The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London.
Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1670 the original purpose of the company was to regulate the manufacture and quality of handmade wooden wheels (the Ancient Craft of Wheelwrighting).
Today the Company is primarily a philanthropic and social organization, with a particular emphasis on providing backing for wheeled mobility and education, as well as supporting the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation.
In addition to supporting the Ancient Craft of wheelwrighting, the Company has strong links with the modern wheel and tyre industry, and other mobility-related activities.
The Wheelwrights’ philanthropic activities are focussed on the general themes of education, mobility, and the City of London.
An example of the charitable work is the funding for Melanie Woods to help her compete in wheelchair racing at a high level. With support from the National Tyre Distributors Association, the Wheelwrights Fund 2020 was able to help Melanie to acquire the specially customized racing wheelchair she needed.
We were delighted that Melanie was able to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics and achieve a personal best performance.
News
Hub & Spoke Newsletter – Summer 2023
The Summer 2023 issue of Hub & Spoke - the Wheelwrights newsletter - has now been published and can be viewed here. It has also been emailed to all members. As well as the regular update from the Master, it includes a spotlight on a working wheelwright (Douglas...
TOUR DE VALE STOKE MANDEVILLE 11TH JUNE 2023
On the 11th June 9 of us took part in the annual Wheelpower cycle ride, starting at Stoke Mandeville stadium. We even had 3 working Wheelwrights: Greg Rowland, Tom Carroll and Sam Phillips. It was a very hot sunny day and we all made it round except Sam who...
RAF Coningsby Visit & Rolling Wheel Trophy – May 2023
On 15th May 2023, the Master, Renter Warden, MLO and other members of the Court had the pleasure of visiting RAF Coningsby to present the winners of the Wheelwright's Rolling Wheel Trophy for 2022 and 2023 to Cpl Andy Tierney and Cpl Ashley Gammon of 12 Sqn RAF. We...
350 Years of Supporting Mobility
In 2020, the Company celebrated the 350th Anniversary of the signing of its Royal Charter. Whilst many of the celebratory activities were curtailed by the COVID pandemic, we were fortunate to be able to hold a service of celebration at St Pauls Cathedral followed by a dinner in the crypt.
The opportunity was also taken to create this video showcasing the work of the Company, the craft of wheelwrighting, and some of the ways in which Wheelwrights Liverymen are making a contribution to society.