1

The Welsh Livery Bulletinof the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales

Issue No: 2 May 2019

CHAIRMAN OF THE CHARITYCOMMITTEE AND CELEBRATED

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OFBARBER SURGEONS OF EDINBURGH

the rights to see all patients first and to providemedical treatments but in return they promisedto refer on any patients needing surgicaltreatments to the Barber Surgeons.

On the 1st July 1505 the Seal of Cause and Charterof Privileges was issued to the Guild of BarberSurgeons by the Town Council of Edinburghwhich provided that anyone admitted by theMasters of the Craft had to be experts in theircraft. Being able to read and write and the studyof anatomy were key requirements. Each surgeonhad the right to receive the body of an executedprisoner each year for dissection anddemonstration which significantly improvedanatomical understanding. The Guild receivedfurther recognition with its Royal Charter fromKing James VI of Scotland on 13th of October 1605who was himself a practicing surgeon and dentist.

Over the last 500 years the Royal College ofSurgeons of Edinburgh, as it became, hasoverseen the training and examination ofsurgeons and dentists who practice in the UK.Without a Fellowship of one the Colleges ofSurgeons (there are also colleges in London,Glasgow and Dublin), doctors cannot practicesurgery in the UK.

Mr Simon D H Holt MBE MA MB BChir FRCS

Having spent 6 years at Cambridge and UniversityCollege Hospital to become Doctor Holt, Simon thenspent the next 6 years studying surgery to pass theRoyal College of Surgeon’s exams to regain the titleof Mister. The history of the Edinburgh Guild ofBarber Surgeons explains why. Two groups ofpractitioners were in competition to providemedical services, the Apothecaries who providedmedicines and the Barbers who usually did minorsurgery as well as cutting hair and shaving beards,but the distinctions were blurred and the guildsoften in competition for trade.

In the late 13th and early 14th centuries the twoguilds came to a mutually beneficialaccommodation in which the Apothecaries earned

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

2

One consequence of this 500-year-old arrangementbetween the Apothecaries and the Barber Surgeonsis that surgeons could not call themselves “doctor”.These days no surgeon can practice without firstobtaining a basic medical degree but on receiving afellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons aftercompleting about 8 years of further training, they areexpected to revert to the title “mister”.

A second important consequence remains. Even nowa surgeon is prevented from seeing any patientwithout first being referred by their GeneralPractitioner whose origin is in the Guild ofApothecaries. This is one of the reasons the NationalHealth Services is one of the most efficient in theworld.

where I have been able to promote theWorshipful Livery Company of Wales. I willcontinue to do so at every opportunity in thecoming months.

One of the real highlights in my programme forthis year was the Concert in February byTreorchy Male Choir at St German’s Church,assisted by 3 students from St John’s CollegeCardiff as soloists. It was a superb event enjoyedby an audience of over 180 people althoughdisappointingly, only a small number ofLiverymen.

It is a shame that, for whatever reasons, moreLiverymen do not support the wide-rangingevents arranged for their benefit in providingopportunities to socialise in pleasantsurroundings.

However, there are still several events duringthe year, and I hope that they may attractsupport. Please look out for the Calling Notices.

It was a pleasure to install Senior Court AssistantStuart Castledine as Treasurer at Court in April,he has been in post for some months, and he hasworked closely with Dr Claude Evans and newClerk Christopher Dale to improve ourunderstanding of Company finances. A numberof new initiatives will take place (some havealready) to ensure that we aim for balancedaccounts within the next 18 months, if not before.

I am grateful to those Liverymen who have paidtheir quarterage early and we are hopeful thatthis source of income will improve this year.

Membership is increasing slowly – four newLiverymen in April and two more due in Julywith several more in the pipeline.

It is with regret that I announce the resignationof Canon Roy Doxsey as Chaplain after 12 yearsof excellent service to our Company. His gravitasat our services and good humour at social eventswill be greatly missed and we hope he willcontinue to attend our future events.

