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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260316T121500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260316T163000
DTSTAMP:20260520T064342
CREATED:20251030T132629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T145439Z
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SUMMARY:City & Awards Luncheon 2026
DESCRIPTION:WCOBM City & Awards Luncheon\nApothecaries’ Hall\nBlack Friars Lane\nLondon\, EC4V 6EJ \n  \nThis event is open to Liverymen and Freemen of the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants and their guests only.  \nThe 2026 14th City & Awards Luncheon is held at Apothecaries’ Hall on Monday 16th March. The event begins at 12.15pm\, with lunch served at 1pm. There will be a tour of Apothecaries’ Hall at 11.45am for our guests. \nCost: £150pp including VAT\, or £105pp including VAT for guests in the “emerging talent” category. The cost includes a reception and three-course sumptuous lunch including wines. Please scroll down on this page to purchase tickets. \nThe Company’s annual City & Awards Lunch is an occasion to celebrate success\, both within our industry and in organisations with which we are associated. This is also your opportunity to showcase emerging talent in your own company\, by bringing along ‘rising stars’/’emerging talent’ as guests. “Emerging talent” refers to an individual who is showing signs of progression within your business and with potential to advance to management positions. They are typically junior and are motivated and skilled. \nThis prestigious event gives you the opportunity to entertain valued customers in the unique surroundings of one of London’s historic Livery Halls\, as well as to celebrate the achievements of a range of inspirational people connected to our industry and affiliations (see list of Awards below). \nOur Guest of Honour is Dr Lois Rowe\, Principal of the City & Guilds of London Art School. Dr. Lois Rowe joined the Art School in 2022 after a successful career at the University of the Arts London (UAL)\, where she was Programme Director of Fine Art and led Knowledge Exchange. She is also an active artist and researcher with a background in theatrical costume design from Canada and Japan. Her work focuses on textiles\, soft sculptures\, film\, and video\, and she has published on cultural topics. Lois has initiated international research partnerships\, curated projects\, and organized academic conferences. She holds degrees from Dalhousie University\, and Concordia University in Canada\, Glasgow School of Art\, and Goldsmiths College. More information on Dr Lois Rowe can be found at: https://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/dr-lois-rowe/ \nREFUNDS: Refunds can only be requested before Monday 2nd March 2026 by emailing the Clerk at jane.hilliard@wcobm.co.uk \nDRESS CODE: Business Attire (including ties for men/skirt/dress/trouser suit for women). Livery Badges and decorations. \nPARKING: Very limited meter parking is available in Black Friars Lane. There is an NCP car park nearby at Baynard House car park: https://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/london-baynard-house/ \nACCESSIBILITY: There is an accessible entrance and the Hall is on the ground floor. \n  \nLIST OF AWARDS \nWCOBM AFFILIATIONS \nHMS Forth:  \n\nOutstanding Service to the Royal Navy\nAll Round Contribution to unit effectiveness\n\nPrincess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3PWRR):  \n\nBest Soldier\nBest Recruit\n\nBattle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF):  \n\nExcellence Award\nAviator of the Year\n\nBeckenham & Penge Sea Cadets:  \n\nOutstanding Cadet\n\n  \nINDUSTRY AWARDS \nBuilders’ Merchants Federation (BMF):  \n\nBest Performing Diploma Student\nBest Performing Apprentice of the Year\n\nBuild Up Foundation: Build up runs practical construction projects for young people aged 10 – 23\, giving them the opportunity to design and build structures that benefit their local communities to run and manage construction sites\, make decisions and see the real-life impact they can have. \n\nDesign & Construction\n\nCity & Guilds of London Art School:  \n\nHistorical Carving\n\n  \nOTHER \nNo Going Back:  \n\nRising Star Award – ex-offender who has thrived through the Livery movement supporting offender rehabilitation.\n\nMaster’s Award: Awarded to a WCoBM Liveryman who has raised the reputation of the Company in the City\, through his/her committed and consistent involvement in various Livery and City-wide projects. \n  \nA Short History of Apothecaries’ Hall \nThe current Hall of the Apothecaries’ Society is the oldest extant Livery Company Hall in the City of London; the Apothecaries acquired their Hall in Blackfriars in 1632. Formerly the guesthouse of the Dominican Priory of the Black Friars\, the original Hall burnt down in the Great Fire of 1666 and was rebuilt in 1672. \nA major restoration was carried out in the 1780s\, when an ‘Elaboratory’ was included for the first-ever large-scale manufacture of drugs\, located on ground level along the eastern side of the courtyard\, underneath the Great Hall. Although the Hall underwent major redevelopment 200 years later\, its external appearance has altered little since the late-18th century. \nThe beautifully furnished Great Hall remains as it was in 1670 with a carved screen at the south end of the room and a minstrels’ gallery at the north end. The room is full of life sized portraits and stunning stained glass containing Coats of Arms of Past Masters and former Officers of the Society. \nThe central 24-branch candelabrum suspended from the ceiling was presented to the Society by Sir Benjamin Rawling\, who was Sheriff of London and Master in 1736. \nThe oak panelled Court Room is reminiscent of the Great Hall in look and dates from the same period. The room is dominated by two large stained glass windows\, one depicting the Society’s Coat of Arms\, the other the Stuart Royal Arms. Portraits adorn the walls\, and the painting which hangs over the fireplace is that of Gideon de Laune\, Royal Apothecary to Queen Anne and founder of the Society\, which was presented to the Society of Apothecaries in 1641. \nThe Parlour contains a large\, wall-to-wall showcase in which many of the Society’s apothecaries’ drug jars and pill tiles are displayed. It adjoins the Court Room and there is a connecting oak door between them. \nThe Champagne Bar forms an elegant entrance and foyer to the Hall\, complete with a roaring fire. From 1672 until 1922\, the Society of Apothecaries manufactured medicinal and pharmaceutical products onsite and sold some of their products from a retail outlet known as ‘The Shop’ opening onto Water Lane (now Blackfriars Lane). Much of the manufactured drugs were to supply clients of the society which included the navy and the army. Reimagined\, the bar takes its inspiration from the original dispensing counter and drawers whilst original apothecary jars decorate the walls. \nFrench doors open to the adjacent Courtyard\, which has been refurbished to a stunning white with blue façade.
