News

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Assistant Martin Derrick

A letter from the Editor – September 2026

Quite inexplicably, at the Election Court on 1st September, no-one rolled a black ball across the floor of Tallow Chandlers’ Hall and so I find myself both an Assistant to the Court and Chairman of the Communications Committee. My first […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   The Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt

Clerk’s notes – September 2026

Derring-do and the Coachmakers: True tales from a remarkable craft As we step proudly into our 350th anniversary year, I wanted the first Coachlines article of this momentous period to do something fitting: to celebrate not only our heritage, but […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Honorary Assistant Lesley Upham

Support the 350th anniversary of the Coachmakers

Our long anticipated 350th Charter celebration year commenced earlier this month at the Election Court with the installation of Mark Broadbent as Master of our Livery. The Master has high ambitions for this anniversary year. “I shall do my utmost […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Honorary Chaplain Canon Jeremy Haselock

Election Court sermon 2026

At the recent 350th anniversary year Election Court Service of Thankgiving, our Honorary Chaplain Canon Jeremy Haselock presented the following sermon: I had some fun in choosing a text for this address. Looking for Bible references to coaches was fruitless […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Assistant Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE

Membership update

Our 350th year started with some significant membership events. On 1st September the Coachmakers’ block booking at the Chamberlain’s Court saw Freemen Nicholas Chaffey, Philip Cole and Richard Atack gain their Freedom of the City (pictured below). The Election Court […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Steward Mark Jurd

When did a Master Coachmaker last build and drive his own coach?

Pictured above: Mark Broadbent, Master Coachmaker and President of the Coaching Club with his team of Dutch warmbloods to a Private Drag by Holland & Holland of London (photograph courtesy of Jo Hansford). As the Coachmakers begins the celebration of […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Liveryman Alastair Boyes

A challenging shoot at Teffont Magna

The Coachmakers’ game shooting day of the 2026/27 season took place at the Teffont Magna estate on 9th September. The day consisted of five drives shot by a team of eight guns. The team was made up of Coachmakers and […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Assistant Martin Derrick

A fine day out at Hampton Court Concours 2026

Pictured above: The Best in Show Mercedes-Benz 710 SSK Rennwagen A good number of Coachmakers including three Past Masters enjoyed this year’s Hampton Court Concours where some 80 of the world’s rarest cars were on display. Immediate Past Master Richard […]

Coachlines - September 2026

24.09.26   Past Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey

Diff’s Award presented at Goodwood Revival

Pictured above: Liveryman Duncan Wiltshire presents the Award to Arthur Fletcher The presentation of the fifth Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award – ‘Diff’s Award’ – was a splendid affair held on Sunday 20th September at the Tyrrell Shed during […]

21.09.26   Master Mark Broadbent

Master Coachmaker Mark Broadbent

As the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers begins the celebration of its 350th anniversary, it is particularly appropriate that the recently-elected new Master Mark Broadbent should be a practising coach maker and skilful carriage restorer. Additionally, Mark […]

Coachlines - July 2026

31.07.26   The Master Richard Charlesworth MVO

Master’s message July 2026

Dear fellow Coachmaker, So, I come to the final Master’s message of my year, as the Comms team take a well-deserved break in August, when little happens in Livery-land anyway! I have had an enjoyable year, and am proud of […]