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Kenneth Westcott, Master 1956-57 -
Roy Bridgman Evans, Master 1966-67 -
Richard Hargreaves, Master 1976-77 -
Louis Chapuis, Master 1986-87 -
Roger Merton, Master 1996-97 -
Richard Tranter, Master 2006-07 -
Charles Miller, 2016-17 -
Jacqueline Burrows, Master 2026-27
Celebrating Past Masters from each decade
31st July 2026A Little History from 1619 and the Modern Company
The first Company of Pipe Makers was established by a group of pipe clay monopolists in 1619. Three men, who were the original petitioners and probably not pipe makers, were named as Masters in rotation:
- Thomas Warricke Esq
- Robert Maxwell Esq
- Charles Maxwell Esq
We are now a Modern Company, having been re-founded in 1954.
I've been looking back at our Past Masters from each of the Modern Company's decades, matching my own year of 2026-7. The list underlines what a remarkable Company we are and how much we are rooted in the business of tobacco and pipe making.
- Kenneth C H Westcott 1956-7
- Roy Bridgman Evans 1966-7
- Richard Hargreaves 1976-7
- Louis Chapuis 1986-7
- Roger Merton 1996-7
- Richard Tranter 2006-7
- Charles Miller 2016-17
I am lucky to know three of these remarkable men (Roger Merton, Richard Tranter and Charles Miller), and to have been a Court Assistant when Richard and Charles were each Master, but the first four in the list were something of a mystery to me. So I have been researching their lives and their involvement in the industry that led to the re-founding of our Company in 1954. The information is being added over time to the Past Masters' section of the website, subject to the approval of any family members, friends or colleagues still in our Company.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to find a descendant relative of Past Masters Kenneth Westcott, Roy Bridgman Evans, Richard Hargreaves and Louis Chapuis and invite them to consider joining our Company?