Master’s Monthly Update

1. Introduction and announcements

1.1. As your new Master it is not my intention to run a 'Blog site ' but I will provide a monthly update encompassing:-

- events attended and forthcoming;
- matters of interest; and
- progress reports on Company initiatives.

1.2. To this end it gives me enormous pleasure to inform you of the recent appointment of our former Master, now Immediate Past Master Stephen Parsons to Deputy Lieutenant for the County and City of Bristol.

This is a deserved honour for Stephen and a significant acknowledgment to the WCoSP, who including former Master John Purnell GM QPM DL, also a serving DL and Liveryman Lord Imbert, former Lord Lieutenant of Greater London (1998-2008), we wish Stephen well in his new appointment.

2. Events attended

2.1. For those who witnessed my installation together with the Wardens, Freemen, Liverymen and Honorary Liverymen we hope you enjoyed the ceremonies and subsequent lunch. All within the bounds of the stunning Drapers Hall, to whom we thank the Master, Wardens, Beadle and management for the privilege.

We apologise for the small timing delays which will be corrected going forward.

2.2. Angie (The Mistress) and I attended the Ironbridge Livery weekend and had a thoroughly good time including filling a gap in my education surrounding the Industrial revolution. We made many new friends and contacts.

2.3. Two by products were an introduction to the "playing card makers" who each year hold a 'Bridge' competition in the spring. One of our members, the Baroness Henig, has offered to lead one pair, any other pairs names to me please.

2.4. For those of you who have or may attend you will see that many Livery Companies have made donations in kind or items relevant to the core Company foundation. I am pleased to announce via their respective professional companies Court member Michael Trott and Freeman Grahame Harding, on behalf of the WCOSP will be providing a bespoke CCTV installation to the high risk museum location.

2.5. I also attended a very enjoyable evening with other Masters at the invitation of the "Firefighters".

2.6. On Thursday 24th June, I had the honour of leading the 108 Livery Company's into the Guildhall for the Election of Sheriffs ceremony. This was a majestic occasion and so full of what our wonderful City is so much about. As an aside I sat next to the Master of management consultants who has formed two Chartered organisations and volunteered to assist us on our forthcoming venture - more on this later.

My personal reflections went back 41 years when as a young, actually very young Constable walking the streets of the City and Guildhall, I used to watch these ceremonies with awe and there I was now representing the WCoSP in the heart of the occasion - my mum would have liked this day.

3. Progress reports on Company initiatives

3.1. The membership initiative I announced at the lunch on the 9th June is underway and is spearheaded in three ways. Court Member John Cully has volunteered to receive all new member application requests, distribute application packs, monitor and collate progress and furnish the membership committee with the completed documentation for their consideration.

3.1.1. Please find below the contact details for membership correspondence:-

        Email address: membership@professionalsecurity.co.uk

        Postal address: Membership, Professional Security, 4 Elms Lane, Shareshill, Wolverhampton WV10 7JS

        Telephone number: +44 (0) 1922 415233

Amy Lock, database manager will carry out the routine administration under John’s close supervision. Postage will be donated by John.

3.1.2. We have held the first "Women’s Group" we will change the name whose primary objectives are totally in line with the charitable cause of the Company and specifically designed to promoting membership and identifying a greater number of women in both the Company and the Security World at large.

3.1.3. I would really like to achieve our five year plan for membership in my one year as Master and I am confident with these two initiatives, the pub nights and us seeking new members this can be achieved - please let's try to do this!

3.2. We are pushing on hard together with the Security Institute to create the status of "Chartered Security Practitioner". Working group meetings have already been held in relation to our compliance with all the ordances and protocols governing us, the academic and administration support is in place and we are setting a stretched but achievable target of first quarter 2011 for the first successful candidates to be appointed - more to follow.

3.3. As most of you know I am Vice Chairman of the Child Victims of Crime Charity. The Charity’s aim is to provide material support for any child victim up to and including the age of 16 years who has been a victim of, or traumatised by any criminal offence committed in the UK. In 2009 there were 600 cases of child victims consisting of 83 murder cases, 352 sexual cases, 29 domestic cases, 58 cruelty cases, 54 OAP cases and 24 other cases. Further information can be found on www.cvoc.org.uk or by contacting the Charity on +44 (0) 1785 227325 or info@cvoc.org.uk.

This is the Masters Charity for my year and for those already contributing - thank you and for others hopefully you will support this special cause. A Just Giving site will be in place shortly.

3.4. The Sheriffs awards driven by Liveryman Trevor Vaughan MBE are proceeding but we are surprisingly and regrettably lacking in nominations. Could I ask you to visit the web site www.wcosp.com/the-sheriffs-award.html and push this excellent award process on.

3.5. The Armed Services and British Police dogs of the year initiative is being driven by Member Roger Kemper and will be awarded at this year’s Annual dinner.

4. Matters of interest

4.1. The Annual Lecture given this year by a Senior Government Official specialising in Counter Terrorism is being held on the 16th September at Painter’s Hall, watch the flyer/web site or contact Gary Wright, Barrie Stewart or Steve Emmins for further information.

5. Forthcoming events for your diary

5.1. Annual Dinner – 13th October 2010 at 18.30, Mansion House

5.2. Court Meeting, followed by Common Hall – 18th November (timing TBC), JP Morgan, 60 Victoria Embankment

5.3. Christmas Lunch – 3rd December 2010 at 18.00, Saddlers’ Hall

5.4. Carol Service and Dinner – 9th December 2010 at 18.00, Venue TBC

5.5. Annual Church Service – 17th February 2011 at 17.00, Chapel Royal, Tower of London

We will also in the next two quarters be seeking to bring our membership data base fully up to date so please when you receive the request for updated information reply quickly and accurately with as much detail as you are prepared to supply.

Enough from me for now but finally I am personally keen during my year to engage more members in our activities so additional to becoming Freeman/Liveryman. If any body wishes to be involved in any of our three committees; (i) Membership; (ii) Finance & General Purpose; (iii) Marketing and Fundraising; and/or Board of Trustees or any other activities please contact me directly on +44 (0) 7836 275 484 / +44 (0) 20 7601 4560 or Don.Randall@bankofengland.co.uk.

Warm regards

Don

Master