A college carpentry lecturer is getting ready to walk across London Bridge with a flock of sheep after gaining a prestigious title.
Brian Tunbridge, 43, from Bury St Edmunds became a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers over the summer.
Because of this honour, Brian has now become a freeman of the city of London and one of his rights is to be able to take part in a reboot of an old tradition where farmers used to take their sheep to market across a bridge in London.
Mr Tunbridge – who works for West Suffolk College – is getting ready to participate in this ancient ritual on 24 September 2023.
He joked by saying ‘you could say it’s unbaalieveable’.
On a more serious note in terms of becoming a Liveryman, Brian added: “It’s a privilege to become a Liveryman of this guild and be a part of a company whose history in setting high standards in joinery dates back more than 450 years and was a founder member of the present day City and Guilds."
In addition to this news – the former student of the college – has also joined the board of the Institute of Carpenters (IOC).
In terms of this honour, Brian said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to represent West Suffolk College and more than 40 other colleges nationally at the IOC - an organisation committed to ensuring each generation of carpenters and joiners upholds the highest traditions of our historic craft. I look forward to contributing to the enhancement and promotion of this ancient profession in my new role.”
Brian is also playing his part in trying to secure a grant from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust to support 3D modelling training at the college where (if successful) he will team up with the esteemed carver called Clunie Fretton and Taylor Made Joinery Interiors Ltd to provide additional training to students and apprentices in this old school skill.
Future plans for Brian will see him working with Ofsted to improve standards in carpentry teaching and he is also hoping to support the Royal British Legion as they set about repairing a bench that fell into dis-repair that commemorates the Battle of Normandy.
Assistant Principal of the college, Debbie Coomes said: “Brian is amazing. He is a committed role model and a real asset to the college and the Eastern Education Group. We feel very lucky to have him.”