A tremendous opportunity for all Freemen

This month I make a special appeal to our cadre of Freemen, writes Membership Committee Chair Assistant Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE.

Amongst our 436 fee-paying Coachmakers, we have 98 Freemen, who are not part of our under-35 cadre, but who were sworn as Freemen more than two years ago, but have yet to progress their Coachmakers’ membership to being clothed as a Liveryman. As we approach our 350th anniversary celebrations, the Livery is really keen to maximise our Liveryman total.

Regular readers of Coachlines will know we have recently introduced a new initiative using block bookings for Coachmakers at the Chamberlain’s Court to help Coachmakers to get their Freedom of the City of London. This is a splendid ceremony with tremendous potential as a great family event. It also represents an opportunity with minimal administrative effort to complete your membership progression.

The forthcoming block bookings are:

18th June 2026 – 14:00
This is the day of our Annual Charity Banquet so you may be in London anyway.

16th July 2026 – 11:30
This is the day of the Summer Court and Dinner so a chance to get your Freedom of the City and be clothed as a Liveryman the same evening.

24th November 26 – 11:30
This is the same day as the Aerospace Awards Dinner, so a chance to be clothed at the Audit Court in the spectacular Draper’s Hall the same day as getting your Freedom.

11th March 2027 – 11:30
This is the day of the Spring Court and Automotive Awards Dinner, so a chance to get your Freedom of the City and be clothed as a Liveryman the same evening at the splendid Goldsmith’s Hall.

I encourage our Freemen to declare your interest in benefitting from this arrangement by contacting the Clerk, who will book you in – clerk@coachmakers.co.uk.