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

The Lord Mayor’s Show

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

Number 81 December 2014

DATES FOR YOUR DIARYMon 26 Jan 12pm St Paul’s St Mary

Day Service AbchurchLuncheon Innholders’ Hall

Tue 10 Feb 6.30pm City Food Lecture Guildhall

Mon 16 Feb Annual Banquet Mansion House

Tue 3 Mar Submarine Museum Visit Gosport, Hants

Fri 20 Mar United Guilds Service St Paul’s Cathedral

Informal Luncheon Stationers’ Hall

Mon 23 Mar 12.30pm Informal Ironmongers’ HallCarvery Luncheon

Thurs 16 Apr Honorary Assistants Dinner Naval & Military Club

Thurs 7 May Golf Day Kingswood GC

Thurs 14 May Audit Court Dinner Trinity House

Wed 27 May Battlefield Tour Sedgemoor,Somerset

Thurs 28 May Royal Bath & West Show Shepton Mallet

Mon 8 – Fruit & Gallipoli Visits TurkeySat 13 June

Wed 24 Jun Election of Sheriffs Guildhall

badges and Tudor bonnets.After them came the float,flanked each side by youngdancers dressed as Victorianstreet urchins and dancingto the beat of a drum. Thencame the Liverymen, somein gowns, and their friends and families. In total we were sixtystrong. We gathered pace as we went along Gresham Street,where we doffed headwear and bowed to the Aldermen outsideGuildhall. As we reached the side of the Bank of England and werein sight of Mansion House, the cheers were immense. The newlyinstalled Lord Mayor, Alderman Alan Yarrow, smiled broadly as we,again, removed bonnets, bowlers and bowed. It was the dancersthat attracted the smiles. It was not just their great skill, nor theirwell choreo graphed dancing, nor their ragamuffin costumes, itwas their evident total enthusiasm and joy to be dancing along thestreets that captivated the Lord Mayor and all the crowds that linedthe route. Liveryman Sue Handy had promised that her danceschool would put on a good show, and it certainly did.

The Master with the dancers

At 8.30 on a Saturday morning the City is deserted. Thecrowds of us worker bees, who all stride to work head-down and in a rush on weekdays, are absent, leaving the feeling

of a sleeping, somnolent city. On the day of the Lord Mayor’sShow, it is even stranger. There is sand strewn in the streetsaround Mansion House and there are police and soldiers at everycorner. If they weren’t all cheerfully smiling and chatting it wouldseem like the morning after a major revolution.

As one approaches London Wall and Aldersgate Street, theatmosphere changes. There is float after float, all parked in neatorder, and groups of participants gathering to get ready for thestart of the parade. It is cheering to see so many Fruiterers arrivingand admiring our float – and what a float it was. The truck anddriver were provided by Liveryman Brian Porter. His daughter Lizdesigned the display while son Elliot was involved in just abouteverything else and acted as Float Marshal on the day. Our entryhad the air of an abundant market stall; but is better describedpurely as artistry in fruit. At the tail of the float was the tour deforce, a section provided by New Spitalfields Market Tenants’Association cleverly decorated with the City Arms and Poppiesmade out in fruit.

There is a lesson in life: If you want something to be done welland exactly on time, ask the Army to organise it. The Lord Mayor’sShow is no different. We were briefed by a Lieutenant Colonel anda Major and were left in no doubt about our responsibilities andthe very detailed timing of events. We were the 77th float in theparade. The suggestion from one (unnamed) Liveryman that weshould bribe the driver to see if he could race the others so thatwe could finish first was received by a distinct lack of amusement!

At exactly 10.47 a.m. we set off and were directed to mergewith the floats and bands coming down London Wall. Then wereally started. The Master and Wardens headed our littleprocession, followed by the Clerk and the Beadle, all in gowns,

Doff Bonnets to the Lord Mayor

Past the Lord Mayor, we were able to start giving fruit to thecrowd. Never have so many children been given so much fruit insuch short a time! Past Master John Price, of Food Dudes fame,would have been proud of us, as we changed the eating habits ofLondon in two short hours! Some Liverymen were flagging by thetime that we reached the Royal Courts of Justice and we all pausedfor a break. They were put to shame by the dancers who haddanced all the way and by Hayley Bray (daughter of LiverymanGeorge Bray) who was our photographer and practically ran to andfro all the way in her search for interesting subjects to capture onher camera.

The pause, while the Lord Mayor pledged his allegiance to theQueen before the Justices of the High Court, allowed time for asandwich lunch – and for a few Liverymen to find a nearby wine barfor a touch of liquid refreshment. The return, along the Thamesembank ment and back up into the City was no less energetic andenthusiastic – we stripped the float bare of fruit in our effort todonate it all to the crowd before the end of the parade. With thefloat coming to rest, we all gathered in, where else, a wine bar and,freshly revived, a number of us went to watch thesplendid firework show in the late afternoon.

The Master is to be congratulated. We only enter theLord Mayor’s Show every few years; but when we do wedo it in great style. He had assembled a splendid teamof willing helpers and generous bene factors whom wealso greatly thank. Much hard work was done and all ofit was done very well.

