The Certification Panel, 27 March 2024

Wednesday 27 th March was a busy old day at The Proof House.  The Certification Panel was meeting, drafting and refining its policy and procedures, and then going on to examine one application.  If this wasn’t enough, fourteen Master Gunmaker Certificates were presented and also, two Lifetime Achievement Awards.  To arrange all this, Bill & Jo Blacker had excelled themselves – and the Master was expecting over 50 people to attend the presentations!

To facilitate this throng, it was ‘all hands to the pumps’.  Accordingly, the clerks shortened the Court Room table to one quarter of its usual length and re-arranged the chairs accordingly.  The courtyard layout was modified, and the pale blue hydraulic scissor-lift trolley was pressed into service under the new gazebo as an additional bar and canapés table!  That old adage of ‘Adapt and Overcome’ proved apposite.

Karim’s work being examined.

Karim’s work being examined.

At the end of the meeting, the Panel examined Abderrahmane Dafallah’s work.  Affectionately known at J Roberts & Son as Karim, he performed well in interview after the examination of his work and was awarded his Craftsman Certificate.  This will be presented at the Summer panel meeting.

Karim’s work having passed muster to the satisfaction of the Panel the Master, Wardens, Chairman, Clerks, Beadle and Proof Master greeted the recipients and their guests.

The Master, Chairman and Proof Master presented  Master Craftsmen Certificates to:-

Kevin Murphy                    David Sinnerton                              Simon Atherton

Mark Sullivan                   Allan Portsmouth                           Alex Torok

Tony White                         Phillip Butcher                                 Richard Bayley

Peter Nelson                     Paul Faraway                                   David Dryhurst

Richard St Ledger           Richard Barnes  

All these distinguished Gunmakers can now proudly sport the coveted post nominals MAsR.G.

 

Lifetime Achievement Awards were made to Liveryman Paul Roberts and Past Master Russell Wilkin.

Paul Roberts

Marc Newton’s citation ‘ The British gun trade is renowned for its diverse and captivating characters, and among them, Paul Roberts stands as a paragon of passion, expertise, and dedication. Paul’s journey in the industry as a gunmaker

Paul receiving his certificate from the Chairman and the Master.

Russell Wilkin

This blog is too short to list Russell’s achievements so we must default to a summary.  Over 60 years in the trade, starting in that bleak winter of 1963 when he rode his motorbike through the snow to work so as not to miss a trick.  He became a great and friendly mentor to many newcomers to the craft, including some in this audience; he was innovative in introducing new equipment and techniques in his workshop; served as a director of Holland & Holland; was a Council member of the Gun Trade Association for over two decades; Clothed in our  Livery in 1977 progressing to Master in 2002 and chaired The Proof House Committee for 14 years until 2012: a truly awesome career.

Russell, rightly centre of attention of the Chairman and Master.

Russell, rightly centre of attention of the Chairman and Master.

Many congratulations to our Master Craftsmen, and Paul and Russell.

This, for The Proof House, was a capacity event and was the result of the combined effects of the re-booting and re-invigoration of our Certification process unfortunately coinciding with the COVID restrictions, hence the backlog.  Everyone was very impressed with the day, which was led and ably administered by Bill & Jo Blacker, so our thanks to this dynamic duo.

The London Proof House looking ready for the Christmas celebration.

Christmas Greetings 2025

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A brief message from the Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers to all Liverymen at Christmas.
Coat of arms with weapons, flags, and Latin inscription:

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Richard Hefford-Hobbs Awarded Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering  Richard Hefford-Hobbs FREng has been awarded the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a prestigious honour recognising his exceptional contributions to the field of engineering.   The announcement was made on the 24th of September 2025, highlighting Richard as one of a select few […] The post Gunmakers Master Made Fellow appeared first on Worshipful Company of Gunmakers.
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