To English ears, as the Master remarked, Claude seems astrange name for a beautiful woman; but the treeplanted at Chenies Manor House, the winner of thisyear’s Historic Houses Association Garden of the Year,was named after Queen Claude. La Reine Claude was

the wife of François 1ier (1494 – 1547). This green plum wasfirst cultivated in southern France, having found its way fromAsia, and was named in honour of la Reine Claude – it was verywise in those days both to refer to your Queen as beingbeautiful and to name things after her! However, the name ofthe fruit was changed in England. It was first imported by SirWilliam Gage in 1724 and the name was lost in transit. It thusbecame the Gage Plum and later the Greengage. In France, andelsewhere, it is called la Reine Claude, to this day

There is a happy circumstance for us in this story, as it wasFrançois 1ier who presented Henry VIII with an apricot tree atthe Field of the Cloth of Gold. Fruiterers will recall that fouryears ago Past Master Will Sibley planted at the site in the Tower

of London, where Henry VIIIplanted the very first apricot inthe Kingdom.

That may seem enough of ahistory lesson; but it is difficultto escape a deep sense ofhistoric roots at Chenies Manor.This beautiful medieval housein the village of Chenies, justoutside the M25 nearRickmansworth, was at onetime owned by Edward I. Itpassed into the ownership ofJohn Russell, prominent in theCourt of Henry VIII. Hisdescendants the Earls, andlater the Dukes, of Bedfordowned Chenies for fourcenturies, until it was acquiredby Mr and Mrs MacLeodMatthews.

The house is a delight; but

the real glory is the gardens. The history of the gardens seemsuncertain; but, when the MacLeod Matthews bought the housein the early 1950s, the gardens had been largely neglected andrun down. What we see today is the fruit of the labour of overfifty years of hard work and inspiration by the MacleodMatthews. Widowed now, Mrs Elizabeth MacLeod Matthewscontinues to maintain the gardens, to refresh their design andto develop them further.

The gardens are designed as a number of “courts”, giving avariety of views from different rooms of the house. Theintimacy of this design is enhanced by a mixture of formalplantings in some, and informal in others. The scale isenhanced by the visitor encountering from time to time viewsover the rolling wooded hills of Buckinghamshire. One of thefavourites of the visit was the Physic Garden, a recent creation;planted with herbs and a huge variety of medicinal plants, which

1

Tue 18 January City Food Lecture GuildhallTue 25 January 12 p.m. St Paul’s Day Service St Mary Abchurch

Luncheon Innholders’ HallThu 17 February Annual Banquet Mansion HouseWed 23 March 12.30 p.m. Informal Carvery Butchers’ Hall

Luncheon6.30 p.m. New Liverymen City PipeInformal Supper

Fri 1 April United Guilds Service St. Paul’s Cathedral Informal Luncheon Stationers’ Hall

End April Visit to Royal Archives & WindsorSt. Georges Chapel

Thurs 5 May Golf Day Kingswood GCThurs 19 May Audit Court Dinner Vintners’ HallThurs 2 June Royal Bath & West Show Shepton MalletThurs 16 June The Master’s Day at Thanet Earth Kent

and Mount EphraimFri 24 June Election of Sheriffs GuildhallThurs 14 July Summer Court Dinner Drapers’ Hall

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY…continued on page 2

A Planting Plaque is presented

Chenies ManorElizabeth MacLeod Matthews welcomes the Fruiterers

Number 69 December 2010NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER

The Fruiterers’ CompanyThe Fruiterers’ Company

GARDEN OF THE YEAR -CHENIES MANOR

The Master shows our hostess theCeremonial Spade

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One of the magnificent flower beds Two Past Masters and a Clerk

The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers met for the Master& Wardens Dinner on Thursday 11th November,Armistice Day, in the heart of the City at the Barber-Sugeons’ Hall - records of The Worshipful Company of

Barbers tell us that The Company dates as early as 1308. The wetand windy night outside was soon forgotten as we dined on gameterrine, roast rump of lamb and poached pears.

The Master, Mr Steve Bodger, spoke of the Fruiterers’ ManagersAward which has been given to Mr John Holt-Rix who has astrong fruit pedigree and is a fine representative of the type ofcandidate that the award should go to. The Master madereference to the Fruit Culture Award which has been given to TimBiddlecombe Managing Director of FAST and to the gloriousdisplays of fruit at National Fruit Show in Kent. A specialacknowledgement was made to all who helped to man TheCompany stand at the show and to the port that we were to enjoylater in the evening, supplied by the Past Master Donald Mack.The Company paid tribute to Armistice Day and, in doing so, tothose who represent our country and give so much.

Guests included Adrian Padfield of East Malling Trust, SimonBailey - Master of The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, and

Peter Cook, immediate past Sheriff.The principal speaker for the eveningwas Brigadier David Shaw, CBE onbehalf of ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity(www.soldierscharity.org) givers oflifetime support to the men andwomen who defend us and ourcountry. We remembered the 100army personnel who have lost theirlives this year and the hundreds morewho have been injured. The Mastermentioned the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry lunch at Guildhall, held toraise funds that were donated to the Army Bene volent Fund.

Brigadier Shaw spoke of the traditions of livery and the‘donation’ of fruit to The Lord Mayor, which itself is a centuries oldtradition. The presentation took place on October 25 and wasperformed by the Master and our new Fruit Porter Jim Huddard. Itincluded tropical fruit and asparagus supplied by Past Master IvorRobins.

Brigadier Shaw related stories of the Devon and Dorsets, hisregiment, and military history and reminded us all that while weremember those who we have lost we should also remember thatour country is still at war today in the Middle East; Amistice Day hadnever been so poignant. Fundraising for the Armed forces was aschallenging as ever because today there are so many demands onthe purse. But Brigadier Shaw told of the fun he had shared in hisefforts over the years and referred to the 2012 British Paralympicsteam which a number of servicemen will be part of.

The following speech was by Honorary Assistant, Mrs. AmandaCottrell who admired the glorious hall in which we were eating andwarned us of the intimidating instruments that one had to pass togo to the loo! The toast to the Master and Wardens was respondedto by Renter Warden, Mrs Jane Anderson who reminded liverymenand guests of The Company Christmas cards were on sale. TheCompany toast was, of course, proposed by our Clerk, LieutenantColonel Lionel French, before the evening’s proceedings came toa close. The Master with Mr Jim Huddard our new Honorary Fruit Porter

MASTER & WARDENSDINNER HELD ON

ARMISTICE DAY

Brigadier David Shaw, CBE

were used in former times to treat the sick. It is named afterThomas Culpepper, one of the courtiers of Henry VIII, whovisited Chenies with the King and Katherine Howard. He washaving an affair with Katherine at the time – once discovered bythe King, this proved to be far from a life enhancing event foreither of them!

