The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames was founded in 1514, when the earliest Act of Parliament for regulating watermen, wherrymen and bargemen received Royal Assent from King Henry VIII.
Under a further Act of 1555 the Company introduced apprenticeships for those wishing to learn the skills of the Watermen. In 1700 the Lightermen (carriers of goods/cargo) joined the Watermen’s Company.
In 1780 The Company moved into its own purpose built hall in St Mary at Hill, where we can still be found today. The Company is a working guild and is very actively involved with the life of the River and those who work on it.
The Company is governed by a Court of Assistants, led by the Master and four Wardens, who are elected annually by the Court.
Following his Installation the Master, Dr Iain Reid (centre) is pictured with (L to R): Sir David Wootton (Junior Warden) Tony Maynard (Senior Warden), and Gina Blair and Sean Collins (Junior Wardens).
Some helpful links –
To find the Watermen’s shop
To read the Master’s Blog
For details of The River Thames Lunch Club
To check the Company Calendar
List of all our Masters
British Horseracing Authority
Court Assistant Annamarie Phelps CBEhas been appointed chairwoman of the British Horseracing Authority. The former Olympic rower is vice-chairwoman of the British Olympic Committee and led the independent review into British Cycling in 2017. She will assume the BHA role on 1st June 2019. (The Times, Wednesday, 3rd April 2019).
Apprentice Barge Race
This took place on the 11th of May. Three barges took part this year and the results were as follows Results: 1st – Balfour, Skipper: Graeme Faulkner, Assistant Skipper: Dave Benneyworth, Crew: Tom Costin (youngest apprentice), Paul Metcalf, Riess Ballard, Leon Britton and Lucas Britton 2nd – Apprentice Lighterman, Skipper Aaron Hammond, Assistant Skipper: Louis … read more
