heart of our Honorary Chaplain, the Rev. Canon Nigel Abbott. Ourthree musketeers invited a trio of very distinguished senior officers:Rear Admiral Simon Williams, Naval Secretary; Major General BenBathurst, General Officer Commanding London District and AirVice Marshall Gavin Parker, Air Officer commanding No. 2 GroupRAF. No, it is not a misprint. There were two Ben Bathurstspresent; the Major General is the son of the Admiral of the Fleetand it was a delight for us that they were both present together. We

were joined from thejudiciary by the Rt. Hon.Sir Martin Moore-Bick, aformer Vice President ofthe Civil Division of theCourt of Appeal; from theCity Police, Ian Dyson,Commissioner of the Cityof London Police andfrom the academicworld, Professor Sir PaulCurran, President of the

NE W S L E T T E RThe Fruiterers’ Company

w w w . f r u i t e r e r s . o r g . u k

Number 88 April 2017

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

It is quite a moment for the Master, at our annual banquet, whenhe is clapped in to the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House with

the orchestra playing ‘The March from Scipio’, a mixture oftrepidation and joy. It is the first Company event of his year, comingonly a short while after St Paul’s Day. This year, like every year, the“new” Master rapidly overcame any uncertainty that he might havehad and, it was obvious to all, thoroughly enjoyed his evening.Dennis Surgeon is a modern day descendant of the medievalfounders of our Guild. He started his working life as a market traderand following a relatively early retirement became a Toastmaster.He will have no problem in having his voice heard in Court meetingsand, indeed, when he made his speech, there was much commentabout whether he really needed that microphone!

We were honoured to have with us, as Lord Mayor LocumTenens, Sir David Wootton accompanied by Lady Wootton andAlderman and Sheriff Peter Estlin, accompanied by his wife, Lindy.Our principal guest and speaker was Robert Buckland QC MP, theSolicitor General. It was very good to welcome back TheHonourable Alexander Downer, High Commissioner of Australia,who had joined us for our banquet in 2015, when we werecommemorating the centenary of the Gallipoli landings.Representing the Church, we were very pleased to have the Dean ofEly, the Very Rev. Mark Bonney. Ely is, of course, very close to the

Thu 18 May Audit Court Dinner Clothworkers’ Hall

Thu 1 June Royal Bath & West Show Shepton Mallet

Thu 1 June Golf Day Kingswood

Mon 5 – Fri 9 June Visit to South of France

Mon 26 June Election of Sheriffs Guildhall Informal Lunch TBC

Fri 7 – Sun 9 July Cherry & Soft Fruit Show Detling

Thu 13 July Summer Court Dinner Drapers’ Hall

Thu 20 July Visit to Essex RHS Hyde HallGarden, Chelmsford

TBC September Tree Planting and Helmingham Hall, Garden of the year Suffolk

Fri 29 September Election of Lord Mayor Guildhall Informal Lunch TBC

Sat 23 – Sun 24 Malvern Autumn Show Three Counties September Showground

Malvern

Fri 6 October Jazz Evening and Supper The Reform Club

Master, Wardens & Officers with Principal Guests

Master speaks at the Banquet

Two of our Musketeers with guests

Annual Banquet 2017

City of London University. It is always goodto see Masters of our fellow “food”companies: joining us were the MasterButcher, the Prime Warden of the BasketMakers, the Master Gardener and theMaster Farmer. The special treat for us allwas to welcome our newest HonoraryLiveryman, Lieutenant Colonel LionelFrench and his wife Ann. We hope that itwas a joy for him, too, to come to ourbanquet and to enjoy it without theresponsibility of ensuring that all runssmoothly. That task was his successor’s,the Clerk, and run smoothly it certainly did.

Past Master Henry Bryant spoke of theachievements of Don Vaughan, a leaderand pioneer of English cherry growing, whowas then presented with the Ridley Medalby the Master. Past Master Will Sibleyintroduced our guests, encapsulatingbrilliantly the many talents and achieve -ments of this distinguished group.

The Master spoke eloquently of thecoming Fruiterers’ year. One felt that hewas setting an expectation that he might

not actually win the Livery Pancake Race onShrove Tuesday! Sir David Wootton spokeabout his good memories of our hospitalityat the banquets in 2010 and 2012 when heattended as Aldermanic Sheriff and then asLord Mayor. He complimented us on ourcharitable and industry work, singling outPast Master Ivor Robbins for well-deservedpraise for his work on our fruit giftingprogramme. He thanked Nigel Abbott forhis support to the City during the twenty-seven years of his tenure as our HonoraryChaplain, commenting that the City, as wellas our company, will miss him now that heis retiring. It is very sad for us to lose Nigelas Chaplain after those many years ofspiritual guidance and leadership and wellover a hundred cheerful Graces!

Our principal speaker, Robert Buckland,gave a fascinating speech about the role ofthe ancient office of Solicitor General andsome of the more notorious incumbents,most notably Richard Rich, best known forextracting the false confessions from StThomas More and St John Fisher that led

to their martyrdoms. Thankfully, the officeno longer demands such extremes andRobert Buckland summed up his job ashelping to guide the government on therule of law, which he summarised as “therule of law, not the rule of lawyers”. His wasan excellent example of a speech by apolitician, which was not political. He resp -ected well the tradition of this Company,and the Livery Companies as a whole, ofbeing totally apolitical.

Piece provided by Past MasterSteve Bodger

It was a sad fact that on the day when ourMaster should have justifiably been

receiving thanks and plaudits for a job welldone he was hors de combat and confinedto his bed. The decision to remain at homewas taken on the morning and requiredsome fast footwork to rearrange respon -sibilities. His absence cast somewhat of ashadow over the celebrations of thisFruiterers’ family day. Fortunately Ritastepped in having composed a cleveraddress which encompassed most of thepoints of Stephen’s speech. Also, again atshort notice, the Immediate Past MasterRupert Best performed with his usualefficiency and flair, the formal elements ofthe Master’s duties on St Paul’s Day. St MaryAbchurch was full to capacity to witnessDennis Surgeon being sworn in as ourMaster for the forthcoming twelve months,John Warner’s elevation to Upper Wardenand Cheryl Roux being installed as Renter

Warden. There was also cause fordolefulness as Nigel Abbott our HonoraryChaplain, of 27 years standing has decidedto retire this being his last St Paul’s DayService. We had the pleasure of listening tohis reading of the sermon on this specialoccasion.

The subsequent luncheon was held, ashas become customary, at Innholders’ Hall.We are indebted to their Clerk and his stafffor making the event as memorable asusual. Senior Past Master Present, DavidHohnen, proposed the Master in his clearand eloquent style using a text punctuatedwith humour and sincerity. “This” he dec -lared “is my 52nd St Paul’s Day Luncheon”.He paid tribute to the Master and hisachievements over the past year finishing hisaddress by presenting Rita with a bouquet.Apart from deputising for her husband inverbally covering his written valedictoryremarks, Rita Bellamy-James had the great

pleasure of presenting the ‘Master’s Medal’to Nigel Abbott, an award that met withuniversal approbation and warm applause.A bouquet was presented to ElizabethAbbott, in appreciation of all that she hasdone to support her husband and the Livery.