The Greengage tree was chosen by Elizabeth MacLeodMatthews to mark her winning the Garden of the Yearcompetition, as the fruits remind her of the rare treats that sheenjoyed as a child living on a dull rationed wartime diet. It is

placed in a sunny corner of the Kitchen Garden and wasplanted with particular skill. The planting hole had not beendug in advance; but our ever-resourceful Clerk found an oldspade and soon had the job done. Cleaning the mud from hismirror-polished shoes took rather longer than did the digging!

We were given a very warm and gracious welcome by MrsMacLeod Matthews, who led the tour of the gardens and joinedus for an excellent lunch. Inspired by the beautiful gardens,most of us probably looked at our own when we arrived homeand vowed to do better.

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HONORARY ARCHIVIST

As most of you will be aware Liveryman Peter Cooper is ourHonorary Archivist. Apart from being a retired fruit wholesaler,and therefore having a fine appreciation of the industry, he is anofficial City Guide and has taken pictures at many Fruiterersfunctions. Peter has taken on his new role as Archivist with

enthusiasm and determination and the Editor has the good fortune to chatwith him regularly. Conducting much of his research in the Guildhall libraryhe has already unearthed many interesting facts relating to the Company’shistory. This is indeed fortunate because many of the records were lost infires over the years. Some of the clippings and pictures that have come tolight will be posted on his own website which will be linked to the FruiterersWebsite www.fruiterers.org.uk via theARCHIVE page. We also thought that someof the more illuminating pieces deserved aplace on a special page in each edition ofthe Newsletter. Here are some examples.Ed.

Josiah Walker, Master 1857, 1858 and 1864(third time)

The City Press Saturday 1st February 1868

Marmaduke Levitt, Master 1968

Source: The Livery List 1970

Colonel Garth Leslie Doubleday, TD, JP, DL, MA

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What should we expect in 2011?Well, first, let's remind ourselvesof the highlights of the lasttwelve months. It may be

hard to believe, but 2010 was ayear of strong global growth.The recovery proved strongerthan expected a year ago, aspolicy measures adoptedduring the crisis had apositive impact aroundthe world. Trouble is,not everyone shared inthis recovery.

It proved to be atale of two worlds.Emergingeconomies, whichaccount for a thirdof the worldeconomy by size,drove two-thirds ofits growth. Chinaled the way.

Meanwhile, in theWest recovery waspatchy, and the priceto be paid for this was:exceptionally low interest rates, hitting savers;surging budget deficits, threatening governmentspending cuts and tax increases; and a debt crisis thatundermined the euro zone. Worries about debt and jobs seemset to persist.

It is easy to see why there is so much uncertainty about theyear ahead. Even the economies that are growing strongly,such as Australia, Brazil and India, amongst many others, faceworries about inflation, as commodity and food prices soar.One lesson those economies need to learn from the West is toavoid the lethal combination of cheap money, leverage andone way expectations about property and asset prices.

Despite those challenges, there is a shift in the balance ofeconomic power away from the West and this has not goneunnoticed by investors. More money has flowed east. But inthe US and UK, the tendency among many people is to investin the firms based here that do business across the globe. As aresult, money flowed into the shares of blue-chip, internationalfirms listed in London and on Wall Street.

The downside is such investment misses out on potentialcurrency gains as, normally, the stronger an economy is, thebetter its currency. That should mean at some stage, possiblyin 2011, currencies in the East strengthen. The surprise on thecurrency front, though, is the dollar. There are alwayspredictions of doom around the corner for the dollar. Like astopped clock, they will be proved right, eventually. Due to thedepth and liquidity of US financial markets, and the knowledgethat one can always sell assets when one wants to, investorsgive the dollar a vote of trust that belies its economy’sperformance.

The US economy, after all, looks fragile. While big corporateAmerica is recovering, the number of people close to thepoverty line rises. A staggering 42 million Americans are onfood stamps, because of low incomes. A few years ago, USconsumer spending drove the world economy. No longer.Sluggish wages, rising unemployment, sharp falls in houseprices and, despite the stock market, worries about pensions,have resulted in a far more troubling time for Americanspending. In turn this has created an uncertain US politicalclimate.

The climate in Europe is no less uncertain, with the euro setto see continued troubles in 2011.`Two down, two to go’ ishow the markets see it. Ireland and Greece had to seek helpand now face recession. Portugal and Spain are next in the

firing line. In contrast, the core of the eurozone, led by Germany and France, is in

good shape. A collapse of the eurois possible; more likely all the

stops will be pulled out to keepit going in 2011.

With such a mixedeconomic environment,financial sector challengeswill persist.

Perhaps the greatestchallenge is that $4trillion of bank debtneeds to be rolledover across thewestern world in thenext two years. Thisis a huge amount.Also bear in mindthat manygovernments havehigh borrowings.Thus the Bank ofEngland, like theEuropean Central

Bank and USFederal Reserve will

have to keep policy rateslow and continue providing ample liquidity.

Little wonder it is a case of for good news lookeast! In 2011 China will unveil its twelfth five year plan, whichwill be positive for growth. And we should expect more of thesame, across the emerging world. The countries that do well inthis ever-changing global climate will be those with the cash,the commodities or the creativity.

What does all this mean for the UK? The economy isrecovering but faces a tough 2011 as spending cuts hit and asrises in food prices, petrol and taxes eat into disposableincome. It will be a year of modest growth. Thus we need tothink beyond this.

The first message is that nothing can be taken for granted.And there is a need to be aware of both the near-termchallenges affecting economies in the West and the longer-term opportunities across the emerging world. The clearestmanifestation of this is the need to think global. When thecrisis in Ireland broke it was remarkable how much concern itcaused in the UK. Amazingly, the UK exports more to Ireland,a country of under five million people, than it does to thethree billion people in Brazil, Russia, South Africa, China andIndia combined. At least it shows the upside potential if westart exporting to these new growth markets.

A second, and ongoing need for the UK, is to invest more inits infrastructure. We can't compete with other countries solelyon cost. We need to compete on quality. So this highlights theneed to invest more in our hard infrastructure - such as road,air and rail - and in our soft infrastructure - particularlyeducation and skills.

Third, and finally for the UK, expect to hear much in 2011about the need for a more balanced economy. Trouble ismuch of this debate has been a political barrage against theCity. One of the big worries in the Square Mile is that 2011 willsee excess regulation. The UK should not go it alone, andimpose extra burdens on the City. If it does the recovery couldsuffer. There is no doubt about the need for effectiveregulation and supervision. Far better a global approach.

The outlook depends on the interaction between theeconomic fundamentals, confidence and policy. Let's hopepolicy will be as positive for growth in 2011 as it was over thelast twelve months.

