The Fruiterers’ Ridley Medal is awarded every three years to an individual who has been identified as giving “distinguished services to UK fruit growing”. At the Fruiterers’ Banquet, held at the Plaisterers’ Hall on 15 February, Hugh Lowe was presented with the medal by liveryman David Ridley, great grandson of the award’s instigator.

MASTER’S COMMENT

By Sandys Dawes

BANQUET BRINGS SOME FEBRUARY CHEER AND COLOUR

Each year, right in the middle of grey, bleak February, the Fruiterers brighten up our lives with the banquet.This year we were privileged to host the Lord Mayor Michael Bear, the Lady Mayoress, sheriffs and sword bearer at the Mansion House which is, of course, the Lord Mayor’s home for a year.The banquet is a very important event in our calendar because it gives us the opportunity to refresh our links with the City.As a City livery we do owe our very existence toa history shared for over seven centuries with the mayoralty and the officers of the City of London.

In my speech I acknowledged the role played by the Lord Mayor as the ambassador for the City of London on both national and international levels.I also praised the way in which he has set a leading example in his support of charities in the UK, South Africa and his involvement in the regeneration scheme at Spitalfields.The Fruiterers are pleased to have supported the Lord Mayor’s very worthy appeal, Bear Necessities, and continue to support the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme which provides opportunities for overseas students to gain work experience within the Square Mile.I also mentioned our Fruit Gifting Scheme - buying fruit from supportive wholesalers at Spitalfields and delivering it to refuges and hostels within the city.

It was acolourful occasion with glittering chandeliers, excellent food and wine and some 280 guests dressed in their finery.So, it was quite a contrast when our guest speaker Professor Fergus Lowe brought us back to reality by talking about obesity.Many will know of the pioneering work that Fergus and the University of Bangor have done with the Food Dudes programme.The motivational statistics for this project are somewhat alarming.The impact of obesity on our society and worldwide will only get worse unless effective action is taken.

The Food Dudes programme is aimed at primary school children and uses a psychological approach to bring about a change in eating habits.The team teaches the three Rs - but not the ones that we are used to. “Role Modelling”- a DVDtells the story ofimaginary super kids, the Food Dudes,who get amazing powers from apples, pears, carrots, tomatoes and so on and they always win their battles against the Junk Punks.

The children are then “Rewarded” - juggling balls, pencil cases, lunchboxes and other attractive items are given to children for trying new foods and for bringing into school fruits and salads. Then finally there is “Repetition” - if you repeatedly taste a food or drink enough times, your taste buds adapt and you learn to like it.

It is a programme that has been widely used in Ireland and is being trialled in Italy, the USA and the UK.

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