And so the Fruiterers’ are fit and ready asa Company to embark on 2017 withrenewed assurance and enthusiasm. Ournew Master has published his programmeand there is something of interest foreveryone.

Finally, it wouldbe remiss not tomention for oncethe Clerk andBeadle who withplanning and calmexecution prod -uced another StPaul’s Day toremember.

IPM, Master Elect, Wardens & Clerk leaving

Innholders' Hall.

Fruiterers' new Master takes the oath

Rita Bellamy-James speaks for the

outgoing Master

Past Master DavidHohnen proposes

Stephen Bellamy-James

Annual Banquet – continued

St Paul’s day tinged with sadness

Sir David Wootton

2

3

We have deviated somewhat fromthe usual content of the Honorary

Archivist’s page to bring you a pictorialrecord of the ‘Big Curry Lunch’ that wasorganised for the Fruiterers by ourHonorary Archivist – Past Master PeterCooper. Where does the man get hisenergy?

Following an early start by the HonoraryFruit Porter Jimmy Huddart and ApprenticeElliott Porter at Guildhall on Thursday 6thApril 2017, members of the WorshipfulCompany of Fruiterers and their familiescould be seen participating at the 10th LordMayor’s Big Curry Lunch whilst actively“Raising funds for Charity” and “Supportingthe Lord Mayor and the City of London”

Among the many admirers of Peter

Thomas’s magnifi -cent display of freshproduce was Guestof Honour, HRHPrince Andrew, Dukeof York

On this occasion, thetotal proceeds were don -ated to the ABF – The Soldiers’Charity.

The Company wishes tothank and place on record its

recognition of the in -valuable and enth -usiastic supp ort sogenerously given by

Wilkin-Tiptree, Belazu,New Spitalfields Mark et,

Prescott Thomas, Rodantotogether with the Sue Handy

School of Dance all of whocontrib uted to making theoccasion such an enjoyableand successful venture.

Readers will recall that in the lastedition of the Newsletter (December

2016 Number 87 Page 3) that ourHonorary Archivist revealed the activ itiesof Liveryman Joseph Warren Zambra,partner in the firm of Negretti & Zambra,makers of high quality scientific andmeteorological instru ments. Subse -quently, Liveryman Peter Wilkinhappened to mention to PastMaster Peter Cooper (Hon.Archivist) that he has two N & Z

barometers in his possess ion. Wethought a little additional history wouldnot go amiss. So here is the owner’s(Peter’s) account.

“The older and (I think) morestylish one is numbered R/6254and was presented to my grand

uncle who was chairman of thecompany from 1913 to 1942.The inscription reads “Presented toC. J. Wilkin Esq J.P. on his 60th

birthday by the employees of

Wilkin & Sons Ltd.” and is followed bythe (surprisingly erudite!) statement

“Si monumentum requiris, circum -spice”.

“The oak one is numberedR/5499 as presented to my fatherwho took over after C.J.W. and

was chair man until 1980. Theinscript ion reads “Presented to A. F.

Wilkin Esq by the employees of MessrsWilkin & Sons Ltd. on the occasion ofhis marriage March 28th 1932.”

Peter Thomas supplies HRH Prince Andrew

with details of the display

Sue Handy with her dancers The Fruiterers' offers on display

Bob Curvishley The Wilkin Team led by

Chris Newenham

The Lord Mayor’s charity raising

‘Big Curry Lunch 2017

Negretti &Zambra

Jimmy Huddart,

Past Master Henry Bryant,

Vikki & Peter Thomas

4

So what is happening to the UK economy? Following theReferendum last June, the economy avoided the financial

Armageddon and economic collapse wrongly predicted by ProjectFear and by the consensus. Instead, the economy has been veryresilient.

It was helped by the pound’s fall and the Bank of England ratecut last summer – both of which were predictable. But even whenthe Bank of England cut rates and printed money throughQuantitative Easing, data at that time suggested the economy wasalready growing at a steady pace. Now, there is a strong case forinterest rates to rise but the Bank of England shows no sign ofchanging policy. They are reluctant to raise interest rates anytimesoon, in case this weakens the economy.

At the end of last year, I forecast the economy would grow at asolid pace of just over 2% this year, slowing as the year progresses,and that remains my view. Now forecasters are revising up theirview of how the UK will perform this year. According to HM Treasury,the average of independent forecasts for the UK economy for 2017has risen from a low of 0.7% last August, and a 1.2% forecast madein December to the most recent of 1.6% in March.

Meanwhile the official forecast, made by the independent Officefor Budget Responsibility (OBR) and used by the Chancellor at thetime of the spring Budget is for 2% growth this year. This compareswith the 1.4% forecast they made at the time of the AutumnStatement. So, forecasts have been revised up for 2017 and thismakes sense.

The economy has now enjoyed sixteen successive quarters ofgrowth. And stretching back to the middle of 2009 it had grown in24 of the last 26 quarters. That is a solid performance. It helpsexplain why the employment data has been so solid, although wagegrowth has remained relatively subdued.

All of this might suggest that the economy is due a slowdownsoon. Normally at this stage of the cycle – after seven years ofgrowth – it would not be a surprise if there was a slowdown. Eventhough leaving the EU is undoubtedly good news for the economy,particularly in the long-run, Brexit will not abolish the economiccycle. The economy will still slow at some stage - only now, outsidethe EU, we should be better able to cope. The official OBR forecastis for growth to slow to 1.6% next year.

Some of the recent economic data has been conflicting. Forinstance, industrial production fell in February. According to thestatisticians, this was explained by warmer than usual weather. Incontrast the trend for manufacturing output (which is a subcomponent of industrial production) over the last three monthsshowed its strongest rise for seven years. Hence the three-monthtrend for industrial production was also up. Likewise, the three-

month trend for constructionrose, while the latest monthlyfigures were down.

Previously I have pointedout two features that couldcome into play. One is the uncertainty associated with the two-yearexit negotiation. This could always provide a reason for some todelay investment or spending. I have called this a ‘Nike swoosh’were it to materialise, temporarily dampening activity but notcausing a recession, before growth picks-up further ahead.

The second is that against a background of global growth andfirm oil prices, and a weaker pound, higher inflation could dampenspending power and with it lead to a slower pace of consumerspending. Indeed, as was pointed out at the time of the Budget,there has been a, “past boost to real income from temporarily lowinflation”. This allowed spending to grow strongly last year. Thesavings ratio fell in the same period, as people saved less of theirincome.

Both features should take any potential inflation heat out of theeconomy and ensure that the rise in inflation now being seen isshort-lived. This view of inflation is in line with current Bank ofEngland thinking. Although higher import and input prices arefeeding through, domestic cost pressures remain subdued.

Judging from the debate in the UK you would be forgiven forthinking we were the only country to see inflation rise since June.In fact, headline inflation has risen sharply since then in the US,Germany and the Eurozone, because of stronger world growth andfirm energy prices.

Sterling’s fall has, of course, given exports a boost. The largeUK trade deficit meant the pound was overvalued and would haveneeded to fall at some stage anyway, whatever the Referendumresult. The global reflation that has been evident since last summerthus gives UK exporters an ideal environment in which to seevolume gains. Depreciations are, traditionally, good news for theeconomy, helping to rebalance it.

