Over the past 12 months much of what was carefully planned has been achieved in a “quiet way”.

Support for the fresh produce industry was demonstrated in the continuation of bursaries and grants to assist talented scholars and students to fulfil their true potential. Awards and prizes were dispensed for categories in the National Fruit Show and the Supreme Champion Cider at the Royal Bath & West Show. The Company attended a number of agricultural seminars and trade gatherings lending support to the drive for more excellence in the business. One prime example was the City Food Lecture, an idea that was conceived by the Fruiterers and now harnesses the energies of seven of the food Liveries in the City of London.

Staged early each year in the Guildhall, this event has become one of the most well-attended and respected features of the City’s calendar. An eminent speaker is invited to deliver views on the industry, focusing on specific features as viewed from their business perspective. Every available seat is taken and subsequent questions are responded to by a panel of distinguished experts. The information and analysis presented acts as a catalyst and trigger for many of the industry leaders that attend.

A visit to Wilkin & Sons Ltd in June, a company which grows and processes fruit into delicious preserves and other products, was also particularly appropriate. The MD is an honorary assistant of the Fruiterers.

There were many aspects in which the Fruiterers supported the City and Mayoralty during the year and our relationship with the Lord Mayor and his officers continued to strengthen.

Apart from the banquet being held at the Mansion House, Fruiterers attended in strength both the election of sheriffs and Lord Mayor and put on a most magnificent display of fruit at the City Festival. The Lord Mayor and his retinue also visited New Spitalfields Market and the Company was back at the Mansion House in October to present fruit to the Lord Mayor in a ceremony which has been performed for some 250 years.

The highlight of the Jubilee celebrations was the Company’s part in the livery luncheon given for Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Hall. The Master hosted a table at which HRH Prince Harry was the principal guest and one of our apprentices, Dan Jolly, was seated at Her Majesty’s table. The Fruiterers were deeply involved in a range of charitable works supporting established and newer causes. For example, surplus and donated fruit was distributed to residents of many of the hostels and refuges in the City.

Electronic communications were encouraged and the regular updating and maintenance of the website was strengthened. Three newsletters were published and articles prepared for trade and other media outlets.

There was a well-structured and popularly formulated plan introduced to encourage and attract new members, keep those within the livery feeling part of a team and to manage and grow the financial resources more effectively.

At the end of the year a revised version of the Company Strategy Document was published, laying out how each of the Fruiterers’ activities and objectives interlink.

The contents will enable every liveryman to understand how he/she can contribute to the furthering of the Company’s success. —