Worshipful Company of Pewterers

As a Livery Company, a cornerstone of the Pewterers' activity is to support its trade and professions, and inspire young craftspeople and those in education working with pewter. It annually runs Pewter Live, a three-day crafts exhibition, competition for craftspeople and those working with pewter, and shop selling pewter ware by leading manufacturers and craftsmen. Pewter is still a thriving UK industry, though smaller than the major industry it once was in centuries past. ==Charity==

One of the original purposes of The Worshipful Company of Pewterers was for mutual help and charitable work; today the Company awards educational grants and supports a range of charitable causes through two Charitable Trusts: The 500th Anniversary Trust and The Seahorse Trust. The Company's two Charities currently give, in aggregate, some £200,000 in grants each year. All the grants are made within the UK and to UK registered charities. The Worshipful Company of Pewterers 500th Anniversary Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales: 267420. The Pewterers Seahorse Charitable Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales: 261889. ==Coat of arms==

The earliest record of heraldic arms in use by the Pewterers' Company is dated 1451. These first arms depict a representation of the Assumption, recalling the Company's origin as a fraternity in honour of the Virgin Mary. The Pewterers, like other Livery Companies, found it politic to eliminate religious symbolism during the Reformation; thus, in 1533, new arms were granted, followed forty years later by its crest and supporters. The Company's present arms are blazoned: Arms: Azure on a Chevron Or between three antique Limbecks Argent as many Roses Gules. Crest: A Mount Vert thereon two Arms embowed Proper vested Argent cuffed Gules holding in both Hands erect a Dish of the Third. Supporters: Two Seahorses Or their Tails Proper. ==References==