Plumbers’ Annual Lecture – 18 May 2020 – Postponed to 17 May 2021

17:00 Monday 18th May 2020.

We very much regret that the lecture has been postponed because of the outbreak of Coronavirus.

This year’s Annual Lecture will now be given by our own Master, Dr Peter Rumley, MA DPHIL MA FSA MCIFA next year. Peter is an art historian, archaeologist, curator, author and historic buildings conservationist.

He was the National Trust’s consulting archaeologist on the conservation of Ightham Mote, Kent, Sissinghurst Castle and Garden. He advises on castles and country houses and is now a consultant to The Royal Household and is engaged in an historic building survey and architectural history of Buckingham Palace. Peter has written extensively on historic building conservation.

The supply of water to the Royal Houses was at the cutting edge of medieval supply. So, who were the innovative Royal Plumbers and how were they organised in the Royal Household and what did they do? Although little is known of their contribution to early hydraulic engineering systems for the delivery of water to religious houses, castles, palaces, pleasure gardens and the citizens
of London, early hydraulic engineering stands at the boundary of humans needs and the desire to harness the natural world, yet set within a society of rich patronage and financial shareholding. Find out more by coming along.

The Lecture will held at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, beginning at 5pm followed by the lecture at 6pm. There will then be a drinks reception at 7pm and an excellent dinner at 7.30pm. The evening will end at approximately 9.30 pm.

New booking arrangements for 2021 will be published nearer the date.  All proceeds from the Lecture will go to The Plumbers’ Charity to support its good works.