October got off to a busy start for the Fruiterers. On the first day we attended Guildhall for the election of the Lord Mayor.

This is an annual event at which liverymen vote for the most suitable candidate. Roger Gifford, a merchant banker, was elected and became the 685th Lord Mayor of London.

After the formalities were over we assembled at The Little Ship Club for refreshments and sustenance. These informal get-togethers are always enjoyable and often spawn valuable ideas that are acted upon. Recharged, that afternoon members of the Master’s committee met to discuss the appointment of the company’s officers and review the various sub-committees’ progress.

During the same evening a group convened at The City Pipe, the purpose of which was to involve the newly elected liverymen and give them an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere. They got to know some of the other liverymen and, of course, each other. I tend to feel far more is achieved in the livery if people know each other reasonably well and are happy to exchange ideas freely.

On 2 October the clerk and I were asked to go to a Harvest Festival Service at St Martin in the Fields, followed by supper at The Farmers Club. This was a pleasant evening arranged to introduce farmers and various other people involved in the food industry. One subject which was hotly debated was the problems being experienced by our bees – also a point of discussion for our Awards Council.

I received two other invitations in the first week, a service at St Paul’s Cathedral and a lunch on Thursday given by the Worshipful Company of Butchers. We were guests of that company’s Master, Mark Adams.

The following week meetings of the livery membership and communications and finance sub-committees were held.

Our Awards Council met at Detling for The National Fruit Show. I enjoyed looking around the exhibits and meeting many of the Fruiterers and others involved in the fruit business. The highlight of the day was the awards ceremony, which was presented by Sarah Calcutt. It was a delight to view the high quality of fruit on display and the standards achieved by growers were quite exceptional.

I had the very great pleasure in presenting Dr Theresa Huxley with the Fruiterers’ Fruit Culture Award.

Huxley has achieved so much in promoting British fruit, particularly through supermarket sales, but also she has done a very great deal to help encourage those who are coming into the industry.

Later in the month past Master Anthony Turnbull organised a meeting in London inviting all of those liverymen who previously served as honorary assistants. The purpose of this was to make sure they have an opportunity to air their thoughts and views both on the fruit industry and also the livery itself. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to so many, and very many valuable points came to the fore which will be discussed further and where possible, implemented. —