Master and Wardens' Tour 2017

The Master and Wardens went on their annual tour last week, visiting key locations linked to Brewers’ Company charities. This year, these included the estate in Islington managed by the Company on behalf of the Dame Alice Owen Foundation, the three Almshouses supported by Alderman James Hickson’s Charities and the two schools supported by the Company: Dame Alice Owen’s and Aldenham Schools.

The Brewers' Company administers 11 separate charities, with the Court acting as the Trustee to each of them. The annual tour allows the Master and Wardens, as senior members of the Court, the opportunity to maintain the connection between the Company and some important aspects of these charities.

The estate in Islington was part of a bequest from Dame Alice Owen when her eponymous charity was established in 1613. The estate provides a major source of income for the charity which last year distributed £1,600,000 to support education at Dame Alice Owen's School and in the London Borough of Islington.

Hickson's Almshouses in Potters Bar currently provide a home for three local people in need. The Master and Wardens enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with the residents as part of their tour and to wish them well for Christmas.

Both schools put on an excellent visit which afforded the Master and Wardens the opportunity experience subjects such as music, art, information technology and media studies, as well as looking at the results of recent capital developments and plans for the future. As ever, the visits highlighted the impressive achievements of staff and students at both institutions.

The Master and Wardens are very grateful to everyone who made the visit possible, and to all of those people who support the Company's charitable work.