The Worshipful Company of Engineers The Swordsman Newsletter ...

The Swordsman Issue 29
during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. There
were 3 days of training including a session on John
Lewis’s doctrine of ‘customer welcome’ as well as
event briefings and in-situ familiarisation.
Ambassadors were at all the main London airports,
railway stations, parks and landmarks – Margaret was
at Heathrow Terminal 3 and Graham at Terminal 4.
Armed with numerous maps, guides and other
‘freebies’ the job was to greet, answer any questions,
and send tourists on their way with confidence after
having a good first experience of the UK. We soon
learned the secret was to offer our free maps first to
avoid being classed as ‘chuggers’ and be given a wide
berth. During Graham’s 6 days of duty visitors
included the Russian Paralympic team supporters. As
well as helping a whole range of various visitors, some
in distress and lost, Margaret was amazed at the
volume of Chinese and other Far East students coming
to do Masters degrees here at UK universities.
Heathrow turned out to be a great place to work as the
Olympics were clearly such a success and all the
tourists arriving were so complimentary about their
experience and the positive impressions they had
received. The perks of the role were the chance to be at
the rehearsal of the Olympic Opening Ceremony with
Brunel playing such a prominent role and finally the
joyous Parade of Athletes at the conclusion. It was also
great to be actively involved and to contribute towards
the fantastic summer of 2012 and the pleasure of
working with other volunteers who shared our
enthusiasm for our capital city, London. Boris is now
actively considering retaining the London Ambassador
troops as part of his plan to sustain the London
experience.
Graham and Margaret Skinner
Ruby Wedding
Congratulations to the Master David Scahill and his
wife Gillian who celebrated their 40th Wedding
Anniversary on 22nd July 2012 during the Master’s
year of office.
David and Gill on the Balcony of the RNLI College
50
OBITUARIES
I am sorry to report that Michael John Neale OBE who
only joined the Company in April 2009 died in
August. Just as the last edition of the Swordsman was
going to print I was able to report the sad news that Sir
William Barlow, a founder of the Company had died
in May and I now include an appreciation of his life
and contribution to the Worshipful Company of
Engineers
Sir William Barlow FREng, FIET,
FIMechE
8th June 1924 - 19th May 2012
I have compiled this obituary from the addresses given
at the Service of Thanksgiving held on 29th May at St
Mary’s Church in Henley on Thames. The church was
full with many members of the Engineers’ Company
present including Past Master Sir David Davies
representing HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
A headmaster’s son, Bill was born in Oldham and was
a Scholar at Manchester Grammar School and then
UMIST where he graduated with a first in electrical
engineering in 1944. He was commissioned in the
Royal Navy and he was engaged in minesweeping for
over two years. He was proud of his service in the
Navy which he described as his “finishing school”.