One of the historic highlights of the Fruiterers’ year is the ceremony of Presentation of Fruit to the Lord Mayor. This takes place at the Mansion House each October and I will try to explain its significance by using a mix of the traditional language (used in the ceremony) and my own words. A large group of Fruiterers and their partners assemble for this very ancient, formal but delightfully relaxed occasion. The Master and the two wardens are dressed in their formal gowns and badges of office and the Master gives the following address to the Lord Mayor:

“My Lord Mayor, over 250 years ago your predecessors and mine entered into a binding agreement. It was a formal compounding of this company’s ancient rights and obligations within the city to levy on the fruit which came into the city and to account for that to the Lord Mayor. Those rights and obligations go back to at least the 15th century. It is a key link with our very roots and relationship with the Lord Mayor.

“The bargain which was struck between the Lord Mayor and the company was solemn and binding. On our part, the duty is to present fruit to your lordship.” The Lord Mayor reciprocates by taking a loving cup at the time of the presentation of fruit.

“True to our ancient obligations we attend now upon your Lordship to make our presentation of fruit.”

The background to this is that the City of London used to impose a toll on fruit brought into the city and this was to be paid in kind. In time, the fruit merchants began to object to the tolls and this could lead to unseemly brawls to such an extent that a compromise was eventually reached. The Lord Mayor waived his claim/toll and in return, the fruit merchants (the Fruiterers) made a free offering of goodwill in the shape of 10 or 12 bushels of apples once a year.

At one stage, the fruit was neatly packed in white baskets covered with spotless napkins. It was brought from Farringdon market to the Guildhall by a procession of fruit porters led by the Fruiterers’ Beadle. Once the baskets had been emptied, a bottle of port or sometimes wine was put inside each basket for the good of those who brought them. Inevitably, the tradition has changed in its form but nonetheless it has been preserved.

The Master continues by pledging to distribute fruit to shelters and hostels, with the tradition continuing to this day. Today, a much more modest presentation of fruit packed into the company’s silver half-sieve basket, full of fine English fruit, is presented to the Lord Mayor by the company’s honorary fruit porter, Jim Huddard.

The ceremony remains a unique reminder of our links covering several hundred years of history between the fruit industry and the City of London, with the Fruiterers being one of the few livery companies that are allowed such a ceremony. -

FRUITERERS OUT IN FORCE AT NATIONAL FRUIT SHOW

Annual event is a showcase for many Fruiterers to display their fresh produce, business services and products

The National Fruit Show is a showcase for Britain’s top-fruit industry and the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers has a strong presence at the event.

As well as sponsoring awards for certain categories, liverymen are present everywhere. Many in the company are growers in their own right and were involved in judging, being judged or presenting their own businesses or products.

For many years, the Fruiterers have had a stand at the show, the purpose of which is for the attendee to explain to enquiring visitors the company’s aspirations and objectives.

Sarah Calcutt, chair of the show committee, was herself a Nuffield scholar sponsored by the Fruiterers, and was recently a guest at the Master & Wardens dinner at the Barber-Surgeons Hall. -