Message from the Master

Welcome to the Livery website which I hope you will find of interest. It has been designed to provide easy access to a wide range of information on both our craft and the Company including our history, charitable activities and the current programme of events. Over the past few years the City and Livery Companies have had to adapt to changing conditions in methods of working, in the terms of employment, and the effects of globalisation. The leadership of the Masters of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights have in their turn responded to the changing world by reforming and altering our method of operating in this changed environment without losing sight of the three fundamental objectives of the Company which are:-

the support for our traditional Craft

support for the Lord Mayor and the City of London

support for the charitable aims of the Lord Mayor and the Company’s own charities

Through the Craft Committee the Company has re-enforced its connections with the ancient craft of wheelwrighting and in particular has supported the establishment and funding of courses in the craft at the Hereford College of Technology. This course is under the direction of two working wheelwrights who are also members of our Company - Court Assistant John Wright and Liveryman Robert Hurford. The Company also maintains a register of working wheelwrights that can be accessed on this website.

As Master it is my intention to build on the good practices of my predecessors and continue to actively encourage the recruitment of suitable candidates, both male and female, into the Livery by providing a happy and enjoyable atmosphere and a programme of events, with speakers of note at our various functions. If you are interested in the City and its traditions and want to know more about the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights or make application to join the Company please contact the Clerk's Office .

As you will see from other pages on the website our charitable activities are focused on providing mobility for the disabled, in particular for children with severe disabilities. In particular, the charities which the Company will support over the period 2007-2008 will be Activenture (a part of London Youth) and Thrive. Both provide outstanding support to the disabled and we look forward to being able to help them in their work this year.

In conclusion, livery functions are meant to be enjoyed by all those who attend and as I have already made clear this will be one of my major objectives in the coming year. This however does not mean any compromise in our standards or traditions rather it is a recognition of the expectations of those who support the livery and our activities.

Kenneth Davidson, The Master