News

The 41st Annual Lecture ‘The Future of Water Security’ was held on 24th June 2026 at the prestigious World Plumbing Conference. This insightful lecture was delivered by Matthew Griffin, a multi-award-winning futurist and internationally recognised expert in disruption and innovation.

At a ceremony on 20 July, our newly restored and framed Plumbers’ Banner was officially unveiled at Guildhall by The Right Honourable the Lady Mayor, Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE.

The banner, originally commissioned in 1911, is now prominently displayed near the Chamberlain’s Office, where it can be viewed by those attending the Chamberlain’s Court for their Freedom ceremonies

In the sweltering heat of July’s heat wave, 116 of us assembled in the fabulous surroundings of Trinity House for our Annual Summer Festival Dinner.

July is proving to be a busy and successful month for the Plumbers’ Golf Society, with teams proudly representing The Worshipful Company of Plumbers at two prestigious Inter-Livery fixtures. The Paviors’ Charity Golf Day at West Kent Golf Club was followed just three days later by the Marketors’ 20th Inter-Livery Fellowship Golf Day at Verulam Golf Club. Both events combined competitive golf, fellowship and charitable support, reflecting the enduring traditions of the Livery movement.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers joined CIPHE and more than 900 exhibitors at the largest-ever InstallerSHOW, held at Birmingham’s NEC, held between 23rd and 25th June.

For the first time ever, the 14th World Plumbing Conference was hosted at InstallerSHOW at the NEC, Birmingham 23-25 June 2026 in conjunction with the World Plumbing Council, and Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE). A UK based event attracting an influential and global audience, all coming together to work towards improving the future of plumbing through 4 key pillars: Skills Development, Supply & Conservation, Sustainability and Safeguarding the Public.

A team of Royal Navy engineers from HMS Sultan visited the Worshipful Company of Plumbers Plumbing Museum & Workshop Trust at Amberley for a day of practical leadworking training. The visit celebrated the long-standing relationship between the organisations while helping preserve and pass on valuable traditional plumbing skills.

The 41st Annual Lecture at the World Plumbing Conference was presented at the NEC by renowned futurist Matthew Griffin.

NEWSON-SMITH CUP  – The Drift Golf Club

The Plumbers’ Golf Society was pleased to take part in the 2026 Newson-Smith Cup Inter-Livery Golf Competition, hosted by the Tallow Chandlers, winners of the 2025 event. This year marked the 90th Anniversary of the Newson-Smith Cup, first presented to The Turners in 1936, by their then Master Frank Newson-Smith who went on to be Lord Mayor of London 1943-1944.

Lvy Mike Horwood is gearing up for another incredible challenge! This year it’s on the closed-road sportive Etape Caledonia for the Plumbers Charity on May 10th.

The historic bracket clock at St Magnus the Martyr Church, gifted by Alderman Sir Charles Duncombe in 1709, has been carefully restored following significant decay. The Rector and PCC thank the Plumbers Charity, Clockmakers’ Company, Georgian Group Cleary Fund, and Friends of the City Churches for supporting this important conservation work.

Our volunteers at the Installer Show on the 23rd-25th June at the NEC, which also incorporated the World Plumbing Conference this year, were proudly displaying our new company sponsors! BHWM, HDR, Catchpole & Rye and PEW. Full article on the show and events to follow soon!

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers are delighted to announce that Liveryman, Alderman Prem Goyal CBE has been elected as a Sheriff of the City of London for 2026/27 and as his Mother Company, we wish him every success for his year ahead.

We send our congratulations on this prestigious appointment to both Prem and his fellow Sheriff Elect The Hon. Tim Levene.

The Master and her Consort were delighted to host 46 Company members and partners in Durham and Northumberland in early June.  Both have connections to the area.

The first evening started with a drinks reception on the terrace at Beamish Hall Hotel, our base for the next few days.  In defiance of the weather forecast, the sun shone on the righteous, the Hawaiian shirts came out & the BBQ was lit.

The Plumbers were delighted to take part in The Horners’ Trophy at Ashridge Golf Club on 10 June 2026, joining fellow Livery Companies for one of the most enjoyable and well-supported fixtures in the inter-Livery golfing calendar.

The Plumbers team at Ashridge Golf Club – Ian Palmer, Captain Jane Palmer, Richard Harvey and Paul Husselbee.

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On Wednesday 13 May 2026, Liverymen Jamie Fisher, Penny Malik, Simon Malik and Immediate Past Master Charles Brooks represented The Worshipful Company of Plumbers at the Inter Livery Charity Clay Shoot, held at the West London Shooting School, Northolt, Middlesex. Now shooting together for the fourth consecutive year as the “Traditionals”, the Plumbers’ team once again improved its standing in this popular inter-livery event, continuing a steady upward progression and proudly flying the flag for the Company in good humour, determined spirit and, at times, extremely challenging weather.

The sun shone for the Plumbers and guests assembled near Spitalfields Market with our London guide, Charlie de Wet, for a tour of Spitalfields which sits just outside the City of London, in the area behind Liverpool Street Station.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers was very pleased to welcome members of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers to the Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust at Amberley Museum on Friday 8 May 2026, as part of the Lightmongers’ Master’s Weekend.

It is with great sadness that we record the death of Don Barron, who passed away on 22 April 2026. We would like to let everyone know that Don’s funeral has now been arranged and will take place on Friday 5th June at 11:00am at St Thomas’s Church, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0SH. Family, friends and all who knew Don are warmly welcome to attend as we come together to remember and celebrate his life.

Members of the Plumbers’ Golf Society gathered this past weekend (10/11 May) for the Society’s 2026 Chairman’s Away Break at the excellent Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa.

It is with great sadness that the Worshipful Company of Plumbers marks the passing of Past Master George Ernest Banks. A respected leader, loyal Liveryman and distinguished figure within the plumbing and gas industries, George gave decades of dedicated service to the profession, the Company and public safety across Great Britain.

A Lunch Worth its Weight in Gold!

Our Masters and Clerks Lunch on 28 April featured a new attraction. Our guest speaker at lunch, John Benjamin, held a surgery in the morning during which he examined over 20 pieces of jewellery that many you had brought in.

London Craft Week from 11 to 18 May 2026 is a city-wide festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship, across multiple sectors and disciplines. The programe includes events run by other livery companies (Painter-Stainers, Pewterers and Plaisterers) and at venues such as the Barbican Centre, Barts, City & Guilds of London Art School, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Goldsmiths’ Centre, Bank of England Museum, and Dr. Johnston’s Museum.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers was proud to sponsor the HIP Female Skills Competition, held at Stephenson College, Loughborough on 21st April 2026. Bronwen Evans of Cardiff and Vale College was named the overall winner, with Danni Lee of Suffolk New College awarded runner up.