Dr Gerard Lyons is a Liveryman and Chief Economist at

Standard Chartered Bank

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Historically, the period between the end of Septemberand the middle of December has been quiet for the fruitindustry despite it being the outset of the English topfruit season. The Germans and other Europeans

attribute this to back garden production of seasonal fruits;berries, apples & pears, plums which are distributed andcirculated amongst the neighbours and relatives. This in somesmall way alleviates the necessity to shop for those productsduring this period. Such an effect has not been substantiated inthis country by any tangible research, but there is certainly apause in the need for apples, particularly in more rural areas. Inthe high street our correspondent has found the last threemonths a little demanding. Supplies have not been problematicalalthough the wholesale markets have become a little moredifficult to trade in. The belief is that this has been caused by areduction in traditional companies that has resulted in lesscompetition for the retailer to capitalise on. British farmers andgrowers have been doing a sterling job, ensuring supplies ofbrassicas and root vegetables even during the very frosty periodthat prevailed during late November and December.

The English apple and pear season has got off to a “brilliant”start and our retailer was very complimentary about theavailability and quality of English Cox, Russets, Gala, Conference,Concorde and Comice, even though the latter are a little on thelarge size. Gala have been exceptional, so much so that he hasstopped stocking supplies of the variety from the Europeancontinent. In that period of switch over from northern to southernhemisphere grapes the market went tight, as it always does.Supplies were available from the US and Europe but these havegiven way to shipments from Brazil, Peru and South Africa.Quality has been good as one would expect from very high valuefruit that has been shipped or flown considerable distances. Overthe past few years there has been a distinct shift in consumerdemand from white seedless to black seedless grapes. It isdifficult to be precise about the ratio but on tonnages sold it willbe roughly 3:1. For those consumers requiring a little bit ofsummer remembrance in their fruit bowls there is always the firstpeaches, apricots, nectarines and plums from South Africa andChile towards the Yuletide period. Sharon and Kaki fruits fromMediterranean sources have also proved popular at a price thatattracts interest. Banana prices have increased at retail level asthe major multiples come off promotion. The fruit posesproblems for all traders when the temperatures sink to freezingand below. Greying and browning are always a threat if theretailers are not ever vigilant. Interestingly Dates have proved agood seller in our correspondent’s shop. He strikes a balancebetween fresh and dried with some being stuffed.

November has traditionally been the start date of the Spanishcitrus season. Late October and early November still witnesses abuild up from the Mediterranean area but seasonality has becomea thing of the past with most products being available to theconsumer throughout the year. Satsumas, clementines andNavels are always on sale in a variety of sizes and packs. As oftenhappens Lemons became very short in the switch over periodbetween southern and northern hemisphere and prices rocketed.Values eased back during November as supplies picked up.

Vegetables of all kinds and from all sources have been inadequate supply. Our correspondent has noticed animprovement in the demand for stick brussel sprouts. Whetherthey are perceived as fresher, have a better flavour or longer shelflife is difficult to establish. Certainly however they are easier tosupply as far as the grower is concerned. Greens and florets ingeneral have been in plentiful supply with a brief shortageoccurring as English broccoli gave over to Spanish. Romanesquecauliflowers have created increasing interest amongst thoseconsumers who like the vegetable but want a variation on thetheme.

FROM THEHIGH STREETVIEW

All English apples including Russets selling well

A time for veg

The flower business is doing well

Exuberant Traffic Wardens are an irritation

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On October the 25th, the Masterfollowed in the footsteps of over430 of his predecessors and

made the annual Presentation of Fruit tothe Lord Mayor, Alderman Nick Anstee.The presentation is, nowadays, of only asymbolic amount and the historic quantityof 12 bushels is replaced by our FruitGifting programme. Every year withoutfail, Liverymen show their generosity inresponding well to the request fordonations to this programme to providefruit for the hostels for the homeless of theCity and its surrounds.

The presentation was well received bythe Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoresswas delighted with a gift of a basket oftropical fruit – with added asparagus. Shewas even more pleased when Past MasterIvor Robins informed her that he hadselected the fruit himself and had alreadyspoken to the Mansion House Chef tomake sure that it would be incorporated

into that evening’s menu! The thirty or soFruiterers present joined the Lord Mayorand his party for refreshments and thendeparted for a splendid lunch at the City ofLondon Club. Rare indeed are theoccasions when Fruiterers assemble thatdo not involve good food and wine!

Our Fruit Porter for many years, NobbyPrice has retired from this office. He hasgiven such good service to the companyand he epitomised both the spirit of thistradition and its deep roots in our ancienttrade. Liverymen will remember that it wasNobby who conducted the ceremonialunveiling of the Fruiterers’ bronze plaquein Covent Garden four years ago. JimHuddard has stepped up to the mark inhis appointment as the new Fruit Porter.Like Nobby, he is a well known member ofthe fruit trade. He conducted his part of

the ceremony with great aplomb andstyle.

The Presentation of Fruit is an ancienttradition, which we jealously guard. Thereare few Livery Companies that have sucha tradition. The City of London Directoryshows only four such annualpresentations with ceremony:

The Butchers present the Lord Mayorwith a Boar’s head each December,

The Feltmakers present the Lord Mayorwith his tricorn hat the day after his firstofficial engagement, his Mansion HouseBanquet,

The Watermen and Lightermen presentthe Knollys Rose, the quit-rent paid since1381 for a bridge built across SeethingLane without the Lord Mayor’s consentand we, of course, make our Presentationof Fruit in the harvest season everyOctober.

The Lord Mayor, Nick Anstee, admires thepresentation

The Master addresses The Lord Mayor

PRESENTATIONOF FRUITTO THE

LORDMAYOR

Joint Livery GolfOn October 5 the Addington Golf Club was witness to the latest episode of a long established competition between Liverycompanies that was started in 1991 by Robert Sice ( Fruiterer ), Brian Banks ( Carman ) and Frank Stansil (Fan Maker).The golf match is popular event and was played with enthusiasm and a strong competitive spirit as each team endeavoured tosecure victory and carry the glory for their respective Company.The Fan Makers were the winners this year with best of three scores total 98pts, Fruiterers second on 94pts followed by TheCarmen and The Fletchers .Angela Mortimer of The Fletchers presented the Trophy to the winning team made up of Frank Stansil, (highest score of the daywith 36pts), Ken Burrage, Don Lunn and supported by Doug Clasby .The next event of The Fruiterers Golfing Society will be the Golf Day at Kingswood, Surrey. Thanks were extended to David Hohnenfor his sterling efforts as Acting Secretary. We are fortunate to have found a very competent successor to David with LiverymanAndrew Poulton taking over the role of Secretary. He will writing to all Fruiterers in January to gather support for the Day.

