Company History - A Selection
The Worshipful Company of Constructors was established as the Company of Builders in 1976,
Key events:-
here see the orginal jewel.
Recognised as a City company "The Company of Builders" without livery on 11th June 1985.
The grant of livery to "The Worshipful Company of Constructors" was made on 12th June 1990
"Letters Patent" were presented on 20th September 1990.
A "Royal Charter of Incorporation" was granted by Her Majesty The Queen on 10th February 2010
It is a modern company, one of 30 formed since 1948. The origins of many City Livery Companies are tied to the building crafts - Carpenters, Masons, Plaisterers and so on - and other, more recent Companies are formed from the construction professions (like the Surveyors, Engineers and Architects) are restricted to an individual profession.
The Constructors' Company embraces professionals from all parts of construction, as well as those, like lawyers and accountants, who work with the industry. It is this rich diversity that brings considerable benefit, both social and professional, to members.
The Company supports fellowship, education and training and charitable giving. In this it follows the ancient traditions of City of London Livery Companies.
John Kennedy Melling FCA FFB is a Member of The Company.
A highlight was his organisation of The Company visit to Chatsworth Derbyshire in September 1980.
Read his most interesting article on the history of the company.
John Kennedy Melling is also Author of "Discovering London`s Guilds and Liveries" published by Shire Publications Ltd. ISBN 0-7478-0299-8 Also available in The Chamberlain’s Court Guildhall London EC2P 2EJ when one makes an appearance for the Freedom of the City of London.
John Kennedy Melling was Master of the Poulters in 1980/81, by patrimony, his father being a liveryman and his grandfather a freeman. He is also a Baker a Farrier (for which company he edited a history) and a Constructor. Former editor of ‘The Liveryman’ magazine, and author of ‘London and the Guilds of Europe’ and ‘The Poulters of London’, he is a lecturer, historian, broadcaster and critic, playwright and author on subjects from antiques to crime fiction. A fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, former committee member of the Crime Writers’ Association, member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and of various chivalric orders, he is an International Life President of the American Federation of Police. He is a member of the NACOP Drug Task Force. A bachelor chartered accountant, he was born in Westcliff-on-Sea and lives in Blackheath and Westcliff.
Debretts record of John:-
CA; lectr, author, broadcaster, playwright and historian; drama and literary critic: The Stage 1957-90, Fur Weekly News 1968-73; book critic BBC 1984-85 and 1987; ed: The Liveryman Magazine 1970-75, The Farrier and his Craft 1981, Black Dagger series 1986-91, Crime Time 1996-2002, Murder in the Library; Crime Writers' Assoc: memb Ctee 1985-88, ed Handbook 1989; held master classes for Arts Cncl for Actors 2004-11; lectr on Liner QEII 1993; invited by BBC Radio to interview Alfred Hitchcock for retention in archives; CWA Award for Outstanding Servs; elected to US Chiefs of Police Nat Drug Task Force 1991, Medal of Honour and int life vice-pres American Fedn of Police, hon chief of police USA; govr Corp of the Sons of the Clergy; Westcliff Film and Video Club: first pres 1962-64, first hon life memb 1999; memb Worshipful Cos of Bakers, Farriers and Constructors, memb Ct of Assts Worshipful Co of Poulters 1974 (Master 1980-81, Father 2012); memb BAFTA 1960; FCA, FFB, FRSA, FTII, MCFA; Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael the Archangel (OMAA), Knight of the Most Venerable and Holy Orthodox Order of Basil the Great of Russia
Three Generations of Rooley are Members of The Company
April 1993 saw Past Master in 1982/83 George A Rooley CBE FICE FIMechE FInstF PPIHVE MConsE FFB and the then Master Richard Rooley BAI FREng FICE FCIBSE admit his son George Rooley BSc as a freeman of the Company.
This photo from Richard Rooley was taken in The Alderman`s Court in Guildhall after The Court Meeting. There followed a White Tie Ladies` Banquet.
