The Master’s Charity Event at Ascot
Michelle Howard from SIA with Master Anthony Phillips
The Master, Anthony Phillips, hosted a glittering charity event at Ascot Racecourse, in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association and the Oracle Cancer Trust. Over £50,000 was raised and great fun was had by all who attended.
See more – click here
The Feltmakers announce the winners of this year’s Design Awards
First prize winning design
The overall winning hat was designed by Marina Walger from University of Lincoln, and she wins £1200, which will be presented to her at our Banquet at the Mansion House in June.
For details and pictures of the other prizewinning designs, click here.
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The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers of London
The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers is today the Livery Company of the hatters.
The first reference to Feltmakers is in London in 1180. In 1269 the Cappers became officially established. Hurers made shaggy caps and in 1311 the Hatters were active. The Hurers and Cappers amalgamated with the Hatters and then merged with the powerful Haberdashers in 1502. Many feltmakers were already members of the Haberdashers and, as the Haberdashers controlled the retail outlets and the raw materials, this unification seemed sensible.
Contemporary sketch map showing the site of the original Feltmakers' Hall, which was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666
In 1583 the Feltmakers petitioned Queen Elizabeth I for their own Charter but it was not granted until 1604, when King James I came to the throne. In 1667, King Charles II granted an expanded Charter extending their powers.The Company was granted Livery in 1733, number 63 in order of precedence.
In 1870-74 many famous politicians joined the Feltmakers. Between them four had been Chancellor, two First Lord of the Admiralty, two President of the Board of trade and two Foreign Secretaries.
The hatting trade flourished in the early part of the 20th. century. Twenty-seven Mayors were elected in 1914-18. In 1927 there were 9 Knights on the Feltmakers’ Court. During the second half of the 20th. century, the trade declined. There are now some 170 Feltmakers drawn from the higher ranks of many professions, businesses and trades as well as the hatting industry. The Feltmakers have produced two Lord Mayors and are flourishing again.