Len Norman, Angela Mortimer and Andrew PoultonThe victorious Fan Makers receive their rewards from Angela Mortimer

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TheNewLord

MayorAlderman Michael Bear was

installed as Lord Mayor, insuccession to Alderman NickAnstee, on Friday 12th

November 2010 at the SilentCeremony held in the Guildhall.

Our new Lord Mayor has aninteresting, indirect connection withthe fruit markets; but his career hasbeen within the worlds of construction and property. He is a Civil Engineer by profession and, appropriately, hismother company is the Worshipful Company of Paviors.

In his acceptance speech, after the election at Common Hall in September, he promised an “ursine” year and got offto an immediate start by announcing that his Appeal is to be called “The Bear Necessities” and will support Coram,the charity which works to re-engage the disaffected young in education and RedR which provides training to makedisaster relief effective.

With the strong possibility that Alderman Fiona Woolf, currently serving as Sheriff, will become Lord Mayor in a fewyears’ time, one wonders what a menagerie is being created! Will she have a lupine year? For how long will we haveto “bear” with these analogies to animals?

The Lord Mayor’s connection with fruit is through Spitalfields market where he was a key figure in the redevelopmentof the (old) Spitalfields Market, as Chief Executive of the Spitalfields Development Group. He remains involved in theSpitalfields Market Community Trust.

We look forward to supporting the Lord Mayor throughout his year in office.

Alderman Michael Bear, Lord Mayor of The City of London

The Fruit Culture AwardOur Fruit Culture Award is given to

recognise someone who has made asubstantial contribution to the transfer oftechnology in the fruit industry through

communication.

There can be no better example than this year’swinner of the award; Tim Biddlecombe.

Tim graduated from Wye College some 35 yearsago (as an aside, what a shame it is that WyeCollege is no more - it was a powerhouse ofeducation in agriculture and horticulture). Hestarted working on Pear and Raspberry Trials atBrogdale and rose through his career to becomeManaging Director of FAST. His broad range ofpractical expertise is unusual in this modern worldof increased specialisation. His great gift is to beable to understand both the world of the esotericscientific research and the practical husbandry andcultivation skills of the fruit grower.

Fruit growing to maximise quality and yield is ahighly technical business. Tim’s life’s work hasbeen in bringing both scientist and grower acrossthat bridge between research and farming. He is,indeed a very worthy winner of a very importantAward.

Tim Biddlecombe receives the Fruit Culture Award fromour Master

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MASTER’S RE

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The autumn is always a very busy time in the year of theMaster. Life slows down in August, as the formal Citylife goes into a summer hibernation and then itaccelerates rapidly in September. Yet, strangely my yearseems almost over, as I write this on a snow bound day

in early December. In January, there is the City Food Lecture to lookforward to and in the following week, St Paul’s Day, on which I shallpass the baton to the Master-Elect.

I have had a splendid year. It is a great privilege to be chosen bythe Company as Master and, I have to say that I have taken fulladvantage of the opportunity! The greatest joys are that one doesso many things that would never otherwise be possible and meetsso many people that one would otherwise never meet. During theyear Bea and I have been guests at: the Banquet given by the LordMayor for the Livery Companies’ Masters and the Gardeners’ andthe Farriers’ Banquets; I have dined with: the Honourable Artillery

Company, the MarketsCommittee of the City ofLondon Corporation, theBasketmakers, the Woolmen,the Fresh Produce Consortiumand the Spitalfields MarketTenants: I have lunched withthe Sheriffs and Judges at theOld Bailey, the Poulters andthe Butchers; I have taken teawith the InformationTechnologists and with theLady Mayoress; I haveattended St Paul’s Cathedralwith: the Corporation of theSons of the Clergy, the LordMayor’s Charity, the Dean andChapter of St Paul’s, the

Musicians and the Royal British Legion; I was present at a serviceheld in St Bartholomew the Great followed by a reception at StBart’s Hospital; I have sat in the dock at the Old Bailey for theSheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund and been present at the Sheriffs’charity evening for the Lord Mayor’s Charity; and more and yet moreand still more. All this is in addition to our own calendar and…… Iam still the same weight as I was at the start of the year! I have beenmet everywhere with the warm friendliness that is the hallmark of allLivery Companies and the City. In short, I have had a ball!

The Editor has asked me which have been the highlights of theyear. To choose the very best from the excellent is not a questionthat is easily answered. When pushed, and yes the Editor can bedemanding, I should have to choose two or three events outside ourown Company and one of our own.

The Banquet given by the Lord Mayor for the Masters of LiveryCompanies on the evening before the United Guilds Service ismagnificent. With the pageantry and tradition, the Egyptian Hall ofthe Mansion House packed with the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, theCivic Team and all 108 Masters and their partners, it even, just,outclasses our own Banquets. It was an added pleasure that ourClerk and Ann French were also guests, as he is the President of theFellowship of Clerks this year.

My visit to the Old Bailey to lunch with Sheriff Peter Cook and theOld Bailey Judges was fascinating. I had expected a rather formallunch with traditional “school” food. However, it was rather morelike a friendly lunch in a club. Sharply on time, the judges arrivedfor an aperitif and we sat down to an excellent beef curry. I waspleased to see that all the judges took a glass or two of wine – noneof this “just water, I am working” nonsense that is such a morosefeature of modern life. The conversation was lively and, by one ofthose rare chances in life, I found myself sitting next to an old fellowundergraduate, whom I had not seen since we both graduated in1971. He is now a High Court Judge and was sitting at the OldBailey that week as a visiting judge. I realised, fortunately, that I amnot yet at the age when High Court Judges appear young – helooked rather aged; but perhaps I seemed the same to him!

I was invited to attend an “interesting” case after lunch. Ofcourse, any member of the public can do this; but the case that I satin on had been recommended by one of the judges. It was a murdertrial. It is a chilling thought that all the courts were dealing withmurders that day, as they do almost everyday. I thought that I wouldstay for a short while; but sat entranced for the whole afternoon.The witness for the defence, being cross examined with deadlycourtesy and surgical effectiveness, was as shifty as hell. The twodefendants had eight Court Officers sitting in the box with them tokeep them subdued – the day before they had become extremelyviolent and it took twelve officers to take them down to the cells.They and the witness had that hard, piggy-eyed look that makessensible people cross the street to avoid them. Guilty? I don’t knowwhat the verdict was; but I’d have locked the defendants and thewitness up!

The Royal British Legion have the Garden of Remembrance at StPaul’s Cathedral opened each year by the Lord Mayor. The Sheriffsand the Masters of all the Livery Companies attend and each plantsa poppy cross in the garden. It is a very moving ceremony. TheDean of St Paul’s conducts a short service and he and the LordMayor’s party are escorted by a troop of elderly, long-retired,servicemen. It rained heavily for the whole morning; but standingthere soaked and cold and planting my cross in the soggy muddygrass, I felt that the weather was totally appropriate to the occasion.

