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Words from the Warden 
Chris Gaskell
 At a time when not much seems normal and effective, the safe delivery in September of another dozen or so grants from the Company’s Trust Fund seems doubly pleasing. For any charity not associated with the NHS, the past few months have been especially bleak, and the next few probably even more difficult. The Trust’s ability to help charities continue to deliver is crucial, and represents a major component of the Company’s work for Gloucestershire. This newsletter contains a brief clip about the work of one such charity and we hope to feature more in subsequent editions. The range of groups we support is impressive, and we must continue to make sure we are reaching the widest possible spectrum of groups, working in all sections of the County’s community. The breadth of experience in our membership should mean that we can do so; please help us to be as inclusive as possible by bringing the Trust to the attention of groups that may otherwise find themselves under supported, or under our radar.
 
As the current situation drags on, more and more organisations bump into the need to hold their Annual General Meetings, and the Company is no different. Tuesday the 19th of November is our date; it will be virtual but no less important for that, and details will follow from The Clerk. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, Jamie Tabor, Chair of the Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF), will be talking about their work in these difficult times. I look forward to seeing virtually everyone there. I’m afraid on this occasion the refreshments will be your own.
 
The first of Mark Hurrell’s interviews with members went out with the last newsletter and since then the link to his conversation with Helen Lovatt, immediate past Warden and currently High Sheriff, has been made available at

 https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AM9PWPTaH7d6Ak0&cid=EDD0A41B856168D0&id=EDD0A41B856168D0%2111560&parId=EDD0A41B856168D0%2111452&o=OneUp

The objective is to provide the chance to get to know each other (even) better as part of the Fellowship that underpins the Company. Let us know if there is a particular member’s story you would like to hear about. In a follow-up to David Owen’s talk in July about the LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy talk we also hope to record some conversations with those involved with different sectors of business within Gloucestershire. If we can’t meet we can at least watch together. And there is the Gloucestershire lecture to look forward to next March, and a dinner next autumn, hopefully in Tewkesbury Abbey which celebrates its 900th Anniversary in 2021. So the Abbey has seen and successfully managed a few pandemics in its time; a lesson in longevity and positivity for us all. I hope you are all keeping safe and well. 
Earlier in the year the Warden wrote to our Patron, The Princess Royal.
A copy of the letter can be read here.
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtBoYYUbpNDt2n-2F1qFMmbByYGv?e=V6tCQd
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Julie and Mark went to visit Maureen and her volunteers at the Bike Project recently to see how our donations from the Trust have been utilised for the community. Below are the pictures and 2 minute chat with Maureen.
Click to a 2 minute chat with Maureen from the Bike Project here
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The Honourable Company have sponsored four lectures arranged by Friends of Gloucester Cathedral.  There are two left to attend, if allowed according to Covid regulations.
6 November    Sir William Compton, Early Tudor Courtier and Probable Donor of the Lady Chapel East Window
4 March 2021    Reflections on the Black Death 1348-60 on Art, Architecture and Industry

Details can be obtained from https://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/friends/friends-events/
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Sadly the David Vaisey Prize for Gloucestershire Libraries, which has been supported by the Honourable Company, could not be awarded this year because of the closure of all libraries until recently. However the Prize will be making three awards in October to young persons (under the age of 19) who have made an outstanding contribution to libraries over the past year. The winners will also be recognised at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
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Thank you to Tony Raybone for the lovely story of how he managed to get Sir Tom to be the Veterans first Honorary Hero.
Because of his great age, his family needed to ‘shield’ him and had engaged the services of a PR company to handle his affairs and Tony and Amanda did not have any luck with them.
They then decided to try the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, where Tom lives with his family and they asked Helen Lovatt, our High Sheriff and ex Warden of the Honourable Company to help. Helen had met Bedfordshire's High Sheriff before and contacted Susan Lousada. She gave Helen Tom's own personal details.
Tony's Words.....

After much correspondence over many weeks, on the day he
 received his Knighthood from H.M.The Queen they received news from Sir Tom’s Team – yes, he would much like to be the Veterans Honorary Hero and sent his very best wishes. Everyone was delighted. Sir Tom’s picture plus his Military service and his incredible achievements are to be displayed throughout the Homes  - hopefully to give inspiration and encouragement to those Vets who have fallen on hard times.
 
On behalf of  ALABARE and all our Veterans I would like to extend warmest thanks to our High Sheriff, also to our Warden and Clerk for supporting the Appeal and lastly to Hon. Co. Members for their generosity. This year marked  VE and VJ 75th commemorations. The pandemic COVID-19  too will always be remembered and you all played a most vital part.
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Dates of IG Meetings
17th November
9th February 
18th May

Dates of Court Meetings
7th December
23rd February
14th April - Awayday
The Next Newsletter will be sent in the first week of December and will feature the successful Charities given awards from the Trust.
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