The Company’s thanks go, in addition to thosenamed above, to the many helpers and contributors:

● Liveryman Clive Baxter: English Jazz Apples.● Liveryman Graham Collier: Organiser in Chief.● The Honorary Fruit Porter, Jimmy Huddart.● Cliff Gault: Driver.● Liveryman Chris Hutchinson and Jan Hutchinson and The New

Spitalfields Market Tenants’ Association.● Apprentice Dan Jolly: Post show lunch arrangements.● Liveryman Andy Macdonald: Pink Lady Apples and the dancers’

costumes.● Liveryman Peter McDermott and his daughter, Ellie: Trees.● Liveryman William Pierce: The low-loader trailer.● Liveryman John Warner: work on trailer● Freeman Peter Thomas: Fruit for the New Spitalfields display

and its decoration.● Liveryman Michael Velasco: Citrus fruit● The Sue Handy Dance School: Twelve talented dancers and

their drummer.● A number of generous donors from the Company, who wish to

remain anonymous. Steve Bodger

The approach to Bowood House, Calne in Wiltshire on abrilliant warm summer’s morning is an experience which the

writer will long remember.The winding driveway through woods leads to a vista of

manicured fields, lawns and shimmering lakes.This was the setting for a Company visit to the garden which

was awarded the prize of Garden of The Year by the joint sponsorsof the annual competition, The Historic Houses Association andChristies.

Our offer of a visit and a gift of fruit trees was readily acceptedby The Marquis of Lansdowne and Lady Lansdowne, whograciously greeted us in person at the door on our arrival.

David Glass, Head Gardener, and his team guided us on a tourof the gardens. Walking through lawns and the four walledgardens we witnessed delightful flowering beds, fruit trees andvegetable cultivations. The Estate’s garden was originallydesigned by the well-known gardener and landscape architect ofhis day “Capability” Brown.

As is often the case withhistoric houses, part of theoriginal building no longerexists but that which remainsis delightful and has beencompletely refurbished bythe family owners.

Our gift was a selection ofPear trees which are beingused to re-vitalise part of the fruit garden. The Master carried outa ceremonial planting.

Lunch was taken in the Temple Gate Coffee Shop with ourhosts joining us, after which we were left to our own devices toenjoy the surroundings. The Master’s good fortune with theweather which has followed him during the summer did not lethim down at Bowood which helped to make this a particularlymemorable visit.

Piece provided by Past Master David Hohnen

Benign Bowood

A well deserved winner of ‘Garden of The Year’ Award

So much of interest to viewSwathes of picturesque flowers

The Fruiterers' TeamComing down Ludgate Hill

The Magnificent Dining Hall2

Lord & Lady Lansdowne and DavidGlass assist with the planting

HONORARY ARCHIVIST

3

Honorary Assistantsfirst appointed in 1953… Sixty years ago

The Company’s Court minute BookRecords that at the Master’s

Committee Meeting held at 16 OldBroad Street, City of LondonThursday 9th April 1953 under theheading of:-

Supernumerary Members

of the Court

It was agreed to recommend to theCourt that, with a view to interestingmore Members of the Livery in theadmin ist rat ion of the Company, apolicy be adopted whereby in future alimited number of Members beappointed each year as HonoraryAssistants of the Court. It wassuggested that, if such a policy beapproved, four Members of the Liverywould be appointed forthwith, two ofwhom would serve for one year only,and the other two for two years, andthat from then thereafter each yeartwo further Members would be electedto serve for a period of two yearseach. It was further recommendedthat such Honorary Assistants wouldhave full voting powers but no feesand that, on retirement, they shouldnot be eligible for re-election to theCourt at any time unless to serve inthe Office of Renter Warden of theCompany.● In November 1953 the first four

Honorary Assistants wereappointed to the Court.

● The number was increased to sixin 1964.

● And in 1969 increased from six toeight.

● It was suggested in 1970 andagreed in 1971 that HonoraryAssistants might be allowed towear some modest badge foridentification purposes.

● The Role of Honorary Assistantcontinues to this day.

Master’s Committee Meeting held at 199 Piccadilly, London W1 2nd December 1964 Source: The Court Minutes 1948-1973

Court of Assistants Meeting held at The Royal Artillery Mess, Woolwich,London 11th November 1964 Source: The Court Minutes 1948-1973

1964Honorary Assistants Permitted to serve at one time increased from four to six

1953Honorary Assistants

Supernumerary Members of the Court

Court of Assistants Meeting held HQS Wellington 14th July 1953

Source: The Court Minutes 1948-1973

Master’s Committee Meeting held at 16 Old Broad Street, City of London

Thursday 9th April 1953 Source: The Court Minutes 1948-1973

4

2015 could be a pivotal year for the UK economy. Why?Well, for a start, we will see a General Election in whichthere is strongly different economic thinking between the

major parties. It is also an election where present opinion pollsand betting suggest the outcome is still hard to predict. Inaddition, the year ahead should bring greater clarity about theeconomic outlook.

