Installation of the New Master – 15 October 2025
On 15th October 2025, Sandra Raine was installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers at St Magnus-the-Martyr Church, Lower Thames Street. At the same ceremony, Janet Rivers became Upper Warden, and Michael Cooper was installed as Renter Warden.
The Installation of Master Sandra Raine
On 15th October, the Plumbers’ Company enjoyed a jubilant occasion as Liverymen and their guests witnessed Sandra Raine being installed as Master for the ensuing year at St Magnus-the-Martyr Church, followed by lunch at Vintners’ Hall. See the new line-up of the Court & Officers
The Court assembled in the morning at Vintners’ Hall. Business commenced with the appointment of two new Court Assistants, Jason Clarke and Kevin Thomas. At the end of the Court meeting, the business turned to the clothing of new Liverymen: Benjamin Bayliss, Bradley Siffleet, Kristoffer Culley, Dr Paul Husselbee, Virginia (Ginny) Pulbrook Dawes, Malavika Solanki, Jonathan Whelan and Michael Cash.
The Clothing was followed by the Presentation of Award and Freedom ceremony for LET Henderson (HMS Sultan).
The Court then processed to St Magnus-the-Martyr, our Company Church, for the Installation Ceremony of our new Master and Wardens. Having the Ceremony in public, in church, is a relatively new process dating back a decade, whereas previously, the Installation was conducted behind closed doors.
Following her installation, the new Master, Sandra Raine invested Charles Brooks as Immediate Past Master, Janet Rivers as Upper Warden and Michael Cooper as Renter Warden.
The Master, Sandra Raine, invests Charles Brooks as Immediate Past Master
The Master, Sandra Raine, invests Janet Rivers as Upper Warden.
The Master, Sandra Raine, invests Michael Cooper as Renter Warden
Upper Warden Janet Rivers, The Master Sandra Raine, Renter Warden Michael Cooper and The Chaplain Fr Philip Warner
The Installation Service was overseen by our Company Chaplain, Fr Philip Warner, the Cardinal Rector at St Magnus-the-Martyr, who gave a lively address to the congregation, complete with extending BBQ fork, accompanied by hymns and readings.
Company Chaplain, Fr Philip Warner, the Cardinal Rector at St Magnus-the-Martyr,
After the service, the Court processed back to Vinters’ Hall, along Upper Thames Street: a wonderful display of pageantry juxtaposed with the everyday hustle and bustle of the City of London.
Back at the Hall, the new Master and Wardens assembled into a receiving line at the top of the stairs to receive guests into a Champagne reception in the Drawing Room.
The new Master, Sandra Raine, with her Consort, Ian Raine, greeting the Immediate Past Master, Charles Brooks.
At the Reception, outgoing Mistress Plumber, Penny Brooks, welcomed the new Consort Plumber (or Plumbers Mate), Ian Raine, who in turn thanked Penny for her work during the past year.
Lunch was held in the impressive Livery Hall, built in 1671, and saw 130 diners enjoy 3 courses.
After lunch, the Master welcomed guests and talked on her themes of fellowship, encouraging committee membership and volunteering at the Plumbing Museum, and leadership in the plumbing industry and supporting youth with initiatives such as PPDS and through the military.
The Master ran though her events for the upcoming year
The Ladle Dinner will be held at Cutlers’ Hall on Tuesday, 11th November, for members of the Livery to show their appreciation to the new Immediate Past Master for his service to the Company. (At the conclusion of that dinner, I will hand over to David Pearson who will be Senior Steward for the year ahead)
The event finished with IMP Charles Brooks giving a short speech toasting the new Master and Mistress.
Senior Steward Kevin Thomas