As part of my effort this year to support the Armed Services andto remember what they have done and are still doing for us all, we

Our Master sat in as an observer at the Old Bailey

St Paul’s Cathedral was host to many memorable events

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REFLECTIONS

9

had a visit to the Somme and Arras battlefields. This has beenreported in an earlier edition of the Newsletter. The whole trip wasfascinating and moving. It was especially so at the graves andmemorials of the fallen Fruiterers. I shall long remember PastMaster Don Cryan and his brother Tom speaking of the life of theirgreat uncle at Le Touret memorial, Liveryman Peter Boardmanquietly laying poppy crosses for his fallen relatives at the ArrasMemorial, Liveryman Ian Eiloart speaking so movingly of his twouncles, as he laid a wreath at Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery, andthe simple quiet readings and prayers led by the Honorary Chaplainat each site.

Having forced me to mention some highlights, the Editor theninsisted that I mention the low points too. How little he knows!There were none. Well, I suppose there was actually one. EachDecember the Master entertains his Master’s Committee, theChairmen of the Sub-Committees and the Clerk to lunch to thankthem for their help. I had arranged a spiffing lunch and made someeffort to choose some interesting wines and then was unable to bethere myself! The snow had caused the roads in my part of Kent tobecome blocked and all, yes all, the trains to London werecancelled. Some two thirds of the guests were able to make it andhave told me that the lunch was good! Well, I was at home lunchingon a bowl of soup. My guilt about being an absent host wasassuaged a little when I recalled what I learnt during the Papal Visitthis autumn; by long tradition and protocol the Pope never attendshis own State Banquet. Well if that is good enough for him, it mustcertainly be good enough for me!

One Master’s tenure is but a blip in the Company’s history; but Ifeel that the Company has maintained this year the progress set intrain by my predecessors and is in good heart. We are a fortunateCompany in that there are so many in the livery who work hard tofurther our objectives.

The Awards Council, chaired by Past Master Will Sibley, continuesits good work in searching for and sifting applications for funds fromthe Fruit Culture Trust. Excellent progress has been made with theFood Dudes project. Our early stage funding has got the projectsufficiently far advanced to make it attractive to commercialsponsors, so its future looks assured. Great thanks are due to allwho have been involved in this, especially Past Master Will Sibleyand Liveryman John Price.

The Finance Sub-Committee, chaired by Honorary AssistantRichard Francis, has worked well on our finances. Our investmentshave had a better time this year; the performance has been good instill turbulent markets – long may that last!

The Membership and Communications Committee, chaired byHonorary Assistant Dennis Surgeon, has led some goodinnovations. The supper for new Liverymen held in March was agreat success and, thanks to some hard work by the committeemembers we shall all be exchanging Fruiterers’ Company Christmascards this year.

The Advisory Panel, chaired by Past Master Anthony Turnbull, hasdone good work and led the new lunch for former HonoraryAssistants. It was very good and useful to have the opportunity toexchange views with this group, all of whom have great experienceof the Company.

Liveryman Peter Cooper was appointed as Honorary Archivist onlya year ago. He has been energetically busy ever since researchingthe history of the Company. The fascinating results of this year’swork will become available to everybody in the coming months,through the website. There is so much to research that Peter has ajob for life here!

I shall finish on another highlight of my year. I have enjoyed

greatly the opportunity to learn more about the heart of ourCompany in the Fruit Industry. My visits to the Bath and West Showand to the National Fruit Show demonstrated to me that fruitgrowing - and cider making – are in good health and I have begunto learn about some of the challenges and pressures that facegrowers. My visit to New Spitalfields Market was a revelation and tosee the high quality of the produce and the level of activity showshow important the City markets are. All aspects of the fruit worldare important to us; but I feel that it is those who work in themarkets who are the spiritual heirs of those first Fruiterers whoformed the Mystery that became the Company so many centuriesago.

I have great confidence in the future of the Company. In thecoming year it will be well led by the Master-Elect and his Wardens.I shall enjoy supporting them. I shall also enjoy the opportunity tochat more to all my many friends in the Company at our Dinners.As a Warden and then Master, one is in the welcoming line for threeyears and has too little an opportunity to circulate and talk beforedinner. I look forward to being with you all in future and, well maybe,having that extra glass of champagne before dinner, as I shall haveno speech to make!

HRH The Duchess of Wessex presents awards at The Royal Bath & West

The Hon Chaplain and Ian Eiloart at Captain Frank Eiloart’s Memorial

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Despite the fact that theEnglish top fruit seasonstarted seven to ten dayslater than 2009, those inthe know view events so

far with cautious optimism. Thecumulative volume sold over a shorterperiod is up on twelve-months-agowith the financial returns to thegrowers showing an improvementwhich, if continued, will facilitate re-investment.

During the summer months therewas a lift in wholesale prices assouthern hemisphere and lateEuropean suppliers movedconsignments away from the UK tomore financially favourable markets.In addition, many overseas marketingauthorities and bodies are becominga little weary of the demands beinglaid down by the UK multiples forwhich only modest returns accrue tothe grower. As a consequence amuch better balance betweendemand and supply existed in themarket place. The prospects for theEnglish growers have been good fromthe off with the total Europeanproduction being forecast as down15% on apples and 17% on pears.There is an increasing supply ofdifferent varieties of home grownapple to satisfy consumer aspirationsand palates. The demand for Englishfruit is very buoyant, but a stagnatinginvestment programme has beenwitnessed over the last three years,due to the poor returns that thegrowers have experienced.

Weather conditions in the westMidlands and south east weredifferent in the early weeks of thisgrowing season but the dry conditionsexperienced in the Kent/Sussex areawere negated by the heavyprecipitation in August. This beneficialrainfall has resulted in crops that willbe larger than forecast with a gradeout that is much better thananticipated. So, all in all, smiles onsome faces!

The statistics suggest that the cropof Cox Class I will be very similar tolast year at 28,000 tonnes. Galahowever, shows a massive 20%increase to a record 26,600 tonnes,far more than anticipated but certainlynot an embarrassment! Statisticsrelating to Braeburn tonnages are stilla touch sketchy as we go to press, but

the betting is on about 13,000 tonnesof Class I fruit. The niche variety ofEgremont Russet is down 28% at3,000 tonnes but this is notconsidered as a major tragedy by theindustry.