The museum of the Royal College of Surgeons ofEdinburgh

MASTER’S COLUMN

Welcome to my contribution to the latest WelshLivery Bulletin. If you have visited our website, youmay have read my blog which lets you know aboutthe busy March and April I have enjoyed at events

3

Accounting programme. This is taking longerthan anticipated. However, I hope to have thematter completed by the end of June. This willenable us to issue member invoices and makepayments in a more structured manner whichshould allow the Auditors to have a clearerunderstanding of the financial position of theCompany.

I look forward to meeting as many Liverymen asI can over the coming months as I settle into thisunique role. Please do not hesitate to contact meif I may be of any assistance in any Livery matters.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK

Firstly, thank you to Liverymen who sent me theirbest wishes as I start my role as Clerk, I shallendeavour to maintain the traditions of all pastClerks in giving quality service to the WorshipfulLivery Company of Wales.

We have started by issuing invoice notificationemails to all Liverymen to make payments for theLivery year 2019-2020. I am pleased to report thatwe have had considerable success in obtainingpre-invoice Quarterage payments from manymembers.

I also sent out reminder emails to those Liverymenwho had not paid the previous year’s Quarterage.I thank those members for responding so quicklyin bringing their accounts up to date.

If you are still waiting for a Quarterage paymentinvoice before you make payment, this will be withyou over the next month or so. However I wouldencourage you to make payment prior to its arrival.The membership Quarterage for 2019-2020 is£160.

Those members who have paid already, you willshortly receive an invoice showing payment made.We are updating our financial competences in linewith new HMRC guidelines and as part of that wehave transferred all financial transactions to Sage

Finally, the Silver Jubilee Fund continues to growand will provide opportunities to expand ourAwards Programme for young people in Wales. It isnot too late to make a donation payable to theWorshipful Livery Company of Wales Trust.

THE WORSHIPFUL LIVERY COMPANYOF WALES

Master Mr Geoff HughesSenior Warden Mr Peter ColemanJunior Warden Dr Kathy SeddonDeputy Master Professor Gillian Davies

Treasurer Mr Stuart CastledineBeadle Mr Bipin PitrolaChaplain Canon Roy D DoxseyClerk Mr Christopher Dale JPAssistant Clerk Mrs Angela J Parry MBE

Awards Committee

Chairman Mrs Madeleine BidderSecretary Mr Christopher Dale

Charity Committee

Chairman Mr Simon Holt MBESecretary Miss Norma J Jarboe OBE

Public Relations Committee

Chairman Mrs Agnes Xavier-Phillips JPSecretary Mr Henry Gilbert

North Wales Committee

Chairman Mr R Andrew M RichardsSecretary Professor J Solbé MBE

The London Group

Chairman Dr Keith C WilliamsSecretary Miss Victoria Provis

4

The internationally celebrated Treorchy Male VoiceChoir has enchanted audiences around the world formore than 130 years. From their Royal CommandPerformance for Queen Victoria to their appearanceat the Royal Variety Show more than a century later,the Choir continues to entertain to celebrated packedhouses.

So it was on Saturday 23rd March, when the Choirgave an enthralling performance on behalf of theWorshipful Livery Company of Wales in front of apacked house at St German’s Church, Cardiff.

The Choir was skilfully led by its Musical Director,Jeffrey Howard BEM, ARAM, B.MUS. His witty quipsdelighted the audience throughout the evening andhis choice of music was inspiring. The Choir wasmost ably accompanied by Helen Roberts B.MUS.

The first half of the programme was dedicated togood old Welsh Favourites, including Cwm Rhondda,Sosban Fach, We’ll Keep A Welcome, Nearer My GodTo Thee and Calon Lan. The audience wasencouraged to join in the chorus for the morewell-known songs.

At intervals throughout the concert, we were alsodelighted to be entertained by three talented youngsoloists, each of whom attend St. Johns College andhave been previous winners of the Livery CompanyAwards.

