News

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers marked the start of a new Livery year on Wednesday 14 October 2026 with the installation of Janet Rivers as Master, together with Michael Cooper as Upper Warden and Kevin Thomas as Renter Warden.

On 6 October 2026 Past Master David Adams led a hugely successful symposium on apprenticeships and employability. Personally developed by David for the Constructions Liveries Group and held at the “Walkie Talkie” Building on Fenchurch Street, London, it asked the question “How do we get more young people into construction, help them gain the skills they need, and encourage them to build rewarding careers in the industry?”

Janet Rivers, became our first female plumber to be installed as Master on 14 October 2026. Along with her husband and consort, Tony Goodhead, who is delighted to be her “Plumber’s Mate”, we wish them both an enjoyable and exciting year. Full details on the Installation Day will be published shortly.

To deepen the ties between the Plumbers’ Company and one of our leading sponsors, Catchpole & Rye, Mr Jason Clark, Chairman of the Communication Committee at The Worshipful Company of Plumbers, visited Catchpole & Rye’s Pluckley workshop for a tour to see first-hand the traditional craftsmanship behind their handcrafted luxury baths and sanitaryware. Jason was hosted by Tony and Jack O’Donnell of Catchpole & Rye and was joined by Past Master of the Company, Dr Peter Rumley of Cornwallis Rumley.

Unblocking the Bard: A Plumbers’ Tour of Shakespeare’s Globe

Welcome to my final blog as Master, and as you can see here September saw an epic event packed schedule.

Alderman Bronek Masojada has been elected as the 698th Lord Mayor of the City of London.

In 2009, John Carnaby revisited the toilets at Marble Arch/Cumberland Gate and discovered that work he had carried out in the late 1950s was still in place.

From the Clerk:
To all members of the Livery

I am very sorry to inform you that I have just been informed of the passing of Liveryman John (Jack) Wishart in July.

The Herbert Baker Heritage Trust, which was created to promote excellence in heritage building craftsmanship, has been newly formed by Sir Herbert’s descendants and has close links to our company. Renter Warden Michael Cooper brings us this report from his recent visit to meet the organisation together with Past Master Peter Rumley.

A thank you from Liveryman Tim Gocher, Chairman of the Dolma Foundation.

On 14th October, Janet Rivers will be installed as Master for the ensuing year in St Magnus-the-Martyr Church, Lower Thames Street. At the same ceremony, Michael Cooper will be installed as Upper Warden and Kevin Thomas as Renter Warden. They all look forward to the honour of serving our ancient company.

Following our Charity’s emergency donation to Aquabox, along with its support to the DOLMA Foundation, we have received the following thank you from Roger Cassidy, the Aquabox chairman:

The news from the flood disaster in Nepal continues to shock and sadden us, particularly as we formed a close relationship with the local community through the DOLMA Foundation and our PPDS volunteers who completed their water supply project there up above the devastated valley. Sadly it appears that some children and their families from a school funded by DOLMA, which our volunteers visited, along with others from the neighbourhood are missing. Our Charity trustees have already agreed to make a large urgent donation to DOLMA and Aquabox to help fund the immediate relief. The Master has written a note to us all asking for your support too. Please give whatever you can.

We have all been horrified to hear about the devastating floods in the Rasuwa district of Nepal. It is in the valley below Changam Basti and Bokhejunda where our PPDS volunteers installed the water supply system last November, along with the DOLMA foundation and the villagers. We have been in touch with Liveryman Tim Gocher, who founded DOLMA, and sadly a number of people from Bokhejunda and two other villages nearby are missing. To add to the tragedy, some children at the school in Dhunche supported by DOLMA, which our volunteers visited, are also missing along with their families. They were on a weeks festival holiday. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this awful disaster.

While our volunteers were in Nepal, they also helped instal some Aquabox filters, an aid charity our own Plumbers Charity has supported for many years. It has responded immediately to the disaster and here is a video describing its initial response.

Hon Archivist Michael Cooper has written an article exploring the fascinating history and conservation of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ banner, originally commissioned by the Corporation of London for Guildhall Library in 1911.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers is saddened to report the death of Honorary Liveryman Geoffrey Bond OBE on 24 July 2026, aged 86. The Company extends its sincere condolences to his wife, Dianora, his family and friends. Geoffrey Charles Bond OBE, OStJ, DL, BSc (Econ), LLD (Hon), FSA (1939-2026)

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. Article on WCP banner

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.