The Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, Richard Excell, has decreed that the Company will organise another Sheep Drive across London Bridge this year, following the success of last year’s event. He has asked me to chair the organising committee, and with the experience of 2013 under our belt, we are implementing a number […]

The Master Richard Excell visited Axminster Carpet factory to see the developments of their Axminster Museum celebrating some of the early Axminster carpets of the 18th Century that were found in many of the Royal Palaces.  Many have been lovingly restored and are in daily use. The Museum found a copy of the Woolmens Rug […]

The Master Richard Excell and Ian Hartley the CEO of British Wool Marketing Board inspect the SW  wool clip at the South Molton Devon collection depot where it is graded and then shipped to Bradford for Auction. BWMB are one of the Company’s Strategic Partners. Share: FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail

The Lord Mayor thanked supporting liveries, including the Woolmen, at a reception for their support in raising £167k for the soldiers charity at her Big Curry Lunch. Share: FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail

Mrs Gill Wilson will retire after nearly 10 years as our learned Clerk at the end of the year.  As a mark of the high regard that she is held in, the Company have taken the exceptional decision to appoint her an Honorary Liveryman of the Company.  Gill will then  be very involved as the […]

The Installation Service and dinner for the new Master and Wardens was held at St Michaels Cornhill and Carpenters Hall. Over 150 Liverymen and guests attended.  The toast to the guests was given by Court Assistant Alderman Sir David Wootton.   The guest Speaker was Lord Cameron of Dillington who focussed on the need for more […]

Creating a new Business dimension for the Livery and the Global Wool Industry. Dear Liveryman I am writing to you about a major initiative that our Company launched at our Installation Dinner on April 23rd following an 18 month Feasibility Study. It will provide a new and unique commercial opportunity for many of us in […]

On Wednesday morning I caught an early train back down from Bradford in time for lunch with the Water Conservators in Cutlers’ Hall. The Master, Ivor Richards OBE, was introduced by his Beadle in Welsh, and there was a strong Welsh influence on the menu – Pwllheli smoked mackerel, laverbread quiche tart, Welsh black beef, […]

Court Assistant Robert Allan laid on a splendid event at the British Wool Marketing Board premises in Bradford on Tuesday evening. We had a most interesting tour of the premises clutching a glass of wine which included the grading process and the auction room.  I spoke for a few minutes about the Livery and our […]

I enjoyed a very nice breakfast with the Guildable Manor of Southwark on Tuesday morning in Borough Market. Terry Waite was there as the president of YCARE International which promotes youth employment opportunities through the YMCA across the world. He spoke very movingly about some of his experiences in captivity and those of others, as […]

On Friday afternoon I drove down to Exeter for dinner with the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen of Exeter in Tuckers Hall. This is an amazing building dating from 1471 with a wool and linen exhibition on the ground floor and a wooden barrel-vaulted dining room on the first floor with magnificent carvings. There […]

The Army Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers Charity) laid on a splendid reception and lunch at the Guildhall on Thursday 10th April. I was accompanied by Court Assistant Chris Thierry, and at the reception I was presented to HRH The Duke of Gloucester.  After the reception the Guildhall was full to bursting of people queuing for […]

Probably the high point of every Master’s year is the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Mansion House, and this year was no exception. Janet and I were delighted and privileged to be invited to this splendid evening: the Egyptian room was full, and there was a glittering array of tiaras and jewellery and some of the […]

Then we proceeded to St Paul’s Cathedral (via a coffee or two) for the United Guilds Service, which as usual was a wonderful occasion. Rousing hymns, a stirring sermon from the Dean of St Paul’s about the difference between appearances and the substance of people, and a new anthem specially commissioned by the Founders’ Company […]

On Friday morning we presented a pair of sheep shears to the Chamberlain Chris Bilsland and he presented us with our new Ordinances for the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. He is due to retire as Chamberlain on 16th April, so we were delighted to make the presentation to him before then.  We were all in […]