Any idea what these items have in common?

On first inspection, the connection between CIBSE and a City Livery Company called the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, set up in the late 17th century to foster the fan-making trade, might seem so slight as to be absurd. But at the time it became a Chartered Company in 1709, the only means of cooling the air was to fan oneself - and so hand-held fans can be seen to be the precursors of mechanical fans.

Like many of the 107 City Livery Companies, the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers has moved on from its origins (while retaining its collection of and interest in all aspects of ladies' hand-held fans), and recognised mechanical fans as a logical extension of the Company's sphere of interests. In 1939, it resolved to "play an active part in supporting the vigorous and innovative heating, ventilating and air-conditioning industry". This was further widened to include jet engines and aero engineering in 1954 and again more recently, to embrace air quality and environmental comfort.

Both the Worshipful Company and CIBSE consider education to be of prime importance, and to this end, the Company has set up an educational bursary to benefit CIBSE students in the pursuit of learning in disciplines related to fan engineering, ventilation, air quality and environmental comfort. The bursary for £1500 is awarded to one full-time student for one year, and it is assumed that the first choice university will be London's South Bank University.

To benefit, students must be British and register as student members of CIBSE. They should attend a small number of the Institution's events and "Fan Maker" events, where they will become better acquainted with the Company. But even if you are not a student, the strengthening links between CIBSE and the Fan Makers mean that it would be good to see more CIBSE members getting involved with the company and attending its events.

The Worshipful Company has about 200 members called Liverymen (although membership is also open to women), because when these companies were started in medieval times, the members wore livery so that they could easily recognise one another. Membership usually involves belonging to one of a series of identified interest groups - the world of mechanical fans (and jet engines) is one of these.

The Fan Makers are based in the City of London, where the Clerk (in effect the chief executive) has his office. The head of the Company is called the Master, who serves for one year. CIBSE's president is an Honorary Freeman of the Company during their year in office.