Prospects depend upon the interaction between theeconomic fundamentals, policy and confidence. Here it isimportant to look at the UK in a global context. We finish 2014with a multi-speed global economy. The year began with a worldeconomy resembling a UK motorway: in the fast lane theemerging economies led by China; in the middle lane picking upspeed the USA and UK; then in the slow lane Europe. Now, it ismore complex, more like a US highway, where there are manydifferent lanes and it is often hard to tell the speed that cars aretravelling at in any of them.

Take the world economy. Across emerging economies, Chinais slowing down, India after its recent election looks set to pickup speed, meanwhile Brazil as we saw from coverage during theWorld Cup faces widespread inequality and is close to recession,while Russia is in a geopolitical and financial crisis. Meanwhile,the euro zone appears to have moved from the slow lane to thehard shoulder, in need of emergency help. Yet, the US and UK,having seen their economies move from first to second gear,could now pick up further speed. But can they?

As a large open economy with a major financial sector it isimperative the UK keeps a close eye on the rest of the world.Despite the differing picture seen across emerging economies,the likelihood is that as a group they will grow solidly enough.China is key, as its leaders try to manage the economy to aslower but more sustainable pace of growth around 7%. In alllikelihood, they won't be able to precisely control the speed asmuch as they would like, so don't be surprised if there aresetbacks there, but like one of those formula one racing cars themechanics always seem able to correct things and keep the caron the road, going at a solid pace.

It is Europe that is the worry. The euro zone is afundamentally flawed concept and policymakers continue toseek ways to keep it on the road, such as banking union andother unifying measures. But, as in recent years, the shockabsorber will be the European Central Bank. It will have to keepinterest rates low, and create more money.

Against this background, both the US and UK may behesitant to increase their interest rates, even though both the USand UK economies are recovering. Yet, it would not be a surprise

if in the second half of 2015interest rates in bothcountries rose marginally,but that is still far fromcertain. The fear ofcontagion from Europe andworries that not everyonecan cope with even a smallincrease in interest rates means the Bank of England needs totread carefully.

The good news as we enter 2015 is the recent fall in oilprices. Admittedly this often helps the US more than the UKeconomy, but lower oil prices should be seen as a positive,putting more fuel into the world economy.

The impact of falling oil prices is heavily influenced by thecause of lower oil prices. If global oil prices fall because ofweaker global demand that is not always a good sign; itindicates a sluggish global economy. In contrast, if oil prices fallbecause supply of oil is high that tends to help the worldeconomy. So what is it? Well a bit of both is the answer. Demandfor oil is still rising but not as much as it was before, while oilsupply is high, largely because OPEC oil producers haveincreased production and in response Saudi Arabia has decidedit is not going to reduce its supply. The result: falling oil prices.Not good news for producers of shale gas in America or for thelikes of Russia, Venezuela and even some of the Middle East oilproducers who have become used to high oil prices. But it isgood news for people and firms in the US and in the UK. Itmeans low inflation and more spending power.

With UK employment at an all-time high, one key issue tofocus on will be wages. There are large numbers in part-timework or on zero hour contracts, yet there are signs that wagesare rising. This is good news, both for spending and confidence.And if confidence picks up, then hopefully we will see the recentincrease in investment by firms being sustained.

The net result is that the combination of uncertainty over theGeneral Election, the euro zone and Bank of England policymakes 2015 a hard year to predict. But, after solid growth above3% in 2014 the UK should still be able to grow around 2.5% inthe year ahead. Let's hope politicians or policymakers don't putthe foot on the brake too soon, and instead people and firmspress the economic accelerator.

Dr Gerard Lyons is a Liveryman and Chief EconomicAdvisor to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.

City Perspective

5

View from OverseasRussia’s Import Ban – The Last Thing We Need ?

In August 2014, Russia placed a ban onthe import of all fruit, vegetables, meat,fish, milk and dairy products, from the

US, EU, Australia, Canada and Norway, inresponse to the economic sanctionsplaced by the West on Russia as result ofrecent developments in the Ukraine. Twomonths on, we investigated what impact itmight actually have on UK fruit suppliers,and any other long term changes thismight cause.

First of all, how surprised should we bethat Russia has put this ban in place? Overthe past few years, Rosselkhoznadzor, theRussia Veterinary Service, has put in placecountless import restrictions on a widerange of food products. Prior to thecurrent sanctions, Moldova and Polandwere prohibited from exporting fruit toRussia. Spain has also been on thereceiving end of Russian restrictions a fewyears ago after the e-coli crisis and goingback over time, Russia has bannedimports of US poultry – the so called“Bush Legs” incident. It’s what theRussians do. If this was an Olympic SportRussia would win gold, silver and bronze.

UK fresh fruit exports to Russia areminimal and so the direct impact on theUK industry is probably limited. However,it begins to get more complicated whenwe take into account the wider impact ofthe Russian embargo. In 2012, the EUsupplied Russia with 60% of its apples(some 700,000 tonnes in all), 30% of itscapsicums (around 40,000 tonnes), 25%of their carrots (some 48,000 tonnes) and20% of tomatoes (some 150,000 tonnes)as well as around 30,000 tonnes oforanges. That’s a lot of produce by anystandards.

