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Membership consists of Freemen, and Liverymen. Members of
the Court of Assistants are elected from the Livery. The Court
directs the affairs of the Company under the guidance of the
Master and Wardens who are elected by Court and Livery. The
Freedom has always contained both men and women but until
recently women could not advance to the Livery. Since 1996
there has been equality.
Much work is done in committees, which report to the Court.
The main committees are: the Membership & General
Purposes, Finance and Hall, Charity, and Pewter Promotion.
The Clerk effects the instructions of the Court, assisted
by the accountant and the secretary. The Beadle, Hall Events
Co-ordinator, and the Hall Staff have particular
responsibilities for the running of the hall.
The first step in joining a Livery Company is normally by
becoming a 'Freeman' by one of four means:
- Servitude (Apprenticeship):
still welcomed by many Livery Companies, including the
Pewterers, although difficult to achieve in today's training
practices.
- Patrimony: if either parent
was Free of the Company at the time of the birth of the
candidate.
- Redemption: if sponsored and
found acceptable.
- Presentation: in very
special circumstances.
Apart from Freedom by Presentation, there is a 'fine' to be
paid at this stage and at each following stage in one's
progress through the Company: to Liveryman, Steward and
Assistant to the Court.
Whereas originally, and until quite recently, most members
of the Company lived in, or within easy striking distance of
London, they are now spread over the whole of the United
Kingdom. Most cannot easily attend functions in London because
of distance, but also because of business and family
commitments. With this in mind, regional visits are made. To
date these have been to Edinburgh, York, and Sheffield (the
largest centre of the pewter industry where manufacturers are
visited regularly) and others will follow. Further, there are
regular visits to other Livery Halls and City institutions.
Functions in the Hall have included educational talks on
aspects of the Company and practical pewtersmithing. |
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