Worshipful Company of Masons

23/05/2025

280 CHALLENGE UPDATE
Day 6 –Stevenage To Mansion House
They have done it! Our team began the final day in Stevenage where Mark Powell joined The Clerk for the last leg, and they arrived in high spirits at Mansion House, to great celebration and joined by Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alastair King, The Master and Wardens!
The 280 Challenge 2025 has had its thrills, spills and chills over the last 6 days from York to London. Thanks go to all our team and to all of you that have donated and followed the journey; the joys and the jubilations as well as the struggles and trials of tandem mechanics! A top speed of 26.5 mph was achieved on Day 4 with Christine and The Clerk whizzing along the flat Fens.
This amazing challenge has raised more than £14,000 for the
the excellent work of The Charitable Trust. If you feel so compelled we would love to hit the £1k mark. https://www.gofundme.com/f/270-challenge
We also give our thanks to the sponsors, JM Finn FM Conway Oculus Management & Stone Restoration Services
Farewell to our intrepid team and trusty tandem
until next time…

22/05/2025

280 CHALLENGE UPDATE Day 5 – Huntingdon To Stevenage
Thanks to Phil Nicholson who joined the Clerk for yesterday’s adventure. Things started well, then after 3 miles, just as the team were warming up, the tandem gave up! Gears and chain broke, and
our team were lucky to get safely off the road.
They made it to Richardson Cycles, where the staff deserve a big thanks for fixing the tandem free of charge. Also, a massive thanksto Cyclecentric Ltd for their initial renovation of the tandem and ongoing daily phone support. And thank you for your daily donations to support The Charitable Trust.
After the pit stop the Clerk was surprised by an unexpected rendezvous with daughter and son-in-law who had kindly planned the 280 mile route. They had just landed from Berlin and sought out the team, arriving with restorative gummy bears! Thus fortified, our team made it to Stevenage. Best of all, with your help and the miracle of gift aid, donations have reached over £12,500! Let’s see if together we can reach another milestone… https://www.gofundme.com/f/270-challenge
Today marks the final leg to London.

20/05/2025

280 CHALLENGE UPDATE Day 4 – Kings Lynn To Huntingdon Yesterday's leg took us from the land of King John’s treasure in
King’s Lynn across the flat Fens to the birthplace of Oliver
Cromwell in Huntingdon. We are now well over half-way to
London and going strong. Team spirits are being kept aloft
by the donations that are still rolling in – thank you to everyone!
The day started with, Tom handing over the ‘colours’ to Christine
Rigden. Our tireless team have now completed a staggering 200 miles of the 280 mile challenge.
BUT - we still need your help https://www.gofundme.com/f/270-challenge

19/05/2025

280 CHALLENGE UPDATE Day 3 – Sleaford To Kings Lynn. Yesterday's leg saw Tom Billington taking the saddle from Alan Kraven and continuing the quest with the Clerk to support the good work of The Charitable Trust. The team broke today’s long leg from Lincolnshire to Norfolk with a brief stop at the half-way point of Sutton Bridge!
Fundraising is going well, but we would really appreciate more support https://www.gofundme.com/f/270-challenge

18/05/2025

280 CHALLENGE UPDATE Day 2 - Gainsborough To Sleaford: The team began day two in medieval splendour at The Old Hall at Gainsborough, via Lincoln, passing RAF Waddington, home of 14 Squadron, one of the Company's military affiliations. Donations for The Charitable Trust will be well applied and your support is valued to keep spirits (and muscles) fired up! Wondering what donations to the Charitable Trust do? Follow the link https://www.masonslivery.org/charities/

17/05/2025

Yesterday our intrepid Clerk set off on his 280 Challenge, riding from York to London on a tandem. The first leg taking him as far as Gainsborough. Each day he is assisted with a different company member acting as stoker on the back, all in aid of the Charitable Trust. https://www.gofundme.com/f/270-challenge

03/12/2024

Following the Lord Mayor's Show last month, we've put together a short video to record this historic occasion - take a look here:

22/11/2024

On Thursday 14th November, the Master, Past Master Bill Gloyn and Liveryman Philip Hynard, Chairman of the Charitable Trust, attended the Schools’ Days at Canterbury Cathedral
, which has been continuously supported by the Charitable Trust for a number of years.

Thirty schools were represented at this year's event and the pupils had the opportunity to have early exposure to the wide range of heritage skills used to maintain the Cathedral.

At this year’s event, the Cathedral also took the opportunity to present to the Master, the Company’s Coat of Arms carved in Lavoux a Grain limestone, which had been carved by masons from the Cathedral, a commission which was initiated at the 2022 Becket Pageant, in which the Company’s involvement was led by PM Gloyn.

Expressions of thanks for the Company's continued involvement and support to the Cathedral's many activities were offered by the Head of Estates and Facilities, Joel Hopkins, the Trust and Foundations Manager, Rachel Hudson and the Head Stonemason Tony Long.

A thoroughly enjoyable event which highlighted again how the Company can promote and encourage the use of natural stone to a wide audience.

15/11/2024

Lord Mayor's Show: At 11 am on Saturday 9 November 2024, the Lord Mayor’s Show commenced, when 141 floats comprising
over 7000 participants, processed before the new Lord Mayor at Mansion House and continued on a journey through the City of London to the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of Westminster. Following the procession in his gold coach, the Lord Mayor here swore an Oath of Allegiance to the King, before returning to Mansion House.
For the first time in many years the Masons’ Company took part in the procession. Atop an open top vintage Routemaster carrying 47 members of the Company and their guests, the bus was flanked by six walking Yeoman Masons, each carrying a blade banner with Company’s coat of arms and name, the float was greeted with much applause by the estimated 250,000 spectators lining the route (in places 3 deep) and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

06/11/2024

Deputy Master of the Mason's Company, Alderman Alastair King, will become the 696th Lord Mayor of London, marked by the Company taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday with an open top vintage London Bus – Float No 32.

26/09/2024

Wonderful to listen to this Episode of Woman's Hour featuring Rachael Wragg, winner of the Apprentice Mason's Certificate from the Company in 2021

Lincoln Cathedral stonemason Rachael Wragg chats to Woman’s Hour

02/05/2024

A wonderful weekend in the historic city of Cambridge where members enjoyed a fabulous dinner in the candlelit Saltmarsh Dining Room, a private viewing of the newly installed tribute to Alan Turing by Sir Antony Gormley RA, and a guided tour of Kings College chapel!