Mehak Sakhuja, FluteMarco Aldrige, ClarinetJade Jang, Piano

The second half of the programme had a muchlighter Americana theme, including songs like YouMake Me Feel So Young, Can You Hear Me, a Medleyof Nat King Cole Songs, Come Fly With Me, Don’tFence Me In and New York New York.

Finally, as the concert concluded, we were mostprivileged to be called upon to accompany thechoir in their fabulous, spine-tingling renditionof the Welsh National anthem, which was sungwith gusto by one and all, almost raising theancient roof from its rafters. Not a dry eye wasleft in the house.

Keith Arnold March 2019

CARDIFF MUSIC SCHOOL BURSARY -AWARD WINNER

Iestyn Griffiths, Award Winner, 2018

As you can see from the picture, the money Ireceived from the Livery Company of Wales hasbeen invested in the purchase of a top-of-the-range stage piano.

5

Having the right equipment is essential to anysuccess within the music industry, and I am wellaware that without the kindness of the companyI would not be having the fortune that I amcurrently enjoying.

Being able to acquire a high specification keyboardopened so many doors for me as I journeyed fromstudent to professional musician, opportunities thatI was only be able to grasp with the professionalequipment to match. Having finished my MA in pianoperformance and receiving a distinction in 2018, Ihave gone on to perform in many functions andevents with my cover band, “What’s The Fuss?”, aswell as in many other events as a soloist. Performingat a wedding whilst the bride was walking down theaisle was pretty nerve-racking!

Where I seem to be spending most of my time isperforming in Musical Theatre. This has always beenthe area of music I have been most passionate about,and where I have always wanted to end up workingin. Thankfully, largely down to the kind donationsfrom the WLCoW, many opportunities have come myway.

In the short space of time since finishing my degree,I have used my new keyboard whilst performing invarious musicals across South Wales – Sister Act,Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde, StarlightExpress, and currently a quality production of ChittyChitty Bang Bang, which includes the real car itself!

Connections I have built from these successes has ledto some more amazing opportunities that are comingin the future. I have recently been appointed MusicalDirector for Wales’ oldest Musical Theatre Company,Carmarthen Amateur Operatic Society. As well as this,I am due to start work as the repetiteur for anothertheatre company in Cowbridge in the next few weeks.

WESTERN MAIL REPORTS ONWLCoW’S NEW AWARDS AND

BURSARIES FOR LEARNERS

Extra awards and bursaries will be available tolearners in Wales from money raised to markthe Silver Jubilee of the Worshipful LiveryCompany of Wales. Scholarships worth £40,000are offered to learners in Wales every year bythe Company. A Jubilee appeal to raise £100,000launched in 2018, under the previous Master ofthe company Professor Gillian Davies has nowreached £65,000. The new Master Geoff Hugheshas asked Professor Davies, now Deputy Master,to continue overseeing the appeal. She said: “Theaim of the appeal was to reach out not only toLiverymen for financial support but also to thewider community in Wales to invite additionalsupport from welsh business circles,foundations and other organisations interestedin promoting education in Wales.” One of theprimary aims of the Company is the promotionof education, arts, science and technology andthe promotion of skills and associatedprofessional activities in Wales.

For more information visit:www.liverycompanywales. cymru/recent

Western Mail & Echo on 21st March 2019

6

CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITYSCHOLARSHIP - AWARD WINNER

During my trip I set out to explore how upscale NewYork health clubs frame their customer experienceto maintain retention. In the course of preparing forthe trip I discovered I would also get value fromlooking at boutique type gyms to answer the samequestion.

This was for two reasons; New York has a highdemographic in a condensed proximity whichnaturally breeds a lot of competition. New York (inaddition to Los Angeles) is also the place where newfitness innovations tend to originate.

During my 4 night stay I was able to talk with 2managers/owners of health clubs and also get access to 2 other clubs so I could experience it as a member.

The first owner I spoke with was Kevin, owner ofStructure Personal Training in Park Avenue. His1500sq ft personal training facility was situated inthe basement of a building occupied by a high networth wealth management company.

