WCSM celebrates students’ successes

Bursary Award winner, Matthew Spiers, with WCSM Master, Huntly Taylor

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) celebrated the development of skills and careers at all levels at its annual Presentation Ceremony in the historic Apothecaries’ Hall in London on 17 October.

Certificates and diplomas were awarded to students from practices around the country who passed their exams during the 2018/19 academic year. A special award was made to bursary winner, Matthew Spiers.

Matthew, a trainee dispensing optician from 2020 Opticians in Dunfermline, was supported by the WCSM Education Trust charity in his first year of a foundation degree in ophthalmic dispensing at ABDO College/Canterbury Christ Church University.

Matthew said. “There is never an easy time to begin studying to become a dispensing optician, particularly via the distance learning degree. I decided to take an even trickier return to the world of studying by starting the course, starting work at a new practice and buying, moving into and decorating my first house all in the same week. Financially, the WCSM bursary allowed me to buy a computer and practical equipment to practise for the PQEs during work, which enabled me to receive very good marks. It also meant that the WCSM had put its faith in me as someone who could help the profession to move forwards.

Haydn Dobby receives his Freedom of the Company

“I was thrilled to be invited to the annual ceremony at Apothecaries’ Hall as a guest of honour. It was a brilliant chance to be able to meet with some hugely important and interesting people, and it was a great privilege to watch the new Freemen taking their place in the Company. I feel very lucky and I would urge anyone beginning an optical course to apply for the bursary themselves.”

The WCSM is the oldest optical body in the world. Over four centuries, it has been supporting those who work in optical careers. Members come from all walks of life, across the whole range of optical disciplines, audiology and many other professions. Sixteen new members were admitted as Freemen at this year’s prestigious Ceremony. They included Haydn Dobby, a lecturer at ABDO College, who also received his SMC(Tech) Diploma for Optical Technicians.

Newly-installed WCSM Master, Huntly Taylor, commented: “The Annual Presentation Ceremony is a real highlight of the year. People from all sorts of backgrounds come together to enjoy their special day with us and it’s a great opportunity to share experience. The Education Trust bursary scheme has now given out more than £65,000 to help first year students starting optical training and we’re looking forward to receiving the applications for this year’s scheme.”

Details of the bursary scheme and application forms are available here.  The closing date for bursary applications is Friday 20 December.