URL:https://wcobm.co.uk/event/city-awards-luncheon-2026/
LOCATION:Apothecaries’ Hall\, Black Friars Lane\, London\, EC4V 6EJ\, United Kingdom
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ORGANIZER;CN="Jane%2C Lady Hilliard":MAILTO:jane.hilliard@WCOBM.co.uk
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260320T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260320T170000
DTSTAMP:20260520T064342
CREATED:20260206T134417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T135242Z
UID:10494-1774004400-1774026000@wcobm.co.uk
SUMMARY:83rd UNITED GUILDS’ SERVICE
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for the 83rd United Guilds’ Service\, held in the spectacular surroundings of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The event is essentially a ceremonial gathering – together to mark the work of Livery Companies and Guilds of the City of London and is attended by the Lord Mayor\, Sheriffs\, Aldermen and Common Council. The Preacher will be The Reverend GeorgeBush. \nRestrictions on Seating \nThe service is free to attend though admission to the Cathedral will be by ticket only; there are 8 reserved seats in the Company Row (Court Members and Liverymen) and 14 tickets for unreserved seats in the North Transept and North Aisle\, available to those who cannot be accommodated in the Company Row\, and also to partners/guests. \nTimings \nPlease note that the service commences at 11.15 am. We will gather on the front steps of St Paul’s beforehand at 10.30 am (where the Clerk will hand you your ticket) and must be seated in our places by 10.45 am. \nDress code: Lounge Suits including ties. Gowns for the Master and Wardens. \nBreakfast and Lunch at Carpenters’ Hall following the Service \nFor those wishing to attend\, Carpenters’ Hall\, 1 Throgmorton Avenue\, EC2N 2JJ is open for morning coffee at 9.30 am before departing for the service. After the service you will have an opportunity to meet other companies to mix and mingle over a Buffet Lunch with wine preceded by a Drinks Reception and welcome from the Master Carpenter\, Laurence Mallison. \n  \nThe charge for the Morning Coffee / Reception and Luncheon will be £72.00 including VAT per head inclusive of all food and drinks. \n  \nIF YOU ONLY WISH TO ATTEND THE SERVICE AND NOT THE LUNCH PLEASE CONTACT THE  \nCLERK DIRECTLY AT:  jane.hilliard@wcobm.co.uk \n  \n\n\n\nMorning Coffee from 9.30 am \nFair Trade Rich Roast Coffee \nTregothnan Cornish Estate Grown Tea \nChilled Orange Juice \nCranberry Juice \nStill & Sparkling Mineral Water \nMini Danish \n“The Carpenters” Home Made Short Bread Biscuit \n  \nFormat of the Lunch will be as followed: \nDrinks Reception \nWelcome to Carpenters’ Hall from the Master Carpenter \nBuffet Lunch complimented with Fine White and Red Wines \nCoffee\, Teas & Infusions with Hand Made Chocolates\n\n\n\nRound Tables no seating plan with 8 guests to a table unless requested a maximum of 10 per table \n  \nMenu \nLancashire Hot Pot – Potato Topping \nSmithfield Porters Beef Steak with Wild Mushroom & London Pride Ale Pie \nMacaroni Pasta with Roast Vegetables \nOld Fashioned Roast Potatoes \nSeasonal Vegetables \n  \n&&& \n  \nMango Posset \nor \nSelection of Rennet & Rind \nAward-Winning Cheesemonger of Stamford \nSussex Brie & Cropwell Bishop Stilton \nSalad of Grape & Apple \nSelected More Peter’s Yard Sourdough Crackers \n  \n&&& \n  \nFair Trade Rich Roast Coffee \nTregothnan Cornish Estate Grown Tea \nChocolate Truffles \n \n\n\n\nOrigins of the United Guilds’ Service \nAt a meeting of the Masters and Prime Wardens of the Twelve Great Companies\, held at \nGoldsmith’s Hall on 1st February 1943\, it was decided to hold a service in St Paul’s Cathedral for the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City of London. The idea behind the service was to help lift the spirits of the City following the Blitz during the Second World War. Having regard to the religious origins of the Companies\, Thursday 25th March 1943\, Lady Day\, was selected as the date for the Service\, being the first day of the year according to the Julian Calendar. The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London\, Sir Joseph attended along with the Sheriffs and the Court of Aldermen and the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London\, Dr G.F. Fisher\, preached the sermon. As far as records show\, this was the first occasion on which all the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City combined to hold a religious service. Since then\, it has become an annual event and remains one of the few occasions in the calendar at which the Livery Companies and Guilds can gather together as a whole.
URL:https://wcobm.co.uk/event/83rd-united-guilds-service/
LOCATION:St Paul’s Cathedral\, St Paul's Churchyard\, London\, EC4M 8AD\, United Kingdom
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