The Company Today

Membership of the Company today is not limited to practising members of the craft, but includes professionals from all walks of life with an interest in the craft and the Livery. Practising artists number some one fifth of the total membership.

In medieval times a number of women practised as glasspainters or glaziers and were "Freemen" of the Company. In the first half of this century there were many outstanding women designers associated with the "Arts and Crafts Revival" and the talents of women make a major contribution to the craft today. The Company welcomes the admission of women as Freemen and Liverymen.

In 1999 a change of rules within the Corporation of the City of London enabled members of the European Community to apply to join Livery Companies, and in 2000 this privilege was extended to include men and women of any nationality. The Glaziers' Company actively supports this initiative, and already has a number of overseas members.

Over the last one hundred years much of our historic heritage in stained glass has been destroyed, vandalised or allowed to go to rack and ruin due to a lack of funding or knowledge of restoration techniques. The Glaziers Trust, which was established in 1966, provides funding and technical assistance to churches and other organisations seeking to restore, conserve or repair historic or otherwise important stained glass. A separate Trust, the London Stained Glass Repository, provides funding for the relocation of historic stained glass from deconsecrated churches to other churches and suitable public buildings.

The Company maintains its long established tradition of encouraging the craft of stained and decorative glass, in particular through its Competitions and Awards programme. The annual Stevens Competition for Architectural Glass Design is the only national competition of its kind and attracts entries from students and young artists from all over the country. The Glaziers Company offers a number of Awards. This include the Award for Excellence, the Ashton Hill Award and the Arthur and Helen David Travelling Scholarship. Prize money for the competitions and awards is provided by the Glaziers Trust in recognition of our commitment to supporting education and training in the craft.

The annual Glaziers Lecture in March is open to the public, and there is a continuing series of Layman's Guides to Glass, held twice a year at Glaziers Hall. These are aimed particularly at the lay members of the Livery and their guests. The Glaziers Library contains an important collection of books on stained glass, which is being regularly expanded. This is not a lending library, and works may only be consulted by appointment in advance with the Honorary Librarian.

The Livery enjoys an extensive and varied Social Programme which places a special emphasis on learning about stained glass. An annual Master's week-end provides an opportunity for Liverymen and their partners to visit a historic city in the UK or abroad under the guidance of expert members of the Company. Day visits are made during the year.

The Livery participates in the traditions of the City of London, especially via educational links with other Companies and the Borough of Southwark. The Lord Mayor is invited to the Annual Banquet at the Mansion House, and Masters and Clerks of other City Companies are frequent guests at the Court Dinners held regularly at Glaziers Hall. Lunches and ladies' events provide opportunities for members of the Livery to meet informally together with their guests.

In all its activities the Company maintains the principles evolved as long ago as the 14th Century, leading the craft forward in a practical, stimulating and enjoyable way.

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