The impact of the ban now means thatthis produce, previously destined forRussia, is looking for a new market, withthe result of this, being the dreadedcombination of oversupply and downwardpressure in the global market. And this willdefinitely impact on the fate of UKgrowers. This is evidenced in the FAOFood Price Index, which has dropped from204 points in July, to 191 points inSeptember.

Whilst a negative impact is starting tobe felt by many international suppliers,

there are still some opportunities to behad. This is especially the case forproduce like bananas, where impact of theban is virtually nil. Russia imports about 1million tonnes per annum of bananas, allsupplied by the likes of Ecuador, Colombiaand the Philippines. Ask them about theimpact of a Russian ban and they are likelyto say “what ban is that then?”

And Turkey, already a key supplier toRussia for its own produce has become aregional hub for others importing andexporting food to Russia.

The reality is though, that this banplaced by Russia, is not really a benefit foranyone, including Russia. Whilst the ban ispossibly good news for Russia’s domesticproducers, who are already struggling tokeep pace with demand, this has come ata cost to the consumer. With initial plansto use South America and New Zealand asreplacement suppliers, the truth is that thisis taking longer to happen. Inthe short term, Russia iswitnessing a shortage of someproducts, and a rise in foodprices, with St Petersburgreporting a 10% increase in thelast few weeks alone. The priceof apples from China into Russiahas increased by a third sincethe ban has been put in place,with some meat products alsoup by 26% and fish by some40%.

In the short and long term,Russia will have to form newtrade relationships. This mayhave a lasting impact whenthese sanctions are removed,and it will not be totally straightforward for Dutch, Spanish,French and Italian suppliers, inparticular, to recommenceexports as before. It is not justthose sanctioned countries thatare feeling the negative impact.Russia’s econ omy is not in asecure place, with a GDP growthforecast for 2014 of just 0.5%and the World Bank describingthe country’s econ om icsituation as near stagnation.

The impact of Russia’s dec is -

ion is further hindering the globaleconomy, which at the current time isbattling a number of large issues. China’seconomy is going through difficult timesat the moment, growing at its slowestpace since the financial crisis. Africa isstruggling with Ebola. There is also stillwidespread economic concern in the EU.Then to round this all off, the conflicts inthe Middle East are adding extra strain tothe economies of those countries involvedin this. In conclusion, the direct impact onUK fruit and vegetable exports of theRussian sanctions are limited. There are,however, many and much more importantwider knock-on effects. The remaining tenmonths of these sanctions will make ithard for many countries, not just thoseincluded in the ban, but also on Russiaitself. In conclusion: a Russian import banis the last thing we need.

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6

FROM ORCHARD TO MARKETTOP FRUIT NEWS

Russia’s ban on horticulturalproduce grown in the

EU, which was implem -ented at the beginningof August, has been themajor issue occupyingthe industry over thelast three months. Toassist the sector theCommission introduceda withdrawal schemewhere by member states whohave est ab lished export trade tothe Soviets were given pref er -ential treatment over those thathave not. The UK’s quota was 3,000tonnes but DEFRA chose not to proceedwith the application for a variety ofreasons. Principal amongst these were thefact that the department was concernedabout the resources required to monitoractivities and the fear that if they got itwrong they could be fined. Countries thathave come to rely heavily on exports toRussia such as Poland responded quicklyand acquired what support they could toassist in defraying their losses.

Juicing Demand has dropped

dramatically

The net effect of the ban and hang overs ofboth northern and southern hemispherestocks of top fruit at the commencementof the new European season, has been adetrimental effect on prices. This has beenmore evident on the mainland than here inthe UK. Juicing demand, which is analternative avenue for fresh top fruit indifficult market situations, has droppeddramatically. Pears have suffered verybadly and certain countries are strugglingto move their stocks. The culinary applemarket has also suffered.

UK rate of sale on freshapples and pears on the

domestic market hashowever been encour -ag ing since the comm -encement of thecampaign. Multi pleshave been very

supportive of Englishapples even though they

have been paying morethan they would have to for

continental supplies. The hopefor the months ahead isthat there will be a

recovery of prices gener -ally. Growers in thosecount ries that havebeen awash with fruitwhere their marketshave been flooded withimports, may betempt ed to grub. But inthis country there are nosuch intentions amongstthe growing fraternity. Dim in -ished returns may influence theability to be able to re invest incertain capital projects butacreage is not forecast to shrink.

Our total dessert crop of apples is put11.5% higher this year than in 2013 andfruit that would not make Class Istandards has, in most cases, been left onthe trees. Bramley production has alsorisen by nearly 28% on a year ago whilePears show a 6% increase. Grade outs areforecast to be good on virtually allvarieties. Table 1 shows the tonnages ofthe most important top fruit categories.

