Coachlines
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the livery movement and our affiliated industries.
Coachlines - October 2025
31.10.25 Liverymen Andrew Blatherwick
Coachmakers help students develop the next Mars Rover at the Brooklands Innovation Day
The Coachmakers once again supported the Brooklands Innovation Academy on Wednesday 1st October, running a workshop, and a stand at the evening careers fair. The Academy brings together more than 500 students from Surrey schools to attend workshops from 23 […]
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31.10.25 Liveryman John Fuggles
A Sunday well-spent in Southwark
Let’s be honest, the sheep is a “thing”. Many people, not just Freemen, are fascinated by the idea and it could, arguably, be only something the British would still do. But the rights and privileges afforded Freemen allows a small […]
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31.10.25 Assistant Nick Lyford
“Scramble, Scramble, Scramble”
This was the cry in WWII at RAF Bicester when bombing raids were scrambled for raids over occupied Europe. This historic site has called it “the best-preserved bomber airfield from the period up to 1945,” and dates back to the […]
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31.10.25 Steward Mark Jurd
Coach building’s influential Past Masters
Pictured above: John Philipson trialing the joint venture steam road carriage With our Livery Company’s 350th anniversary fast approaching, our focus turns to the trades which gave rise to the Company’s foundation: coach building and harness making. Scrolling through the […]
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26.09.25 Master Richard Charlesworth MVO
Master’s message September 2025
Hello fellow Coachmakers! Here goes my first Master’s message of the year. The Election Court took place, as our charter requires, on 1st September. Traditionally, we hold the Court meeting and dinner at Tallow Chandlers, and the service of Thanksgiving […]
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26.09.25 Assistant Lyn Litchfield
A letter from the Editor – September 2025
Dear readers, As summer fades and the City begins to gather pace once again, September marks the beginning of a new Livery year. In the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers, we find ourselves not only at the […]
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26.09.25 The Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt
Clerk’s notes – September 2025
As we begin the new livery year I wanted to bring you a more connected, yet relevant article in this month’s Coachlines. I thought there must be something that has influenced my life – as I have earlier discussed music […]
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26.09.25 The Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt
In memory – Liveryman Philip Caine
Liveryman Philip Caine, who died last December, became a Coachmaker in 2010, introduced by his great City chum Gerry Clark. He used to joke that his best qualification for the Company was through his wife Francesca who started her working […]
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26.09.25 Assistant Sir Kevin Leeson
A message from the Chair of the Membership Committee
Having previously served as Deputy Chair of the Membership Committee, it was a privilege to be asked by the Master to take over as Chair from the start of the 2025/26 Livery year. As I do so, I would like […]
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26.09.25 Liveryman Simon Gurney
The Coachmakers visit Duxford
A small group of Coachmakers, including IPM Steve Fitz-Gerald, visited Imperial War Museum Duxford on 31st July. Members were met at 10.30am by the splendid Mick Child and taken to the AirSpace exhibition, where we heard an interesting talk on […]
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26.09.25 Assistant Nick Lyford
A royal day out at Hampton Court Concours
On 6th September a group of fellow Coachmakers, joined by several of the Distillers’ Livery Car Club, attended the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance event in the beautiful palace grounds. This has become an annual outing for us, but this […]
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26.09.25 Liveryman Andrew Blatherwick
Arkwright Awards’ scholar completes work experience at RVL Aviation
Pranay Shah, one of our Arkwright Awards’ scholars sponsored by the Coachmakers, has recently completed a week’s work experience at RVL Aviation at East Midlands Airport. Pranay clearly impressed the team at RVL – the following report from Jackie Welburn, […]
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