Jane Anderson, the daughter of past master Michael Sykes, has become the first woman in modern times to be appointed to office at the Worshipful Company.

The Master announced her appointment as renter warden at the Audit Court dinner at the Skinners’ Hall on 20 May.

Although her promotion will not be automatic, Anderson stands to become Master in 2012. She was a popular choice for the role of renter warden.

The dinner marked the successful auditing of the Company’s records and finances. At the event the Master praised the work of the beadle, Ted Prior, and presented him with a set of Fruiterers’ cufflinks.

The principal guest at the dinner was Oliver Tant, chief auditor at KPMG. He provided an interesting discourse on the responsibilities of his profession and explained how their activities made important contributions to the economy.

• • • • • •• • •

The annual Fruiterers Golf Day was held at Kingswood Golf Club on 6 May.

The Golf Day is a popular event with many of the Fruiterers who have a passion for the game. As usual, several competitions were organised for the players.

MASTER’S COMMENT

By Steve Bodger

HOT AND BOTHERED IN SUMMER? HAVE A CIDER

What a joyful occasion the Royal Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet is. Set in the beautiful Somerset countryside, this is one of the major agricultural spectacles. Impeccably groomed, sleek cattle, sheep seemingly given designer shearings and high-tech shiny farming equipment seem to dominate the show, but fruit plays a large part as well.

It might seem early in the season for fruit growers to show their produce, but the secret is cider. Half of the apples grown in England are made into cider. These are predominately cider varieties, of course, but eating apples and Bramleys are also used.

Some years ago a group of cider makers and apple growers set up the Orchard and Cider tent at the show. Organised each year by Rupert Best, a liveryman and cider apple grower, this has grown into a major attraction, which the Fruiterers’ Company has sponsored from its inception. The high spot is the cider tasting and awards for winning makers. Some four hundred ciders were tasted this year to find the best in each of nine categories, with each of these nine winning brews then tasted to find the best in show.

So where does the Master of the Fruiterers’ Company come in? Well, apart from having a splendid day in glorious sunshine, I had to taste the nine to select the winner of the Fruiterers’ Cup for the ultimate accolade. I had assistance, of course. Food writer Tom Parker-Bowles and two expert cider makers were the fellow judges. The quality and variety of taste of the nine was astonishing, making the selection of a single winner difficult. But in the end a decision was made and Glastonbury Abbey won. Lord King presented the cup on our behalf.

The moral of the story? When you have had a hot morning cutting the grass or a good afternoon on the golf course, don’t just automatically reach for a beer. Try one of the many ciders from the small producers. You will find it delicious. What better way could there be of supporting English apple growers?