The Tallow Chandlers' Company

Yesterday, the BBC News featured children and staff from Cubitt Town Primary School explaining why they believe oracy to be so important. We are proud to have supported the school as one of our ‘flagships’ since 2016, and recently sponsored their new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Room. We have three London flagship schools which each receive three-year grants and are also supported by a programme of non-financial giving. https://lnkd.in/eWir-jMu

On Thursday 19th September we were pleased to welcome 72 of our Award Winners (recipients of Tallow Chandler awards from 1979 to 2024) to the Company's Past Award Winners’ Supper. Award winners attended from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, bp, Bayes Business School, City & Guilds, City of London School for Girls, City of London School, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (PRVC), GREIG CITY ACADEMY, Reed's School, St Paul’s Cathedral Chorister Trust, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, Snow Camp, SOAS University of London, University of East London, HM Forces (ARMY) Corps of Royal Engineers, Manchester URNU, Sir William Perkins's School (SWPS) and The Leigh Academy Halley. The evening was a great success with Master Hugh Wolley outlining evolving plans to introduce a new introductory category of membership for Past Award Winners, and Jonathan Oxley speaking about his journey from bp award winner to Company Freeman.

Last Friday was the ‘Graduation’ for those Year 10 students who attended the Lord Mayor & Liveries' Future Professionals Summer School at City, University of London. As a supporter of the initiative and two of the participating schools, we were pleased to welcome students from GREIG CITY ACADEMY and The Halley Academy to Tallow Chandlers’ Hall for the event. The students were presented with certificates from The Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli, University Vice President Sionade Robinson Ph.D., FRGS, and the Tallow Chandlers’ Company Master Hugh Wolley. The Summer Schools were highly successful and much valued by everyone who attended, more information linked below. Thank you to Sionade, Kanan Barot, Ben Copsey, Naresh Sonpar CC and all those who contributed to the Summer School, and we wish all the students every success for the future. https://lnkd.in/evKk4hWS

On Wednesday 26th June, the Tallow Chandlers’ Science and Technology Room was formally opened at Cubitt Town Primary School. A multi-purpose space for robotics, woodwork, cooking, design, engineering and media, pupils, including STEM Ambassadors, were clearly delighted to demonstrate their skills to the visitors. Sponsored by the Company, the impact on the school is much more than upgraded infrastructure and facilities, it is a step-change in releasing the potential of primary aged children. The Headteacher, robyn bruce, thanked all those involved in the design and build of this inspiring space.

The CERES Reimagine Clean Energy Schools Competition Final was held here at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall last week. The Master presented the prizes, and all attendees had a lovely lunch afterwards in the sunny Courtyard. Thank you to the organisers and congratulations to all the winners!

We look forward to hosting the Reimagine Clean Energy Schools Competition Final here at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall in just a couple of weeks. We are proud to have supported this initiative since 2021, introduced to us by Elizabeth Skerritt who is on our Education & Charity Committee. Jonathan Oxley, a Tallow Chandlers Past Award Winner and recent Freeman sits on the judging panel, and our Company Master will be attending the Final to present the prizes. Good luck to all the entrants!

On the 30th and 31st May, RAF Brize Norton hosted a Livery Engagement Event for those Livery Companies that support their squadrons or units. The Tallow Chandlers’ Company is affiliated with the 206 Test and Evaluation Squadron. Formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Naval Air Service, today the 206 Squadron is based at RAF Brize Norton, testing and evaluating UK Defence heavy aircraft, such as the Atlas A400M. The Company Master, Renter Warden and Fourth Warden attended, along with other lucky Tallow Chandlers. The programme included a demonstration of the F-35B Lightening aircraft on day one, and a trip on the Voyager fuel tanker and A400M on day two. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and gave a fantastic insight into the work carried out at RAF Brize Norton. “Sincere thanks for organising such a unique experience. All the crew were very engaging and the whole experience was exceptionally well planned.” – Helen Whelan, Renter Warden. Photographs courtesy of Liveryman Michael Rego.

The Tallow Chandlers' Company has been supporting the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (PRVC) since 2018. The all-female voluntary organisation provides rapid response support to national authorities in times of crisis. We currently sponsor two recruits a year through their training. The Company Master, consort and the Clerk attended the FANYs' recent Passing Out Parade at Wellington Barracks and a Service afterwards in the Guards' Chapel. Our two recruits, Kate Ogden and Ashley Wilde-Evans, were both successful graduates, with the latter winning best student (pictured with the Master, left, and her husband, right). Congratulations to them both!

On Thursday 30th April, 52 award winners and accompanying staff attended Tallow Chandlers’ Hall for our Education Awards Lunch. We were delighted to welcome attendees from City of London School, City of London School for Girls, King Edward's Witley, Reed's School, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, St Paul's Cathedral School, Snow Camp, The University of Manchester and University of East London, as well as from our three flagship schools, Cubitt Town Junior School, GREIG CITY ACADEMY and The Halley Academy. Our guest speaker, Sionade Robinson Ph.D., FRGS, Vice-President (Enterprise, Engagement & Employability) at City, University of London, gave an inspiring speech about university options and employability on leaving school. Thank you to everyone who attended! The event was a great opportunity for us to congratulate the award winners on their achievements, and to give them an introduction to the Company. We look forward to welcoming many of them back to the Hall in September for the Past Award Winners’ Supper.