Journeyman
Journeyman
Ideal for those at the beginning of their career in optics and vision care looking for extra support.
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Image shows Past Master Liz Shilling with members of the military.
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Image shows the Past Master Liz Shilling examining the alignment of a patient's eye as an Orthoptist at St Thomas' Hospital.
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Young RAF air cadets (ages 11-14) receiving awards from a senior Company official
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Two Ophthalmic Nurses receiving their Freedom of the City of London as Spectacle Makers.
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Image shows five Spectacle Makers from different backgrounds receiving their Freedom of the City of London.
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Professor James G Fujimoto delivering the latest Spectacle Makers' Lecture.
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Our governing Court, the Clerk and the Beadle wearing ceremonial gowns of office at a Court Luncheon
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Four female eye health professionals in a mock aircraft, discussing eye health in aviation with an RAF instructor.
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13 members of the Court working together at a relaxed meeting.
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UHI Winner Kiera Logan
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A Black and White Photograph of a Livery Dinner in 1966
A Black and White Photograph of a Livery Dinner in 1966
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Master, Wardens and Comapny processing to St Pauls for the United Guilds Service, 28 march 2025
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The Master and Wardens at the Installation Lunch
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Professor Robert MacLaren receiving the 7th Fincham Medal
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Spectacle Makers are awarded Special Awards at the ABDO Graduation at Canterbury Cathedral in 2025.
Spectacle Makers are awarded Special Awards at the ABDO Graduation at Canterbury Cathedral in 2025.
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The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
Supporting better vision for all, since 1629
We are the only City of London Livery company dedicated to eye health.
We are the oldest existing optical body in the world.
Founded in 1629, our purpose is the same now as it was then. We support better vision for all.
In the 21st Century we believe that nobody should be held back because of their sight.
Today, you do not have to be involved in making spectacles to join our Company. Our members represent over 35 different professions in eye health, sight loss and many other fields. Through them, our reach spreads out from the City of London, right across the world.
We seek to inspire future generations committed to visionary eye care, building on our rich heritage of almost 400 years.
We’re interested in everything that can be done to prevent unnecessary sight loss and increase access to work, sport and culture for people with partial or full sight loss.
Rooted in tradition, we bring the best of our experience to bear on the continuing need for eye health provision, helping education, employment, life and leisure.
To find out more, click below – or, even better, come and join us!
CURRENT MEMBERS: For all the latest news and information, please click on the Members' Login button at the top of this page
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Upcoming Events
03 February 2026, 6:30 pm
Eye-to-Eye: An Interview with Geoff Lawson
In this Eye-to-Eye we will hear from the International Cricketer and Optometrist Geoff Lawson (Please note that this session will be pre-recorded as Geoff is in Australia). Non-Members are welcome to join too. Please contact the office.
17 February 2026, 9:45 am
Shrove Tuesday Inter-Livery Pancake Race
Organised by the Poulters' Company, this event often draws in confused crowds of tourists around the City. Come and support the Masters she battles with fellow Livery Masters in the annual pancake race around Guildhall yard. Pancakes are available to purchase and proceeds will go to the Clink Charity.
04 March 2026, 6:00 pm
Four Liveries Event 2026: “Four Weddings and a Funeral”
The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers are delighted to be hosting the 4 Liveries Event in 2026 “Four Weddings and a Funeral” How a school-days hobby led to a career that let me witness some moments in history and more over the last fifty years.
09 March 2026, 12:30 pm
March Court Luncheon 2026
Put a Spring into your Step at the Spectacle Makers' Spring Court Luncheon, held this year at Vintners' Hall. Bookings may be made by Liverymen or by Corporate Supporters.
16 March 2026, 11:00 am
Tour of Two Livery Halls
Join us for a tour of two Livery Halls: Merchant Taylors' Hall and Waterman's Hall. We will start in the morning at Merchant Taylors' Hall, where we had our Livery Dinner last year. Following this there will be a short break, enough time to get lunch nearby, either as a group or separately, before regrouping for the afternoon tour of Watermen's Hall.
20 March 2026, 10:30 am
United Guilds’ Service 2026
The annual United Guilds Service sees Liverymen from across the City join together at St Paul's Cathedral. Tickets are very limited and available to Liverymen only. Please let the Clerk know if you are keen to attend.
07 April 2026, 6:30 pm
Eye-to-Eye: Professional Development Award Winners
Join us for this month's Eye-to-Eye, where we hear from our Professional Development Award winners, who will be delivering presentations.
14 April 2026, 12:00 pm
Society day out in Bath, Somerset
Society Day out in Bath, Somerset. Organised by Victoria Barrett
20 April 2026, 6:30 pm
The 2026 Livery Dinner
[Bookings for the 2026 Livery will open in January 2026.] This year's Livery Dinner will be held at Plaisterers' Hall.
14 May 2026, 8:30 am
Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon Shooting Competiton
The Inter-Livery Charity Clay Shoot has been announced and will be held on 13 and 14 May 2026. The Spectacle Makers are on the 14 according to the draw. To find out more, please contact the office.
18 May 2026, 5:00 pm
Eye Health for the Livery
An informative evening aimed at educating the Livery and wider public on the importance of basic and regular eye care.
02 June 2026, 6:30 pm
Eye-to-Eye: Town Hall Meeting 2026
Your chance to find out more about your Company and pose any questions to the Master, Wardens, Court members and Committee Chairs.
11 June 2026, 12:30 pm
The June Court Lunch 2026
[Bookings for the June 2026 Court Luncheon will open in late April 2026.]
08 July 2026, 8:30 am
WCSM Annual Golf Day 2026
Spectacle Makers Annual Golf Day, Wednesday 8th July, Tyrrells Wood Golf Club, Leatherhead. Details to follow in February.
04 September 2026, 11:45 am
Master’s Weekend 2026
Join the Master for her Master's Weekend, this year held in Glasgow from 4-6 September.
23 September 2026, 11:00 am
A Trip to Titsey Place, Oxted
A Society trip to Titsey Place, one of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey. More details to follow shortly.
27 September 2026, 9:00 am
Sheep Drive 2026
One of the most unique City events of the year, Bookings will open in April for the annual Sheep, held across a London bridge. Tickets are hard to come by so sign up quickly!
30 September 2026, 10:45 am
Annual Service of Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Rededication
The Annual Service of Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Rededication at St bride's Church, Fleet Street.
30 September 2026, 12:30 pm
The October 2026 Court Luncheon
The October 2026 Court Luncheon, following the Installation of the New Master. Booking will open in July.
Membership
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is an open company, which means we welcome members with professional backgrounds beyond the vision care and sight loss sectors.
Freeman
Freeman
Applying for Freedom of the Company is the first step to joining a community committed to better vision for all.
Liveryman
Liveryman
An invitation to the Livery, the highest level of membership, is a life long commitment.
Corporate Supporters
