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.
INSTALLATION OF THE 195th MASTER
The Watermen’s Company installed its 195th Master, Derek Mann on Wednesday 14 July 2021 at Watermen’s Hall.
The ceremony was held with the Master and Wardens and Court present. A celebratory small lunch observing social distancing followed.
The Master is a working Watermen with some 51 years on the River.
Alderman Sir David Wootton was installed as Senior Warden (oath to be taken at the next Court meeting), with Ted Gradosielski BEM, Ted Manning and Tim Keech as Junior Wardens.
(see below)
Junior Wardens Ted Gradosielski BEM, The Master, Ted Manning and Tim Keech.
The Hall is closed until 1st September except for Internal Company events and the River Thames Lunch Club. Our Company Calendar will be updated over the summer. For urgent enquiries please leave a message on 0207 283 2373 or email our Clerk clerk@watermenshall.org For apprentices, support for your training continues without interruption. For any questions
We are looking to recruit a new member of staff to work along side our small but very busy team at Watermens Hall. Interested – for a full job description click on the link below. Job Description – Hall Manager or ring Carol on 0207 283 2373 for an informal discussion Closing Date 9th August
Watermen’s Hall is one of the City of London’s finest venues for conferences, banquets, receptions, award ceremonies, business meetings, wedding receptions, private dining and silver service luncheons for up to 80 people.
This 18th century Georgian Hall graces the City with its historical elegance and spaces to suit every occasion.
Please contact Mark Grove at The Cook and The Butler, either by phone or email, for all hiring enquiries:
Telephone: 020 7620 1818
Fax: 020 7620 1820
For more information about our rooms click on the link below
