Canynges Society Annual Gazette 2016

ANNUAL GAZETTE 2016

The President writes
Fabric Repairs
The Canynges Society supports one
of the great buildings of our nation
and until one becomes involved with
this mighty Church one does not
really appreciate what an honour and
privilege it is. Looking back at those
who have been past presidents one
realises the legacy they have left and
the shoes one has to fill.
What one also realises is that the Canynges Society and St Mary
Redcliffe Church will endure long after we have all been forgotten.
Each President, during the year they have been given, endeavours
to encourage you to contribute to the upkeep of this ancient
building so that our descendants, the Bristolians of the future, and
visitors from all over the world will continue to enjoy what some
of us take for granted, namely the permanence of the structure
and the continuance of the institution. In reality all buildings and
institutions without care and renewal are but ephemeral.
Every time you pass the church remember that you walk in the steps
of people who looked at the same views, who lived through great
upheavals such as the Hundred Years War, the great plagues; civil
war; political turmoil, riots, and bombs.
The care of St Mary’s is demonstrated by the continuing work on
the windows in the restored St John’s Chapel; the restoration of
the Lord Mayor’s Sword Board; a new lighting system and further
work on the fabric of the building, both within and without. One
of the major projects for future presidents will be work on the
extraordinary North Porch and many of its carvings which sit
rather sadly on the inside of the church.
The renewal of St Mary’s has been demonstrated by the development
project which was announced in June. This will have a dramatic
effect on the church and those who come in the future. More of
that from others.
Many churches are able to offer tours of parts of the buildings which
are rarely seen. St Mary’s has many a hidden gem: the Lady Chapel
roof, the tower, belfry, strong room, Chatterton Room and Easter
Vestry. The views from the roof are spectacular. My appeal this year
is to enable public tours of these lost parts of the church. Work
needs to be done on balustrades and stairs, doors and sills. Once
that work has been done even more of the church will be accessed
by the public.
I am planning to hold one event this year. I hope as many people as
possible will be able to come. On the 3rd December, a professional
actor will be performing in his acclaimed one-man production of
Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’. Please see insert enclosed..
Please come, and invite as many people as you can.
Thank you all for your support.
Robin Shellard
President
Cover Picture: With kind permission of Edmund Shellard ©
2
The last twelve months have been busy in relation to
various fabric repair projects around the church. Over the
winter period the south transept’s west-facing window
was partially removed and repaired. A number of years
ago, the polycarbonate sheeting was removed from this
window which in turn exposed a few small areas of longstanding
damage. The work involved the re-leading of
approximately 50% of this window as well as repairs to
broken glass and the reinstatement of missing glass. All
the work was undertaken by John Baker Stained Glass of
Weston-super-Mare. Upon completion, the whole window
was professionally cleaned.
Continuing on the window front, trials are continuing for
the isothermal glazing to the St John’s Chapel windows. The
secondary glazing has been proven to eradicate all risk of
condensation over the 12 month test period and the aesthetic
impact of the options continues to be assessed in advance of
faculty and planning applications that will be submitted later in
the year.
At high level, the condition of the spire is always a high priority
and following the last inspection of the spire stonework in
2012, we have undertaken the repointing of open joints to the
stonework and carried out a cover metre assessment of the surface
of the spire to identify if any ironwork is concealed. Positively,
the inspection has confirmed that the ironwork is confined to
a very small area. As ever, the works included a ‘working over’
of the surface of the spire to ensure that no stonework or other
mortar repairs are at risk from detaching. Additionally, a stainless
steel mesh has been fitted over the spire’s glass louvres to replace
the nylon netting. These works were undertaken by Vitruvius
Conservation with Dawson Steeplejacks completing the works
with the decoration of the weathercock ironwork.

ANNUAL GAZETTE 2016
Internally, some localised repairs have been undertaken to the tiled
floor, however the focus over the last twelve months has related more
to the energy performance of the building to tie in with Bristol as the
Green Capital of Europe. The first, relatively easy task was to replace
all of the light bulbs in the chandeliers. Different bulbs were sourced
and trialled with fully dimmable LED bulbs being selected. As well as
using 75% less energy, the new bulbs have a long life expectancy and
have the potential to be dimmed once a new control panel has been
installed.