Chatsworth, Sheffield & York - Masters Weekend September 1980
The Master Peter Allen with The Mistress Monica Allen presenting a framed 19th Century Ackermann print from The Company of Builders to His Grace, The Duke of Devonshire (Honorary Member) and Her Grace Deborah The Duchess of Devonshire (youngest of the six celebrated Mitford sisters) on the occasion of the Company visit to Chatsworth Derbyshire in September 1980. His Grace graciously entertained The Master, Mistress and members to tea in his private quarters.
His Grace, THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, 11th Duke (Andrew Robert Buxton Cavendish PC MC) of Chatsworth Derbyshire was admitted to Honorary Member on 6th December 1979 at The Court Meeting held at Tallow Chandlers Hall, City of London.
Born in 1920 as the second son of the previous Duke he had not expected to inherit the title. His elder brother died in action in France in 1944 only four months after marrying Kathleen Kennedy, sister of the future US president John F Kennedy. Andrew Cavendish was awarded the MC after being involved in fierce fighting in Italy in July 1944. His citation recorded his "endless cheerfulness, energy and disregard of danger"; his version was "I got it for being cheerful".
He became eleventh Duke on the death of his father in 1950 and faced huge problems in retaining his family's historic properties and treasures in the austere climate of post war Britain. This included an epic seventeen-year "negotiation" with the Inland Revenue over the inheritance tax settlement of his father's estate. Chatsworth seems to have been at this stage one of the less used and indeed neglected of the family's properties and after the Duke sold Hardwick Hall to the National Trust it became the main residences of the Cavendish's with the Duke and his wife Deborah, the youngest of the legendary Mitford sisters restoring the house to its former glory whilst opening the rest of the house to the public. Chatsworth became one of England's major tourist attractions.
The trip included visits to Sheffield and York. Following Chatsworth visit they dined at a formal dinner in the 1638 Cutlers Hall, Sheffield in company with The Master Cutler. Then via a tour of The Peak District to lunch at Merchant Adventurers Hall with a tour of Merchant Taylors Hall. Plus much more.
Amoung those attending included:
Merrick Burrell, Kenneth Holehouse, Alan King, Eric Lloyd, Gerald MacPeake, Walter March, John Kennedy Melling, Peter Olley, Maurice Pickering, and D Gwilym M Roberts all members of The Company
1990 - Alderman Rt Hon Sir William Allan Davis GBE CA
1978 - Liveryman Kenneth Holehouse
Kenneth was a very proud of being a member of the Company. He started life as a Carpenter and Joiner, became a Clerk of Works and finally the Building Supervisor at the Mather and Platt factory in the Trafford Industrial park in Manchester. Mather and Platt made sprinkler systems and the factory in Manchester was huge and in addition they had property all round the country. He was a member of the Faculty of Building (in Manchester) which led to him becoming a founder member of the Company.
The picture above shows him with his good friend Master Merrick Burrell in 1980. Kenneth made the box which they are holding between them. It contains The Builders Key, which is set in front of The Master on every formal occasion.
Ken was born in Chesterfield and lived to the age of 93. He was active right to the very end. He was in the Royal Engineers and reached Berlin in his time serving in WW2.
Information from Professor Ian Colquhoun Kenneth`s Son-in-Law.
1977 - The Company of Builders
Mr A Maxwell Chaplin MBE FFS FRSA hosted "The Masters Dinner" held at Goldsmith`s Hall in the presence of The Lord Mayor 1966/67 Sir Gilbert Inglefeild OBE TD MA DL DSc
Lilian Stephenson has provided a copy of the menu and table plan.
Brian Scruby (Master 1978/79) in 1980.
Taken at an awards ceremony.
Dr Socrates P Christie (Master in1981/82).
Photo taken at Edwin Williams Scholarship evening here with Mrs Christie.
Liveryman Lillian Stephenson
Taken at the same Edwin Williams Scholarship evening.
Annual Church Service at St Lawrence Jewry on 8th May 1978
1980 Maurice Pickering (Past Master)
Maurice (holding plate in box) seen in 1980 with Dr Christie and Mrs Lillian Stephenson (in white on left) at FOB event.
