Eighteen members of the Fruiterers’ Company including the Master visited the College of Arms at Queen Victoria Street on September 29. What appeared at first like a fairly dry topic was brought to life by William Hunt, Windsor Herald of Arms, who was the official guide for the evening.

The party was greeted in the one room open to the public, where they learnt about the history of the college and the building, which is now one of the very few listed buildings remaining from the 17th century in that part of London.

Following refreshment and further instruction, the group moved to the splendid library of official records. Being able to view these original records, hundreds of years old, and to touch one such document on velum brought the whole thing to life.

Heralds date back to the 12th century. They acted as messengers, diplomats and army staff officers, who were expected to identify army commanders by the devices painted on their banners, shields and surcoats - facial identification being impossible, when the head was covered by a helmet. Heralds also organised tournaments and became expert in coat armour or ‘coats of arms’, as well as in ceremonial matters, which led to their organising the great ceremonies of state. They were, and still are, responsible for the important occasions such as coronations, state opening of parliament and state funerals. The senior Herald or Garter King of Arms is also responsible for the introduction of new peers into the House of Lords. For all these ceremonies, they wear their traditional scarlet uniform and tabards of the royal arms embroidered with gold.

Through their work over the centuries, the Heralds have built up a unique registry of armorial and family records, which help in the major area of their work, which is the granting of arms and the tracing of family history through these records. There can be no duplication and the registers ensure that new designs are unique and that existing designs are protected. Coats of arms are inherited through the male line and the records can help trace family genealogy through the centuries. Both individuals (men and women) and corporations may be entitled to arms and the college’s work includes the granting of arms to companies. The Fruiterers, as most Livery Companies, have their own arms. Masters and Past Masters are also entitled to their own coat of arms.

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IN THE CITY: At a Common Hall held in the Guildhall on September 29, Freemen of the City elected Nicholas John Anstee as the next Lord Mayor of the City of London. This is an annual event at which every Liveryman is expected to attend. Fruiterers, as always, had a presence to witness this historic and important occasion in the City’s calendar. Anstee will assume office at the Silent Ceremony to be held on November 13, to be paraded the following day through the streets of the square mile in the colourful and popular Lord Mayor’s Show.

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BLENHEIM PALACE: Following the announcement of the prestigious award for the Garden of the Year in the early months of the year, the Fruiterers have requested that they be permitted to visit and plant a tree. This has usually been granted and so it was with his Grace, the current Duke of Marlborough, who was on hand to welcome a party of Fruiterers who visited Blenheim in the Manor of Woodstock on September 11.

After a tour of the gardens, the Duke and Master, pictured, planted a tree to commemorate the occasion before lunch was taken in the Orangery.

THE MASTER’S COMMENTS

By Alan French

EDUCATION REAPS REWARDS

I attended the Writtle College Graduation Ceremony at Chelmsford Cathedral in September to see Sara Potton, pictured, receive her Bachelor of Science (first class honours) degree in horticulture and to present her with the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Award and a cheque for £250 for being the best student in fruit culture.

Potton’s thesis described a practical method to evaluate the effects of potassium sorbate on the germination of Penicillium digitatum. This work was carried out in conjunction with a major fruit packing company.

P. digitatum, which is the cause of green mould, is the most serious pathogen found in the citrus supply chain. Currently, the disease is controlled using conventional fungicides. Imazilil is the most widely used within the industry, but there is the risk that a resistant strain of the pathogen might arise, or that Imazilil could be withdrawn at short notice in the event that a health concern were to occur. Future plans are for oranges to be treated with potassium sorbate in Spain prior to despatch to the UK and for the level of greening to be assessed.

Following my recent visit to New Spitalfields Market with the Lord Mayor and our first Livery visit to the new Western International Market in September, we were fortunate to be hosted by Norbert Dentressangle when we visited the fruit import terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport. We were given a briefing about the volumes handled by the terminal, with some fruit unloaded and cross docked out of the facility within two hours. The Fruiterers who attended were most grateful for the insight into the challenges of international fruit distribution.

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