120. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, Annual Dinner, Fishmongers’ Hall, 20 February 2024

15 Masters and Consorts, Watermen, Lightermen, Apprentices and guests attended the highlight of the Watermen’s year in the company of Alderman and Sheriff Bronek Masojada and Jane Masojada.  The Fishmongers’ Hall has a magnificent location adjacent to London Bridge and overlooking the Thames.

We were welcomed by the Doggetts in their traditional red jackets, silver badges, breeches and caps. They are the winners of the oldest continuous boat race in the world.  The Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager was first held in 1715 and has now been contested by watermen and lightermen.  They take part in the race during the first year of their freedom, which means competitors face the tough challenge of studying for their licence while in training. It was great fun sharing stories of our individual experiences on the river in the cutter races.

The Company has over 390 Craft Owning Freemen and also some 500 Journeymen Freemen who have completed a five year apprenticeship to become qualified Watermen and/or Lightermen (now termed the Boat Master’s Licence). The Company of Watermen and Lightermen is recognised as a City company but is without livery for historic reasons and known simply as the Company of Watermen (carrying passengers) and Lightermen (carrying goods) of the River Thames.  They therefore are usually at the end in any procession of the Livery Companies, much to their frustration.

The guest speaker was the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House Andrew Jackson.  The Tower has around three million visitors each year, most of whom want to see the Crown Jewels.  Managing these numbers is a challenge and measures include two moving walkways to keep the visitors progressing past the displays.  The jewels very rarely leave the Tower but the contents of the cases were seriously depleted for the Coronation.

We were then entertained by the Master whose enthusiasm for the Company is matched by his interest in bee-keeping.  With 50 hives he is an expert on bees and a prolific producer of honey, as well as beeswax for candles.  It was very encouraging to hear about the commitment of the Company to the training of watermen and the sustainable use of the river.

In the Fishmongers’ Hall is the world-famous portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.  Commissioned by the Fishmongers’ Company and painted by the Italian artist Pietro Annigoni in 1954-55, it is possibly the most iconic portrait of the Queen.  We were able to study the picture closely and identify on a boat painted on a lake in the background behind the Queen is a self-portrait of the artist.

It was a great evening with superb fellowship.  Congratulations to the Master and Consort on a lovely event.