The Fruiterers, along with City Freemen from other Guilds and Liveries, are summoned once a year to a Common Hall at the Guildhall, where they elect two Sheriffs for the forthcoming 12 months.

This historic and ancient meeting is held in June and, of late, there have usually been only two contenders, which has made the selections quite straightforward. At the appropriate moment in the solemn ceremony, the assembled company raise their hands in assent when those seeking the office are presented. But on June 24 this year there were three candidates and this, through recorded procedure, resulted in a ballot held on July 8.

The Sheriffs are selected from a number of eligible individuals, with the necessary experience, who serve for one year in a number of important roles and functions and deputise for the Lord Mayor when the latter is either travelling overseas or has other important City engagements. It can be a form of apprenticeship as Sheriffs are often, subsequently, elected as Lord Mayor.

What, one may ask, has this got to do with the reality of life? Well the City of London still remains a vital and essential leader in global financial dealings and commercial services. The activities of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs help keep the capital and the country in that position, despite recent problems in the financial sector. Not an easy job and one that requires first-class and able people, democratically elected.

They work tirelessly and remorselessly to complete their goals, mainly for honour, duty and responsibility. What’s more, if you don’t like the incumbents and their achievements, they only last one year, not five - and they do not carry political banners.

THE MASTER’S COMMENTS

By Alan French

STUDENTS EARN JUST REWARDS AT HADLOW

It is always a pleasure to be able to encourage young people in their development and to reward success. I was delighted, therefore, to be asked to attend Hadlow College Presentation Day for full-time students on July 3.

It was extremely uplifting to spend time with the Principal Paul Hannan and Liveryman Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, director of finance and resources at the college, to learn of the road they have navigated in rescuing the college over the last five years. To drink in the enthusiasm they continue to exude, as they continue their quest to go beyond official ratings of “outstanding” towards the achievement of excellence, was most refreshing.

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Libby Spackman, who at the end of her three years of study for a BSc in Commercial Horticulture was awarded the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Award for Significant Achievement in the Fruit Sphere. Along with her certificate, I was pleased to present her with a cheque for £250 - a fitting reward for so much hard work.

During Libby’s last year and a half she became very involved with the pepper project at Court Lane. She has also been in charge of sorting out compliance with the Assured Produce scheme, a project that she achieved in order that the college passed the Assured Produce audit.

In addition, Libby ran the day-to-day side of pepper production, with some assistance from Court Lane staff, which included marketing of the crop.

Furthermore, Libby has developed her own professional and personal capabilities. Needless to say, she has already found employment.

More than 350 other students enthusiastically received their awards and diplomas in land-based skills, ranging from horticulture, agriculture, equine skills, fishery management and animal management to floristry, and many will now move on to higher education. Well done to them all and to Hadlow College’s management and staff.

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