Moving on from the chandeliers, the 116 uplighters in the aisles
have also all been replaced with new dimmable LED fittings. The
redundant transformers have been removed and the new lamps have
been designed with bases with the same fixing holes as the removed
lamps to minimise damage to the building. The change of fitting will
result in an energy saving of approximately 30W per fitting but the
reduced frequency of changing the fittings will lead to further cost
savings. The fittings have also been fitted with shrouds to reduce the
glare from the light source. A further benefit of the new fittings is the
consistency of the ‘colour temperature’ throughout the aisles. Again
these new fittings will be dimmable with a new control panel.
Works to the Sword Board by Bush & Berry are also progressing well
and the board should be back in the St. John’s Chapel in the early
autumn.
Marcus Chantrey, RIBA, AABC
Inspecting Architect
Obituary
Richard Lee
We are very sorry to report the death of Past
President Richard Lee on 19 November
2015. Richard was passionate about St Mary
Redcliffe and was also an exceptionally
well-informed and supportive member of
the Fabric Committee during his time
in office. His Appeal delivered the first
stage of three years’ funding (with Temple
Ecclesiastical Trust) for the purchase of
the stacking chairs which enable the church to accommodate large
congregations when necessary, and allow large portions of the building
to be kept clear of seating at other times, greatly adding to the quality
of the visitor experience.
Richard was a distinguished Bristol architect and for many years a
partner in Alec French. He was also a founder of the Brandon Hill
Chamber Orchestra, with whom he played, a great supporter of St
George's and many other Bristol institutions and a most successful
High Sheriff. Richard was unfailingly kind and generous and while his
final years were cruelly blighted by increasing ill health, to the end he
rarely missed a Redcliffe occasion.
Obituary
Nick Davis
13th January 1958 –
20th November 2015
Nick tragically lost his brave battle
against leukaemia last November.
The Society and St Mary Redcliffe
were very saddened to learn of
his passing. Nick was destined to
take over the presidency for the
incoming year.
We are exceedingly grateful for all his passion and enthusiasm
during his time on the standing committee, in particular
his plans to recreate a link between St Mary Redcliffe and
Philadelphia Cathedral given our historic links. Nick’s short
time on this exciting initiative resulted in a visit from the Dean
of Philadelphia Cathedral, Judy Sullivan. The Canynges Society
are keen to continue building on Nick’s plans with a view to
attracting an overseas membership and want this to be his legacy.
3

Winning Scheme
presents compelling
solution
Purcell, the Bristol-based architectural
practice, presented the winning
scheme in the recent competition
which sought conceptual ideas for
the development of the church
precinct in the coming years
and which would form the
basis of a Heritage Lottery
bid to raise funds to
realise the scheme.
Dan Talkes, Senior
Architect at Purcell,
outlines the inspiration
and thinking behind their
ideas for this exciting scheme.
In 1574, Elizabeth I declared St Mary Redcliffe to be ‘The Fairest,
goodliest and most famous parish church in England’. To coincide
with the 450th anniversary of this statement, the St Mary Redcliffe
Project seeks to undo the post-war planning decisions that have
isolated the church, to repair its context and to relocate the church
at the physical, spiritual and social heart of its community.
Purcell are delighted to have been selected to assist the church in
realising this vision. As Dan Tyndall has said, ‘We searched across
the globe but found our architects around the corner’. Indeed,
working from studios in King Street, Bristol, we have a long-standing
involvement in Redcliffe, members of our team having lived, gone
to school and worshipped in the area. Two of our team, Rob Gregory
and Dan Talkes, have also tutored architectural projects in Redcliffe,
at Bath University and The Welsh School of Architecture in
Cardiff, respectively, and Rob was also a key member of the Redcliffe
Futures Group.
We therefore bring to the project an intellectual understanding of
the church’s historic importance and a personal understanding of
both the particular challenges of Redcliffe and the unique potential
of this project to repair not only the church’s physical context but
also to embed it within the aims and aspirations of its community.
Our approach is rooted in history. Through analysis, we peeled back
the post-war layers to understand how radically the church’s setting
has changed and particularly how the dual carriageways of Redcliffe
Way and Redcliffe Hill have isolated the church, creating dual faultlines.
Our concept seeks to repair these by creating new ‘stitches’:
© Richard Carmen
first an east-west stitch that connects the Redcliffe Caves, Redcliffe
Wharf, the Quaker Burial Ground, the Hermitage, Chatterton
House and, ultimately, Temple Meads, to reintegrate the church
in its historic context: then, a north-south stitch that links the
Redcliffe Children’s Centre, St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School,
Somerset Square, The Ship Inn, Pump Lane and St Thomas Street
to forge a new connection between the more affluent communities of
north Redcliffe and the relative deprivation of south Redcliffe. These
stitches consciously unite not on the church’s crossing, but rather on
a new community garden generated to its north-side.
