The Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ Annual Lecture will take place on Monday 4 October at the Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London.
Each year the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ lecture is held to inform and inspire attendees from across the plumbing and heating industry, with a particular emphasis on sharing best practice and stimulating forward-thinking discussions supporting and promoting the craft.
This year, the keynote speech will be delivered by the current Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Dr Peter Rumley FSA.
Peter is an art historian, archaeologist, curator, author and historic buildings conservationist. He was also the National Trust’s consultant archaeologist during the conservation of Ightham Mote, Sissinghurst Castle and Garden, Kent.
In addition to representing the Worshipful Company, Peter continues to advise on historic castles and country houses. Now a consultant to The Royal Household, he is currently engaged in an historic building and architectural history of Buckingham Palace.
Peter’s chosen subject for the 2021 lecture takes a step back in time to consider the early role of The Royal Plumbers and the part they had to play in some of the first water engineering projects undertaken in the City of London.
During the course of his talk, Peter will take a closer look at who the innovative Royal Serjeant Plumbers were and how they were organised in the Royal Household and Office of Works.
While little is known about their contribution to early hydraulic engineering for the delivery of water to religious houses, castles, palaces, pleasure gardens and the citizens of London, these early pioneers played a major part in improving living basic conditions for many, thanks to their innovative approach.
Much may have changed since the days of the Royal Sergeant Plumbers, but the role of plumbing and heating professionals today has many parallels with their predecessors – not least the focus on improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of the general public, especially the vulnerable in society.
The event will start at 5pm, with the lecture beginning at 6pm. This will be followed by reception drinks at 7pm and dinner at 7.30pm. The evening will end at approximately 9.30pm. For more information about how to obtain tickets, visit www.plumberscompany.org.uk