Table 1. 2014 Production of English Top Fruit by CategoryCategory Tonnes +/- 2013

‘000s %Cox 25 -14Gala 51.5 +29Braeburn 25.5 +27New Varieties 13.7 +8.7Pears 24.5 +6

Gala and Braeburn are both at recordlevels as far as UK tonnages are

concerned. It is felt that there is still roomfor expansion on the former but a degreeof circumspection needs to be applied tothe latter as the variety is sold principallyin only two markets – the UK andGermany. Production of Cox continues todecline which is in line with demand anddoes not create embarrassment. Thereare beneficial spin offs in that as theseason progresses there will be less needto call on resources to promote thevariety. At 13.7k tonnes the new varietiesare a shade disappointing but this is

viewed as a glitch in an ongoingincrease in production.

Fresh sales to theformal trade are aheadof 2013 by over 52%after a three weekearlier start. Thisreflects the strongsupport shown by the

multiples and theeffects of a strong PR

Campaign which has useda broad spectrum of mediaand social media to get themessage across to theconsuming public. When theNewsletter interviewed EAP in

mid-November 33.7% of the Class I Coxcrop had been sold which was well up tospeed. Growers are pulling out all of thestops to ensure that high qualitystandards are maintained. 20% of theGala season had elapsed with 23.5% ofthe crop having been sold. Braeburnmarketing had yet to commence. Bramleywas put at 26% ahead when comparedwith 2013, reflecting the larger crop andaccelerated tempo of the market. Growersare drawing some comfort from thesefigures follow ing pessimistic forecasts ofprocessing demand and the depressedjuicing requirements. As predicted inprevious reports it appears as if thedamage that was created by shortage ofproduct in the previous seasons has stifledenthusiasm in the processing sector topromote. Avail a ble evidence appears tosuggest that apple pie consumption trendshave shifted. Family sized units aredeclining in popularity with individual sizedpies becoming the preferred purchase.

Volumes of New Varieties are a little disappointing

English pear crop - up on last year

English Gala -

a record crop

In a year when the weather has beenideal for growing a number of crops itwas with interest that the Newsletter

contacted our regular correspondent, DavidBryant, to ask how he perceived the lastfour months for produce in the High Street.

From his perspective he believed themarkets were oversupplied, with virtuallyevery type of fruit and vegetable beingavailable in abundance and from a range oflocations. The only product that was inshort supply when he was contacted at theend of November was seedless grapes. Hewas stocking the first arrivals of Peruvianand old season US which was a stopgapuntil South African and Chilean come onstream in December.

Apples, which form an important part ofhis fruit turnover, had been available fromboth hemispheres over the period. Priceshave been very reasonable so that recentlyhe has been able to go out at 60p/pd forevery variety. One new feature has been theavailability of certain English apples ofmixed sizes in loose format. This allows thecustomer to select their pref erences. Asalways he was comp limentary about theway that English producers have overcometheir problems and are now offering goodquality apples over a much longer period oftime. He has seen his apple turnoverincrease by 20%. On the pear front EnglishConference, Comice and Italian Williamswere the principal offers.

The fresh produce industry has hist or ic -ally always gone into the doldrums betweenthe middle of October up to the revival forChristmas and 2014 has been no except -ion. “We are selling as much as always butwith the volumes that are available at lowprices one would like to move more”.

Evidently the hangover of old seasonstocks of fruit from Europe and countriesbelow the Equator collided with the newseason production from the EU. Thisresulted in prices being depressed for along period of time. South African Valenciaoranges are still available in good supply

and of good quality but are competing withnew season Spanish Navels in the market.“This has given us the opportunity to passon the benefits of lower prices to ourcustomers”. “We are retailing size 48s at 4for £1 and 8 smaller sizes for the samemoney” he reveals.

English Strawberries and Raspberrieshave been available for a long period oftime and it was only at commencement ofDecember that he was stocking Egyptianstrawberries as domestic supplies becameexhausted. “Blueberries are available fromeverywhere and are selling steadily”.

On the garden plant side David madesome interesting points. “Customers areshort on time and money these days andconsequently don’t have so much time forthe garden”. This is reflected in the type ofplants that are being purchased; prefer -ences are being shown to those that willlast and need least attention such asgeraniums. In the area where our retaileroperates there appears to have been adecline in the interest for allotments for thesame reasons.

Our conversation inevitably drifted tothe multiple retailers and the latest dev el -opments in that sector. Tesco’s £263moverstatement on profit forecasts and theimpending shareholder litigation to seekredress for loss of asset value was top of thelist. It was interesting to reflect on thecomments made by a senior Kantar WorldPanel representative at a recent pres ent -ation. His thoughts were that what thiscountry’s retailers are experiencing is likely

to have long lasting consequences. In the52 weeks to November 9 Aldi grew itsgrocery sales by 31% year-on-year, Lidl by19%, Waitrose by 5% and M&S by 5% onfoodstuffs. The stats on which Kantar areadvancing their views point to the ‘big four’losing sales. Tesco has seen Aldi & Lidlwipe around £320m off its till roll in the lasttwelve months. The discounters haveincreased footfall and have convinced theircustomers to spend more. It was reportedthat only 20% of Aldi’s customers do theirmain shop with the retailer while more than60% would be the figure for Tesco. It wasstated that more than 90% of thepopulation will have shopped at Tesco thisyear. Britain’s biggest may have to accept itis a 25% retailer rather than having 30%market share. The discount and premiumends of the market were reported to beputting a squeeze on the middle and thereis no evidence to suggest that this willchange soon. When fresh produce is con -sidered Aldi have advanced 27% over theconsidered time period and Lidl by 44%.

