The Worshipful
Company of Basketmakers

Let Us Love One Another

Honorary Members

Honorary Liverymen

In 1991 HRH The Duchess of Gloucester became the first member of the Royal Family to be admitted to the Freedom and Livery of the Company. Mary Butcher MBE, a former Trade Advisor, was admitted as Honorary Liveryman in 1994. Former Clerks Andrew Gillett, Roger de Pilkyngton, Fiona Janczur and Sarah Sinclair are Honorary Liverymen.

Honorary Members

The Company has two Honorary Members, Raymond Porchet and Bunty Ball. Raymond was Zunftmeister of the Letzi Guild of Zurich. He was responsible, with PPW Norman Woolley, for forging the strong links between the Company and the Letzi Guild. Bunty Ball was awarded her honorary membership in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the art and craft of basketmaking and her continued support for the trade over many years.


Mary Butcher MBE
 Honorary Liveryman
& Former Trade Advisor

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Bunty Ball - Honorary Member
​​​​​​​for her outstanding contribution to the Trade

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Raymond Porchet - Honorary Member
Past Zunftmeister of the Letzi Guild of Zurich

Honorary Freedoms

HM Queen Mary was admitted to the Honorary Freedom in 1937, as was HRH Princess Mary the Princess Royal in 1954. In 1913 Professor Thomas Okey was admitted an Honorary Freeman in recognition of his outstanding services to the Company. For many years he practised as a journeyman basketmaker and was also an examiner in basketwork for the Department of Technology at the City and Guilds of London Institute.