The Worshipful Company of Saddlers - 'Throw down the Gauntlet!

Whilst trawling the Square Mile for City in Bloom I had the pleasure of visiting this Livery Company in Gutter Lane, off Cheapside (West Cheape), almost on the site of the original hall established around 1395, although there is evidence that it is likely to be one of the oldest livery companies in the City. Peruse link, as I cannot do justice to its fabulous history here : http://www.saddlersco.co.uk/thesaddlerscompany/development.html

This company up until 1351 was in the top twelve livery companies in the City and it was only in the C16th when the economic power moved from craft to the merchant companies and the company descended to 25th place. As time moved on we know that the horse was superceded by the arrival of all things mechanical and industrial, although I believe the last horse-drawn Hansom Cab was still working in London well into the 1950s. The Saddlers' Company, however, remains as one of the few who are still very much involved and affiliated with their original craft.

I was made most welcome by the Beadle, Keith Marsh, who I was pleased to discover follows me on Twitter! Having signed off the nomination for City in Bloom, Keith kindly showed me around the Hall and some of its treasures.

The history link will give you more information but here are some points of interest:

• Noted as one of the earliest established companies (evidence held at Westminster)
• First Charter from Edward III in 1363
• Incorporation Charter of Richard II in 1395
• 600th Anniversary of the original Incorporation Charter, Queen Elizabeth II granted her Charter to the Saddlers' Company
• Honorary Freedom and present Yeoman is HRH the Princess Royal (the Saddlers' Company has the unique privilege of granting Yeoman status)
• The current Master, Mrs Petronella Jameson, also the first female court member of the company.
• Hall destroyed by Great Fire 1666
• Burned down in 1821
• Destroyed in air attack in 1940
• Compulsory purchase by City of London Corporation of medieval freehold, present Hall still on part of original site.
• Wonderful treasures : http://www.saddlersco.co.uk/thesaddlerscompany/company_treasures.html#i

Plus a great titbit for guides: Where does the saying 'Throw down the gauntlet' originate? 

"The King's Champion Saddle

The Kings Champion Saddle is held on loan in Saddlers' Hall due to the generosity of the present Queen's Champion, Lt Col J L M Dymoke OBE DL, Lord of the Manor of Scrivelsby. The saddle, of leather covered with red silk velvet and ornamented with silver-gilt lace, braid and fringe, was probably used at the Coronation of George the Third in 1760. Together with the bridle and gauntlet, it was restored in Saddlers Hall some 200 years later by John Waterer, a Liveryman of the Company.

The Manor of Scrivelsby in Lincolnshire carries with it the hereditary title of the Grand Champion of England. The Dymoke family has held the title since 1292. The Champion's duty was performed only at the Coronation of each Monarch, with the last such ceremony taking place at the Coronation of King George IV in 1821. Clad in full armour, carrying a gauntlet and attended by trumpeters, Serjeants-at-Arms, a Herald and the Lord High Constable, the Kings' Champion rode into Westminster Hall and delivered a challenge against anybody who might gainsay the Sovereign. After the third challenge, their being no response, the Monarch would toast the health of the Champion, in the knowledge that he was undisputed as Sovereign." (Extract from WC of Saddlers' website)

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/what-does-it-mean-to-throw-down-the-gauntlet

For those who like the wonderful ceremonial elements of the City why not attend at the Saddlers' Hall on 1st July when it is Election Day. Having elected a Master, Wardens and Junior Assistants, to be installed later in July, the Court and Livery process from Saddlers Hall to St. Vedast’s, Foster Lane (the Company’s Parish Church) for a service. The procession leaves the Hall at approximately 11.45am via the South arcade in Gutter Lane. This year they are hoping the procession will be led by two City of London Police horses. There is also a proposal that one of the horses will be the newly named 'Jameson', after the current and first lady Master of the Saddlers Company, Mrs Petronella Jameson. See you there!

Saddlers' Hall, 40 Gutter Lane
Picture courtsey of WC of Saddlers'

West Ham Park – Visit by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Fiona Woolf CBE - 6th June 2014

Guildhall Yard

The day dawned with bright sunshine and an early start to catch the coach from The Guildhall for the Annual Visit of the Open Spaces, City Gardens and the West Ham Park Committees to West Ham Park.

This part of London was new to me so the journey was just as exciting as the destination, and for the umpteenth time I told myself I must go and visit the Olympic site at Stratford, which we passed enroute.