As Christmas approaches David is prep -aring his shop accordingly but sugg eststhat attitudes are changing. Shelled, baggednuts are increasing in popularity and thedemand for chestnuts, even amongst thosewith open fires, has dropped. In the past hemay have bought four or more 50lb sacksof American Walnuts (well over £100npersack) but this year he was reviewing thesituation. Seasonal wreaths and trees arestocked and still sell well.

He concludes by saying that “the sameformula for success exists in this businessas it did at the beginning. Offer the bestquality available at the most attractive pricewith the best service and hopefully youcan’t go wrong”.

Piece prepared after conversationwith David Bryant, proprietor of

The Fruit Market.

VIEW FROM THEHIGH STREET

Holly wreaths as Yuletide approaches

In trouble with the City, shareholders and

losing market share

7

August is generally a quiet month when itcomes to Livery functions. But the tempo

picks up in September and started with a visitto Hatfield House on the first day of themonth. Responding to a very kind invitationfrom the Marchioness of Salisbury, Patron ofthe Institute of Horticulture, I attended aGarden Party to celebrate their grant of aRoyal Charter. In the stunning Marble Hall,amid much applause, Lady Salisbury unveiledthe Royal Charter and announced the first sixever Chartered Horticulturists. She presentedthose present with their certificates. Followingspeeches, the two hundred or so guests wereinvited to take afternoon tea in the Armouryprior to visiting the beautiful gardens thatsurround the house.

The annual New Liveryman’s Dinner washeld in early September and was again aresounding success. The event fulfilled itspurp ose of allowing newcomers to get toknow each other and at the same time meetthe Master and several Past Masters under lessformal circumstances. The occasion sparkedconversation in a very convivial environment.

Wednesday 10th September dawned aglorious day and proved perfect for sixty fourmembers and friends of the Company totravel to Calne, Wiltshire. We were there tovisit Bowood House and Gardens, the homeof the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowneand recipient of the 2014 Christies HistoricalHouses Association, Garden of the YearAward. (See Page 2).

One of the Fruiterers’ important goals is to

support and promote the City of London andthere was no finer opportunity to do so thanon Open House Day which this year fell onSaturday 20th September. The venue was StMary Abchurch, where for decades TheWorshipful Company of Fruiterers have heldtheir Installation Service on St Paul’s Day.During this very interesting and enjoyable daywe were accompanied by members of theFriends of the City Churches. Past Master WillSibley and I were on duty during the morningbeing replaced by Liverymen Professor EveMitleton-Kelly and Dr Theresa Huxley for theafternoon. We welcomed visitors from homeand abroad to this most beautiful of Wrenchurches.

In recent years, the two dates that haveappeared in both the Fruiterers’ and Poulters’diaries have been the City Food Lecture andthe Pancake Race. But in 2014 there was athird. This was Tuesday 23rd September andthe venue was the magnificent Armourers’Hall on the occasion of the Poulters’Michaelmas Court Luncheon. ‘Grouse’ wasthe main course and delicious it was!

It’s never too early to plan ahead andThursday 25th September saw, under thejoint Chairmanship of Alderman Neil Redcliffeand his wife Emma, the first meeting of theBritish Red Cross Christmas Market 2015Committee. Following the Fruiterers’ mostsuccessful joint venture with SpitalfieldsMarket in 2013, the same is planned for nextyear. When initially approached for permissionto plant a tree in the Goring Hotel’s Garden,

Fruiterers at the Goring Hotel

Hatfield House & Gardens

Worshipful Company of Farmers' Harvest

Festival Service

8

which is a tiny oasis in the centre of London,Mr Jeremy Goring responded with anenthusiastic “yes”! He expressed a wish thata variety of apple tree be chosen from theera that the hotel opened, (See Page 11).

An early start the next morning, Sunday28th October took me to the Three CountiesShowground, Worcestershire for the MalvernAutumn Show. Of the many visitors to theFruiterers stand, ably manned by LiverymenDrs Graham & Rosemary Collier, wasFruiterers’ Nuffield Scholar Alison Capperwith her husband Mark. For further inform -ation on becoming a Fruiterers’ NuffieldScholar please contact Graham who asChairman of the Awards Council will bedelighted to assist with your enquiries.

Liverymen of the Worshipful Company ofFruiterers were among the many present atGuildhall on Monday 29th September ‘Thefeast of Michaelmas’ to elect Alderman AlanColin Drake Yarrow as Lord Mayor for theensuing year. The Fruiterers’ support for thenew Lord Mayor was seen on Saturday 8thNovember when our magnificent float part -ic ipated in the Lord Mayor’s Show, (SeePages 1 & 2)

Due to planned major works at theButchers’ Hall and neighbouring buildingsthe ever popular Carvery Luncheon thatprecedes subcommittee meetings was thelast for some time to come. However, all isnot lost, as we look forward to future similarevents being served at the Ironmongers’Hall.

