In November the Fruiterers held their Master & Wardens Dinner at the Barber Surgeons Hall. Our special guests included John Stones, director of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship scheme and also five of our previous Nuffield scholars: Stuart Clark, Chris Newenham, Sarah Calcutt, Doug Hutton-Squire and Feli Fernandez.

This highly prestigious scheme was set up in 1947 and there are usually about 20 scholarships awarded every year. Scholars are aged between 25 and 45 and will be working within the farming industry. They need to demonstrate their passion for their field of work and are offered a minimum of eight weeks to travel to countries of their choice before writing their final report. They are provided with tremendous backup and networking facilities. The scholars that have been sponsored by the Fruiterers are all from the fruit industry and the livery is proud of the support given to this scheme.

I have recently received news of a new initiative to set up a three-year apprenticeship scheme at Hadlow College. One of the main instigators is Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, yet another Fruiterer. Mark was extremely impressed by the buoyancy at the recent National Fruit Show and believes the fruit industry is on track to being one of the UK’s most important and successful farming sectors. He rightly identifies availability of quality labour as an ongoing issue.

The industry is dependent on eastern European labour at present. They are excellent workers and highly motivated but whether the invaluable contribution they make at present is sustainable for the future is questionable. In order to secure the skills needs for the future, the industry needs motivated entrants. In consultation with prominent fruit growers and others within the industry, apprentices would have the opportunity to work on different farms and also gain experience in the retail sector, packhouses and other relevant areas. Hadlow will be responsible for assessing work-based learning and will also provide the in-college training. The scheme relies on supportive growers and it also needs outside sponsorship.

On another level I have received a letter from another of our Fruiterers, past master Will Sibley, who is chairman of the East Malling Trust and the charity that owns East Malling Research and supports the invaluable horticultural research carried out there. EMR is at the cutting edge of research to address issues of global food security, but the only problem is they have outdated laboratories and the Trust is actively seeking financial support to build a new laboratory building.

I wish everyone a very happy Christmas and all the best for what is going to be a difficult year ahead. I will also take this opportunity to thank FPJ for allowing the Fruiterers this space and finally I want to thank liveryman Dick Brighten for his invaluable assistance. -

LORD MAYOR'S SHOW INTRODUCES DAVID WOOTTEN TO LONDON

Eight-hundred year old tradition sees one-hour procession in front of some 8,000 individuals

The Lord Mayor’s Show on 10 November represented one of the longest established and best-known annual events in the City of London.

From its roots it spans eight centuries but the current format extends back to 1535. Starting at 11am the procession journeyed on a precise route and involved around 6,000 individuals. It took approximately one hour to pass and included many and varied floats. Originally, it was held to present the incumbent to the sovereign but these days it is more symbolic parading the new Lord Mayor to the city. Alderman David Wootton, who took over on the previous day, will remain in office for one year.

Meanwhile, each year the Master can nominate an individual for the Master’s Award. At the Master & Wardens Dinner, liveryman Dick Brighten was presented with the accolade. -