WHO WE ARE
The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers & Tobacco Blenders is one of the City of London’s renowned Modern Livery Companies. We promote fellowship and philanthropy, and play an integral role in the governance of the City of London.
In 1619 a Guild of Tobacco Pipe Makers of Westminster was founded by a group of pipe clay monopolists. This was reincorporated in 1634 but disappeared a few decades later. It was reincorporated again in 1663 as a City Company, but disappeared from the City's records in 1868. So, having been re-established once again in 1954, we are now a Modern Livery Company (Companies achieving livery status after 1932). We stand at Number 82 in the Order of Precedence.
Read more about our history here.
We play no part in the oversight of the tobacco sector, nor do we have any regulatory role or interest. A Royal Charter for regulating tobacconists and tobacco cutters was granted to the Worshipful Company of Grocers in 1690.
FELLOWSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP
We are a relaxed, friendly and forward-thinking Livery Company with a membership open to anyone with an interest in the Livery movement. Our heritage naturally means that we welcome those with an interest in the tobacco sector, including pipes and cigars, and its many associated trades and crafts. But our membership is much broader than that, and we are equally pleased to welcome those who simply enjoy the fellowship, traditions and social life of the Livery.
Our members enjoy a varied programme of charitable, social and cultural activities where friendships are made and connections strengthened. These include banquets and lunches in some of the City's most beautiful Livery Halls, theatre evenings, informal gatherings in fascinating London venues, cigar-tasting events, golf days, clay pigeon shoots and our much-loved Christmas Carol Service.
Our members are welcome to bring guests to enjoy our events and experience the Company for themselves. Many of our events have a charitable focus, reflecting our commitment to supporting good causes while enjoying the fellowship of our members.
See our diary here.
Find out more about joining our Company here.
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
We encourage our members to get involved and play an active role in the life of our Company, wherever possible. There are opportunities to take on roles in our Committees and Court, possibly leading to becoming a Warden and eventually Master. Read more about our Court and Company Officers here.
There is also the possibility of taking an active role in the daily life of the City of London, given its close and effective working partnership with all Livery Companies. This long-standing relationship is founded on our shared objectives, support for excellence and benevolence, and the promotion of the Square Mile. Liverymen play a pivotal role through the elections of the City of London's Lord Mayor and Sheriffs.
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH OUR CHARITABLE WORK
The City of London’s Livery Companies collectively donate over £81 million a year to charities, according to the annual Livery Impact Report. We are proud to play our part. Supporting people in need is a centuries-old tradition of the Livery movement, inspired by concern for others.
Our members make both annual and occasional donations to The Tobacco Pipe Makers' and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund (Charity no. 1135646), which is our vehicle for charitable giving. The Benevolent Fund supports a broad range of UK registered charities, with a focus on the advancement of education, the arts, culture and heritage, and the relief of those who are disadvantaged. Many of these charities are rooted in our members’ own communities, allowing us to witness the direct difference our contributions make to people’s lives. Read more about the charities we support here.
CELEBRATING CRAFT AND TRADE
Our Company celebrates the centuries-old craft of tobacco pipe making. We support the Broseley Pipe Works museum which provides a time capsule of working life in this traditional local industry. We support artisan clay pipe making, a heritage craft, and due to our interest in briar pipe making we are a member of the Wood Group of Livery Companies.
A proportion of our members have links with many aspects of the tobacco trade past and present, including leaf growers, merchants and blenders; tobacco and paper manufacturers; snuff blenders; cigar makers and importers; retailers; manufacturers of smokeless products; financial analysts, investment houses and other related sectors.
Find out more about joining our Company here.