The outcome for any economy depends upon the interactionbetween the fundamentals, policy and confidence.

This year the economy looks set to grow at a steady pace. Butat some stage the economy will slow - and if there is a temporaryslowdown next year no one should panic. This is a natural trend.

Indeed, the list of international firms that have committed to theUK since last summer with increased or new investment plans isalready a long one. They are all confident about the UK's longer-term prospects, and so am I.

Piece provided by Liveryman Dr Gerard Lyons

City Perspective

Where next for British produce post Brexit?John Giles, Liveryman, WorshipfulCompany of Fruiterers

On March 28 Article 50 wasinvoked, which brought even more

focus on the opportunities of Britishcompanies to succeed not just inEurope, but the rest of the world. Thereare also other key issues to think aboutin the agri food sector, such as the roleof migrant labour and the opportunityto shape new policy in areas, such asGM foods. Quite an agenda.

Emerging market opportunitiesThe sheer pace of growth of the overalleconomy in some emerging regions of theworld over the last decade clearly bringopportunities, but Britain will need tonegotiate trade access with a plethora ofnew countries. This would clearly take timeand resource to achieve. And even withgood tariff and non-tariff access, the job ofbuilding exports to emerging markets inAsia and the Middle East, understandingcustomer and market culture, as well as theactual route to market itself will be highlydemanding.

UK expertise, not produce?For the UK, it seems unlikely that we will beexporting huge volumes of produce tothese emerging markets. As a nation, westill import an estimated 52% of our freshproduce consumables.

Where this country might be able toengender more success is in the provisionof technical skills and products andeducational/training services, where we areinherently strong. This has materialisedthrough British multiples demanding topflight and reliable food chains. Manyleading UK agricultural and food univer -sities are developing joint ventures in Asiato meet this opportunity.

UK produce and food in contextOver the last 10 years, exports from someBritish industries have flourished; cars,aerospace, machinery, pharmaceuticals areall massive export earners for the UKeconomy. Food/drink exports – whilegrowing impressively over the last decadeare still modest.

Exports of automotive products areworth some US$51 billion per annum whiletotal UK food and drink exports are wortharound US$15 billion per annum. In termsof fresh produce, the UK exports around

US$250 million per annum. These aredwarfed by fresh produce imports in to theUK that are worth around US$ 4 billion perannum.

The UK relies heavily on imports fromthe rest of the EU. Anything that disruptsthis trade would have serious conseq -uences for the supply of produce. In somecases, it might present an opportunity fordomestic growers to replace some of theseimports, but overall, this would not be agood thing for the UK.

Who will work the farms?One of the other key issues for the producesector is the future role of foreign labour. Itis estimated that that as much as 65% offarm labour in the UK is from other EUcountries. In the food processing sector,the use of foreign workers is also prevalent.It is estimated that up to 40% of all labourused in this sector is foreign. Anything thatmakes it more difficult for UK farming andfood companies to find the right sort oflabour will not help an industry alreadyunder pressure.

Agricultural policyPost Brexit, the UK could developits own policy regarding theproduction and use of GM crops.Now, it would take between 5-7years for a genuine policy tobe developed and come into play. Life science andbiotech comp anies wouldneed to carry outextensive R & D work todevelop crops that areapplic able to the UKgrowing environ ment.There might also still

be concerns over the use of GMtechnology in agriculture and foodamongst con sumer groups andwith retailers/ leading food servicecompanies, especially within ownbranded food products.

New trade agreementsThe completion of the US – EUtrade deal is now open to debatewith the election of the new USPresident, Donald Trump. Tosecure a trade deal with the US,the UK will have to start afresh.Supportive noises now from

Washington DC on how quickly thesemight be achieved may be realised. Beingoutside of the EU means that the UK willhave the ability to negotiate other tradedeals with third world countries based uponits own priorities. Some, such as those inLatin America and the US, might see andthen exploit the opportunity to supplyproducts to the UK market and wouldpresent additional competition to domesticproducers.

What next?Agricultural policy in the UK has begun tocentre on further moves toward marketoriented policies with lower levels of supp -ort than seen previously. The Chancellor,Philip Hammond, has announced that theHM Treasury would cover any shortfall inpayments made under the CAP to UKfarmers because of Brexit, but this is limitedto the end of 2020. There are noguarantees that payments will be made tofarmers after this time.

It all adds to up for a challenging 2 yearsand more for the UK food and drink sector.There is much that is unknown whichmakes planning for the future a difficult task.

Piece provided by Liveryman John Giles

What will be the effects?

5

There will be

some hard

negotiation

FROM ORCHARD TO MARKETTOP FRUIT NEWS

Apart from very limited stocks the English top fruit

marketing season had all butfinished by Easter. The onlydomestic fruit left for sale weresmall quantities of Gala, Jazz,Cameo and one or two othernew varieties together withBraeburn which is expect -ed to be sold completely bymid-May. All Conference will besold by the end of April. Bramleywill continue as usual to thestart of the new season but in muchreduced volumes. In the final analysis, totalClass 1 tonnage will be slightly lower thanthe previous year, reflecting the lateness oflast season and above average suscepti -bility of fruit to bruising caused by theunusual growing conditions. This contrastswith the global scene, where total appleproduction for 2016/2017 is listed as1.2million tonnes more at 77.6milliontonnes due principally to a rebound fromChile and continued expansion in China’s

production. Exports have beenput at 6.6million tonnes, upmarginally owing to the US,China and Chile more thancompensating for thecontinued Russian ban.

English apple sales throughBritish multiples have varied.Tesco, the ‘hard dis count -

ers’ and Morrisons have takenincreasing market share while theCo-op and JS showed decline.However, it was pointed out that

the latter org an isation was still selling wellabove its grocery percentage share inEnglish top fruit.

Current problems facing UK producerswere given as; increasing labour costs andthe ‘Living Wage’, availability of seasonallabour, the EU’s continual reduction inapproved chemical treatments against anupturn in pests (Fireblight, Canker, Slugsand Snails) and the “giving away” of weightin the flow wrap process. Disposal and recycling of the plastics is also creating

a commercial headache.Returns to growers have been slightly

higher than the previous season butnothing to rejoice about.

A mild winter and warmish, wetconditions in the Spring have advanced thecrop and apple blossoming is anticipatedbefore the end of April. The earliness of thisseason will leave crops highly vulnerable todamage from late frosts and growers arecrossing their fingers that the remainder ofthe Spring will be frost free. The season isapproximately three weeks ahead of 2016.

It has been reported that the James HuttonInstitute is working to develop new blue -

berry varieties that are suited to the Scottishclimate and environment. Prod uction hasincreased by 10% over the last twelve monthsand it is hoped that further R&D will enablefurther growth in the country thus dimin ishingthe reliance on imports. Westpak, a UKcompany, has packed blueberries in a plastictube. They are hoping that the idea maycatch on for other berry fruits. Argentineblueberry production and exports grew in2016 but the financial results ended in thered. The main reason cited was Peru’s lowercosts of production and the country’sincreasing competition on global markets.

Global grape production is forecast to riseby one million tonnes to 21.6 million in the2016/17 year due to several factors ledprincipally by the recovery in Turkey and thecontinued robust growth witnessed in China.

