The Worshipful Company of Horners at the New Millennium
Ray Knowland Master of the Horner's Company

The Horners Company goes back to the dawn of the last millennium. The first historical reference to the Company was recorded in 1284 although the horner's craft dates from centuries before. So 1 believe we are probably starting on our second millennium, as are a number of our fellow livery Companies. Together with them, we represent the long history of the Livery movement which, with two new Companies gaining Livery status this year, suggests that the movement is still relevant today.
Through the years, Livery Companies have repeatedly reinvented themselves. In much earlier days they were Employer Federation, Trade Union and Office of Fair Trading rolled into one hardly a politically correct entity in the year 2000! So, from time to time, we look at ourselves anew.
In the last eighteen months the Horners have organised, together with a number of other Livery Companies, what has become know as the Livery 2000 initiative. A series of meetings have looked at how we can recruit, retain and get participation from younger people. We have also evaluated the changes taking place in and around the City and, finally, at sharing best practice in the management of our companies. We are separately looking at whether the structure of the Court (the governing body of the Company) is still appropriate today.
So we are viewing the new millennium as a time both to look back on a proud history and look forward to ensure that we change as appropriate. Our long history means that any changes that do take place will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
We have also celebrated the millennium in a tangible way by commissioning a new loving cup in silver gilt wire with buffalo horn handles and pressed sheets of Australian and Indian cattle - an impressive addition to our treasures.