The new variety volumes of Kanzi,Cameo, Rubens, Jazz et al continueto increase and this year will rise to anew record of 7,000 tonnes. Othernew appearances are being made byZari and Jumani with many othersbeing trialled. All of the new aspirantcultivars have, according to theexperts, a good appearance, finedessert qualities, excellent shelf lives,noteworthy orchard performancesand high resistance to the problemsthat may afflict apples.

There is good news to report forEnglish Conference pear producers.The crop is up by 20% on 2009 at21,000 tonnes Class I which is insharp contrast to the mainlandEuropean production which hasshown a decline in volumes. Suchhas been the demand that the stockshave been sold far more quickly thanin previous years. Regrettably, theharvested quantities of EnglishComice and Concorde remain at amodest 2,000 tonnes.

Bramley production has risen onlast year and is believed to be up by12% on Class I fruit. On top of thisquantity there will be fruit that isdestined for the processing and juicemarkets. Globally, the juice price hasrisen and this will be good news forthe variety. The situation with theBramley in Northern Ireland is not asbuoyant as in England. Overall thesales of fresh Bramley so far thisseason remain more or less the sameas last year.

The UK multiple retailers continueto increase their sales of English topfruit. Rationale remains the same aslast reported. Support for localfarmers, less carbon footprint andmore customer satisfaction. In orderto maintain the increase in productionto satisfy this latent demand willrequire investment in orchards,retention facilities, pack houses andmarketing expertise. Industry playersare shrinking but the stakes are higherand there is all to play for. We wish allthat are striving to bring the industryup to speed to meet the challengesgood fortune and a fair wind.

A promising crop of English apples

Kanzi, one of the new home bred rising stars!

Jazz, developed by the New Zealanders and now grown in England

FROM ORCHARD TO MARKETTOP FRUIT NEWS

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At the end of the English Strawberry season there wassome disappointment for certain growers when theeverbearer yields did not live up to expectation. Some newvarieties such as ‘Sweetie’ did not really perform in the waythat had been anticipated. This could have resulted from avery cold Spring or pest activity that affected the plants’bearing. As a consequence volumes were down but priceswere higher. This concluded a season for English Growerswhich has been described as ‘average’ but not a disaster.Yields of strawberries grown under glass in Holland were asexpected but when marketed achieved higher values thanlast year. Supplies from the Middle East commenced inlate November with berries arriving from Morocco andEgypt. A lot of pressure has been brought to bear onimporters to make higher prices after the poor returns thatwere posted last season. Under newly introducedmarketing regulations 1 in 10 consignments of Egyptianstrawberries will be subject to on arrival inspection thisseason, a worry for shippers and importers alike.Moroccan supplies arrive in the UK by truck after firsthaving been shipped to Spain. Distributors expect a peakin demand during Christmas week but were surprised thatthis spike occurred in the post Christmas period last year.

Raspberries were regular in supply through the monthsof October and November from domestic production anddovetailed nicely with Spanish shipments. Prices remainedrealistic with no shortages recorded and a smoothtransition into the Moroccan season that started in earlyNovember was recorded. Traders are forecasting a betterresult for the remainder of the season. The canes are in theground and the fruit will flow.

Over the past four months there have been mixedfortunes for handlers of Blackberries. The demand forEnglish fruit was not good in August and as a result pricesslipped in September. Fortunately a recovery was recordedin October. Mexican supplies will be down on last yearowing to volumes being consigned to the US market wherea strong demand exists.

English Blueberries did not come up to expectations involume terms but there was some compensation forgrowers in that prices were up on 2009. The season lastedfrom July to September. The South American seasonstarted well with Argentinean fruit coming through in

adequate quantities despite some fairly severe frostshaving been experienced. Growers and exporters areendeavouring to make up for the disappointing results oflast year. They have dispatched a significant volume offruit and expect the highest prices. Chile has also shippedmore fruit than in the previous season. The market goinginto Christmas was very similar to 12 months prior but withpack weights remaining at 200gm there was 8% more tosell.

Cranberries fall into that category of red fruits thatalways seem to do well at Christmas. Sales remainedsatisfactory but the quality was not as good as 2009 butwith multiples prepared to commit to volume over thefestive period, life becomes easier for the importer. Mostof the cranberries sold in the UK emanate from the NorthAmerican continent.

APPLE, LEMON AND SULTANAPUDDING Serves 4 generously

1 kg Bramley apples, peeled and sliced150g sultanasZest of a lemon100g light brown soft sugar2 tbsp perry or apple juice

For the topping100g fresh coarse white breadcrumbs50g porridge oats75g butter, melted1 tsp ground cinnamon50g light brown soft sugar

Toss together the apples, sultanas, lemon zest and the100g of sugar. Tip into an ovenproof dish and stir in theperry or juice.

Mix the topping ingredients together and scatter over thefruit. Bake for 1 hour at 180C.

Serve with whipped cream

Soft and Stone Fruit

A mixed season for Rasberry growers and Marketers

BERRIES and CURRANTS

A bountiful supply of Blueberries from South America

Victoria is still England’s main plum variety

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OUR MASTERELECT

Sandys Dawes was born andraised in Kent where hisfamily farmed Mount Epraiman estate near Faversham.Coming from a family of ship

owners it is of little surprise that ourfuture Master developed a wanderlustand passion for travelling. Educated atStowe School he then journeyed toAustralia where on his Mother’ssuggestion entered MelbourneUniversity. On completion of hisacademic training he taught English andhistory for six years before embarking ona career in agriculture on the Kentestate. Sandys has participated in mostaspects of farming but speaks fondly ofthe fruit growing side.

He met his future wife Leslie inAustralia and they married in 1970.They have one son and four daughters.

Now semi-retired Sandys has a littlemore time to indulge in his interestswhich include travel (Afghanistan, Iran,

Asia and the antipodes), reading(particularly travel authors), tennis andskiing. He gets a particular thrill out oforganising events at Mount Ephraimwhich he regards as one of his mostsatisfying pursuits. “To watch thousandsof people getting enjoyment from aconcert or other event which you havehad a hand in staging is particularlygratifying” he says, “especially when therewards of one’s labours go towardsensuring the continuation of the familyhome”.

The Upper Warden was interviewed byphone as he was journeying toHeathrow from Kent on a very snowyday in early December. He was boundfor Australia for Christmas and was notat all perturbed that he was being askedquestions at what must have been afairly anxious moment.

Our Master Elect is certainly a veryapproachable man with a good sense ofhumour and is looking forward to his

year in office with a slight degree oftrepidation for some of the duties he willhave to perform. With his easy goingmanner and knowledge of the industrythe Fruiterers are fortunate to have yetanother competent, intelligent andrespected individual to take on theresponsibility as their leader.

