FEATURE / RE TROSPEC T
HISTORY LESSONS The journey that began in 1886 has passed a milestone with the 70,000th Registered Plumber
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n 1866 a Scotsman called George Shaw began a campaign for a national register of plumbers, and finally, in 21 July 1886, William Adkins of High Street, Roehampton, signed it. Following cholera epidemics that killed thousands of people, legislation had already been created demanding for every home to have piped water. At the time, it was estimated there were 37,000 people carrying out plumbing work, but only 5,000 were registered. Working life was tough: plumbers had no safety protection equipment and employers’ liability had only become law six years previously. The Plumber and Decorator revealed that getting the register started had not been easy. The register stepped up the battle to stop unskilled people carrying out poor-quality plumbing work. As our timeline (below) shows, overcoming self-interest in other parts of the construction industry and a lack of
understanding from Westminster is a recurring theme. However, the register Adkins signed has lived on and has now reached the significant milestone of its 70,000th member: Sam Demeza, the managing director of Bentley Mechanical Services, a plumbing and heating contractor in Swavesey, near Cambridge. Demeza’s story is not far removed from Adkins: “I’ve been with the company after becoming selfemployed 11 years ago. I did my apprenticeship under the company’s founder Stuart Bentley. I’ve
Timeline: Notable dates in plumbing history 21 July 1886
1892
1965
1954 Footballer of the year Tom Finney – ‘The Preston Plumber’ – plays in the World Cup.
22 P&H ENGINEERING
Prime minister Harold Wilson rejects bill for statutory legislation.
MAY / JUN 2019
1909
1902
Ironmongers and builders oppose Plumbers’ Registration Bill for fear it will influence wages.
William Adkins of Roehampton signs up as the first registered plumber.
The legislation is abandoned after a campaign that cost £25,000.
1968 Ronan Point gas explosion kills four and CORGI set up in response.
1906 Institute of Plumbing founded.
Worshipful Company of Plumbers hands over management of Register to National Council for Registration of Plumbers (later renamed the Registered Plumbers Association).
1970 Registered Plumbers Association amalgamates with the Institute of Plumbing. Worshipful Company of Plumbers relinquishes the Register and award of the designation Registered Plumber to the new Institute.
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