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The Zürich Guilds spectacular visit to London

The Basketmakers Company, through PPW Norman Woolley and Assistant John Clarke, organised a hugely successful participation of the 25 Guilds from Zürich in the Lord Mayor's Show on the 8th November 2003.

On the eve of the Show the Guilds hosted a Banquet in Guildhall. Their bands assembled to play in Guildhall Yard as guests were arriving; 'a remarkable sight' stated Lady Sally Oliver on television when she was commentating on the Lord Mayor's Show. At the reception beforehand we had the honour and pleasure of welcoming the new Lord Mayor Alderman Robert Finch who graciously said a few words and to much cheering confirmed that he will be attending the Sechseläuten Parade in Zürich in April 2004. One of the speakers at the Banquet was Sir Alan Traill who as Lord Mayor in 1984 invited the Zürich Guilds over; then around 70 Guild Members attended, this year we had 900! The splendid meal had a typically English theme with the Roast Beef carried in by two chefs for the approval of Raymond Porchet, Honorary Guildmaster of the Zunft zur Letzi, who organised the Swiss side of the visit.

In the Lord Mayor's Show Parade we had over 650 Guild members marching with Raymond Porchet, Norman Woolley and his wife Julie (above) proudly leading the procession. Ken Rockall, our Banner Bearer, marched in the parade with Olivia Elton Barratt, Kay Johnson and Sandra Barker all of whom are Basketmaking teachers and members of the Company. There were also 40 Guild Members riding horses provided by the Household Cavalry (left) with grateful thanks to Col. Massey. The Pageant Master, Dominic Reid, said normally a float would take 20 seconds to pass by a fixed point, but the Zürich Guilds and the Basketmakers took four minutes!

The Basketmakers Company were in the procession on the blue Michelin Bus (below) which was generously provided by Richard Walduck of the Imperial Hotel Group who also arranged accommodation for the party of 900 from Zürich. Members of the Basketmakers Company on the bus included the Prime Warden, Raymond Graham, Upper Warden, Ronald Bartle, Under Warden, Richard Bundock, PPW Ted Hipkins and Assistant John Clarke who unfortunately, after all his hard work, broke his right hand during the parade.

Also on the bus was a small replica of the Böögg. The Böögg is the name given to the effigy of a snowman which is burnt in public as a symbol for the banishing of Old Man Winter in the Zürich April Sechseläuten Festival. It was originally a pagan fire cult to celebrate the return of Spring. The 3m high Böögg sits on a 13m high pile of bonfire logs; at exactly 6 pm the fire is lit and mounted Guildsmen start riding around the blazing fire. The flames soon engulf the Böögg whose body is stuffed with explosives and, legend has it, when his head explodes that is the defining moment for the beginning of Spring. The Böögg was featured in the spectacular evening fireworks display on the River Thames after Lord Mayor's Show, watched by both the Swiss and the Livery from two 500 seater trip boats.

Returning to Tower Pier, after the fireworks display, Guild and Livery members enjoyed an evening of celebration, at several locations. Some 400 to Guildhall Crypts, involving an impromptu march through the City streets led by the Schmiden Band playing all the way to Guildhall!

There are 25 Guilds in Zürich of which six have associations with City Livery Companies. Those Livery Companies who participated and hosted events in this Lord Mayor's Show were:-

 

BASKETMAKERS COMPANY: LETZI GUILD (FARMERS)
BUTCHERS COMPANY: WIDDER GUILD (BUTCHERS)
CUTLERS COMPANY: SCHMIDEN GUILD (BLACKSMITHS)
GOLD & SILVER WYRE DRAWERS' COMPANY: DREI KÖNIGEN GUILD (THREE KINGS)
JOINERS' & CEILERS' COMPANY: ZIMMERLEUTEN GUILD (CARPENTERS)
PATTENMAKERS' COMPANY: SCHUHMACHERN GUILD (SHOEMAKERS)

The Dinner hosted by the Livery Companies in Guildhall on Lord Mayor's Show day was another splendid affair. Everyone was still in their parade costumes making it very colourful indeed. Thanks to our Basketmaker sponsors, we were able to host our friends from the Letzi Guild. The Schmiden band enthralled all present with their music, with much raising of glasses and toasting as the evening progressed, ending with a mock ceremony for Raymond Porchet, electing him 'King of Switzerland' with a cloak and crown. On the 11th November Raymond Porchet, Honorary Guildmaster of the Zunft zur Letzi, received the Freedom of the City of London, being proposed by none other than Alderman Robert Finch.