Production in Huelva, the principalstrawberry growing region of Spain, was hit

by a cold snap that reduced yields andcreated concern for the industry. Throughoutthe world there is much experimentation withheat and light levels in endeavours to identifythe optimum conditions for producingstrawberries under glass. A Japanesecompany sold strawberries for Valentine’s daythat were perfectly heart shaped and weighedbetween 22 to 26gms each. Closer to homea Scottish producer delivered some of theearliest grown domestic strawberries ever. Ina similar vein, Tesco’s had strawberries grownin Lancashire on their shelves by 28thFebruary. The variety was Driscoll’s Lusa.Tech nol ogical advancements arecertainly starting andextending the domesticprod uction cycle over alonger calendar period.

Four hundred dele -gates from 36 countriesattended the annual GlobalBerry Congress in Rotterdam

between the 27 and 29th March. Theyfocused on three main subjects. How toincrease consumption of fresh berries, howto find additional sources of supply and howto increase demand. This sector has becomebig business around the world and asreported last year in the Newsletter topped£1 billion of retail turnover for the first time inthe UK. At the Congress, there were severalworkshops and discuss ions on every type ofberry fruit. One European authority onraspberries expressed the view that the fruitwas better known amongst consumers thanblueberries but eaten less because ofavailability. There is a constant endeavour

among the plant breeding fraternity toproduce a variety that magically

encapsulates the desirables;size, sweetness, colour, quality,yield, economics, shelf life etc..

Plant breeders are looking to combine

all the desirables

Gloucestershire Cox Late season English Jazz

Soft and Stone FruitBERRIES and CURRANTS

6

7

VIEW FROM THEHIGH STREET

Kantar Worldwide figures for the 12 weeksto March 26th showed that retail prices

for everyday goods were continuing to riseand were up 2.3% on the same time last yearwhich would have cost the average family anincrease of £21.31. The same authorityexpected inflation to continue to grow andwith supermarkets mounting fewer prom -otional offers consumers will almost certainlyseek cheaper alternatives. Own brands willbenefit and in the post-Christmas periodhealthy foods experienced their usualseasonal boost. Among the retailers, thediscounters continued to strengthen theirinfluence by reaching a combined 11.7 percent market share, with sales growth of 15per cent making Lidl the fastest-growing storein the period. Aldi also saw a 14.3 per centuplift, and an ongoing store-openingprogramme has attracted an additional 1.1million shoppers to the two discounters in thelast three months. Iceland has also seen 9.8per cent growth, attributed to its strongperformance in fresh and chilled lines.

Among the big four, Morrisons was theonly one where sales grew, thanks to itsproduce and chilled convenience, althoughKantar added the caveat that the late Eastermade direct comparisons to last year uneven.

Tesco reported the first full year of growthsince 2010. Group operating profits rose 30%to £1.28billion in the year end to February.

Like-for-like sales increased 1% across thegroup (0.9% in UK). The biggest groceryretailer in Britain is in the process of a

£3.7billion takeover of Booker, a move thathas created consternation in certain quarters.

Meanwhile a report by Rabobank hasspoken of a rise in the prices of imported fruit,vegetables and flowers following Brexit. In2016, the UK imported £47.5billion of foodand agricultural products of which 71% camefrom the EU. The most valuable were Spanishand Dutch fruit, vegetables and flowers. Risesin prices of up to 8% are forecast by the report.

Adverse growing conditions in Spaincontributed to a shortage in certain freshsalad and vegetable commodities duringFebruary and March. Iceberg lettuce andcourgettes rose sharply in price with thediminished availability.

Ridley MedalIn recognition of the positively vital influence

he has exerted on the UK stone fruit industry,Don Vaughan was presented with the RidleyMedal by our Master at the banquet on 16thFebruary.

Early in his career Don worked for theWorley family, managing fruit and hops ontheir land around Yalding in West Kent andsharing a passion for cherries with his boss,the late legendary Jim Worley.

Always looking for improvement andrealising potential in fruit production, Donalso looked for this in himself and so movedfrom management into consultancy, spendingthe rest of his career working as a fruit advisor

for FAST.Don was

ever interestedin R&D andcultivated closerelation ships withleading research -ers and growershome and abroad. Donhas played a major part insearching out, trialing, developingand introducing the key elements that haveled to a turn-around in the fortunes of the UKcherry industry.

These include; dwarfing more productive

Gisela rootstocks; newvarieties such as Korda,Regina and SummerSun; overhead covers

for pro tection againstweather and bird damage;

improved tree manage -ment and controls for pests

and diseases.Master Dennis Surgeon concluded

his tribute by saying that “It is largely Don’sdrive and quest for knowledge that hasrevitalised the UK cherry industry, making itwhat it is today. He is therefore a most worthywinner of the Ridley Medal.”

Don Vaughan receiving

the Ridley Medal

Dutch flowers are big import business

for the UK

Lidl was the fastest growing discounter according to Kantar

It is a privilege and honour to be chosen toserve as Master of the Worshipful Company

of Fruiterers and somewhat humbling whenone considers those that have held theposition historically. As an individual whospent his working life in the industry at bothSpitalfields and Covent Garden Markets, theappointment has personal, significance. Mymind was filled with these thoughts whilewalking to the station on the 25th January,the feast day of St Paul, on which the newMaster is traditionally installed by theoutgoing incumbent. My thanks go out toRupert for stepping into the breech at veryshort notice and officiating in his supremelyefficient and charming manner. However, wewere all deeply saddened by the fact thatStephen Bellamy-James, our then Master,had been afflicted on a day whencustomarily he would have received well-

earned plaudits and thanks from the rest ofthe Company for a job well done. Havingworked with Stephen for a year I was awareof the enthusiasm, endeavour and sheerhard graft that he had put into the job whichoften conflicted with his High Court resp -onsibilities. I thank him for all that he did andfor illustrating in practical terms how to be aMaster. It was a blessing that his wife Rita wason hand to represent him on an occasionwhen he should have been centre stage.

I have become deeply aware of theFruiterers’ goals and objectives and amanxious to ensure that we focus on them. Atthe sharp end, importing and wholesaling,on which my career centred, a radicalconsolidation has occurred over the past twodecades. The old guilds of the City of whichthe Fruiterers was one, had responsibility forcontrolling and ensuring the quality of

produce sold in the squaremile. In today’s tradingclimate wholesaling of freshproduce has slipped in itsshare of the market but stillhas a supreme importance inkeeping the Capital suppliedwith food through retailing,processing and food serviceavenues. Markets like NewSpitalfields, Billingsgate andSmithfield (all administeredby the Corporation ofLondon) have beenfunctional for centuries and

still maintain a place of importance. With theaddition of Covent Garden and WesternInternational Markets London is well cateredfor.

My first official engagement was at theCoopers’ Hall on Feb 1. A wonderful eveningwas had by the Clerk and myself enjoyinggreat hospitality, conversation and company.

