St Paul’s Day is a very important one in the Fruiterers’ calendar, because during a service held at St Mary Abchurch, in the City of London, the new Master takes his oath in front of the assembled Company.

The Right Reverend the Dean of Southwark, Colin Slee, preached the sermon, and Eric Fraunfelter, a citizen of the US and first overseas candidate ever, was sworn in as the Fruiterers’ Master for the next 12 months.

Accompanied by his wife Harriet, the personable Fraunfelter, who has been a career diplomat and merchant banker, took over the responsibility from former Master Ivor Robins.

Following the official service of worship, Fruiterers and partners adjourned for lunch at the Innholders’ Hall, where the handover was completed as the new Master was gowned and received the objects of authority from Robins.

HASKINS STEPS UP TO THE MALTHUSIAN PODIUM

The seventh City Food Lecture held at the Guildhall on January 29 was the first where the organisation had been undertaken independently by the Seven Food Liveries of the City of London.

The Rt Hon Lord Haskins of Skidby had been persuaded to deliver his discourse, ‘Are the Malthusian chickens coming home to roost?’. Liverymen and their guests provided a packed house, which was welcomed by the

Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Lewis, who introduced Lord Haskins and Sir Stuart Hampson, the chairman of the session.

Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834) was a British cleric and economist, whose Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798 and 1803, argued for population planning by birth control, since people increase in geometric ratio, and food only in arithmetic ratio. It was the Malthusian precepts that triggered Lord Haskins’ delivery.

In a systematic 35-minute discourse, Haskins provided the audience with a causes, effects and alternatives lecture of persuasive arguments. He then joined the panel to receive questions and comments from the audience.

Refreshments and food were served thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, who were the Real Good Food Company, Nestlé and Lockwood Press.