June proved to be a very interesting month for the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.
We were allowed to invite five people to attend a Livery Luncheon at Westminster Hall on 5 June to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The company was guided as to who should be our proposed guests, and we came up with a shortlist which was presented for approval. It had to reflect a cross section of the community from a wide geographical spread i.e. not just liverymen. The day was a great success for all of the guests and especially for apprentice Dan Jolly, who was moved from our table to the Queen’s, which was a great honour both for him and the Fruiterers.
The following day the Awards Council met at Nigel Bardsley’s fruit farm in Kent. We considered several different proposals which could be progressed with financial assistance from the Fruiterers. These ranged from funding for research into insect pollinators to a request for help in funding a trip to China.
The aspirant proposes to conduct an in-depth study into growing techniques for fruit and vegetables in that country. The proposal was to apply the knowledge gleaned to growing crops in the UK for Chinese restaurant proprietors to buy. We also discussed the other awards that are given to students in the fruit industry. We are determined to ensure they are relevant and inspirational.
In mid-June, around 50 Fruiterers travelled to Wilkin & Sons at Tiptree in Essex to learn something of the methods used in both fruit growing and processing for the preserve business. Peter Wilkin, the chairman, is an honorary assistant of the company. We were encouraged greatly as the event raised a great deal of money for our charities. It also linked many facets of the livery as Wilkin & Sons grows, imports and processes fruit, marketing the resulting products. These are distributed to no less than 70 countries. A company that represents Britain with quality products internationally is a terrific example of a ‘Great British Company’.
A week later many of the livery, including wives and friends, turned up at Guildhall Yard for a ‘City market’ as part of the Celebrate the City week. The market was held to illustrate the role of the trades in the City of London and also to demonstrate what the modern day city liveries achieve. The Fruiterers had four stalls and sold a great quantity of fruit which had been donated by our liverymen.
The stock was totally cleared, as well as a great number of tubs of ice cream, which had also been donated. The entire receipts will go to our charitable funding. However, the achievements of the day were so much more than the funding raised. Friendships were formed and business relationships built. A great feeling of fellowship prevailed from a day spent together, working as a team to support the livery and the City. The profile of the Fruiterers in the City was certainly elevated from the activities.
On 25 June the annual election of sheriffs was held - a very traditional and historical part of the City’s heritage when all liverymen, who are freemen, are instructed to take part in voting for the following year’s incumbents. This year the vote was uncontested in that two candidates were proposed for two positions and so both got through in the voting process.
The occasion was followed by a Master’s committee meeting which was held in Guildhall. We interviewed candidates who had been proposed and seconded for the Fruiterers. Some were from the industry and some from other working backgrounds. Our company welcomes candidates from all walks of life, which results in a good mix of thoughts and viewpoints. On this occasion, we will be offering the livery to each of the candidates. The interviewing panel thought they were of the highest calibre and each will add to the strength of the company. -
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