Founders’ Day Charity Luncheon

On 21st June, in the magnificent surroundings of Trinity House, Trinity Square, The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers held their Founders’ Day celebration lunch. Master of WCHCD, Brenda Bartlett, together with her Wardens greeted guests to this superb hall, to enjoy a champagne reception before the lunch. The principal guest and speaker was Camila Batmangheldijh, CBE founder and director of Kids Company and an advocate for vulnerable children.

Camila is an inspirational charity leader who spoke of the work her charity carries out and the difficulties faced by those using the service.  The Founders’ Day is celebrated to commemorate the original Fellowship of the WCHCD, set up in 1654, but then disbanded by Oliver Cromwell three years later.  However, by an act of Parliament in 1694 the first Hackney Carriages were licensed, so now the taxi trade celebrates 319 years of continuous licensing. The WCHCD have combined this celebration with the opportunity to raise funds for their Charitable Trust during the past few years.

This fund helps support those drivers who face financial difficulties due to long term illness or their families at a time of bereavement. It was with delight that Master Brenda Bartlett announced at the lunch that The Company had been granted a Royal Charter. Since the Middle Ages, tradesmen who have acted as suppliers of goods and services to the Sovereign have received formal recognition. In the beginning, this patronage took the form of Royal Charters given collectively to various guilds in trades and crafts which later became known as livery companies.

Brenda said: “This is the last of my official lunches for the WCHCD as in September our new Master Elect, Graham Woodhouse, will be installed. It is therefore with great pleasure that I am able to announce that the Privy Council has informed our Company that we are to be granted a Royal Charter by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” The news was greeted with delight by all those present, particularly the Liverymen and Freemen of the Company.  The Founders’ Day celebration lunch was sponsored by Proximo Ltd and Com Cab, for which the WCHCD is grateful.

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