WCF News: Diploma Presentation Ceremony

The Master and Commodore Richard Bridges, Royal Navy, Chairman of the Farriers Registration Council, presided at a Presentation Ceremony at The Honourable Artillery Company, London on Thursday 8^th January 2015. 

The Master addressed the assembly and presented the Company’s Associateship to five recipients. Mr Joseph Whitehead was awarded the Varnam Trophy for the best AWCF Practical result in 2014. The Master then presented the Diploma to thirty-three of the thirty-nine candidates who passed the exam in November, one of whom passed with Honours and three of whom achieved Distinctions. Past Master Denis Oliver presented the Oliver Award to Matthew Strawson DipWCF, who passed the exam with Honours, having achieved A Grades in both the Theory and the Practical, and presented a medal to Matthew’s ATF, Mr James Clowes DipWCF. The David Llewellyn Prize for the best written paper went to Mr Stephen Alexander Wells Green DipWCF and the Mike Seckington Prize for the best practical shoeing went to Mr Matthew Strawson DipWCF.  The Chairman of the Farriers Registration Council also addressed the assembly, and Clifford Barnes, President of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, addressed the assembly and awarded prizes and certificates for the best portfolios and best forging skills. 

Representatives from the Court of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the Farriers Registration Council, the Colleges, and the Company’s Examinations Board attended the event, together with the families and friends of the recipients.  

The Reverend Canon Dr Flora Winfield, led a wonderful Service in Wesley’s Chapel immediately prior to the Presentation Ceremony. 

The following photofraphs were taken by Gerald Sharp Photography. To order these and other photographs from the Presentation Ceremony, visit their website at www.sharpphoto.co.uk .

The Master addresses the assembly	The Master awards the Varnam Trophy to Joe Whitehead	Past Master Oliver awarded the Oliver Medal to Matthew Strawson who passed with Honours, and also awarded a medal to his ATF, Mr James Clowes
The Master presents the certificate and a medal to Rhodri Thomas who passed with Distinction in the Theory	The Master presents the certificate and a medal to Grant Watt who passed with Distinction in the Theory	The Master presents the Mike Seckington prize to Matthew Strawson
The Master presents the David Llewellyn Prize to Stephen Green	Clifford Barnes presents the Best Forging Skills shield to Ann Turner, Principal of Myerscough College	The proud Diploma recipients
VIP guests enjoying the spectacle	Joe Whitehead with his guest and the Varnam Trophy	Commodore Bridges, Chairman FRC, addresses the assembly