Page 10 - The Long Crendon Connection

Redditch Heritage The Long Crendon Connection

The revived Company quickly established good relations with the needle industry in the Midlands
and in 1876 a ceremonial visit was paid to Redditch. The practice began of awarding prizes for
new inventions in tool making and machine processing though not at first on a regular basis.
Within the City of London the Company set out to encourage education particularly in technical
aspects, and it supported the City and Guilds of London Institute from its beginning, as well as
for many years providing scholarships or exhibitions at the City of London Schools. As its charitable
interests had grown a new charitable trust was set up in 1983.

The links with Redditch have been maintained. Courts have been held there on several occasions
and in 1983 members of the Company were present when HM The Queen opened the Needle
makers Museum at Forge Mill.
Not only are prizes given to young people in the industry but also for skill in the use of the needle
in knitting and embroidery. When Courts have been held at Redditch certificates of proficiency
have been awarded for long service in the industry and several needle makers have been made
honorary Freemen.
Since the revival many distinguished men have joined the Company. One of the most interesting
connections has been with the Royal Family. HSH The Duke of Teck, who had married Princess
Mary of Cambridge, was Master in 1896. Both his wife and his daughter. Princess May of Teck,
later HM Queen Mary (married to King George V), were made honorary Freemen. In December
1919 his grandson HRH Prince Albert, later King George VI, was admitted to the Company.

Though in the 19th and 20th centuries the Needle makers had several honorary Freemen who
were women, and though throughout its history up to 1873 there were always widows and
spinsters who were ordinary Freemen, it was not until July 1982 that the first lady was admitted
to the Livery.

The Company is not wealthy and has never had its own Hall. For many years Courts were held
in a chamber in Guildhall and then in various City taverns or in the Clerk's offices. The custom
of Livery dinners has persisted throughout the Company's history except in times of poverty but
it was only in the 20th century that the holding of Ladies Nights became established.
The first Church service to be held in conjunction with the Election Court was in October 1931
and a few years later the Company began its association with a Territorial unit linked with the
City of London. (For details on these associations please see Livery Church and Affiliated
Regiment.)

Though the three needles and coronets had been used since 1658 and the supporters, Adam and
Eve, since about 1700, the Company did not obtain a Grant of Arms from the College of Heralds
until 1986. Adam and Eve first appear on the head of the Beadle's staff and on several pieces of
plate purchased at the beginning of the 18th century. These are the three silver tankards, the
two pulley salts and the two trencher salts. The rest of the plate has been given by members of
the Company, for example, the silver cup and cover of William Nicholson, Sheriff in 1781, and
the gilt rose water dish and ewer presented by Thomas King, the Clerk, to mark 38 years of
service. Several pieces were donated to mark the accession and coronation of HM The Queen in
1952/53.
Deputy Sir Michael Snyder, Master in 2006, the year of the 350th Anniversary, presented a
contemporary loving cup to mark the occasion. The most recent acquisition is a rose water dish
presented by Past Master Ronald Hadley in 2007. Having celebrated the 350th anniversary of the
original charter in 2006 minds are turning now to a celebration of the 350th anniversary of the
granting of the Royal Charter which will fall in 2014.

Source: This short history was written originally by MV Stokes during her time as
Honorary Archivist. It has been edited and updated by PR Grant, Clerk.
Source: The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers -
http://www.needlemakers.org.uk/about_us/short_history.htm

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