February was somewhat more intense butequally enjoyable. There tends to be aff il i -ations and associations between certainLivery Companies forged over the yearsthrough common interests or motivations.Fruiterers and Gardeners are two suchbodies. It was a privilege to be guest at theGardeneners’ Banquet held at the MansionHouse on February the 8th. Principal guestswere the Lord & Lady Mayoress and MasterWorld Trader and Master Wax Chandler.Interestingly as a first for the venue a ‘SteelBand’ provided the musical accompanimentmade up of players from the ‘Sir John CassStreet Orchestra’.

Every year, in February, the Chairman ofthe City of London Markets’ Committeehosts a dinner to which invited guests attend.Sitting next to the Chairman of the TransportCommittee, Christopher Hayward, I learntmore about London in two-and-a-half hoursthan I have learnt and retained over mylifetime. Along with the Masters Butcher andFishmonger we were there to represent thethree Liveries of wholesaling practised in themarkets.

Our own Banquet was held in theMansion House on the 16th February. TheLord Mayor in locum tenens, Sir David

Competitors racing at the Guildhall

on Pancake Day

8

Master with Wardens at Mansion House

Our Master is

gowned by IPM

Rupert Best

Wootton and Lady Wootton along with theHigh Commissioner for Australia were ourprincipal guests. It was made all the sweeterfor me personally to have twenty-eight familyand friends in attendance during the evening.(Pages 1 & 2)

Following an Awards Council Meeting on21st Feb., Past Master Cryan had kindlyarranged a visit to the Mayor’s Court inGuildhall. After formal affairs had beencompleted he provided us with a history of theCourt its duties and responsibilities.

The City Food Lecture was first heldsixteen years ago. Originally conceived by theFruiterers it now embraces the joint,concentrated attention and efforts of the mainfood Livery Companies. Held at Guildhall on21st Feb., it appears to gain it stature witheach passing year. (Page 12)

Shrove Tuesday, is traditionally markedwith the making and consuming of pancakes.More recently it has become a fun occasionfor those Livery Companies that haveassociations with the tradition. Started by thePoulters (who supply the eggs) the Fruiterers’raison d’etre is of course … the lemons(supplied by Spitalfields Market). On the daya series of four races are held in the square ofthe Guildhall; Masters, Liverymen, Ladies andFancy Dress. Each Company is issued withdistinctive racing colours (cardboard top hats)that must be worn while racing to and from alane marker. As an extra handicap the runnershave to carry a frying pan with a pancake thathas to be tossed during the race.Complicated? Yes, but a lot of fun which raisesfunds for charity. There are so many entrantsthese days that the races are run in severalheats.

March, in old English folk terms ‘comes inlike a lion and out like a lamb’. Well for this

Master there was a pretty strong wind ofactivities throughout the month. It started onthe 6th when our new Chairman of theFinance Sub-committee, Adrian Padfield, andI met to discuss the Company’s finances forthe next twelve months. As with allorganisations it is vital that financial affairs arekept in order and I am pleased to say that asFruiterers we are fortunate to have an augustbody of liverymen professionals keeping theirfingers on the pulse. At our next formal auditcourt and dinner, I will have the responsibilityof relaying the latest state of affairs for the yearending and forthcoming. Two days later it wasanother committee meeting. This time anothergroup were putting the finishing touches tothe arrangements for the Lord Mayor’s ‘BigCurry Lunch’. which has been designed toraise funds for charity. (See Page 3)

It was an immense pleasure to witness ourown Past Master Will Sibley being installed asthe new Chairman of the Walbrook Ward Clubat their AGM on the 10th. The occasion wasmade even more enjoyable as the Lord Mayorand Lady Mayoress were in attendance.

The Fruiterers’ staged a one day con -ference at Number One, Great George Street,on Thursday 16th August. Entitled ‘Navigatingturbulence in the supply chain and beyond’ itfeatured distinguished industry speakers andfrom the attendance and subsequent comm -ents, was deemed a triumph. I personallythank the organising team led by Dr GrahamCollier for the arrangements and quality of theevent. (See Pages 10 & 11)

It is some landmark to reach your 500thanniversary and this the Worshipful Companyof Carmen did in great style atEvensong in Saint Paul’sCathedral on the 23rd. I wasprivileged to be one of 96 Mastersin attendance. After the servicerefreshments and canapes wereserved and guests weregenerously given a model horseand cart to commemorate theoccasion.

George Harris, the new MasterPoulter, was a splendid host at hisCompany’s Lady Day CourtLunch held at the Armourer’s Hallon the 29th. We have becomequite close with the Poulters

through the City Food Lecture and PancakeDay Races.

On the 30th I was invited with Janet toattend a dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor, DrAndrew Parmley, at the Mansion House. It isan annual event and involves the Masters,Prime Warden and Upper Bailiff of the CityLivery Companies. As always, the hostprovided us with an amusing speech and,being a musician, had arranged for the Bandof the Royal Yeomanry to entertain the dinerswith a selection of military themed tunes andother music.

The month ended with the ‘United GuildsService’ at St Paul’s Cathedral in which the100 plus Livery Companies came together fora unique, annual occasion to celebrate theCity. The Bishop of Southwark gave thesermon and as in previous years the wholeexperience was most uplifting. After theservice, we Fruiterers adjourned to theStationers’ Hall where we occupied two tablesand enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

Lunch at the Stationers’ HallFruiterers attend the United Guilds Service

9

Master of the Carmen reads

the lesson at St Paul’s…

10

The Worshipful Company of Fruiterersbuilds networks across all sectors of

the fresh produce industry. Our Conference“Navigating turbulence in the producechain and beyond” fully exemplified thistalent and its timing chiming accurately

with current events. In his opening remarksthe Master, Dennis Surgeon comm end edthe wide diversity of business interestswithin the Company. “These unify”, hesaid, “with a clear focus on satisfying

consumer preferences for fresh fruit andvegetables”.

Know your costsMinette Batters (Deputy President of theNational Farmers Union) introduced thekeynote speaker the Rt Hon J Michael JackCBE PC. For survival in turbulent times heemphasised that businesses shoulddifferentiate between those factors whichare within their control and those which arenot and in this cost control is a priority.Businesses need new technologies whichincrease efficiency and employing youngerstaff who will accept change, aids thisprocess. Factors beyond direct controlinclude political, social and environmentalevents like Brexit and global climatechange. Their potential risks should bebuilt into business planning.

Dr Barry Evans of Cardiff BusinessSchool extended these themes emph -asising needs for “lean” business practices.These involve stripping out costs andensuring that at every stage there is clearfocus on consumer interests. Businessowners and chief executives should “walkevery sector of the supply chain” gainingdirect knowledge of the movement andfate of their products he advocated.

Practical cost controlJohn Pelham of Andersons Midlandshighlighted the fruit industry’s successes inthe past 20 years. Soft fruit production hasincreased by 130% and strawberries inparticular by 190%. This has been achieveddespite price stagnation and six-fold costescalation in which labour accounts for50% of the costs. Accepting new technol -ogies throughout the production andmarketing chain is a key factor in thissuccess. But tight accounting is vital as heillustrated with a fruit farm where by notidentifying low productivity in areas of theorchards – profitability was lost. LiverymanJohn Shropshire described his own freshvegetable and salads business. Gs Freshstarted in 1952 and now markets over 1billion packs per year satisfying consumersin the UK, Europe and North America. His£500million pa turnover results fromcropping sequences in England, the CzechRepublic, Poland, Senegal and Spain.

