Membership of a Livery Company represents both a privilege and a responsibility. Although it confers few tangible benefits, Freedom consolidates the links between individuals, families and generations. It signifies an unbroken continuity between past and present which differentiates an historic Livery Company from a professional association or social club.
Members of the Company who gain promotion to the Livery are expected to be willing to play an active role in the life of the Company, which may benefit from their expertise and experience on the governing body and committees, and to contribute to the Livery Fund. Members of the Court are thus directly associated with the Company's main function, which is now to manage and distribute its wealth for charitable purposes via The Clothworkers' Foundation.
Membership of The Clothworkers' Company is normally restricted to those eligible by Patrimony or Patrimonial Redemption. All enquiries about membership should be addressed to the Clerk.
By Patrimony:
Open to sons and daughters of Freemen and Freewomen over the age of 21, of legitimate status, born after that parent became Free of the Company. Any person lawfully adopted by a Freeman of the Company, born after that adopter was admitted to the Freedom of the Company, is also eligible for admission by Patrimony. Applicants must find two 'Tests' who are Free of the City of London or of a City Livery Company to attend the Freedom ceremony to vouchsafe the applicant's identity.
The fee for admission is £100 plus VAT.
By Patrimonial Redemption:
This category applies to:
(a) children who were born before their parent became Free of the Company.
(b) grandchildren whose grandfather or grandmother is or was Free of the Company.
The fee for admission is £100 plus VAT.
By Redemption:
This applies to anyone who has no immediate family connection with the Company although it is very unusual for membership to be offered in this way.
The fee for admission is £2,000 plus VAT.