Court Photos:-
1978 The Court of Master Peter Allen FRICS (this is our earlest photo yet of The Court at the formation of The Company. The Founder Master had passed away, this photo also shows Brian Scruby CBE wearing the Past Masters` Gown for the first time)
1982 Court of George Rooley CBE Master
1983 Court of Ron Feilding FRIBA Master
1984 The Court of Master Maurice Pickering FRIBA The Master Maurice Pickering, to his right is Senior Warden Ron Taylor, to The Masters left is Middle Warden John Ptyke. Immediate PM Ron Fielding to John Pryke left in IPM Gown.
Another photo of the 1984 Court but here just Master, Wardens and Court Assistants without Stewards & Beadle. This is the 8th year following the formation of The Company in 1977. Also the first Master who was not a Founder Member. Ron Taylor who followed Maurice was a Founder and the last Master to take office as a Founder Member.
Note also The Learned Clerk Anthony Appleton BEd FRICS FCIOB who had taken over in 1982. Anthony served as Master in 1995/96
1989 Court of Geoffrey Perfect JP FCIOB Master
1996 Court of Philip Everett FRIBA Master
1997 Court of Robert Wharton PPCIOB
1998 Court of Paul Heath MA Master - taken in The Aldermans` Court Guildhall.
2005 Court of Bob Craig FCIOB Master
2006 Court of John Trussler PPCIOB Master - taken in Haberdashers` Hall
From left: Peter Knight, David Rundle, Alan Longhurst, Graeme Monteith, Arthur Seymour, Bob Craig, Christine Rigden, ?, John Burrell. Martin Wade, John Trussler, Stephen Rigden, Roger Adcock, Patricia Newton, John Robson, Richard Baldwin, Artin Hovespian, Godfrey Crook, Keith Wilson, Robert Wharton, Ken Kent, Sir Michael Latham.
2009 Court of Dr Christine Rigden taken in Drapers` Hall
From left:- Kenneth Kent, David Hattersley MBE, John Burrell, Bob Craig partly hidden, Peter Olley, Doug Barrat (rear) Alan Longhurst, Ian Mason, Sir Michael Latham, Stephen Rigden, The Master, David Rundell, Patricia Newton, Michael Parrett, John Sayers. (Roger Adcock took photo!)
BELOW:- 5th October 1999 Freedom of The Company and of The City of London for Frau Beate Weber (from 1990 to 2006 Lord Mayor of Heidelberg .)
Seen here with Past Master Maurice Pickering and Master David Hutchinson and Clerk Lee Brace.
You Tube video of Frau Beate Weber in english
Click here for details of Frau Beate Weber:-
24th September 2004 - Regional Dinner in Northampton
David Hattersley MBE Master in 2003/4 led the company on a regional dinner to Northampton.
A tour of the Guildhall and a Formal Dinner therein.
Past Master Maurice Pickering and Hon Court Assistant David Rundle also attended.
Some of our Banquets and Dinners:-
1997 Ladies Banquet in Drapers` Hall. The Master Philip Everett and The Mistress Mary Everett host from left: Sir Clive Martin, Lady Martin, Gillian Wharton, Robert Wharton, The Mistress, The Master, Sir Roger Cork, ?, ?, Paul Heath, Concha Heath, David Hutchinson, Audrey Hutchinson, John Burrell, Michele Burrell, ?, Sir Alan Trail.
Installation Dinner October 1998
Peter Heath MA Installed as Master, accopanied by The Wardens and their Ladies. From left:-Paul & June Lacey, David & Audrey Hutchinson MBE, John & Michele Burrell, John & Mareth Robson JP.
5th October 2000 - Installation Dinner for Master John Burrell.
Installation Dinner October 2007
Martin Wade was installed as Master and here below with the Wardens from left: Patricia Newton, Roger Adcock, Dr Christine Rigden & Sir Michael Latham photographed before the formal Dinner.
Lord Mayor Show Parade November 2003
The Master David Hattersley MBE walks together with The Senior Warden Peter Knight and with standard bearers Stephen Rigden and David Rundle
2006 The Master John Trussler walks in Lord Mayor Parade with Senior Warden Martin Wade
1980 Master Merrick Burrell receiving on behalf of The Company a fine wooden panel crafted by the apprentices of Sir Cliff Chetwood the Chief Executive of George Wimpey Plc. Sir Cliff was a Court Assistant at this time but did not progress to Master.
