A pioneering top-fruit grower has been selected as the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers first Nuffield Farming Scholar.
Stuart Clarke, 42, from Kent has introduced a number of new top-fruit varieties to the UK market, said Peter Bartlett, Master of the Fruiterers.
Bartlett said he is thrilled the Company’s first foray into the sponsorship of Nuffield Scholars produced such a fine response from high calibre applicants.
He added that he is delighted that the Fruiterers are able to support such an enterprising individual as Clarke to travel overseas, explore new emerging technologies and new methods of working and then pass that knowledge onto the rest of the industry.
The scholarship will fund Clarke’s travels to New Zealand, South Africa, South America and eastern Europe to investigate fruit production.
Bartlett said he looks forward to seeing the final report and hearing Clarke’s ideas at the completion of the scholarship in 2006.
Meanwhile, he said it is interesting to note for the UK fruit industry that two other individuals from the sector have been appointed for a scholarship.
Martin Thatcher, managing director of Thatcher’s Cider and a director of South West Food and Drink, has been awarded the Farmers Fund Food Chain Award so he can travel to Europe, New Zealand and the US to study adding value and consumer benefits to non-citrus fruit drinks.
David Northcroft, a technical specialist with soft-fruit co-operative KG Fruit, has been appointed to receive the Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) award to support his travels in Europe, Israel, Japan and the US, to study soft-fruit production with particular emphasis on reducing pesticide residues in strawberries.
Announcing the awards recently, John Stone, director of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust, said: “Against a background of considerable uncertainty and economic pressure, the realities of agricultural life in the UK are generating a wealth of creative thinking and nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than through this year’s award winners.
“On their return from their fact finding travels, the new scholars will each produce a detailed report and present their findings through meetings and events to pass on their new-found knowledge.
“The challenge for all the scholars will be to spread the word, to take a lead in their chosen study area and deliver positive benefits to their industries.”
The Nuffield Scholarships are available to farmers, foresters, countryside managers, food manufacturers and processors under 45 years old. Scholars require no pre-requisite qualifications - other than vision, enthusiasm and a determination to study a subject they are passionate about, Stone said.
HIGH SEAS ADVENTURE
England expects.... So started that most famous message hoisted as a signal by Admiral Lord Nelson for the remainder of the fleet, before sailing into action to engage his opponents.
October 1805 was the month in which Trafalgar was fought and it was appropriate, in this 200th anniversary year of the battle, that the Fruiterers should remember the occasion, by taking dinner on board the flagship HMS Victory, one of Britain’s most famous warships.
Permanently moored in Portsmouth dockyard, this historic venue was a very popular choice for this interesting and timely function.
At the invitation of the Second Sea Lord, and Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command, Vice Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, a group of 100 attended a champagne reception at Admiralty House in the garden of which the Master planted a lemon tree to record the visit, a lime, (being more appropriate to Naval tradition), not considered suitable for the British climate.
Dinner was taken on the gun deck during which the Master proposed a toast to Lord Nelson using the same words that were used at the great man’s funeral.
RUNGIS RUMBLE
The magnetism of Paris in the springtime and the reputation of Rungis, the French capital’s composite wholesale market and distribution centre, proved a great attraction to members of the Fruiterers’ Company when the visit was announced earlier in the year.
A party of 60 spent two days in April delighting in the Parisian atmosphere and learning about the intricacies and workings of the largest wholesale market in Europe.
A dinner, hosted by the Master, was held at Le Meridien Montparnasse to which several distinguished guests associated with the market were invited. Included were Mr & Mrs Marc Spielrein, Mr & Mrs Michel Ganneau and Philippe Gautier.
Early on the Friday morning the group was coached to Rungis, and following an introductory talk, was provided with a conducted tour of the market accompanied by Ganneau and Gautier.
The enormity of the market meant that only selected areas could be viewed; meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and flowers were included. The variety, volume and quality are staggering in every sector and the visitors were impressed by the operation.
At the conclusion of the tour a ‘brunch’ was graciously provided by the market authorities in the reception area at the top of the administration building.
Stunning, 360 degree views across Paris were obtained from this observation position including a panoramic appreciation of the market layout.
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