October witnessed some exceptionally busydays. On 14th accompanied by the Clerk, Iattended, by invitation, the Master Farmer’sInstallation service at St Barthol om ew the

Great. This was followed by lunch in nearbyHaberdashers’ Hall and gave me theopportunity to meet the new incumbent,Tony Alston. The day continued with a visitto St Martin-in-the-Fields for the FarmersClub annual Harvest Festival Service andthen straight on to the Farmers Club for theirtraditional Harvest Supper.

The National Fruit Show is held at theKent Showground, Detling. It is an extremelyimportant event in the Fruiterers’ year, wherefor two days the ‘Who’s Who’ of the fruitindustry gathers. Some of the finest fruitgrown in the UK can be seen alongside thelatest mechanical and technological ad -vance ments within the trade. The Fruiterers’stand was an extremely popular place tomeet old and new friends, (See page 13).

The 29th October saw the Fruiterers atThe Mansion House for the Presentation ofFruit to the Lord Mayor, (See Page 12).

The following afternoon it was back toMansion House for an ‘At Home’ with theLord Mayor’s Consort, Mr Nicholas Woolf.This most enjoyable event was attended bythe Lord Mayor, numerous Masters fromother Companies and officials from the Cityof London Corporation.

On Monday 3rd November the Clerk andI joined the Lord Mayor, the Dean of St Paul’stogether with other officials from the City ofLondon for the opening of a Royal BritishLegion Garden of Remembrance. This waslocated in the North Churchyard of St Paul’sCathedral, where it was my privilege to planta cross on behalf of the Company.

During what was an incredibly busy timefor Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, NationalPresident of the Royal British Legion, wewere extremely grateful that he was able toaccept an invitation to attend the Master and

Wardens Dinner as our guest speaker, (SeePage 13).

On Saturday 8th November I wasimmensely proud to lead the Fruiterers’ floatin this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. I am mostgrateful to fellow Liverymen and theirfamilies for their enormous support on whatwas a truly memorable day! The float gave agreat deal of pleasure to all those whoworked on it, to the people who walked anddanced with it and to the crowds who cameto see the Lord Mayor’s Show, (See Pages 1& 2).

Two days later I returned to Kent, to Teyn -ham, where I presented magnificent trophiesto the category winners in the 2014 NationalCherry and Soft Fruit Show. Many of therecipients were Liverymen of the Fruiterers’Company.

The very next evening, by kind invitationof the Gardeners’ Company, I was presentfor their Autumn Court Dinner at Drapers’Hall. On this most convivial occasion theMaster Gardener, Stephen Bernhard,presented prizes to the students of variousgardens and colleges supported by hisCompany.

Since 2006 the Worshipful Company ofFruiterers has maintained a strong link withNuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. At thisyear’s conference held at Ashford, it was ourmost recent student, Ali Capper of StocksFarm, Suckley, Worcestershire, who was thefirst to speak. During her presentation shespoke enthusiastically about the possibilitiesof future hop exports as well as the alreadyestablished business. The need for collab -oration amongst growers to keep the UKindustry ahead of the game was stressed!Allison Capper presents her paper

Graham Collier answers a question posed at the

Malvern Show

Fruiterers' Remembrance Cross amongst others

at St Paul's Cathedral

9

The need for collaborationamongst growers to keep theindustry ahead of the game wasstressed!

10

Soft and Stone Fruit

Following a pretty dismal year for growers the industry washoping for better in 2014 and it wasn’t disappointed. Weather

conditions throughout the UK have been almost ideal for soft andstone fruits generally. Yields on most products were “reasonablygood” the only set back being one very hot spell that affected thesouth of the country, where reduced flowering was noted on someplants.

The Strawberry season commenced in March some sevenweeks earlier than 2013 and some growers are anticipating suppliesbeing available into December. British Summer Fruits, the tradebody that represents virtually all of the berry fruits sold to the Britishmultiples is claiming a 38 week season. Twenty five years ago theseason lasted six weeks with domestic production accounting foronly 10% of supplies. Now that figure is put at 98%. It should beremembered that during the ‘shoulders’ of the season most of thestrawberries will be grown in polytunnels. Certainly the season wasearlier this year and has been described as “more normal” withrespect to weekly production trends. Scottish supplies peaked at theend of June. There was one wet week in August when a dipoccurred in marketable quantities, but that was short lived andproduction bounced back quickly. As has been reported in thisfeature over the last few editions there is an accelerated move by theindustry to the ‘preferred’ varieties. These are the sweeter types thatare favoured by consumers. Those growers that have the newercultivars are generally planting more while those that don’t areremaining at the same level or reducing. When the final statistics areavailable it is forecast that the volume produced in the UK during thecurrent year will be in the order of 70,000 tonnes, which hasremained static for a number of seasons.

