News Archive

The Plumbers’ Company is delighted to offer Liverymen the opportunity to acquire their own lines of Company logo embroidered items through our suppliers, offering polo shirts, fleeces, beanies, towels, and the like, which may be personalised.

The Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme (PPDS) is a collaboration between the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and the Worshipful Company of Plumbers for the identification, training, mentoring, and career development of early-career professionals in the plumbing and heating industry.

The role of the Hon. Archivist and Curator in general terms is to advise the Freedom & Livery Committee, via the Clerk, on how to assemble, catalogue, preserve and manage the Company’s archives and treasures. Court Assistant Michael Cooper took over this post in January 2024, and has been kept very busy.

On Monday, 16th September, 37 Liverymen and guests, including several prospective members of the Company, gathered for a most convivial lunch at Ironmongers’ Hall, meticulously organised by Senior Steward Philippa Stary.

On 9th September, the UK launch of the D-Day exhibition “The Longest Yarn” took place at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire, and the Immediate Past Master, Air Cdre Paul Nash, and his Consort Sue were invited to attend along with a number of other military and civil dignitaries.

On 10th September, we experienced the glory and genius of the Victorian Age with a guided tour of Crossness Pumping Station, a former sewage pumping station designed by the Metropolitan Board of Works’s chief engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette and architect Charles Henry Driver, as 34 Plumbers and their guests stepped back into the Victorian era and were treated to an interesting and informative tour.

On 30th August, Carol Joseph and Janet Rivers, trustees of The Plumbers Charity, visited Providence Row, the charity for homelessness. Established in 1860, it is situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which provides around 33% of its funding. Each November, the collection from the Plumbers’ Ladle Dinner is donated to this charity.

The Clerk is very sorry to report the death of Liveryman David Denham of Henley-on-Thames, at the age of 81.

David had been a member of the Livery since 2004, although we have not seen him in recent years.

Our thoughts and condolences go to his wife, Jena, and all members of his family.

The Master is pleased to bring you a photo-souvenir of activities in the spring and summer. He has been honoured to attend a great variety of social and City events on behalf of the Plumbers and hopes you will enjoy a taste of what keeps the Master on his toes at a busy time of the year in the Livery calendar!

Read the News from the Master #5

The record of 20th June on the Isle of Wight by Master David Adams:

The record of 19th June on the Isle of Wight by Master David Adams:

The Isle of Wight Master’s Break saw 50 Plumbers’ Liverymen and friends come together on the island for fun and fellowship over 3 sunny days. An epic record of the event has been captured by Master David Adams for each of the excursions, day by day, starting here with 18th June:

Immediate Past Master Paul Nash is delighted to report that the two planters the Company presented to King Charles III and Queen Camilla to celebrate Their Coronation are in full bloom.

Read the latest news from Brigantes, City of London Liverymen in the North.

Please see this message from the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor.

The Clerk is very sorry to report the death of Liveryman Michael Boon of Great Yarmouth, at the age of 82.

Michael had been a member of the Livery since 1984, although we have not seen him in recent years.

Our thoughts and condolences go to all members of his family.

Our Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust demonstrators were amongst the volunteers at Amberley Museum to be presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service on 3rd May 2024.

Liveryman and Past President CIPHE Melville Gumbs EngTech MCIPHE RP is fundraising to help deliver vital education in Rwanda by volunteering to teach plumbing and heating skills. Help Mel reach his fundraising goal by donating or sharing his GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/2709ee53.

The Master is pleased to announce that the Plumbers’ Company has appointed a new Almoner, Liveryman Daphne Barber. Daphne has been a Liveryman since 2002 and brings much personal and professional experience to this role.

This year’s Summer Festival on 3rd July was hosted by the Master at Haberdashers’ Hall in Smithfield, and over 150 members and guests attended the black-tie dinner, the main summer event in the Company’s social calendar.

Members of the WIL team were once again proud to support the Company by helping to staff the stand at this year’s Installer Show held at the NEC in Birmingham, 25th to 27th June 2024.

The 7th June 2024 saw the Plumbers’ Company field our first team at the 10th Inter Livery Rifle Shooting event at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley. It’s held in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and the RAF Benevolent Fund, and proved to be really well attended and a great day on the ranges for all involved.

On 26th June, 3 new Company members attended the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall to receive their Freedom of the City, witnessed by the Senior Warden and Clerk.

On 20th June 2024, whilst the main Livery focus was on the Master’s Break on the Isle of Wight, a trusty band of PGS golfers were playing in the Tallow Chandlers’ Golf Day at The Drift Golf Club in Surrey competing to retain The Newson-Smith Cup we won last year.

We’re delighted to launch this short documentary film that describes the design and manufacture of the two large planters to commemorate the coronation of Their Majesties the King and Queen, and installed at Sandringham House. Watch it on our Videos About Us page.

The Master has announced that Sharon Sibthorpe is leaving her position as Clerk’s Assistant. All of us who know Sharon will miss her hugely for her warmth, enthusiasm, and professionalism, as a welcoming and friendly presence in the office and at events.

We at the Plumbers’ Company pay tribute to all those who took part in the D-Day landings and the subsequent conflict: those who died, those who were injured, and those who survived to live with the memories.

On 25th May 2024, the Company was blessed with perfect weather for our informal Plumbers’ lunch at Reigate Priory Cricket Club (RPCC), as the Master, accompanied by Mistress Kathy, was joined by a mix of Liverymen and guests.

Says Master David Adams:

I am delighted that Sarah Mukherjee will be our principal guest speaker at the Summer Festival. Her focus on developing capability in the arenas of sustainability and environmental protection, both in the UK and overseas, fit closely with our ‘green plumbing’ challenge to reduce energy consumption and lessen the industry’s carbon footprint everywhere.

On 17th and 18th May, the Plumbers’ Company sailors enjoyed another great weekend at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, for the 2024 Inter-Livery Yacht Regatta organised by the City Livery Yacht Club.