Sandys Dawes, our Master Elect

In early October we had, thanks to the help of Past Master DonCryan, the privilege of a visit to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords as the highestcourt in our country in October 2009, so it is still in its early days.We were given a tour of the building and then sat in on a hearing.At the end of our visit, Baroness Hale, one of the twelve SupremeCourt Justices, spent time with us, explained the work of theCourt and led an interesting questions and answers session.Liverymen will remember Lady Hale as the Principal Speaker atour Banquet held at Guildhall in February 2008 – just at the timeof the transition from the House of Lords to the Supreme Court.

Hearing cases on points of law of general public importance, itconcentrates on those which are of the greatest constitutionalimportance. A number of Justices hear each case together; thiscan vary for three to nine. The one that we sat in on was on a

point of Company Law – not,you might think the mostexciting subject. What wasimpressive, however, was thecareful dissection by theBarristers of the precedents onwhich the case would turn, therapt attention with which theJustices listened and theoccasional polite, interrogativequestion interjected by thisaugust body. They were led onthis occasion by the Presidentof the Supreme Court, LordPhillips who was one of ourdistinguished guests at ourbanquet in February of this

year. Sitting at the samelevel as the barristers andthose attending the Court,they wear ordinary suits.Unlike any other Court,where they sit on high andare dressed in gowns andwigs. This emphasises theimpression that allinvolved, the Justices andthe Barristers, are seekingto establish the rightoutcome to the case anddo so in a way that more resembles an academic discussion, thana confrontational legal argument.

The Court’s home is the old Middlesex Guildhall, opposite theHouses of Parliament on Parliament Square. It has been wellconverted for the purposes of the Supreme Court with a mixtureof old and modern courtrooms. The interior decoration of theolder parts of the building retains the style and decoration of anearlier refurbishment in 1913, described by Nicholas Pevsner asart nouveau gothic. Perhaps they are best described as“impressive”, if not to the taste of all! One of the advantages ofmoving from the House of Lords is that members of the publicare now free to go attend the hearings - indeed, this is very muchwelcomed.

We completed the afternoon by being led by Liveryman PeterCooper to an excellent pub round the corner from the Court. Onecould see that visiting the Court had been thirsty work indeed!

Our grateful thanks go to Lady Hale and the Court staff, whomade us so welcome and to Past Master Don Cryan for makingthe visit so interesting.

The Supreme Court

Fruiterers waiting to enter the Supreme Court

THE SUPREME COURT

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There has been a growing groundswell of opinion in the Company that thegreen, blue and red livery “country tie” should be redesigned. Many dislikethe odd (1970’s, or is it 1920’s) irregular stripes and the quaint 100%polyester fabric. Perhaps it is unique - can one buy anything else that is100% polyester nowadays?

Never one to shrink from a challenge, the Master undertook to replacethe tie with a better design. Although wellknown for his sense of fashion, he made theinspired decision to ask the Renter Warden tolead the task, which she has done withenthusiasm, style and verve. The Renterresearched the reasons for the colours. Thegreen is clearly the livery’s colour and,historically, so is azure. Although the pale blueof the present tie hardly qualifies as azure. Thered represents fruit.

She has come up with a splendid design ofclassic, even stripes in green and azure with afine pencil-thin red line between the green andblue. This is illustrated here, although theprinting cannot do the colours full justice.

The new tie will be available in a couple ofmonth’s time. It will be presented to newLiverymen when they are clothed with the Liveryand all Liverymen can buy the ties from theClerk. Those who prefer not to change from theold tie may continue to wear that for as long asthey wish. The more formal navy blue tiebadged with the Adam and Eve motif from ourcoat of arms will continue, of course and is thepreferred tie for the more formal City events.

Oh, and the new tie is 100% silk!

NEW COUNTRY TIE

We include details of accommodation offered by the Vintners’ Companyfor those who wish to stay in the City overnight after a function

A WELCOME GIFT ALL THE YEAR ROUND

fruit-baskets.co.uk0845 600 8417

FRUITBASKETS

New Country Tie designedby the Renter Warden

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This year’s National Fruit Show was bathed in sunny andunseasonably warm autumn weather. So good was the weatherthat some growers had gone AWOL and had stayed on theirfarms finishing the picking of the later varieties. None the less,the Show was a great success. There was a constant to-ing and

fro-ing as Growers chatted with each other and with Nurserymen andequipment suppliers. The displays of fruit, shiny apples, ripe pears, Kentishcobnuts and yet more, were works of art and all looked so delicious.

It was good to see a fellow Liveryman, Nigel Bardsley, scoop the pool bywinning more awards for his fruit than the other entrants put together!Indeed he won two of the three Fruiterers’ Company medals, which werepresented by the Master. It was very pleasing, too, to see that our CompanyStand was manned throughout the Show. Thanks go to Liveryman DennisSurgeon, the Membership and Communications Committee and to themany Fruiterers who ‘stepped up to the plate’ when called on to make thenecessary arrangements and who gave their time. The Stand attracted agood deal of interest and helped demonstrate the part that we play in ourindustry.

At the Dinner following the first day of the Show the Master presented thefruit Culture Award to Tim Biddlecombe – see separate article (page 7).Asked for his views on the Show, the Master replied ‘that it portrayed theexcellence of English Fruit Growing and the constant effort that is made toperfect growing techniques’. Oh, and the dinner was a great joy, too!

NATIONAL FRUIT SHOWT

HE

It is with much regret, that after manyyears of loyal and distinguished service, wehave to say au revoir to our Honorary FruitPorter, ‘Nobby’ Price. Originally a protégéof Past Masters Ron Starns and NormanSheldon, Nobby has served the Companywith diligence and fortitude since he tookup the role. He appeared at most of theMansion House presentations of Fruit tothe Lord Mayor and was pivotal in theunveiling of the bronze in the Old CoventGarden Market in 2006. A retailer whoseshops were to be found in West London,Nobby was and remains a well known facein the London Wholesale Markets, butparticularly Brentford and WesternInternational. He was also a strongsupporter of the Retail Fruit TradeFederation before that organisation wasmerged with the National Federation ofFruit and Potato Merchants into the FreshProduce Consortium in the late nineties.Regrettably, over the past three yearsNobby has found it increasingly difficult toappear at Fruiterers events owing to other

responsibilities within the family businessand health issues. We wish him well andextend a sincere thank you for all of thehours that he has committed to the duties.A hard act to follow, well yes, but we arefortunate that a man with muchexperience in the wholesale trade hasemerged as a competent successor.James (“Jim”) Huddard has spent the lastthirty years of his life working in theenvirons of Spitalfields and NewSpitalfields Markets. Originally a porter henow acts in the capacity of a logisticsadvisor to the Market, a function that willbecome even more crucial as we approach2012. Jim has much experience with ritual& formality and has a refined instinct forthe correct and precise decorum to beadopted. He performed his first duty at thePresentation of Fruit to the Lord Mayor inOctober and attended the Master andWardens Dinner in November (see picturep. 2). We welcome Jim as we sadly sayfarewell to Nobby.