Cost control is a key element in G’sbusiness planning and the implications ofthe New Living Wage legislation are caus -ing considerable unease. He demonstratedhow profitable fresh vegetable productiondemands identification of each plant’sestablishment and growth. Crop manage -ment technologies now track each plantallowing accurate planning for customersatisfaction.

Consumer preferences are changingRapid changes are happening in consumerpreferences claimed Professor DavidHughes. He has never seen such risinginterest in plant-based foods, loss ofinterest in purchasing “ingredients” anddemand for packaged meals. Worldwidethe younger generation is focusing onhealthy diets but is moving away from fixedmeal times towards browsing, take-awayfoods while cooking is becoming a lost art.Food manufacturers are offering a greaterrange of plant-based products sourcedfrom all parts of the world.

In discussion Tony Reynolds(Reynolds Catering Supplies Ltd)said his sales into restaurantsand cafes in London still showconsiderable demand for fresh

The Fruiterers triumphin turbulent times

John Shropshire

Dennis Surgeon

Minette Batters

fruit and vegetables. Sharon Afflick of GsFresh emphasised that quality and flavourare lost quickly during processing. Therewas agreement in the need for boostingconsumer interest in home grown fresh-produce. Both Jack Ward (British Growers

Association) and Alison Capper, (Chairmanof the NFU Horticulture and PotatoesCommittee) agreed with Charlotte Knowles(Berry World UK) that govern ments shouldrecognise connections between eating freshproduce and reducing ailments such asType 2 diabetes.

Uncontrolled factorsUppermost in delegates minds is Brexit andits implications for the fresh produce chain.Alison Capper described the NFU’s workwith Government highlighting the need forcontinuing access to European seasonal,labour arrangements which must allowbusiness planning well-ahead of theseasons when staff will be employed. Thereis a huge raft of EU legislation which affectsBritish businesses and early clarity on howthese will change is essential. Farmers andgrowers maintain the quality and integrityof our rural landscape and its biodiversitywhich the urban population has identifiedas their high priority. Common decent workof this nature requires continuing financialsupport from the public purse.

Climate change is happening and willhave profound effects on the fresh producechain. Aspects of climate change werereviewed by Professor Bill Davies CBE(Lancaster University). The dates of seas -onal bud break, leafing-out and floweringare advancing. Now they are losing theevolved synchrony with insect activity. Thathas implications for pollination of bothannual and perennial crops. Native andalien pests and pathogens are benefittingfrom warmer and wetter conditions allowingfaster reproduction and longer survival.

All sectors of society have responsib il itiesfor reducing greenhouse gas emiss ions.This should be included in businessplanning. Unless the agreements contain edin the Paris Accord are met our climate willpass tipping points beyond which globalchange becomes catastrophic.

In discussion Dr Tina Barsby (CEO ofNIAB/EMR) identified that the combinationof plant breeding and improved husband -ries will mitigate some aspects of climatechange. Improved forms of biologicalcontrol are part of that process. The UK isfortunate because in the short- to medium-term growers can produce a range of

previously unsuited crops such as apricots. David Smith CBE (Director of Markets

and Consumer Protection for the City ofLondon) praised the success of this Con -

ference. He emphasised the importance ofLivery Companies working together wherethey share similar interest and motivations.He also reflected on the successfulmobilisation of sponsorship from a range ofnational and international companiessupporting the Conference. In his closingremarks the Master offered very sincerethanks to Liverymen Graham Collier andSarah Calcutt for their hard-work anddedication in initiating, organising andadministering this event.

Piece supplied by Professor Geoff Dixon

11

David Smith

Alison Capper

Sarah Calcutt

Graham Collier

12

This year’s City Food Lecture featuredan unfortunate first, as a family

bereavement meant that the lecture wasdelivered by a late replacement for thelisted speaker.

At very short notice, Michael Bell,executive director of Northern Ireland Food& Drink stepped ably into the shoes of hisfriend Professor Chris Elliott of QueensUniversity Belfast and delivered an enter -taining and engaging lecture around thetheme – ‘Does it matter where our foodcomes from?’

Pointing to a UK £20bn balance ofpayments deficit in food, Elliott’s speechsaid: “Very few people actually choose tobuy British or UK food”. What they say anddo are not the same things. Food is thetrue global commodity and in many cases,we do not care about the production costor safety implications [of what we eat].

Although food exports are increasingslightly year on year, there is less attentionpaid to the massive increase in foodimports, he argued, citing the constantavailability of around 50,000 food productsin UK supermarkets as a major contribut -ing factor. “Yet food prices are low. Around12% of family income is spent on food; oneof the lowest percentages anywhere in theworld.”

That food prices are too low was arecurring theme through the evening andone that found few if any dissenting voices.Elliott believes that keeping food prices lowis highly important for political stability andcited historical examples of price spikessparking civil unrest and governmentchange in the UK and elsewhere.

He suggested that sacrificing the UK agand food industries to keep food priceslower would not be wholly unpopular in thecorridors of political power, but argued thatthis perspective is short-sighted andencourages wide-scale criminal activity andmodern day slavery in the food industry.

“Many people are entrapped in the foodand agriculture industries,” said thespeech, “Those who entrap people couldnot do so if there was no market for theirproducts. There is also major potential fororganised crime in food. Working to lowerstandards develops a lower cost base andresults in more competitive product.”

There is no evidence of organisedactivity in the UK food system right now, headded, but there is a likelihood of foodshortages in years to come and “to thinkwe are immune in the UK is simply nottrue”.

Brexit is the great unknown, said thespeech, but Elliott nevertheless predictedthat it will change the patterns of trade,create new opportunities for industry, andnew opportunities for crime. “Keeping food

both affordable and accessible may behugely difficult to achieve.” Elliott believes.“There is therefore a very sound basis forneeding to know where food comes fromand how it was produced.”

He called for the £108 billion food andfarming sector to work harder to reconnectpeople with the food they eat. The faith thathas been lost in the food productionsystem and those who are responsible fordelivering food to the consumer needs tobe restored. “Reconnection is a long anddifficult journey,” the speech said. “Everyone of us has different food needs, due toour culture, sex, age etc… and the devel -opment of the personal nutrition conceptwill therefore be extremely important.

“We must engage the next generationto tackle these challenges and [develop] afood system that means working in primaryagriculture is considered a [desirable]career again.”

Princess Anne, HRH The Princess Royalwas charged with thanking the lecturer and

the panel on behalf of the audience, andprovided much food for thought herselfwith her observations on the subjectsraised. She name-checked to producersshe had visited in the last 12 months andput them forward as examples of Britishproduction at its best. “I genuinely believethat food is too cheap and that conveys alack of respect for those who produce itand a lack of responsibility [for comm un -ic ating positive messages] in the foodchain.

“To right that is a big challenge andrequires a leap in understanding of people’sfeelings, choices and rights. Informationmust be scientifically based with real,measurable arguments supporting it.Creating awareness of actual costs andvalue is the responsibility of us all – thereare a lot of people working [in the foodindustry] and if they are prepared to takeresponsibility themselves, as consumers,they would create a lot of noise.”