We were greeted by Martin Rodman, Superintendent of Parks and City Gardens and informed The Lord Mayor would join us later in the tour and her Consort Mr Nicholas Woolf would stand in for the time being.

On entrance to the Park you are greeted by two glorious wildflower meadows, so lush and colourful it took your breath away, no picture can really capture their beauty. So many poppies!  After welcome refreshments and an opportunity to meet other members of the group Alderman Ian Luder made the introductions.  Ms Sue Banks then took us closer to the meadows and explained the outreach, biodiversity and sustainability projects in the park.

‘Thanks to funding from the City Bridge Trust 4,170m² of meadow has been sown over the last two years bringing the total area to 7,500m². Children from four different local primary schools have helped sow the seeds.’ (Taken from Programme of the day)

The park consists of 77 acres and is the largest in Europe and Grade II listed.  It has a recorded footfall of 1.2 million per annum and the local community consists of a population of 300,000 with 110 languages spoken, all living in a high density of dwellings. The park offers a ‘breathing space’ as well as encouragement to healthy living, various sports plus  a running track and an outdoor gym. In partnership with ‘activeNewham’ the community joins in seasonal cricket matches and tournaments.

Children are entertained by Mr Nicholas Woolf and Deputy John Bennett

There are over 1000 trees within the park, Plane trees account for 20% of them and there are also the famous Liquid Amber of which they have 77 different cultivars, a sight to behold in their Autumn glory. The management have been working with the London Borough of Islington to record every single tree in the park on Arbortrack a tree management database, which is an excellent tool to manage their tree stock.

Alderman Ian Luder, The Lord Mayor, Martin Rodman, Superintendant
of the Parks & City Gardens, Deputy John Bennett, Chief Commoner

Although the Winter Garden is relatively new and the first phase has begun with dwarf Silver Birch and red-stemmed dogwoods, it harks back to the Victorian age of ornamental gardens, rose-gardens and formal bedding, all of which West Ham can offer. There is also a Victorian Bandstand which is still used today.  They are all part of the rich history of the site, as with many parks, this magnificent started life as a rich man’s botanical enterprise and private garden.

History : Upton House www.newhamstory.com/node/958

West Ham Park was originally the site of Upton House, later to be called Ham House and home to several notables. In 1762 it was bought by Dr. John Fothergill, a Quaker physician and botanist. He enlarged the estate to slightly more than its present size and developed it into one of the finest botanical gardens in Europe. Another is the younger brother of Elizabeth Fry (the prison reformer) Samuel Gurney, a Quaker banker and philanthropist.  After his death in 1856 it was occupied by members of the Gurney family until its demolition in 1872 and the grounds became West Ham Park in 1874. The site of the house is marked by a cairn of stones in the park. 

Newham Heritage & Archives Ref 13/1/10 -47

The Lord Mayor joined us in the gardens to plant a Paulownia tomentosa (Foxglove tree). It is unusual that it flowers first – lilac-purple foxglove-live flowers in spring, soon followed by light green leaves. A native of China and first introduced in 1834.

Planting of the Paulownia tomentosa (Foxglove tree)
by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Fiona Woolf CBE

 After a brief mix with the group, a photo opportunity and a presentation, in the nursery area, of a beautiful bouquet of flowers grown there, The Lord Mayor sadly was whisked away.

The nursery has eight glasshouses and sees 250,000 plants passing through annually. Over 350 varieties of summer and spring bedding plants are nurtured here.  The nursery not only provides the City of London green spaces but also The Royal Parks, plus the floral displays for functions at the Guildhall and Mansion House.

It was a wonderful way to spend a sunny morning, excellent company, new contacts, beautiful park and the presence of The Lord Mayor. We climbed back in to the coach for a splendid lunch at the Guildhall in the Livery Hall.

Again I was lucky with my companions at table, hosted by Deputy Michael Welbank CBE, which included David Curtis from Roots and Shoots, Stella Fox, Support Officer, West Ham Park, Sandra Lea, Alison Elam, Chamberlain’s Department and Daniel George a City Gardens Apprentice.

After an initial debate about whether one should pay for the use of toilets in the City and the writer expounding the virtues of the Toilet Map, the conversation did take did change tack as lunch was served!

I can only highly recommend a visit to this excellent Park, it is  a short bus ride from Stratford and an easy walk.  Take a picnic as presently no refreshments available although I have it on very good authority that this will be remedied very soon.  Oh and by the way, there are loos!