John Banks: The Enigma Resolved
A Timber Merchant, Landlord and Property Developer Timber Merchant It has long been thought by the Company that John Banks, our Master Haberdasher in 1717 and our Benefactor too, was a silk merchant with the Levant. However actual evidence for this occupation seems to have been more linked to fanciful thinking of a haberdashery […]
Royal Maundy
The history of Royal Distribution on Maundy Thursday can be traced back with certainty to the thirteenth century and the first recorded Royal Distribution was at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire by King John in 1210, five years before Magna Carta. The distribution of alms and the washing of feet on the Thursday of Holy Week are […]
The Golden Conversation 2024
The Haberdashers’ Company recently hosted ‘The Golden Conversation’, an insightful and thought-provoking event centred around the theme of “Loving Your Neighbour in 21st Century Britain.” Featuring perspectives from two faith leaders, Imam Mohammed Mahmoud OBE and Reverend Graham Hunter, the event aimed to explore Christian and Muslim perspectives on serving the common good. Attendees, including […]
Hatcham X UEL: Coming Full Circle and Giving Back
As a University of East London (UEL) Alumnus, entrepreneur and professional footballer, Amadou Kassarate understands first-hand the pivotal role his environment played in propelling him to excel in academics, business, and elite sports. With a desire to offer invaluable insights to the next generation of students from Haberdasher students therefore, he took the initiative to […]
Why I volunteer
The magic of volunteering In my job I talk a lot about the ‘magic of teams’. The unknown factors that just make things work; the glue you can’t quite describe that brings a team together – one that on paper shouldn’t work but does. The chemistry, the collaboration, the trust, the belief in each other, […]
An ancient connection
The Company’s thriving patronages in Shropshire A quick online search reveals that Albrighton in Shropshire has an ancient connection with the haberdashery trade, as a manufacturer of buttons. This was in the early 1600s, at a similar time as when Dame Mary Weld left money in her will to purchase the patronage of Albrighton in […]
Tackling Knife Crime in London
The Ben Kinsella Trust tackles knife crime through education and campaigning. The charity was the recipient of one the 2023 Small Grants and here they tell us how they have used the money to help young people understand better about the dangers of carrying a weapon and how knife crime can be prevented in their […]
Haberdashers Futures: Allied health careers conference
Health Careers in collaboration with St Barts Hospital In 2023, students in Y12 across our Haberdashers’ secondary schools who are interested in pursuing a career in the health sector, joined us at Haberdashers’ Hall for a two day-long careers conference. Habs students who are considering a medical career applied to take part in the opportunity […]
Education trailblazer wins major prize at national awards
A Haberdasher who has dedicated her life to working in education, including her role as Principal at two Haberdashers’ schools, has received the highest award at the Tes Schools Awards, one of the biggest nights in the UK education calendar which was held last month in London. Dr Elizabeth Sidwell CBE, received the ‘Lifetime […]
Re-engaging an inner-city community after Covid
The vision of St John’s, Hoxton, in the London borough of Hackney, is to be ‘a beacon of hope for Hoxton’. During the Company’s deputation to the church in October 2024, it was clear that the church is doing everything it can to embody this vision. The Reverend Graham Hunter and his family have been […]