25 January 2022
This year's Installation of the new Master and Wardens saw a welcome return to an in person event held at the splendid location of Painters’ Hall, on Tuesday 25 January 2022.
The event commenced with the Installation Court & Common Hall. The new Master, Dr James Nye FSA, and the Wardens took up their positions having sworn their respective Oaths of Office.
The Office holders are:
Master: Dr James Nye FSA
Deputy Master: Mark Levy
Senior Warden: Jane Pedler
Renter Warden: Keith Scobie-Youngs
Junior Warden: Robert Wren
During the ceremony, the outgoing Mistress, Wendy Levy, presented a new Chaplain's Badge to the Company, which the Master requested be worn by his Chaplain, The Reverend Hugh Bearn.
Following the Installation Court & Common Hall, the Company processed to the church of St James Garlickhythe, for Evensong, led by the piping of Master's Musician Freeman Freddie Bearn, and the Beadle.
At the church the Company was greeted with the haunting sound of a quartet of hand bell players change-ringing, unexpectedly including the Master Draper, David Chalk, whom we thank for his contribution to the event.
The service was led by The Reverend Timothy Handley with the sermon given by The Reverend Hugh Bearn. Father Tim noted in his address to the congregation his thanks for the restoration of the Church clock that was undertaken in 2020 by the Clockmakers' Charity. The Reverend Hugh Bearn's sermon included reference to bells and their relevance to both the past and present times. Walking out to more change-ringing, the company processed back to Painters’ Hall for Dinner, at which the new Master presided with his Consort, Luci Collings.
All images Copyright Captain Tony Gray
