Today, the Company concerns itself with the wider aspects of these same crafts as they have developed into the modern forms of transport which are the vehicles for business or pleasure in today’s world. The Company’s interest in the aircraft or, perhaps now more accurately, the aerospace industry is reflected in the backgrounds of many of our Liverymen and it also has a resonance in the Royal Air Force Squadron adopted by the Livery. No. 10 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton flying VC10 aircraft, is responsible for providing air to air refuelling and long range strategic transport facilities for the armed Services. In the past, the Squadron has regularly carried members of the Royal Family and Senior members of Government on international and State Visits.

From its earliest beginnings the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers has been concerned with charitable and educational activities. In 1979 grants and a covenant with the Cranfield College of Aeronautics were replaced by a bursary to enable aerospace students at Cranfield Institute of Technology to obtain experience with overseas companies. The bursary was the brain child of Eric Beverley, who was the Master in 1978. When he died in 1980 the then Master, Jack Williams, speaking at the Aircraft Industry Dinner launched The Eric Beverley Memorial Fund which would thereafter assume responsibility for the bursary. Today the fund provides monies for undergraduates studying at Cranfield University who are selected by the Court of the Coachmakers. Bursaries are awarded for up to 2 students whose studies at Cranfield are focused on innovation and future careers in the aerospace industry.

The Aerospace Industry Dinner, which is traditionally held in the autumn, is an annual event which focuses on the aerospace industry, and embraces the Company’s adopted RAF Squadron. It is also an opportunity for the Livery to congratulate and entertain those undergraduates who have won Eric Beverley Bursary Awards.