The visit of the Zürich Guilds to London further emphasised the relationship between the Guilds and the Liveries, echoing our motto 'Let Us Love One Another', and at the same time providing a unique opportunity to cement the links between two of the greatest financial centres in the world, London & Zürich. The Basketmakers have had some wonderful publicity and recognition for organising this hugely successful event for which they should be very proud. (click here or on any of the images to see full-sized pictures)

Coracle Cruise down the Thames

Olivia Elton Barratt and Kay Johnson, both members of the Basketmakers Company, completed an unusual waterborne adventure this Summer to raise money for the Lord Mayor's Appeal for Save the Children.

It all started when the Basketmakers joined the Upholders for a party on Tower Bridge in June 2002. Looking down on the river Olivia and Kay agreed it might be fun to coracle down the Thames in aid of the Lord Mayors Charity! "Good idea" said John Clarke, "I'll be your Publicity Officer." The moral of that could be - "Never talk to strange men on bridges" (if you don't want to get yourselves into deep water!) Pictured at right - Between Eynesham Lock and Godstow - the last day

Following a great deal of research and groundwork Olivia and Kay journeyed some 50 miles from the source of the River Thames (Isis) to Oxford. Their mode of transport, the coracle, made mainly from willow covered with water tight material. Controlling these craft, particularly when there was a head wind, was not easy. The average distance covered was between 4 - 6 miles per day.

As members of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, they both happen to be experts in basketmaking, using those skills to build their own coracles for the journey. Pictured at left - Rushey Lock

On a sunny weekend in March 2003 they walked from the source to Kelmscott, from there on it was paddling the rest of the way!

On Wednesday the 27th August, at Newbridge, Olivia and Kay were joined by many supporters from the Basketmakers Livery and friends, some walking, others paddling coracles, and three days later on Friday 29th August Olivia and Kay completed their 50 mile coracle journey along the River Thames at the Trout Inn at Godstow, just above Oxford. Pictured at right - Coracle fleet in the lock at Eynesham

Saturday the 30th August saw a great gathering of coracles which were launched from the River & Rowing Museum pontoon at Henley-on-Thames to celebrate the end of this unique fund raising event. This was followed by lunch in the Museum restaurant.

The Prime Warden Jeremy Sorrell and Upper Warden Raymond Graham were in attendance and Past Prime Warden Norman Woolley added some colour to the occasion by bringing his canal narrow boat dressed overall in bunting.

Press and TV reporters were present, and on September 5th an article in the Henley Standard with a colour photo of the event carried the headline:- "Gritty Grannies complete epic journey in Oversized saucers" !!

The success of the expedition was entirely due to good advance planning and research by Olivia and Kay, and the huge support given by John & Lucy Clarke, the Swan Radcot Cruiser Club supplying two support craft, and of course to all those who sponsored the event, raising in excess of £15,000 which, with Gift Aid applied, should translate into £20,000 for the Lord Mayor's Charity.

A Visit to the Opera House

On 24th July 2003, Basketmakers and friends visited The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for a back stage visit. We went inside the impressive auditorium where rehearsals were taking place for Swan Lake by the visiting Kirov Ballet.

During the tour we were allowed into the 'Props' room or the 'Hats' room, both of which are testimony to the art of master craftsmen. The guide enthralled us with the history of the ROH, the first theatre was opened by John Rich in 1732 built from the profits made from the Beggars Opera. The 'theatre' has been completely destroyed by fire in 1808 and in 1856. During
World War II Mecca Dance Halls leased the theatre and dances were held there for the troops - a fact confirmed by 'the Father of the Company' PPW Ted Hipkins. A wonderfully interesting visit.

Keeping on the Right Side of the Law

The Livery Committee organised a tour on 14th March 2003 of the Inns of Court and the Royal Courts of Justice. The Inns of Court are actually thirteen separate Courts; Lincoln, Temple, Grays, Furnival, Staple, Sergeants, Cliffords, Clements, New, Lyons, Symonds, Barnard & Thavies. No sign alas of Rumpole (of Old Bailey fame); he was probably avoiding 'she who shall be obeyed' and supping his claret. The informative outing was blessed with brilliant sunshine which enhanced the delights of the wonderful historical aspects of the memorable architecture of the buildings through which the group passed. It was a fitting visit as this years Prime Warden, Jeremy Sorrell, is a practising Solicitor. The instigator of this legal tour was former steward, Cliff Trott. An enjoyable lunch was had at the Wig & Pen Club in the Strand.