The Worshipful Company of Carmen supports all front-line workers who drive essential goods around the UK as well as the bus and train drivers who continue to carry our essential workers to and from their places of work during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The Worshipful Company of Carmen was established over 500 years ago to license vehicles designed for the carriage of goods into the City of London. In common with all City livery companies, the Carmen have a long tradition of helping those in need. Originally intended for “the relief of necessitous Carmen and their dependants,” the Carmen’s Benevolent Trust continues to help causes associated with the transport and logistics industries as well as education.
Col. Simon Bennett, TD, VR – the company’s current Master – took pride in supporting the people who are currently keeping the UK moving in difficult circumstances. “They do a massive job day in, day out and are often overlooked when it comes to recognition for what they do,” he said. “We support the bus and train drivers who take people to and from work - as we see them regularly. However, the drivers of lorries and trucks that carry essential supplies for the NHS and food to where it is needed are also in great need of encouragement. The Carmen want to boost support for them all, not just from within the industry but also from all the people who benefit from what they do.”
Nigel Cook, Carman and Managing Director of Elddis Transport of Consett, echoed the view of the Road Haulage Association: “The virus has had a colossal impact on the UK’s road haulage industry. Whilst some hauliers - primarily those in food and medicine distribution - are continuing to operate, others are really suffering, particularly those whose businesses rely on the construction, removals, waste recycling, car transport, retail, manufacturing and fuel sectors. Although nearly 50% of lorries are currently parked up, our sector is doing everything it can to ensure critical supplies get to where they need to be.” Mr Cook said that: “We recognise that we will need to play the fullest role possible in the UK’s recovery and support of colleagues and those in power, will enable us to achieve this.”
Bill Hiron, Carman and Managing Director of Stephensons of Essex Ltd and NIBS Buses Ltd is proud to be part of an industry that is providing a vital service during the pandemic. He says: “Our services are helping NHS and care staff, supermarket employees, and other key workers get to their essential jobs. However, it’s important to remember that while passengers may only see our drivers, all bus workers play a role to ensure provision of these vital services continues.
“Public transport is crucial to our economy and social fabric even in ‘normal’ times, but right now it is more important than ever. As we move through the pandemic, our services will become even more important in helping to kick-start the economy by getting people back to work and, in due course, to see friends and family. We’ll have to provide extra buses and increase frequencies to maintain social distancing on-board but I hope that this will mean even greater country-wide recognition of what the fantastic people in the bus industry deliver for the nation. “Thank you to all our bus and coach workers behind the wheel, spanner, fuel pump, mop, keyboard, telephone or computer for what you are doing and continue to do.”
Our Master, Simon, concluded: “Carmen want to let all these workers know that we are behind them in all they do and we will do whatever is necessary to ensure they are not forgotten”.