Nobby presents the Lord Mayor with an English apple

FRUITERERS HAVE NEWHONORARY FRUIT PORTER

Nobby (far right) on duty at the Mansion House

Awards at Detling for all classes of fruit production

Shiny apples and excellent pears

The Fruiterers’ Stand at Detling

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WHAT TO SAVOUR!Coming up…

The Guildhall on the evening of Tuesday18 January will be the venue for the 2011City Food Lecture. Mr Paul Polman CEO ofUnilever Global will be the speaker. Thisevent is now an established feature of boththe City of London calendar and the foodindustry. Promoted by the seven food relatedLivery Companies doors open at 17.30 withthe lecture commencing an hour later. Aquestion and answers session follows thepresentation with a distinguished panel beingchaired by Sir Stuart Hampson providinginput. The evening will conclude at 22.00after a buffet supper in the Guildhall Library.75 seats only are allocated to the Fruiterers.Applications by 17th December.

Tuesday 25th January is the date for theSt. Paul’s Day Service at St. MaryAbchurch, Abchurch Lane. We arehonoured to have the Most Reverend VincentNichols, The Archbishop of Westminster,preaching. The service, during which we willenjoy traditional choral support and witnessthe new Master taking the Oath, will begin atnoon precisely. Following the church service,a Court Luncheon will commence at theInnholders’ Hall at 13.10hrs. The details havebeen circulated and the list will close onFriday 11 January.

We are again honoured and privileged tobe returning to the Mansion House for theFruiterers’ Banquet on Thursday 17February. This is a rare opportunity to viewthe interior magnificence of the Lord Mayor’sofficial residence in the City of London.Watch your post for notification andremember the dress code is white tie.

The first Informal Carvery Luncheon ofthe New Year will take place at the Butchers’Hall on Wednesday 23rd March andcommence at 12.30hrs. Those members ofthe Finance and the Membership &Communications Sub-committees who willbe meeting at Reeves & Co later in theafternoon may find this an ideal occasion toget formalities off on the right note. Watchfor notification as numbers are usuallyrestricted.

At the end of April, date still to beadvised, there will be a visit to the RoyalArchives and St. Georges Chapel, Winsor,Berkshire. The Castle is the oldest occupiedRoyal Residence in the realm and sits on acommanding hill with views across theThames and Windsor Great Park.

For those in the Fruiterers who golfplease be advised that Thursday 5 May is thedate for the Company’s Golf Day at thedelightful Kingswood Golf Club. The newly

elected Secretary Andrew Poulton will bewriting in January to those who areinterested. If you would like to participateplease contact him, details are in the LiveryList.

Thursday 19th May is the date for theAudit Court Dinner to be held at theVintners’ Hall. This occasion has a morebusiness like theme and Liverymen areencouraged to bring guests from theircommercial circles rather than partners. Asplendid venue for a very pleasant evening.Watch for details.

Shepton Mallet, is the location asalways, for the Royal Bath & West Show. Asa Company we have become more involvedsince our earliest engagements with theevent in 2001. The Fruiterers are activelyinvolved in the sponsorship of the CiderPavilion and the Master will present TheFruiterers Cup to the Supreme ChampionCider Brewer. This is a most enjoyable dayout in the country and the Company’s Standwill be on display in the Pavilion.Undoubtedly, Dennis Surgeon will be seekingvolunteers to man the Stand over the threedays that the event is in progress. Thursday2nd June is the date for the official visit.

Master’s Day in 2011 will be held onThursday 16th June at two separatelocations. The new, dramatic horticulturalcomplex known as Thanet Earth and theMaster’s Family Home at Mount Ephraim.Both are situated in Kent and are relativelyclose to each other.

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Published by The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers’: Clerk Lt Col (Retired) L. G. French, Chapelstones, 84 High Street, Codford St Mary, Warminster, Wilts BA12 0ND

Editor: Richard BrightenPrinted by DC Graphics, Drury Lane, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 9BJ. Tel: 01424 720072. Fax: 01424 434086

16

NEW FREEMEN

20TH MAY

Max Bryant (After completion ofapprenticeship)

11TH NOVEMBER

Caroline Coleman (By Patrimony),Andrew Russel, Oliver Tant

NEW LIVERYMEN

11TH NOVEMBER

Neil Pedley, Dean Tunbridge, JurgaZilinskiene

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Editor wishes to thank the following for their valuable contributions to this Newsletter. Adrian Barlow, JennyBartlett, Berry World Ltd., (Dave Ashton & Emma Parsons), Steve Bodger (The Master), David Bryant, Angela Chapple,Chenies Manor, Peter Cooper, Sandys Dawes (The Upper Warden), Lionel French (The Clerk), David Hohnen, GerardLyons, The National Fruit Show, Andrew Poulton, Sarah Randell, Mike Solomon, The Vintners and Peter Wilkin.

NEW FREEMENAND

NEW LIVERYMEN It’s always good to close the last page of a Newsletter on apositive note. And the fact is that next year, 2011, Wilkin &Sons will have held a Royal Warrant for 100 years! Wonderfulnews for the Company, its staff, the preserve industry that relieson fruit and for Liveryman Peter Wilkin, Chairman of this highlysuccessful, Essex based business. Tiptree has become

somewhat of a household name built on a reputation of quality andconsistency. To put the icing, as well as the jam on the cake, theywere paid a Royal visit on October 28th by HM The Queen, who fromthe pictures enjoyed her tour of the facilities. Congratulations toPeter and all at Tiptree.

CITY OF LONDON BRIEFINGSFor any Liveryman who has not atten ded a City ofLondon Briefing and is in two minds whether toapply ask a fellow Fruiterer who has attended. Youwill always receive a very positive res ponsebecause the evening provides an inter esting andvalu able insight into the workings of the City. Theyare aimed particularly at new Freemen andLiverymen, but wives, husbands and partners arealso welcome. Liverymen and Freemen of longerstanding who have not previously been to aBriefing are also encouraged to attend. The dates

of the 2011 briefings are given here. They will be held at the Innholders’ Hall. They are:- Wed 16th February and Thur 12th May

Application for places on the Briefing should be made on a form that is obtainable from the Public Relations Office, City of London Livery Courses, Wax Chandlers’ Hall, 6 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AD. Tel: 020 7606 3591/2, Fax.020 7600 5462 or e-mail, liverycourses@chandlers.ndonet.com

Innholders’ Hall venue for

City Briefings 2010

CONGRATULATIONS

HM The Queen arrives at Wilkin & Sons

New Liverymen at the Master & Wardens’ Court

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