Located on the exact footprint of the former north-side churchyard,
and adopting the ‘lost’ historic alignments that became instrumental
to the form of our proposals, this community garden reestablishes
the church’s mediaeval enclosure. This was critical to our concept
since, as residents of Redcliffe, we had all experienced just how
experientially threatening it could be to access the church, its great
beauty and near cathedral-like scale, whilst undeniably contributing
to its significance, also presenting a potential barrier to its principal
function as a parish church.
However, during the competition process, we surrounded ourselves
with historic images of Redcliffe and, from these, we noted how,
until relatively recently, the church was seen not in toto, but rather
through a series of tantalising, more human-scale encounters that
had the potential to encourage more personal engagement.
Indeed, our proposal is underpinned by the desire to increase the
physical, social and spiritual accessibility of St Mary Redcliffe,
4

ANNUAL GAZETTE 2016
the scheme achieving the
completion of the processional
way to provide a fully
accessible route around the
church, for the first time in
its history.
On the north-side, this route
engages with a new welcome
building that, conceived as a
permeable extension of the
street, houses a combination
of visitor welfare facilities,
meeting rooms, clergy offices
and an exhibition space that,
via its spectacular views to
the north porch and spire,
provides a fitting location for
the display and interpretation
of the – currently largely
unseen – collection of church
treasures, including the
mediaeval armoire and an
early fire engine!
Crucially, though, the scheme recognises that the principal
function of St Mary Redcliffe will remain a place of worship
and therefore proposes a semi-external gate lodge that enables
worshippers to access the church without encounter with the more
secular functions, such as the café and shop.
© Richard Carmen
Beyond the gate lodge, the processional way passes below the Lady
Chapel to connect to the south churchyard. The competition brief
hinted at a total of two buildings, but we felt that a north-side
welcome building and a south-side community building would serve
only to highlight the fault margins we were seeking to repair and,
instead, proposed an interlinked series of buildings,
with an extremely modest pavilion within the south
churchyard that, in recognition of the importance
of this place, weaves between the existing mature
trees and touches the ground very lightly.
It provides a dual aspect multi-use hall that opens to
both the church and a new community square that,
formed outside the historic and socially-important
Ship Inn, also links to the final building in the
sequence – the community building. Located upon
the existing Methodist site, it redefines the site’s
edges to create a positive and rewarding streetscape
that reinforces the proposed north-south stitch and
recognises the potential value of Prewett Street as
a ‘high street’ for the Redcliffe community. The
building represents the physical manifestation of
St Mary Redcliffe’s outreach, providing a night
shelter for the homeless, workshops and office
spaces to assist social enablement, and a series of
communal spaces to provide a contemporary friary
for Faithspace, the site’s current occupiers.
Finally, as a reinforcement of the importance of
both history and place, each of the linked buildings
utilises a palette of materials that reflects the ‘lost’
industrial processes of Redcliffe, rising from a base
of red concrete that references the ‘red cliff’ and
culminating in a lantern of ceramics and glass, a
highly perforate and luminous beacon, symbolising
the hope, ambition and energy of the Redcliffe
Community.
© Richard Carmen
Dan Talkes BA (Hons) CAP BArch (Hons) DipArch
Associate, Purcell
5

Snapshots of Wonder
Those of us who are fortunate enough to call St Mary
Redcliffe “the office” can so easily forget just what an
extraordinarily breathtaking place it is.
It is not unusual for me to meet with someone in the parish office
and then, in the course of conversation, I say something like, “Let’s
pop across to the church and find out”. So we head over to the south
porch door, chatting as we go. I sail on through the door and have got
to the head of the nave before I realise that my companion has lost all
interest in our discussion and has just had that moment of seeing the
inside of St Mary Redcliffe for the first time.
Robin Shellard has asked me to ponder on those things that still make
me go ‘WOW’ within the church … and it has been a real pleasure to
decide which to share (and which to keep to myself!!!).
Clearly there is the glorious
view from the West Door down
the length of the nave: a view
which very few get as the doors
are not opened often and only
those in the formal processions
enter that way. We would love
to be able to provide that view
for more people. It is similar to
what can be seen from standing
on the west gallery: but there
your eyes are drawn up to the
vaulting whereas at the west
door your gaze is clearly on the
Horace Stammers window in
the Lady Chapel.
