A Message from the Master

By the time we get to December, the Master’s memory could look like the inside of a beehive, full of activity but not with the same semblance of order! There have been lots of civic events and Livery Company lunches and dinners for Masters and Clerks.

On the beekeeping front, we have attended the celebration of Charles Butler’s 400th and, of course, each day for three days, the Centenary National Honey Show which the Company has supported for a long time and of which we can be very proud.

Incorporation of Candlemakers 

Having seen the pattern before as Warden and Lord Mayor, I have particularly enjoyed some of the unexpected moments. For example, at the final dinner of our joint Masters’ Outing to Edinburgh with the Gardener’ Company in September, I was not expecting to wind up as an Honorary Member of the Incorporation of Candlemakers where I was presented with two modern candles, infused with the scent of “Auld Reekie” and of “Morningside” where I was born! 

Two Shows 

It was a delight to be presented to Princess Anne at the opening of the National Honey Show (she knows us from my time as Lord Mayor) and to be told by her about beekeeping in Africa!

The Lord Mayor’s Show, which I have not missed since 2007 (either as a participant or watching from the terrace outside the Mansion House), was quite a surprise too – would you believe it, it did not rain! In fact, it was better than that – the sun shone! It was a terrific experience to sit on the pavement outside Wax Chandlers’ Hall and watch the entire parade at extremely close quarters. Such was the energy and enthusiasm that the participants would dart out of the parade to give me a hug and then rush back to play catch up! Our informal lunch was a lovely family affair on a much smaller scale than the Mansion House to which former Lord Mayors are invited! It caters for some 400 people in two sittings! We cater for about 70!

 

Two Zoom talks

Our Zoom talks in October and November delivered a lot that was unexpected too. I had always wanted to know more about the international trade in beeswax in medieval Europe.

Beeswax was clearly valuable, or it would not have sustained our Company at such an early stage. Mark Whelan’s gripping research based on a lot of documentary evidence showed us that, surprisingly, the most valuable beeswax was very white and came from Poland. Traded in Hanseatic ports, it was purchased and sold for kings to give to other kings as a gift – hence its description as “Hanse Gold”! 

 

 

 

Chocolate 

The talk by our own Ashley Parasram from Tobago was full of surprises too. We learned a lot about his courage, entrepreneurship and how he managed (working with a lot of different organisations) to build sustainability into the farming business model. Ashley travels the world to bring his beans and his finished chocolate to market. He had recently returned from China! The Trinitario cocoa bean is very special in its flavours – it marries bright red fruit and sweet spices with chocolate. Ashley describes it as if he were tasting wine which brought the whole chocolate tasting experience up to a new level.

He very kindly donated a lot of his chocolate for us to taste and we have plenty left over. If you would like us to send you a bar or two, let Sarah know on admin@waxchandlers.org.uk.

Ashley would like us to use the talk as an opportunity to make a small donation to our charity, if it is not too much trouble.

Let me assure you, the chocolate is utterly delicious and will be available at our events! As we proudly indicated, Ashley’s cocoa beans were featured by Warner Brothers in the trailer for the new Wonka film! 

Up Soon 

Following on from the Christmas extravaganza on 6th December at St Vedast and Goldsmiths’ Hall (which was a great success), our next grand event is on 10th January – our traditional lunch with the Lord Mayor who shares many of our interests in bees, pollinators, and the environment. He is a terrifically engaging speaker and very personable. 

Our next Zoom talk is on correcting the myths about climate change and sustainability by Professor Averil Macdonald on 19th February at 6pm. She and I sat on the Board of the Science Museum together and she is a very articulate scientist with a great sense of humour! It will be full of substance and a lot of fun! 

 

Let me leave you with all good wishes for the season. I hope you and your families all flourish! 

 

Fiona Woolf 

Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, DL