Visit & Donation to the Plumbing Department of Mary Hare School for the Deaf, Newbury –Tuesday 24th March 2026

The relationship with the school was developed by Immediate Past Master (IPM), Charles Brooks in his year as Master. It culminated in a donation from the Master’s annual charity allowance (granted by the Plumbers charity) which enabled the school to buy a Press Fit pipe jointing machine worth £1500. Press Fit is a rapid system for making joints in copper pipes and is much simpler than soldering or using compression fittings.

Materials being used a few days after donation, in a lesson on servicing a ball (float operated)  valve

Pressfit tool in use in the plumbing competition

We were very warmly welcomed by all the staff at Mary Hare school especially James House, Head of Vocational Qualifications (and plumbing lecturer) and the headmaster, Robin Askew. It is the largest school in the UK for deaf children and has a truly inspiring pupil centred ethos, aiming to support each pupil to realise their full potential. As well as academic qualifications, Mary Hare teaches vocational courses such as plumbing to its pupils.

The donated materials included anything and everything that might be required to repair any aspect of household plumbing. So, items ranged from humble washers and the spare parts for a ball (float operated) valve, a huge range of push button flush valves to two shower pumps and a commercial pipe freezing kit.

Materials being used a few days after donation, in a lesson on servicing a ball (float operated)  valve

As well as the materials presentation, we had a tour of Mary Hare’s impressive facilities. These have been thoughtfully designed to meet the specialist needs of the students and to empower them to achieve their goals, whatever they are.

Daisy Turner (PPDS) talking to the students

We also ran a small competition for the plumbing students. This was kindly designed by Liveryman (and CIPHE technical manager) Gerry Whitely who also joined the visiting party. Daisy Turner from our talented young professionals’ scheme (PPDS) judged the competition and sourced the prizes as well as giving two talks to different groups of students. The first to the plumbing students was about November 2025’s plumbing volunteer trip to Nepal and the second about plumbing as a career to 40 of the year 7 – 10 students. These were greatly appreciated by all the students.

Whole group from left to right – James House (Head of vocational courses, Mary Hare), Robin Askew (Headmaster, Mary Hare), our Master, Upper Warden and IPM with plumbing students behind us

Overall it was an inspiring, interesting and rewarding visit.

Author – Janet Rivers, Upper Warden