Installation Day 2019
Dr Peter Rumley MA DPhil MA FSA MCIfA was installed as our new Master in our 400 year old ceremony in the splendid company church of St Magnus the Martyr on Wednesday 23 October. He was joined by Upper Warden Nick Jones BA ACA Esq and Renter Warden Air Cdre Paul Nash OBE BSc RAF (Ret’d).
Our New Master Dr Peter Rumley
Upper Warden Nick Jones Esq Renter Warden Air Cdre Paul Nash
Our ancient installation ceremony was adopted on 11 November 1611, 7 months after King James 1 granted our Royal Charter. The order of proceedings for the day has evolved over time, but the words of the ceremony itself have not altered at all.
The Installation Court
The day began with the outgoing Master, Dame Fiona Woolf DBE DL, chairing her last Court meeting in the Court Room at Vintners’ Hall. Two new Court Assistants, Kingsley Poulton and Mark Wheeler, were admitted to the Court and three new Liverymen, Russell Mundy, David Turner and Gordon Goodall were clothed.
The New Master with new Liverymen (L to R) Gordon Goodall, David Turner and Russell Mundy
The Court then processed along Upper Thames Street to St Magnus the Martyr, where we were welcomed by our Company Chaplain, the Reverend Philip Warner MA (Oxon) and the congregation of company members, their families and guests.
After the installation ceremony, which was heralded by a trumpet fanfare, Dr Peter Rumley took his place at the Masters’ chair and the new Wardens in the front pew for the Installation Service accompanied by the choir of St Magnus, organist John Eady and trumpeter Joe Sharp.
The Court then processed out of church and back to Vintners’ Hall behind its new Master and Wardens to a celebratory bellringing led by The Ancient Society of College Youths, of which the new Master is a Member.
Back a Vintners’ Hall everyone enjoyed pre-lunch drinks, during which retiring Master’s Consort Nicholas Woolf handed over the Consorts’ Jewel to Peter’s wife Bridget , followed by a splendid three-course lunch.
The day’s proceedings concluded with the traditional welcoming speech from the new Master. He thanked his predecessor and new Immediate Past Master, Dame Fiona, for her excellent year and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. He then outlined his plans and programme for his forthcoming year, emphasising the importance of our history and heritage as we move forward and also presented his wife Bridget, the new Mistress Plumber, with a bouquet of flowers.
The new Master and Mistress Plumber
You can read Peter’s letter on election as Master here and we wish him and Bridget a thoroughly enjoyable and successful year.