And those windows really
are quite something:
especially during Morning
Prayer in spring and
autumn as the sun rises.
The spectacular coloured
light bounces off the white
altar cloth and tumbles
across the carpeted floor.
It doesn’t happen often,
but when it does it is
reminiscent of the rainbow
that appeared after the
flood as a sign of God’s
promise and covenant
with His people.
And in the Lady Chapel you’re just a few feet above the Strong Room:
a walk-in safe which (because of the vacuum created by the four inch
steel door) most of us need a crow bar to prise open .. and the “thunk”
of closing the door resounds up the spiral. Inside this ‘room’ there
is a secret treasure trove of
historical artefacts, antique
minute books, historic
architectural drawings, pictures,
books, ironware and ancient
boxes … all part of the history of
the church and all locked away
where no-one can see them!
When we moved to Bristol we
had a dog. One day we were
walking across
Prince Street bridge
just as the sun was
rising behind the
church. SMR dares
to describe herself
as a ‘beacon’ and
the shadow of the
spire set against the
dawning of a new
day speaks volumes
of that designation: for being a beacon is not so much a place of
privilege but one of vulnerability. . . for what we do can be seen from
pretty much everywhere!
Recently I welcomed a member of staff from one of the Greater
Churches and he reminded me that I have a wonderful room in
which to work and what a glorious view (especially in winter) I have
of the church. The south side of the church is very special: not just
because of the peace and quiet of the churchyard, but because the view
modifies itself almost daily. Whereas the north vista has remained
constant for decades, the view of the south aspect changes with every
changing season as the
leaves come and go on
the trees. I think this adds
to the welcome that is
perhaps more evident
than that provided on the
north side.
The north porch has
been subject to much
interpretation over the
years. However the most
recent ‘last word’ must
go to Jon Cannon for his
fabulous Gazette published
at the end of last year in
which he describes, in as much detail as he could possibly muster, the
history of the work that has been undertaken on that part of the fabric
of the church over the last few hundred years. It is an extraordinary read
about an extraordinary part of our church building: a part that really
needs to be better presented to the visiting public and will form an
increasingly significant aspect of the heritage trail. But wouldn’t it be nice
if the view from the porch was a little more inviting?!
My final snapshot many of you will know: Rush Sunday...but perhaps
not the moment of the day that you might be remembering! In the
morning, before the congregation arrives, the church looks astonishing
with rushes over the floor and posies on the pews: but that’s not my
snapshot. In the service, the outfits are colourful, the music is soaring:
but that’s not my snapshot either! If you want to ‘get’ my Rush Sunday
snapshot you have to come back
for the evening service after
the church has been locked
up all afternoon (the only day
except around Christmas that
we close): the aroma of the
herbs has been captured within
the building, the clergy wear red
against the green rushes and,
just occasionally, the setting sun
shines directly through the west
window to provide a breathtaking
snapshot of wonder.
Dan Tyndall
July 2016
6

ANNUAL GAZETTE 2016
“Stay curyous Traveller and pass not bye…”
At 16 years of age Thomas Chatterton wrote
‘A Discourse on Brystowe by Thos. Rowleie
wrotten and gotten at the Desire of Wm:
Canynge Esqur.’
This piece of prose and poetry by Chatterton’s
fictitious monk-poet ‘Thomas Rowley’ (the true
Thomas Rowley, merchant and sheriff was an actual
associate of William Canynges) includes the beautiful untitled poem
to St Mary Redcliffe Church which contains the following lines of
adulation (in typical ‘Rowleyese quasi-medieval language’) to the
church and its restorer and beautifier William Canynges:
Stay curious Traveller and pass not bye
Until this fetive Pile astoundie thine Eye
.....
