Who doesn’t love a Ruby!
The City University Club played host to the Tylers and Bricklayers Christmas Reception for a number of years before moving to new premises close to Fenchurch Street Station.
Its Secretary Hasita Senanayake invited a group of Tylers and Bricklayers to its new premises to sample Sri Lankan cuisine cooked by a chef who had travelled to the UK especially for this event; and a group of curry lovers were delighted to accept.
Sri Lankan cuisine is known to be spicy however Chef had tempered the amount of chilli and produced an excellent lunch. To whet your appetite here are just a few items from the menu:
Black Lamb Curry
Devilled Prawns
Heritance Red Chicken Curry
Cashew Carrot and Pea Curry
Tempered Dhal
All of these delicious dishes were washed down with beer, the name of which reminds you of a snake!
Suffice it to say the Tylers and Bricklayers left the Club fully sated hoping that the Upper Warden (whose family hail from Sri Lanka) will include a Sri Lankan meal at the Club during his year as Master.
Young Builders Awards
I had the honour of attending the 2018 Young Builders Awards at the Palace of Westminster on 17thOctober 2018 at a guest of Liveryman Livia Williams who is a Trustee of Youthbuild UK.
The Youthbuild Awards celebrates the achievements of socially excluded young people who are now making their way in the Construction industry.
President of Youthbuild, The Rt. Hon. John Hayes CBE MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning presented the prizes to two age groups, the first 14 to 18 year olds, and the second 19 to 24 years old.
Each of the finalists has had to overcome a myriad of difficulties ranging from mental health, to abuse and illness and it was humbling to listen to the stories of these young people.
The winner of the younger age group was Joshua Smith from Bradford and the older group winner was Zinnia Young from Sunderland.
After the event all the finalists were treated to a trip on the London Eye before heading back to their homes.
Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
The association between the Tylers and Bricklayers and the Framework Knitters Company’s came into being through Catherine Fuller, wife of Deputy Master Jeff, who is a member of this Company.
Whilst there is no obvious connection between the two Companies, the fact is that there is; as we both have deep interests in our respective crafts and both have full involvement in the education and training of new entrants. It is also a very friendly Company and is most welcoming to its guests.
Malcolm and I were delighted to accept an invitation to the Livery Banquet of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters at Mansion House on 19thOctober 2018. The Banquet took place in the beautiful Egyptian Hall, although its design probably has more to do with Roman times than Egyptian!
I was seated alongside Master Glover, Alvan Seth-Smith, and Peter Green, Sheriff Liz Green’s Consort, and was thoroughly entertained throughout the dinner.
After the meal 9 Company Bursaries and 5 Awards were presented to young students who were in the final stages of their degree courses. As well as receiving a prize the winner is allocated a Mentor whose role it is to help the student through the award year and give advice when needed. As a result the textile industry with a continuing flow of well qualified personnel.
Guests were entertained by speeches from Professor Julian Ellis OBE, Sir David Wootton and the Master Sheila Turner. Music was provided by the Band of the Royal Yeomanry.