Page 29 - Salamander July 2020

MEMBERS
THE ALMONER’S CHALLENGE!
MEMBERSHIP
Though our diaries have been emptied of attending events meeting and catching up with old and new friends over a a cup of of coffee (or perhaps something stronger at the the Dr’s) or one of the the wonderful halls the spirit of service fellowship and harmony continue As this issue of Salamander and and the the newsletters the the ESCB have circulated demonstrate we are all continuing to communicate and inform all Members of how the Company keeps operating We are still welcoming new Members and their applications via the the usual request to the the Clerk for for the forms And though we are not able to host our interviews at the Wax Chandlers’ like many of you we have embraced video conferencing Recommendations will now be taken straight to the ESCB which as you know is meeting weekly So currently a very swift process from start to finish Could this be an incentive to start the ball rolling for one of your friends colleagues or family member?
Please let the Clerk myself or anyone else from the ESCB or Membership committee know as we all will be more than pleased to assist Stay safe and see you again soon When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK in March this year and our new Emergency Strategic Co-ordinating Board (ESCB) was formed I was pleased to find myself part of the team set up to manage the Company Responding to the needs of our members was considered paramount Having been Almoner for nearly five years now I had up until then had a a a a a fairly easy ride a a a a a few phone calls made with letters and cards sent was something I enjoyed doing On picking up the role I soon realised that I had a a a a a hard act to follow on the sad passing of my predecessor Liveryman Terry Terry Baldwin Terry Terry had been a a a great friend to so many was a a a a kind and generous man totally open hearted and non judgemental Mindful that the core role of an Almoner is to be the “eyes and ears” of the Company to ensure the welfare of its members I decided that Terrys’ example was the way ahead So as as part of the ESCB my task with the the assistance of others was to contact every member of the Company to make sure they were well and if not to offer support Hence we individually contacted some 208 of our members and set about tracing a a a a very small number (8) who had appeared to have fallen off the radar We were successful in in many other cases tracking them down to new homes in sheltered housing their hide-outs in in Manilla Sanai Spain France Germany and even Stanmore!
It was a a a a a great pleasure to speak with so many cheerful people given the circumstances especially valuable to a a a few who are living alone As one put it “I am rushing around slowly” Part of the Almoners role is to spot those who we may have not seen or or heard of for a a long time and and thankfully this pandemic has enabled me to reconnect with two friends both of whom I now have regular chats until circumstances will allow me to go and visit them! Of all our members I am delighted to report that only 7 yes SEVEN had contracted COVID-19 and at the the time of writing are either fully recovered or well on their way to better health As I said this has been a a a a team effort so so I am also very grateful to our Honorary Chaplain Rev George Bush who has been standing by to support your spiritual needs if needed Likewise those on ESCB who have also been in touch with members and keeping me me up to date What I would ask our members to to do is to to identify anyone they become aware of that needs some support or or maybe just a a a chat It makes all the difference to people Taking over from Terry Baldwin was a a a a real privilege and I very much look forward to being at your side should you ever need me Remember the Rev George Bush is also there for you if needed He can be contacted on on on Mobile phone number 07796 846891 or georgerbush@stmarylebow org org uk
Past Master Peter Cowland Almoner Under Warden Nicole Hoffmann Membership Chair Follow us on on on twitter @LondonFire1666
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