Thou seest this Maystrie of a human hand
This Pride of Brystowe and the Westeren Lande
Yet is the Buyders Vertues much moe greete
Greeter than can bie Rowlie’s Pen be scande-
Thou seest the Saynctes and Kynges in Stonen State
That seemed with Breath and human Soule dispande
As paydre to us enseem these Men of State
Such is greete Canynge’s mynde when payrd to Gode elate…
Thomas Chatterton’s heart-felt passion for St Mary Redcliffe Church
and William Canynges is clearly demonstrated in his Thomas
Rowley’s eulogisings as shown above. The profound influence of
St Mary Redcliffe and Canynges upon Chatterton cannot be over
emphasised. Indeed, the very core of Chatterton’s greatest genius
(Rowley) is to be found in his, and his family’s, intimate relationship
with the church. Thomas Chatterton was born in the shadow of St
Mary Redcliffe at approximately 6.00pm on 20th November 1752 and
it is possible that the first sounds he heard, other than the voices of his
mother and sister, were the peelings of the church bells. Chatterton’s
father, also ‘Thomas’, was a sub-chanter at Bristol Cathedral. He had
close ties with St Mary Redcliffe, particularly through his uncle John
Chatterton, who was a Weaver and a Sexton at the church who is
recorded as “Recd a Loafe Evry 14 days”.
The deep relationship between the Chatterton family and St Mary
Redcliffe Church is not exclusive to Thomas Chatterton the Poet.
The family history with the church extends over one hundred years
before the birth of Thomas Chatterton. On 3rd December 1643 Mary,
the daughter of a Tymothy Chatterton and wife Patience, was baptised
at the church. Later, on 29th August 1680 a William Chatterton
married Mary Bernett. Their son, again William Chatterton, was
baptized on December 14th 1690. “Thos Chatterton [the poet’s
Father] son of W Chatterton”, was baptized on 19th August 1713
being born on 8th August that year. There is an account of an epitaph
on a stone at the south wall of the church depicting the death of
“William Chatterton Sexton of this Parish and Bridget his wife” who
died in 1726 and 1747 respectively.
Not only do the births, marriages and baptisms of the Chatterton
family at St Mary Redcliffe extend to over one hundred years but
similarly does their employment at the church. One of the earliest
records is that of 22nd August 1662 for the payment to Thomas
Chatterton freemason (worker in freestone) “for worke donn as per
note 04 10 07” [£ sh d]. On 7th May 1662 there is the record of the
entry “To Chatterton for a paire of gloves to pull the weedes out of
the leads and tower 00 00 05”. There are also payments for work
done “att the conduit” and for “worke att the pipe”.
In 1663 there are payments to Chatterton the mason
for “worke donn”, for “on the church for stone” and
for “marking the churchyard bounds” and further for
“20 dayes work about the church-yard”. In 1665 and
1666 there are records of work “at the pipehead” “work
att Redcliffe Steppes” and “about the vault”. Such
records continue until 1747. On 21st March 1722/3
a meeting of the Vestry ordered “that the widow Chatterton shall
continue her office of sexton till Easter next”. On 25th March 1725
John Chatterton was appointed sexton of St Mary Redcliffe. John
Chatterton was the uncle of Thomas Chatterton’s father. So we see
that the Chatterton family were employed at St Mary Redcliffe for
many years as sextons and in masonry, cleaning, and general work on
the church structure and infrastructure.
One can see from these records that the Chatterton family over the
many years would have weaved themselves into the fabric and life of
St Mary Redcliffe and must have developed very deep ties with the
church, but the deepest of affections must surely lie with Thomas
Chatterton the poet, and his beloved “Maystrie of a human hand”
and the “Pride of Brystowe and the Westeren Lande”.
The inscription reads:
The Chatterton family memorial stone:
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother and others
“In memory of Thomas Chatterton Schoolmaster who died 7th August
1752 aged 39 years also Thomas Newton son-in-law of the above who
died 29th September 1785 aged 40 years also 2 of his sons and 1 of
his daughters. Also Sarah Chatterton widow of the above who died
25th December 1791 aged 60 years. Also Mary Newton widow of
the above Thos. Newton who died 3rd February 1804 aged 53 years.
Also Mary Ann Newton Spencer daughter of the above Thomas and
Mary Newton who died 7th September 1807 aged 24 years. The
original tombstone having fallen into decay was thus replaced Anno
Domini MDCCCVIII William Henry Edmund Churchwarden”
Thomas Chatterton is excluded because of his death and burial in
London. There was talk of his remains being removed to Bristol for
burial at St Mary Redcliffe Church but this appears to be nothing more
than another addition to the Chatterton myth.
(Primary Reference: ‘A Life of Thomas Chatterton’ by E. H. W. Meyerstein)
Michael Doble BSc (Hons) AMInstLM
Chairman ‘The Thomas Chatterton Society’
7

WHO ARE WE?
