links have lived on and in 1989 the
School , and we are still the beneficiaries of this today. Company offered a scholarship to the School in recog-
The School was originally sited in beautiful buildings in nition of Peter Blundell’s ancient gift. This was renewed
the centre of the town. R.D Blackmore, one of our formally in 2002 for six years, with the express purpose of
illustrious alumni, set his epic tale Lorna Doone at Old funding the education through the Sixth Form for a pupil
Blundell’s School as John Ryd, the main character, was from a maintained school living in the local area. These
playing football with friends on the hallowed turf of the pupils would not otherwise be able to attend. In my five
playing fields when he first learned of his father’s death years as Head of Blundell’s,
which necessitated his return to the family farm on I have been delighted to put
Exmoor. We are still at heart a very rural Devon school forward three pupils for this
which seeks to entice those from farther afield to benefit prestigious two-year award
from the healthy outdoor lifestyle that we enjoy. and all three, a girl and two
boys, have gone on to
Peter Blundell was himself a great supporter of the Drapers’ excellent university
Company and we believe that it was in recognition of his
gift to the Company that we have had close links at various
stages in our history. In 1852, the School moved location to
a higher and more suitable site, slightly east of the town,
to avoid regular flooding and in 1946, the Drapers’
Company gave a sum of money, alongside several otherEnduring connections, old & new | The Drapers’ Journal 2018
courses as beneficiaries of the Company’s generosity. who provided our wonderful Ondaatje Hall Theatre 25
Like the Drapers’ Company, Blundell’s is a School years ago. We perform around 15 shows a year there and,
which values its traditions and heritage whilst also always most recently, The Crucible gained rave reviews for the
wanting to be dynamic in light of the demands on young maturity of the performances given.
people in the 21st century. We have raised our academic As a School we continue to value the close link that we
achievements significantly over the last five years. With 18 have with the Drapers’ Company and, in the last few years,
pupils gaining Oxford and Cambridge offers over the last I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing our Drapers’ Scholars
four years as well as the majority of pupils heading to and other senior pupils to the magnificent setting of
Russell Group or similar top league table universities, as Drapers’ Hall for the annual dinner to meet other like-
well as universities in America, we are proud of all that our minded pupils. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience
pupils achieve academically. However, we do not stop at for them and, through that connection, we have also
the academic sphere. welcomed other assistance from the Company. Our pupils
Blundellians are known for their grit and determination, have been invited to several Oxbridge introduction
whether that is on the rugby or hockey pitch, undertaking sessions through the Drapers’ contacts at the universities
the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster canoe marathon, or and we have been delighted to have nominations for
offering their service for the School CCF (Combined Cadet positions on our Governing Body.
Force) which is thriving. This year, our Senior Rugby team It is amazing to think that Peter Blundell’s bequest to
reached the final of the Championship League competition both the Company and the School brought us together over
in December narrowly losing to Dulwich College in a 400 years ago and we are still working together to provide
thrilling game. Our girls’ hockey teams have become a first-class education for pupils in preparation for the
Devon County Champions for the last three years. Over 80 challenges they will face beyond our gates. We value our
pupils gained their Duke of Edinburgh awards at bronze, historic links with the Company and look forward to these
silver and gold level last year and we have several 35- and becoming ever closer in the
45-mile teams competing strongly out on the wilds of years to come.
Dartmoor for the Ten Tors Challenge.
I am always proud of the fact that
It is amazing to 23
Blundellians value their cultural diversity as
much as their sport, and last year our think that Peter
musicians worked closely,
both here in Devon and Blundell’s bequest to
in London, with the re- both the Company and
nowned London Cham-
ber Orchestra, which the School brought
brought exclusive access us together over
to this high level of
professionalism for both our 400 years ago,
pupils and those in local
schools who joined us for
the main concert. We were
fortunate to be supported by
Sir Christopher Ondaatje,You can also read