E David Tong FRIBA designed, had crafted and presented this unique Loving Cup with a beautiful hardwood case to The Company in 1984.
1998 Outside Goldsmiths` Hall before The Ladies Banquet and dressed in full evening dress The Master, Robert Wharton, presented the keys to a Mini Bus purchased with funds raised by The Company with The Lord Mayor Sir Richard Nicholls. The Mistress Gillian Warton is fifth from right.
2010 Royal Party at Royal Charter Presentation Evening. Master Patricia Newton hosted HRH Richard Duke of Gloucester.
October 1983 - The New Master Ron Feilding FRIBA takes over from now Past Master George Rooley CBE. On looking is left Anthony Appleton FRICS FCIOB The Learned Clerk (1982 - 1995) and far right The Beadle Fred Howe.
John M Gillham MC KCSG KC*HS
John's funeral was held at St Hugh's RC Church, Letchworth, on Friday 12th June 2009.
John Gillham joined The Company of Builders as was on 27th October 1977. He was admitted as a Liveryman on 10th August 1990 no 39 on the list following the grant of Livery to The Worshipful Company of Constructors on 11th June 1990. For many years was Honorary Court Assistant and Court Assistant Emeritus.
John was born in 1918. His father, who worked for the Post Office, died when John was only 8 years old. Supported by a Post Office bursary, John was educated at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham between 1928 and 1935. This left an indelible impression on him and in later years, as an Old Blue, he gave freely of his time to the Royal Religious and Ancient Foundation of Christ’s Hospital.
Having left school John joined Bovis Ltd., in 1936 as a trainee and attended the Bovis School of Building, concentrating on the management side of the industry. It should be borne in mind that at this time it was at the forefront of training. He did so until he joined up in the Army.
John was commissioned in June 1940 to 32 Field Regiment RA, finishing as Battery Commander, with the rank of Major. He served in India, Iraq, Syria, North Africa from El Alamein to Tunis, Italy, France and Germany. He was mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery under fire as a forward observation officer in the North Africa campaign.
John met his first wife, Sheila, whilst he was in North Africa and she was serving in the Wrens. They subsequently married in 1945 and had 4 sons and 4 daughters. Sheila unfortunately died in 1971
Having been demobbed he rejoined the Bovis Group. Prior to joining up he had worked with Paul Gilbert, as a trainee. Bovis had decided, after the war to supplement their Fee Contracting work with a traditional contracting company called Gilbert Ash. John committed himself to the task of developing the company and became in charge of the Coventry office, for the redevelopment of the City following its bombing in the war.
After a number of years his role developed and he became firstly Director and subsequently Assistant Managing Director of Gilbert– Ash Ltd.
John was very involved with the construction of the Intergrid precast system building used in school construction in the mid 1950’s to early 1970’s. Additionally he was involved in arranging for the French Tracoba high rise housing system to be built under license in the UK. This was used on the Aldershot Garrison development in 1969, amongst others. During this period he represented the Company on the NFBTE and was head of the System Builders Section. He was also a prominent member of the NFBTE’s Council.
In 1972 he became Marketing Director of Bovis Construction Ltd., following the integration of Gilbert-Ash back into Bovis. He continued in this role until his retirement from full-time work in 1981. He had worked with the Group, including the war years for a total of nearly 50 years.
As noted John was a committed Old Blue. He became a Donation Governor of the school in 1973, giving many pupils help, over the years, with their education. I know that he was very proud of many of his Presentee’s, some who went on to great things. He was also an Almoner of the school from 1975 to 1992. In more recent years his contact with the school was renewed when three grand-daughters were pupils at CH.
In the mid 1960’s he was appointed Chairman of the CH Construction Committee for House Extensions and this was followed up in the construction of the RIBA award winning Arts Complex in 1972 to 1973. He was also Deputy Chairman for the Sports Centre, which was opened in 1990.