Piece provided by LiverymanTommy Leighton

Master entering Great Hall

Michael Bell delivers the City Food Lecture

City Food Lecture

Guest Speaker Michael Bell and Clerk

Liveryman Jonathan Choat

poses a question to the panel

13

Overview: The Awards have grown yet again fromapproximately 2,800 entries in 2016 to3,000 this year with expansion being seen inboth the Homemade and Artisancompetitions. They continue to have a huge global reach,with participants submitting their effortsfrom 33 countries around the world. Theywere in alphabetical sequence; Australia,Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bhutan, Canada,Columbia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Den -mark, England, France, Germany, Greece,Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, NewZealand, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Republicof Korea, Scotland, Slovakia, Singapore,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tenerife,USA and Wales.

Dalemain was delighted to be able to

welcome special guests, most notably theJapanese Ambassador Mr Tsuruoka and hisAgricultural Trade minister Mr Hiranaka, MrsAmanda Cottrell, Liveryman of the Worship -ful Company of Fruiterers, and Mr JohnPemberton Piggott, of the CommonwealthOffice.

The Awards have raised well over£200,000 for Hospice care both in the UKand around the world.

The Artisan Awards:There were approximately 100 Artisan GoldAward winners, and we were delighted towelcome the majority to a ‘winner’s recep -

tion’ at Dalemain Mansion on Friday 17thMarch. Artisans arrived from Japan,Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and the CzechRepublic to receive their awards in apresentation led by Dan Lepard, food writerand longstanding Awards patron.

Jane Hasell-McCosh, founder of theAwards, and Amanda Cottrell, representingthe Worshipful Company of Fruiterers,welcomed Mr Tsuruoka the Japanese Amb -assador, who made a speech in celebrationof the international community that hasdeveloped because of the Awards, and theguests enjoyed the marmalades on display,as well as the marmalade canapés.

The Homemade Awards:The Marmalade Festival opened onSaturday 18th March at Dalemainand in Penrith, the local town, whohosted the ‘Penrith GoesOrange’ Marmalade Festival.

Opening with the Home -made Awards ceremony on thesteps at Dalemain, beginning as is tradition,with local primary Stainton School studentssinging the ‘Marmalade Song’. This wasclosely followed by the presentation of acheque to Hosp ice at Home Carlisle &North Lakeland. These funds had been

raised by sales of the 2016 winningmarmalade. Award winners were thenannounced and our esteemed guests MrTsuruoka and Mrs Amanda Cottrell madespeeches before the latter presented the2017 Fruiterers’ Gilt Cup to Shona Leckiefor ‘Homemade Best-in-Show’. Formalitiesover the day continued with a variety ofmarma lade tastings, cook ery demon str -ations, marmalade question times, and awhole array of entertainment in Penrith. TheFestival continued on Sunday19th March at Dalemain,and a special marma -lade church servicewas held in themorning at the localSt Andrews in Dacre.

A rare selection of marmalades HE Mr Tsuruoka & Mrs Tsuruoka

Children's choir open proceedings with a

rendition of the Marmalade song

Amanda Cottrell presents Shona Leckie with

the Fruiterers' Cup

Shona Leckie with her winning marmalade

1. Put 450g of raspberries in a largepan with 200g of caster sugar,200ml freshly squeezed lime juice(6-7 limes) and 300mls of water.Slowly bring to simmering point,stirring, then gently simmer for 10minutes, uncovered, until the fruitcollapses and the sugar dissolves.

2. Strain through a sieve over a bowl,pressing the fruit with a wooden

soon. Discard the raspberry seeds inthe sieve. Stir 1 tsp rose water intothe cordial and leave to cool.

3. Transfer to sterilized bottles andrefrigerate. Dilute 1 part cordial to 3parts chilled sparkling water and addslices of lime to serve. The cordial isalso delicious added to chilled fizz.

Sarah Randell

Raspberry, lime and rose cordial

The World’s Original Marmalade Awards& Festival 2017

The Awards Council proposed allocation of funds for 2017

14

Master’s Medal

Since 1989 the Worshipful Company ofFruiterers has had the good fortune to enjoy

the spiritual guidance and advice of Canon NigelAbbott in the capacity of Honorary Chaplain.Nobody who has had the pleasure of sharing aconversation with, or in receipt of sound councilfrom, will have anything but warmest regards forthe man. His skills as a writer of memorable‘graces’ have become legendary in the Liverymovement. Combining words of true humility andthanks in a highly amusing manner is a personaltour de force. This he has repeated with theFruiterers over 100 times, each having a ring oforiginality. He has also spoken at the funerals ofliverymen incorporating sincerity, wisdom andsympathy into his orations. We will not be losingour Chaplain but we will be welcoming asuccessor who will be receiving guidance fromNigel in the handover period. At the St Paul’s Daylunch Rita Bellamy-James presented him with theMaster’s Medal. Tributes were also paid toElizabeth, Nigel’s wife, who has become a regularattendee at so many events – diligently and ablysupporting her husband.

Nigel reads

the Sermon at

the St Paul's

Day Service

The Awards Council, through its allocatedbudget, works to fulfil some of the

Company’s objectives.

ResearchEach year the Awards Council receivesseveral research proposals which areevaluated and awarded financial support inrelation to their scientific quality, value andimportance to the Fruit Sector.

Council will therefor continue to part funda Reading University Research Student, TobiasLane, who is investigating the effects ofClimate Change on Apple Production. Thework is based at Brogdale and is also supp -orted by the National Fruit Collection Trust.

There are two new research proposalssubmitted by NIAB EMR that Councilproposes to support.

Potential new tool for canker detectionApple canker is one of the most importantdiseases of apple, not just in the UK butglobally, as many of the newer apple varietiesare highly susceptible to the disease.Significant tree losses from canker in youngorchards are usually attributed to infectionthat occurred in the nursery. But with

symptoms not appearing until the newlyplanted trees are establishing in the orchard –following the stress of lifting, storage,transport and planting.

The proposed work, led by Dr RobertSaville of NIAB EMR, aims to develop arapid, non-destructive and accurate tool todetect previously undetectable asympto maticcanker using visible and infrared spectro -scopic techniques. This diagnostic toolwould be extremely useful for growers,nurserymen and researchers alike.

Using natural enemies to control spottedwing drosophila (SWD)Since being first detected in the UK in 2012spotted wing drosophila (SWD) has becomea serious pest of soft and stone fruit crops.With a range of other partners the Livery hassupported important work on this major pestever since.

In other parts of Europe various para -sitoid wasps have been found to parasitiseSWD pupae and Trichopria drosophilae iscurrently being tested as a biocontrol amongcommercial trials in France and Italy.However, as this has not yet been formallyidentified in the UK it could not be used as a

biocontrol here. The proposed work, led byDr Michelle Fountain of NIAB EMR, will buildon knowledge of potential SWD parasitoidsfound in the UK in 2016 and screen habitatsfrom early in the season using SWD pupaeas bait.

EducationIn its support of education and learning, theCompany will again be offering two prizes toundergraduate students and one to aMaster’s student.

This is the final year in which Councilfunds are supporting the college basedlearn ing for William Jarvis, a young‘apprentice’ to the fruit sector who isemployed by G H Dean. Hadlow Collegereports that William has excelled on the FruitManagement Supervisory Programme.

