The Master’s Voice – A Record of Letters to the Livery Sandra Raine 2025 – 2026

Dear Fellow members of the Livery – 28 October 2025

I am overjoyed to have been installed as your new Master. I am honoured and privileged to represent you for the forthcoming year.

Standing in St Magnus the Martyr, as the Company’s 3rd female Master I reflected on the 660-year history of our ancient Company. The sense of responsibility not to let down the 413 previous Masters was profound. I attended my first Plumbers’ event in the mid-1990s. I am still taken by the warmth and friendly welcome we offer. I took comfort that my predecessors would welcome me with the Plumbers’ customary good humour.

I thank our Immediate Past Master, Charles Brooks and Mistress Plumber Penny. They worked tirelessly to represent the Company in an exemplary manner. Their social programme gave us a glimpse of their passions: shooting, dogs and history. We will present The IPM with his Ladle on 11th November at Cutlers Hall and bid a farewell to outgoing Senior Steward Asst. Kevin Thomas.

During my year, I will build on the themes of my predecessors in implementing our 5-year plan. I am delighted at the way our educational initiatives have developed. We encourage apprentices through engaging with the HIP scheme, awards and bursaries. For those qualified, we support the Plumbing Professional Development Scheme.  The Master Plumber Certificate continues to recognise excellence.  All educational initiatives have my full support.

An engaged, vibrant membership is the sign of a healthy organisation.  I recognise the need to do more to shape the conditions for this to happen.  For my part, I plan to lure you in, providing a more enriching experience for your ticket cost.  Expect celebrity speakers, special guests and bonus events.  The Court Lunch on 28th April will include a pre-lunch jewellery valuation session with John Benjamin of BBC’s Antiques Road Show.

The emphasis will be on having fun whilst we network, learn and support our charities and the City.  The Christmas Carol Service, the Plumbers Tables, and a cost sensitive programme of events will provide opportunities for socialising.  Our flagship event, the Annual Banquet, is at Mansion House on 16th March.

I have established a sub-committee focussed on securing sponsorship with the aim of offsetting increasing costs of formal events by seeking sponsors from all sectors.  I thank our enthusiastic sponsorship team PM Nick Jones, Asst. Jason Clark and Lvy. Peter Smith.  Please contact me, or the team, if your Company is interested in sponsoring an event.

You can help by booking and bringing guests to make events full and buzzing.  This creates atmosphere and enhances your enjoyment.  You are also our best recruiters.  Consider your social network and introduce a friend/colleague/business contact to our fantastic Company.  To help increase diversity, why not invite your female colleagues and those from any underrepresented groups to an event.

Details of our programme are on the website and an advanced copy of our calendar of events is attached.

Our year kicked off on 28th October with a sell-out tour of the Houses of Parliament, kindly hosted by Lvy. Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate.  We have a backstage tour of The Royal Opera House in January.  On 15th April we visit Amberley.  As well as the usual delight of a visit to the lead casting workshop and museum, the country’s top stained-glass designer will talk about stained glass window making and design.  Those who have visited the RAF club will have seen her fine work. On 20th May, a blue badge guide will lead a walking tour around Huguenot Spitalfields and Dennis Severs House.  Be amazed at the history on the doorstep of many Livery Halls as we walk through an area once prowled by Jack the Ripper.  Our final function on 17th September is a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre with optional performance.

My Master’s break is between 8th – 11th June in Durham and Northumberland.  We will visit Alnwick Castle & Gardens; a private guide will highlight aspects of Hadrian’s Wall/Vindolanda and discuss Roman lead working and plumbing.  At Beamish open air museum, we have the freedom to tour the entire site using varied vintage buses and trams to get around.

Our friends at CIPHE are hosting the World Plumbing Council (WPC) conference, attracting delegates from all over the globe.  For 2026 only, our 41st Annual lecture will be on June 24th at the NEC in Birmingham as part of the Installer Show from 23rd to 25th June.  Matthew Griffin will deliver a futurists view of water solutions.  Entry to the Show is free, so why not make a full day of it, visit the show, our lecture and, if you wish, book for the WPC Gala Dinner.

I will continue to promote our museum and will encourage engagement with other Livery Companies and our Armed forces.  I support our demonstrators in teaching apprentices this historic craft.  We are looking closely at proposed changes to legislation and their potential impact on lead work.  The use of modern technology in exhibits remains an aspiration.

I said I wanted to engage you.  Please consider becoming a committee/panel member, steward, host, guide or demonstrator.  If you have journalistic or IT/Web Management, financial or other skills, we welcome volunteers.  Speak to Debbie our Clerk and she will direct your offers.  This is your Company, the more you put into it the more you will get to know people and enjoy yourselves.

I thank the office team for their help. I know that I will lean heavily on their advice and good-humoured support throughout the year and thank them in advance for this.  Thank you to David Pearson who will lead our team of fantastic stewards who go out of their way to make events run smoothly and manage little hiccoughs that members rarely see.  They have my admiration and gratitude for the job that they do.  I also thank all those who give up their time to help the company in a variety of ways.

Lastly, I encourage you to think of those less fortunate and assist the Plumbers Charity and the many fine causes it supports.

Ian and I look forward to meeting as many members as possible over the next 12 months and to welcoming you in the same warm way you have always welcomed us.

Very best wishes

Master