Turning History
One of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London, the Turners’ Company was already a guild in the 12th Century. Some 200 years later, Edward III decreed that ‘wooden measures, as well for wine as for ale’ should be made only by ‘turnours’ with marks of their own – and the medieval turners established the English ‘pint’ as an official measure. In 1604 the Company received its Royal Charter from James I. To this day the Company continues to celebrate and support the ‘art or mysterie’ of turning.
Read articles about the History of Turning.
Notable members of the Turners’ Company
Use this link for articles by/about Masters of the Turners’ Company.
Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts – Liveryman and Victorian Benefactor
Paul Ferguson, Liveryman, awarded MBE
Reg Hawthorne, Liveryman and Master in Turning
Ray Key, Liveryman and Master in Turning, receives BEM
Stuart King, Liveryman, awarded the Company’s Gold Medal
Stuart Mortimer, Liveryman and Master in Turning
Joey Richardson, Liveryman, wins QEST Award
Vanessa Swann, Freeman, awarded MBE
John Tweedie-Smith – Father of the Company (2017)
Dame Fiona Woolf, Liveryman and Lord Mayor (2013-14)
Richard Gardner Williams
Richard Gardner Williams was admitted to the Freedom and Livery of the Worshipful Company of Turners by Redemption on 16th January 1913. He was a generous benefactor and his legacy lives on in the Company today.
Read sentiments from the annual Richard Gardner Williams Banquets, and articles about Richard Gardner Williams.