John was immensely proud of his children and of their achievements, including his interest in others children. He became a Governor of St. Edmunds College, Ware from 1974 to 1985 and Chairman from 1985 to 1994, where some of his children & grandchildren were educated. Additionally he was President of Letchworth CC and also was a member of the Old Blues Rugby Football Club.
John found love for a second time with Rosemary, who was a widow. They met through their children. They married in 1977. John leaves Rosemary, his 8 children, 27 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, as well as 4 stepchildren and 5 step grandchildren. His pride in them all had to be seen to be believed. He will leave a great void in their lives but also leave them with the knowledge that he loved them all.
John was also very proud to be appointed a Papal Knight after his retirement from the chairmanship of St Edmund's College. He was made a Knight Commander of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great. He was also a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and was proud of the order's charitable work in Jordan
On a personal note I would like to pay tribute to John for helping me in my career. He visited Christ’s Hospital in 1957 as part of a Careers initiative by the school. I was one of two people that John recommended be taken on as Bovis Trainees. As he said to me later in life he said he saw potential in me. I subsequently worked with the Bovis Group for 27 years before moving on. In 1989 he asked me to join the Worshipful Company of Constructors, which I did following the Letters Patent granted in June 1990. He stayed on with the Company as a Honorary Liveryman, until he had seen his protégé being the first Master joining the Company after achieving its Livery status. I thank him for my opportunities, both as Employer and later as Mentor and friend. The world has lost an outstanding gentleman.
Prepared by Past Master Bob Craig June 2009, with assistance from Kevin Fox, John’s Brother in law.
Maurice Emmitt Pickering, architect, was born on January 2, 1927. He died on January 22, 2008, aged 81
Maurice was with the Company from its earliest years, and was the source of knowledge and wisdom for Masters and Clerks over many years. He will be greatly missed.
Such was the influence of Maurice on the start up of The Constructors and its growth into a fully fledged Livery Company we are all in his debt.
Attached below is a moving and revealing obitutory written by The Times that we offer as its own memorial to a wonderful man.
The following from The Times published Feb 2008
Maurice Emmitt Pickering was a landscape architect who was actively involved in his industry and in the City. A founder-member of the Worshipful Company of Constructors, he became its Master and steered it to attain Livery status.
Pickering was born in 1927 in Lincolnshire and educated in Coventry. He was then involved in Civil Defence and later commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. After the war he trained as an architect at Birmingham University before moving to London to study landscape architecture at University College London. He set up his London based practice in 1959.
Pickering became actively interested in the City of London in the early 1970s. He became a Freeman of the City in 1977 and was involved in the founding of the Worshipful Company of Constructors which was founded as the Company of Builders in 1976. He became the Master in 1984, steering the company through its name change to the status of a company without livery in 1985 and to full livery status in 1990.
Pickering also served as president of the Faculty of Building in 1983 and became an early and enthusiastic member of the fledgling Company of Chartered Architects in 1988. He progressed to becoming a senior steward, playing an active part in guiding the other company stewards as they rose through the ranks on their way to membership of the court - an honour which would have been his had it not been for age constraints imposed on the company at its foundation.
On other fronts Pickering, a voter in the Farringdon Ward of the City, became a member of the United Wards Club and the Royal Society of St George. He also joined the City Livery Club and progressed through the council to become its president in 2004-2005. His civic interests went beyond the City. He became heavily involved in the Freemen of England and Wales and became its president for a two year spell between 2002 and 2004.
Last year Pickering's contribution as the founder chairman of Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, a voluntary organisation managing some 600 acres of London's Green Belt in the Borough of Harrow, was recognised when he was made Honorary Life Vice President of Harrow Heritage Trust.
He still found time to run his practice from his Stanmore home, to be involved in a number of charity organisations in and beyond Stanmore and act as a director of the Heidelberg Award for Environmental Excellence (a triennial global prize which he organised for the Oberbürgermeisterin der Stadt Heiderberg). He was also a generous friend and supporter.
Spare time was in short supply. When found, Pickering spent it with his family, reading history, writing (he was working on a ground-breaking history of guilds) and painting in oils.
He is survived by his wife Mary, a son and a daughter.