It is with enormous sadness that I must report the death of my great old friend Lvy. Owen O’Neill on 25th November 2025.
We write on behalf of the Past Masters’ Consorts to share our deep appreciation for the exceptional work undertaken by the volunteers at the Company’s Plumbing Museum. Their dedication has greatly enhanced the Museum’s profile, and this letter sets out our wish to support them in improving the visitor experience even further.
This month’s Raine Drops highlights a lively start to the Master’s year. Despite an early mishap resulting in a broken arm, she has embraced a demanding schedule of civic events, ceremonies and dinners with characteristic optimism and energy. These reflections offer a warm snapshot of her first busy weeks in office.
His Majesty’s Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, lays on a reception in the Embassy for our four PPDS volunteers on their return to Kathmandu.
Our “Fab Four” have completed the charity water supply project and the village of Changam Basti now has clean water for all its 60 inhabitants. Huge congratulations to them and all the team from Dolma and the villagers of Changam Basti who worked with them and supported them. We at the WCP and CIPHE back here in the UK salute them.
Our wonderful PPDS volunteers have supported the Dolma Foundation team even further by distributing and setting up Aquabox filters in Dukang, another mountainside village in Nepal.
We are delighted to report that our four intrepid PPDS volunteers are making a huge impact on their Charity water distribution project in collaboration with the CIPHE and the Dolma Foundation. This excellent blog from our colleagues at CIPHE “CIPHE and WCP Celebrate PPDS Volunteers Bringing Water to Nepal” captures superbly what this exciting project is delivering. Look out for more news as the project progresses.
Our four PPDS volunteers arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday 7 November after an overnight flight from Heathrow. They were met by Liveryman Tim Gocher, Founder and Chairman of the DOLMA Foundation who they will be working with, to complete our impactful plumbing and sanitation project.
The Plumbers Company welcomed the third woman to be elected as Mayor, Dame Susan Langley, the first to adopt the title, Lady Mayor.
The Master was pleased to represent the Company to witness The Silent Ceremony, when the Mayor was sworn into office, the day before the Lady Mayor’s Show.
The Master was privileged to represent the Company at the City and Livery Garden of Remembrance Service on 3 November 2025 at St Paul’s Cathedral. This most solemn service was led by the Dean of St Paul’s, The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett. The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alistair King, gave an address and led the planting of crosses to commemorate the fallen.
WCoP Liveryman Louchavan Lemard EngTech FCIPHE RP, Co-Founder of PH247, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Lloyds Launchpad competition at the UK Black Business Show 2025.
The Master’s first social outing, a tour of the Palace of Westminster, was a great success, in spite of her early “Master’s Break”, a fractured right arm. More than 40 Plumbers and guests were given a personal tour hosted by Lvy. Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate.
The WCoP and CIPHE PPDS Water Supply Charity Project in Nepal – In Support of the Dolma Foundation
The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) are proud to announce their support for four volunteers from their Plumbing Professional Development Scheme (PPDS), who will travel to Nepal this November to take part in the Bokhejunda Water Distribution Project.
For the first time in over 800 years, the City of London will celebrate a Lady Mayor’s Show. On Saturday 8 November 2025, Dame Susan Langley DBE, Alderman of Aldgate, will take centre stage as the 697th—and first Lady—Mayor of London. The grand procession will run from 11am to 2:30pm, filling the City with colour, music and tradition as the Lady Mayor travels to Westminster to pledge loyalty to the Crown. Expect closed roads, cheering crowds and an extraordinary day of civic pageantry marking this new chapter in London’s living history.
On Wednesday 8th October Master Charles Brooks hosted 7 members of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars in Amberley. This was in part reciprocating the hospitality that he and others from the Company had received when we were their guests at the Mudlarking Exhibition of finds from the River Thames at the London Dockland Museum earlier in May.
On 9 October 2025, at Innholders’ Hall, the Livery Food Initiative hosted a Thank You Reception, where Michael Cooper accepted a plaque on behalf of the Plumbers’ Charity, presented by City Harvest Chairman Paul Freeston and former Sheriff David Chalk.
The Plumbers Charity celebrates a new partnership between Aquabox and the Dolma Foundation to deliver clean water and disaster aid to Rasuwa and Langtang, Nepal. Signed at Painters’ Hall on 9 October 2025, the agreement ensures communities affected by floods, landslides, and earthquakes receive vital emergency support.
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.
Members of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers joined fellow Livery Companies at the annual Sheep Drive and Livery Fair across Southwark Bridge on Sunday, 29 September 2025. This much-loved tradition, organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, celebrates the ancient right of freemen to drive sheep over the Thames toll-free. The Plumbers’ Company enjoyed taking part in the colourful pageantry, alongside other trades, in a lively day that also featured heritage stalls and demonstrations. The event was both a celebration of the City’s history and a reminder of the enduring role of London’s livery companies in civic life.
A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at Vintners’ Place, celebrating the site of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ earliest known Hall, which stood there from the 1530s to the 1630s. The ceremony, led by the Master, Charles Brooks, and officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor, was attended by Liverymen, guests, and members of the Vintners’ Company, followed by a reception at St Magnus the Martyr Church.
On Monday 15 September 2025, 49 Liverymen and guests, including several prospective members of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, gathered at Ironmongers’ Hall for a convivial lunch, meticulously organised by Past Steward Philippa Stary. The occasion began with a lively reception in the drawing room alongside the Ironmongers’ Monday Lunch Club, before moving into the banqueting hall for a superb three-course meal. Built in Tudor Revival style 100 years ago, Ironmongers’ Hall provided a magnificent setting. Master Charles Brooks closed proceedings with a short speech of thanks, recognition of guests, and encouragement for the year ahead under Master Elect Sandra Raine.
The Master’s final social event of his year was held at the Royal Kennel Club in Mayfair on 10 September 2025. Members enjoyed a fascinating tour of the Exhibits Room, Gallery and Library, where treasures such as the original Stud Book of 1874 and the famous Crufts Cup were on display. The group also learned surprising facts about dog ownership, including Queen Victoria’s 75 dogs. With expert guides, fine artwork, and a remarkable archive, the visit was both educational and entertaining. An excellent lunch and warm hospitality rounded off a memorable day in one of London’s most historic clubs
HMS Sultan welcomed representatives from the Worshipful Company of Plumbers today for a special ceremony marking the unveiling of a commemorative planter, symbolising the enduring collaboration between the two organisations.
Our Plumbing Museum Workshop Trust generously hosted a visit from our affiliated Air Cadet Sqn, No 1147 Sqn from Barking.
On 20 August 2025, Kevin Wellman, Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and CEO of the CIPHE, together with Jason Clark, President of the CIPHE and Court Assistant Elect of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, formally signed a new strategic collaboration agreement between the CIPHE and City & Guilds. This important partnership is designed to transform the future of plumbing and heating education.
As the Company customises to our new offices at Painters’ Hall, some research into past connections has revealed fascinating historical ties between the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers.
The Master, Charles Brooks, was honoured to attend the biennial Royal Navy Parade at TS Goodwin, home of the Richmond Sea Cadets, one of the Worshipful Company’s valued cadet affiliates. The Company’s strong relationship with its three cadet units was also on display at the recent Summer Festival, where the Cadet of the Year was awarded.
The Master and Mistress were delighted to host 35 Members of the Livery and their partners to a 3 day / 2 night break between 17 and 19 June 2025, the object for which was to show case that part of north Hampshire where they live as well as the Master’s great love of target shooting.