A Wren Coincidence

Over the past thirty years I have had the privilege of being involved in the guilds, livery and history of probably the finest city in the world, the City of London. There are a number of Livery Companies that are nearly 1000 years old and some who have been established more recently in last twenty five years. The more ancient companies were the trade bodies of traditional crafts such as Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Leathermakers, Vintners and Bowyers (The makers of the longbow that was such a lethal weapon in our victories against the French at Crecy, Potiers and Agincourt during the 100 Years War). The more recent companies include Information Technologists', World Traders' and Water Conservators' representing some of the new businesses that surround us today. Today these companies are are all concerned with their relevant products and crafts but more importantly they uphold the traditions of the City of London through education and charitable giving that amounts to an annual £75 million pounds.

This is a small story about an ancient guild on the fringe of the City of London, the Tanners Company of Bermondsey' and how it has purely by chance crossed my path. Tanning of leather and hides was up until and just after the First World War the main industry in the area providing the main employment to those living directly south of the river Thames from the City. Nowadays tanning is sadly a very small business in the UK with few operators remaining, most of the business now being conducted in growing economies around the world.

The Tanners of Bermondsey, who were awarded their Royal Charter by Queen Anne in 1703 are very much alive as a link to the industry as well as upholding charitable and educational links in Bermondsey.

All guilds and livery companies are governed by its Master, Wardens and Court and in 2021/2 I was my privileged to be elected the Master of the Tanners' of Bermondsey. It's then the 'coincidence begins'.

In the process of trying to find a suitable organisation that the Tanners' Company could help the local primary school was identified. It is a Church of England establishment with close links to St Mary Magdalen Church in the Borough of Bermondsey and goes under the name of the Boutcher School. Boutcher refers to the Rev. Boutcher who was a very successful local businessman connected with the tanning industry who provided most of the funds to build the school in 1872.

The BOUTCHER SCHOOL in Bermondsey,South East London where Great Grandpa Wren went to school leaving there in 1874. This is the original building that is still used today.

While going through the due process of investigating this project something started to ring a bell in my head about the 'Wren's' and their moving to South London in the mid 1800's.

The school report from the headmaster when Richard Cranfield Wren left in August 1874 at the age of 13.

Low and behold on my desk at home I have the framed school report given to Great Grandpa, Richard Cranfield Wren on his leaving the Boutcher School on 28th August 1874.He was born at Monkton Combe near Bath but when the family moved to London he became one of the original pupils at the school when it was established in 1872. Although leaving at the age of fourteen he went on to have most successful career in the pharmaceutical industry as a director of Potter and Clarke as well as being a Justice of the Peace and being one of the founders of Crowstone Congregational Church in Westcliffe on Sea. He was also at one time Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Wholesale Druggist's Association and took an active part in obtaining relief from the Inland Revenue in respect of the Medicine Stamp Duty Act in the early 20th century. He was also a Fellow of the Linnean Society and his lasting legacy was being the author of Potters 'Cyclopaedia Of Botanical Drugs and Preparations', this was later edited and enlarged on by his son, Richard William Wren, 'Grandpa'.

Richard Cranfield Wren’s form of recommendation to become a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London in 1914.

Five editions out of seven, the first on the left was published in 1907.

A double page spread from the seventh edition of “Potter’s New Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations” edited and enlarged to a volume of some 400 by pages by Richard Cranfield Wren’s son Colonel Richard William Wren TD, MPS, FLS, FCS in 1956.

So back to the present and the forming of the association between the Tanners of Bermondsey and the Boutcher School. After meeting with the headmistress, an inspirational Scottish lady by the name of Eilidh Verhoevenand (married to a Dutchman) and the school secretary Jennie Bones I was invited to meet the students at their Open Day and talk to them about the world of commerce and industry. However the highlight was when just before the children broke up for the summer holiday I was invited to present prizes at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the school to all the year winners of the book tokens the Tanners of Bermondsey had donated. This took place at their assembly held in traditional church school style, preceded by prayers and followed afterwards by some highly memorable singing from the wonderfully accomplished school choir. The event has now been agreed to be a permanent fixture in the school calendar so the link will hopefully be around for many years to come.

Presenting prizes at the Boutcher School in Bermondsey on behalf of the Tanners of Bermondsey.

I wonder what Great Grandpa Wren would have thought of that!