Congratulations to all
We held our last Court Meeting on Tuesday 29th July prior to the summer recess. Needless to say, it was a busy and joyous occasion.
Society President Samantha Conlon was installed as Under Warden 2025-26, and new Assistants Liveryman Sonya Zuckerman and Liveryman John Herriman were introduced to the Court.
Following the meeting, three new Freemen were installed - Mabel Sodenbge, Dale Darbyshire & Chris Hill. Additionally, we welcomed Charlotte Hawkes and Brock Bergius directly to the Livery.
Congratulations all and we hope you enjoyed the following lunch in Coopers’ Hall.
We must say a special thank you to our Beadle Yeoman Warder Scott Kelly who ensured the formalities of the Court Meeting, admissions and lunch ran smoothly. Many of you may be more familiar with seeing his lovely posts from the Tower and also meeting him there. He is on Instagram @yeomanwarderbeefy409. Did you know his secret talents are raven and squirrel whisper, and he is a big advocate for the support of mental health and wellbeing of others? No doubt you will recognise Scott in the group photos on the steps at Coopers’ Hall looking more Beadle than Yeoman Warder!
We were also delighted to welcome three new Master’s Apprentices at lunch when they received their Indentures from the Clerk, who explained why the certificates have their unique ‘wavy’ tops. The wording on the certificates always causes some laughter. Matthew Lubbock and Kyren Ibarrientos are from Strode’s College and apprenticed to the Master Helena Cooke. Zara Harripersad from Coopers’ Company & Coborn School received her indentures as one of the apprentices to Immediate Pastmaster Leigh Johnson.
The Coopers is an ‘open’ company meaning we welcome applications for membership from many walks of life. We first met Mabel in 2024 when she was a guest of the Company at the Annual Banquet through her involvement with 2 Company, City of London & NE Sector, Army Cadet Force. Dale is an alumni of Coopers’ Company & Coborn School (CC&CS) and works in the City of London. Chris, who also works in the City of London, is keen to have a greater connection with the Worshipful Company of Coopers as he supports his daughter when she starts at the CC&CS in the autumn. Charlotte had met a few Coopers' members from her connections as a Member of the Guild of Young Freemen & attended a previous Prospective Members’ Evening. Brock is a Member of Glasgow's Trades House as a Cooper with his family background being in the whisky industry. Brock works in property management.
If you or anyone you know are interested in finding out more about the Coopers’ Company, please see below.
Monday 15th September – Informal drinks organised by the Coopers’ Society and held at Devonshire Terrace from 7pm
Saturday 20th September – Coopers’ Hall is open as part of the Open House Festival 2025 between 10am and 4pm
Monday 22nd September – Prospective Members’ Evening at Coopers Hall between 6.30 and 8.30pm
For further details, please email me hazel.gibbs@cooperscompany.co.uk