Promoting the Fruit SectorThe Company’s objective to support andpromote excellence in the Fruit Industry wasachieved through the recent conference(reported elsewhere) and through itsongoing sponsorship of Cider at the RoyalBath and West Show and Perry and the PerryPear at the Malvern Autumn Show.

Our Honorary Chaplain Nigel Abbott

receives the Master's Medal

15

Honorary Assistants go afloat

Getting their sea legs

Diners on

board HQS

Wellington

Having given long and valid serviceit was considered by the Master’s

Committee that the gowns worn by theMaster and Wardens at formal eventswere becoming shabby and threadbarein parts. Then, Renter Warden (nowUpper), John Warner, was charged withthe duty of finding a suitable maker andsecuring new garments for the presentand future holders of these positions. Inaddition, for what is believed to be the

first time at least in living memory, agown was made for the Immediate PastMaster. John discharged the instructionthrough Walters of Oxford. Pristine andresplendent they were, worn for the firsttime appropriately at the Presentationof Fruit to the Lord Mayor in theMansion House. The names of thegenerous subscribers who covered thecost of the enterprise are stitched insidethe gown that they sponsored.

Bernard Sullivan MBE

During the seventies and eighties our formalevents were nearly always given an extra

element of class and efficiency by the presenceof Bemard Sullivan, our Toastmaster and Masterof Ceremonies. Often our own Master would findhim at other events within the City, where hebecame the doyen of his profession.

Sadly Bernard died in February at the grand ageof 96.

His funeral was held in Chislehurst on 7thMarch, very well attended by many City folkincluding two Past Lord Mayors and members ofthe London Society of Toastrnasters, of which hewas Life President. Our Master was representedby Past Masters Hohnen and Halliday.

He wrote a book entitled Sullivan’s Stories, ofwhich some copies are still available in which hismost interesting and varied life was well recorded.From taking part in the D Day landings to a lifewith the Bank of England to becoming a leadingToastmaster within the City. He was also an MCat boxing events in London after the war.

Thank you, Bernard, for all that you did for usduring your active career.

New Gowns

For the future of any City Livery it ismost important that the Honorary

Assistants appreciate what their resp on -sibilities entail and that they are providedwith the opportunity to interact with theMaster, Wardens and Officers of theCompany. Annually the group assemblesfor an informal dinner to receive a briefingfrom the Master & Master’sCommittee while being afford -ed the opport unity to tableideas and questions in anopen forum. HQSWelling ton was thechosen venue on 13thApril. Moored on theVictoria Embank -ment of the RiverThames the vessel isnow cared for by theWelling ton Trust. Built atDevonport Dockyard in1934 she was used topatrol the waters aroundNew Zealand between1936 to 1939. DuringWWII, she served on Arcticconvoys, was at Dunkirkand the landings inAfrica. Acquired by TheHonour able Company of Master Mariners

in 1947 she acts as a float -

ing Livery Hall. A sociable and productive evening was

shar ed by all who were in attendance.

The Master,

Honorary

Assistant Elect

Chris White and

the Upper Warden

Master, Wardens and IPM of the Day wearing new gowns

Published by The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers: Clerk, Lt Col Philip Brown, 3, Parsonage Vale, Collingbourne Kingston, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 3SZ

Editor: Richard BrightenPrinted by Typecast Colour Ltd, Hop Pocket Lane, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6DQ. Tel : 01892 838382. Email : info@typecast.co.uk

16

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Editor wishes to thank the following for their valuable contributions to this Newsletter, Adrian Barlow, Steve Bodger (Past Master), Lt Col Philip Brown (Clerk), David Bryant, Sarah Calcutt, Dr Graham Collier (Chairman Awards Council), Peter Cooper (Past Master),

Prof. Geoff Dixon, Gerry Edwards, John Giles, Jane Hasell McCosh, Bill Haynes, David Hohnen (Past Master), Tommy Leighton, Dr Gerard Lyons, Ian Rainford (Remembrancer), Sharp Photography, Mike Solomon, Dennis Surgeon (The Master), Andrew Tinsley,

John Warner (Upper Warden), Mavis Warner, Sarah Whitworth, Peter Wilkin and The Worshipful Company of Carmen.

OObbiittuuaarriieess

Many older members will remember with affection the late

Sir John Wells DL who died on 8thFebruary aged 91.

The son of a Somerset fruit growerand, for a while, a fruit grower himself,Sir John supported and campaignedfor the interest of apple and peargrowers over a number of years.

After being educated at Eton andCorpus Christi Oxford, Sir Johnbecame an engineer before beingselected, in preference to MargaretThatcher, as Member of Parliament for

Maidstone in 1959. He served until heretired in 1987.

Sir John was knighted in 1984 andserved as our Master in 1977. To theCompany’s loss he resigned from theLivery several years later. During hisMastership he arranged for theFruiterers’ ‘Grant of Arms’ to beformalised and we remain indebted tohim for his work and its financing.

Congratulations to Past Master Will Sibley, who was elected Chairman of

the Walbrook Ward Club at its 208th AGMheld on the 10th of March. Will follows anumber of Fruiterers to have served in thisoffice. The head of the pack is LiverymanPauline Halliday who was Chairman in2001 and represented Walbrook Ward asCommon Council man from 1992 to 2013and as Deputy from 2000 to 2013. Sherose to high office in the City as the firstfemale Non-Aldermanic Sheriff in 1999/2000 and Chief Commoner in 2007/2008. A number of Past Masters have alsoserved as Chairman: Peter Halliday, PeterBartlett and Peter Cooper. Will Sibley isthe living proof that there is no rule thatChairmen have either to be called Peter,or married to a Peter!

The principal guest at the AGM lunch,held in the Guildhall, was the Lord Mayor,Alderman Andrew Parmley. There is a verygood crop of Fruiterers in the Ward Club,so many in fact that the Lord Mayor asked

why this was. The onlypossible reply was thatboth institutions sharethe same sense of greatstyle! It was a very light-hearted lunch. Both thenew Chairman and theLord Mayor live in coastaltowns and they do like to be beside theseaside. It is probably the only time thatthe Lord Mayor has been presented witha stick of rock, as a memento of thelunch, and certainly the only time that hehas presented the Chairman with a fivepound note to contribute to his first, andmuch needed, singing lesson.

Ward Clubs play an important role inthe support of the Lord Mayor and theCorporation and also enjoy a cheerfulsocial life. If any Liveryman wants to enjoyan additional aspect to their interest in theCity, they could do no worse that speak tothe Chairman – he might even explain thestick of rock and the five-pound note!

Sir John Wells DL

Chairman of Walbrook Ward Club

Congratulations to Gerry Edwards who received twoappointments in early February. The first was Vice Chair of the

Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee,and secondly, as Junior Warden of the Civic Guild of MercersScholars.

Martin John Mash

It is with sadness that we recordthe passing of Liveryman Martin

Mash in late March. He wasadmitted to the Fruiterers in 2006coming from a background ofwholesaling in Covent Garden. Oursympathies are extended to hiswife, family and colleagues.

Will Sibley installed as Chairman of the Walbrook Ward Club