The Canynges Society is a registered charity dedicated to raising
funds to support the maintenance of the building fabric of the
church of St Mary Redcliffe, described by Queen Elizabeth
I as “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in
England”. The Society was originally formed in 1848 in memory
of William Canynges, a 15th Century Bristol merchant whose
generosity endowed a major restoration of the church following
a lighting strike in 1446. His memorial stands in the South
Transept of the church. The Society is run by a small committee
of volunteers and church officers, led by a President who is
nominated on an annual basis.
WHAT DO WE DO?
The Society raises funds for the restoration and upkeep of the
church building and for the improvement and adornment of
the fabric of both the church and churchyard. We rely entirely
on the generosity of the public and the business community for
funds to do this. The society’s principal fundraising initiative is
an annual Presidential appeal.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
You can support the Society by making a single or regular
donation. A minimum donation of £25.00 confers annual
membership of the Society which provides access to
membership events and regular information about the
Society and its work. All contributions are welcome - from
individuals, businesses, trusts and other charities.
A donation form is enclosed with this Gazette and
further information may be obtained by visiting:
www.stmaryredcliffe.co.uk/our-community/canyngessociety/
or contacting the Society’s Administrator at:
St. Mary Redcliffe Parish Office,
12 Colston Parade, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6RA.
Tel: 0117 929 1487
Email canynges@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk
The Canynges Society is a registered charity. No. 242231
Past Presidents
1848 J.K. Haberfield
1849 The Duke of Beaufort
1850 J.S. Harford
1854 Richard Poole King
1856 Mr Shaw
1857 Dr Symonds
1858 W.H.G. Langton
1859 J.A. Cooke
1860 J. Battersby Harford
1862 The Mayor of Bristol
1864 S.W. Lucas
1867 Robert Phippen
1868 Francis Adams
1870 W.A.F. Powell
1871 Thomas Canning
1872 William Proctor Baker
1874 Sholto Vere Hare
1927 Sir Foster Robinson
1928 Sir Lionel Goodenough Taylor
1929 C. Cyril Clarke
1930 F.L. Riseley
1931 E.G. Mardon
1932 H.J.G. Rudman
1933 V.J. Robinson
1934 H. Norton Matthews
1935 Gilbert S. James
1936 Sir Francis Cowlin
1937 E.F. Eberle
1938 Esmond Robinson
1939 Cyril Meade-King
1940-46 A Cecil Powel
1947 Fred Organ
1948 A.S. Ray
1949 E.J. Dunscombe
1950 F.H.C. Barnard
1951 H.G. Robinson
1952 F.O. Wills
1953 E.P. King
1954 The Revd R.F. Scott Tucker
1955 George Tryon
1956 The Revd Canon J.E. Staley
1957 R.M.E. Reeves
1958 W.H. Watkins
1959 J.S. Young
1960 A.J. Dennis McArthur
1961 J. Baldwin
1962 J.R. Ware
1963 J.H. Britton
1964 Sir Reginald Verdon-Smith
1965 A. Anthony Scull
1966 Sir Egbert Cadbury
1967 T.C.M. Stock
1968 Mrs Robert Bernays
1969 S Guy B. James
1970 F.H. Towill
1971 L.K. Stevenson
1972 Sir Kenneth Brown
1973 P.G. Cardew
1974 M.G. Meade-King
1975 Paul Robinson
1976 J.E.C. Clarke
1977 Mrs John Gordon
1978 C.P. Franklin
1979 R.E.J. Bernays
1980 J.B. Morley-Cooper
1981 G.A.K. Robinson
1982 W.G. Beloe
1983 T. Lloyd Robinson
1984 Elizabeth Ralph
1985 G.M. Tricks
1986 J.A.S. Burn
1987 Charles N. Clarke
1988 Christopher Thomas
1989 Roderick Davidson
1990 Giles Clarke
1991 Charles Laws
1992 Alan D. Tasker
1993 Roger C.L. Feneley
1994 Denis Burn
1995 Francis Greenacre
1996 Simon D.J. Awdry
1997 Tony Elgood
1998 Nicholas Hutchen
1999 St. John Hartnell
2000 Robert Durie
2001 Christopher Marsden-Smedley
2002 David Marsh
2003 Ian Hoddell
2004 Richard Lee
2005 Michael Bothamley
2006 Rodney Grey
2007 Alan Stevenson
2008 Peter Floyd
2009 Greg Corrigan
2010 Bill Gibson
2011 Peter Marshall
2012 Sara Hartnell
2013 Alastair Currie
2014 Tom Hood
2015 Dayrell McArthur
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