During my conversation with him he set out how hemakes his clients, whether they are a billionaire or acollege student, feel they are getting a personalexperience. He likened it to playing host at arestaurant where the consumer feels they are themost important person in the building.

Just up the road on Park Avenue I spoke with Erikwho was manager of Equinox Park Avenue. Differentto Structure, Equinox is an international fitnesscompany and so Erik explained some of the systemsthat ensure consistency throughout the clubs. Forone, Equinox has brand experience managers whoserole it is to make sure the experience members haveis as high quality as possible.

On my trip I attended a CityRow class which is aboutique studio featuring the water rower as a focalpoint for circuits class. I also had the opportunity toworkout at New York Sports Clubs.

This is a members only club with a number ofclubs in the city. Their desire was to be a chainclub with a community feel.

One thing stood out with all the clubs: they wereout of sight at street level, yet all were doing wellwith customer retention. Word of mouth andcustomer experience were focal points, not‘passer-by’ traffic.

AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRMANAPPEALS FOR NEW MEMBERS

The Awards Committee is urgently seeking newmembers. Exciting times are upon us as a resultof the success of the Silver Jubilee Appeal andLiverymen may remember that the purpose of theappeal was to raise money for new awards and toextend the areas covered by the Company’sawards programme.

The Trustees administering the Fund haverecently allocated £5000 for distribution in thecurrent financial year and to date three areas fornew awards have been identified-awards to Welshapprentices with Aston Martin, Disability in theArts awards, and a joint venture with the Prince’sTrust. It is hoped to extend the programme to thefields of Medicine and Law and Order, and eachcommittee member has been asked to consideridentifying other suitable areas. All this is inaddition to maintaining the Company’s long-standing programme of travel scholarships,bursaries, schools’ awards, and apprenticeshipawards together with the awards made toapplicants from the general public.

So, please join us. Helping those who need just thatbit of money to take the next step in their careeris one of the reasons for the Company’s existence.It is rewarding and stimulating to have theprivilege of sharing in the hopes and dreams ofthe young people of Wales.

If you would like to join the Committee or wish tolearn more about its work, please contact theMaster or any member of the Committee. TheCommittee meets in St Fagan’s on a Mondaymorning approximately eight times a year. Mostcommittee members attended a meeting as anobserver initially-and decided to join!

Madeleine BidderAwards Committee Chairman

Aaron Morton, Award Winner 2018

7

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARYSUNDAY 7 JULY 2019

LONDON LIVERIES UPDATE

On Tuesday 9 April 2019 Mrs Jackie Williams, wifeof Court Assistant Dr Keith C Williams, was installedas Junior Warden of the Worshipful Livery Companyof Upholsterers at Goldsmiths’ Hall, London

Congratulations to Mrs Jackie Williams

The Worshipful Livery Company of FurnitureMaker’s Royal Charter Dinner at Vintners’ Hall

This will be a very special first garden party ofits type and a Calling Notice has already beenissued. This will be a very popular event in theWLCoW calendar for 2019 and as tickets aresold on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, you areurged to please buy your tickets early to avoiddisappointment. They are available from theAssistant Clerk: Angela Parry. Cheques madepayable to “Livery Company of Wales” and sendto Angela Parry MBE at 44 Richards Terrace,Cardiff CF24 1RX

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Thursday 26th SeptemberAwards Ceremony and Dinner at Howell’s

School, Llandaff

Thursday 3rd OctoberCommon Hall

Lord Kirkham with Officers of the WorshipfulLivery Company of Furniture Makers.

Attended by our own Court Assistant AgnesXavier-Phillips and her husband Nigel Phillips

with Past Master Jonathan Hindle

WLGCT Charity Reg Number: 1047346

8

PREVIEW OF MASTER’S AWAY WEEKEND TO BRUGES( Full Article in the next edition of the Welsh Livery Bulletin)

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Group Photograph at Welsh MemorialPark

Last Post Wreath Laying atMenin Gate

Master at Hedd Wyn’s Headstone

Group Photograph alongside the Edwards Coach