News

Coachlines - October 2025

31.10.25   Assistant Nick Lyford

Election of the Lady Mayor of London 2025

On Monday, 29th September the wonderful pageant of the election of the Lady Mayor of the City of London took place. The following is a much-abridged version of this ancient ceremony. The Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the […]

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 […]

31.10.25   Steward Neil Sheath

Coachmakers’ De Havilland Scholarship winner flies solo

Friday 10th October 2025 was a special day to remember for Harry Atkin, who flew solo for the first time in a DH82a Tiger Moth at the Cambridge Flying Group. Harry who is an aerospace CAD design engineer who specialises […]

Coachlines - October 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - October 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - October 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]

Coachlines - September 2025

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 […]