Awards went to the top four graduates of the Builders’ Merchant Federation Diploma in Merchanting, with Glenn Paddison, MKM Building Supplies Ltd, winning the Company’s first prize and the Golton Medal 2013. Roy Shewry, Hoppings Softwood Products PLC, won second and Nick Cox, of Palladium Ltd received third prize. The fourth prize went to Ryan Osborne, Hoppings Softwood Products Ltd.
Lance Corporal Michael Huggett from the 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment won the Best Soldier 2012. Sub Lieutenant George Tolley was acknowledged for his outstanding leadership of the Beckenham and Penge Sea Cadets Unit, which has seen increased attendance and won the District Drilling and Piping Competition. Jinah Shim from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama won the Pianist’s Bursary.
The Company supports training and education in the merchant industry through its close links with the IoBM and BMF. The City & Awards luncheon is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of young merchants in the industry. The Company also donates to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and actively supports the 3rd Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, contributing to its Welfare Fund.
In addition to the Awards ceremony, the event is a key networking opportunity for Liverymen and Freemen of the Company and their guests. George Gillon, Chief Commoner Elect, was the guest speaker. John Newcombe, Managing Director of the BMF, Andrew Pine, the President of The
Institute of Builders’ Merchants (IoBM) and the Masters of four other Livery companies were among the Master’s guests.
The event started with a tour of Ironmongers’ Hall. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers’ is ranked 10th among the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers’ dates back to the 14th century. It bought buildings in Fenchurch Street and converted them into a Hall in 1457. This was later enlarged. The Hall was rebuilt in 1587 and escaped the Great Fire of 1666. A third Hall was built in 1745 on the same site, but in 1917 during the first World War it was damaged by a bomb. After the war, the site was sold and the building demolished.
The land in Shaftesbury Place where the present Hall stands, was bought in 1922. The Hall was officially opened in June 1925. The Hall had a remarkable escape in December 1940 when a German air raid set fire to all the adjacent buildings, which were destroyed. Freemen, Liverymen and guests were given a guided tour of the spectacular rooms, and the many historic portraits, statues, ornaments and tapestry on display in the Tudor style Hall. The style of the Hall is intentional as it seemed appropriate for the housing of an ancient guild and because it recalled the Golden Age of Craftsmanship.
