July is a quieter month for the livery companies, but of course a busy time for our fruit producers, despite the challenges presented to them this year with the weather.
Early in the month the clerk and I were invited to a summer lunch at Mercers’ Hall by The Worshipful Company of Cooks. It was a very good opportunity to get to know some of their liverymen better. As another ‘food’ livery, they also sponsor the City Food Lecture so it was an occasion to get to find out more away from the formalities of the annual, Guildhall evening.
The management at Hadlow College was kind enough to invite me to their annual prize giving on 6 July, which I found an inspirational day. I was there to present a Fruiterers’ Student Prize to one of the incumbents, Elliott Kirby, who had excelled during his time at this fine institution of learning. Many of those studying at Hadlow received a prize or certificate at the ceremony, which I am sure will motivate them to carry on with their studies or assist with their new careers.
On 12 July we journeyed to New Spitalfields Market as guests of the Tenants’ Association, to have a look at what goes on in the market and meet some of the people who work there. The Lord Mayor, Rt Hon Alderman David Wootton, was the principal guest and he took great interest in surveying the activities and products on display. I was particularly interested to see how the market has developed and changed since my last visit. Very impressive was the huge variety of fruits and vegetables on offer, much of it grown overseas and not readily available in most retail shops. I came to the conclusion that I would not know what to do with some of the delicious-looking fruit.
Our Summer Court was held at The Clothworkers’ Hall this year. Following the meeting we enjoyed a super dinner, with Venetia Howes as the guest speaker. Venetia is a past Master of the Worshipful Company of Marketers and she gave us a very good insight into her work at Shell and how markets evolve over time. We believe that it is the first time the Fruiterers’ have held a function at this magnificent establishment (at least in modern times). Liveryman Dennis Surgeon and renter warden Peter Cooper took the opportunity to show the 2012 range of Christmas cards, which are wonderful.
Last year they raised a magnificent sum for our charitable causes, which I am sure you know goes to support the fruit industry, as well as our more people-focused, charitable trust. So if your fruit business sends Christmas cards and you are keen to support our charities, do get in contact.
The upper warden, Professor John Price, attended the Cherry and Soft Fruit Show at Detling for the first time. He was bowled over by the fantastic quality of all the home-grown fruit being exhibited. Well done to the producers who have had to face a very tricky season.
We are always keen to welcome new, potential liverymen so if you feel you know someone who has a keen interest in the industry and the livery, do contact me on jane.anderson83@gmail.com. -
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