Raspberry production in the UK, like strawberries, has changed.With this fruit the preferred varieties have gained momentum. Newtypes offer yield and flavour, factors appreciated by growers andconsumers alike. ‘Older’ varieties are losing favour. With the newarsenal of products raspberry growers have been able to take theirbusiness forward. Penetration has increased and volumes during2014 have risen by over 10% on the previous year. Some of thelarger marketing groups are focusing exclusively on the new, popularvarieties. Returns on raspberries are up on 2013 but so areproduction costs. With increasing tonnages the industry may belooking to larger pack weights in the future.

It has been a very good year year for Blackberry production withyields up and prices stable. British consumers do not perceiveblackberries as being sweet and as a consequence older varietiessuch as Loch Ness continue to be acceptable. Demand is buoyantand blackberries tonnages are rising. The season started earlier andBritish Summer Fruits are forecasting a pack out of over 2,000tonnes for cultivated fruit. This exceeds 2013 by over 80%.

The Blueberry season has been a bit more difficult as far asdomestic supplies are concerned. UK consumers do not view Britishblueberries as a premium product when compared to competitivesupplies that are available at the same time. These are principallyemanating from Poland where production costs are lower and henceretail prices can be more attractive. On a more positive note yieldsin this country have been higher this year and the final figure couldbe well over 2,000 tonnes for the first time. This is the result offavourable growing conditions linked to bushes maturing and giving

more fruit. Blueberry production in the UK is still in its relativeinfancy and must be viewed as a long term project. Penetration isput at 36% which means that there is a long way to go.

Piece prepared following a telephone conversation with Dave Ashton, Procurement Director, Berry World

WINTER CITRUSMy new book has just been published and this is a littletaster, it's just the thing to have for tea on a chilly day. TheSeville oranges will soon be on sale for the marmalademaking season!

It’s the time of year for marmalade and marmalade issomething I love and religiously make every January whenthe Seville oranges come into season. So much so, I havewritten a book about it. If you want to try your hand at abatch, seek out Marmalade: A Bittersweet Cookbook (Salt -yard Books). Or, if you just want the flavour, try this quickand easy cake, it might just give you the marmalade bug.

Cardamom, pistachio and marmalade drizzle loaf 1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/fan 150°C/gas 3 and prepare

a 19 x 9 x 7cm loaf tin – butter the inside and line the basewith non-stick baking paper, or use a non-stick loaf liner.

2. Crush the seeds from 8 cardamom pods in a pestle andmortar. Whiz 100g pistachios in a processor or blenderuntil very finely chopped. Then add both to a bowl with150g soft butter, 125g caster sugar, 3 large eggs, 100gself-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp marm - alade, 2 tsp orange blossom water and a pinch of salt -whisk together using an electric hand whisk untilcombined. Roughly another 100g pistachios and stirthem into the cake mix.

3. Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 1 hourto 1 hour 15 minutes, covering the top ofthe loaf with foilhalfway through to prevent it over-browning.

4. For the drizzle, gently heat 3 tbsp marmalade, thencombine with juice of a lemon, 50g caster sugar and 1tsp orange flower water in a bowl and spoon on top ofthe warm loaf. Leave to cool in the tin, and serve cut inslices. Serves 10-12

Recipe taken from Marmalade: A BittersweetCookbook by Sarah Randell (Saltyard Books)

BERRIES and CURRANTS

A very good year forraspberries

Cultivated UK black -berries at new high

With polytunnels a 38week season this year

Held at Royal Blackheath Golf Club,Tuesday 7th October 2014

4 Livery teams contested the day:Actuaries Bill Hudson, Peter andRosemary Derby and Peter FeltonCarmen Paul Britt, Peter Aves, WalterGill and Stephen PawsonFan Makers Mark Saville, Patrick King,Master Doug Classy and Ken Burrage Fruiterers Brendon Conry, David Bolger,Andrew Poulton and Ian Waller

● Carmen won with best 3 from 4 scoresof 101

● Fruiterers 89 with Actuaries and FanMakers both 86

● Best Individual; Peter Aves with 38points

● Longest drive; Patrick King● Nearest the Pin; Bill Hudson Everyone was pleased to play at RBGCand the lunch was excellent. We agreed

to return in 2015 and Tuesday 6thOctober has already been booked.

Can there possibly be a better way tospend a Saturday – drinks in the

garden of the Goring Hotel, enjoying thewarm early autumn sunshine, chattingwith the eighty or so fellow Fruiterers andthen a sumptuous lunch in the diningroom?

It was an inspired choice by the Masterto hold a tree planting at The Goring. It isa veritable jewel of a hotel, some wouldsay the best in London, and, of course theMaster is well known there. He told us thathe has dined there over a thousand times,and what a place it is to dine. It is knownas one of the best tables in town. At theircentenary celebration a few years ago, theguests included some very specialcustomers: Her Majesty the Queen, LadyThatcher and … a certain Peter Cooper!The Goring shot to popular fame when thefamily of the Duchess of Cambridgestayed there before her wedding to PrinceWilliam; but this was not an unusual

situation. The hotel acts as an overflow forguests at State Banquets. Perhaps themost charming such occasion in recentyears was during the visit of Pope Benedictwhen the whole hotel was filled withCardinals and Bishops.

We were welcomed by Stuart Geddes,the hotel’s General Manager and afterdrinks the Master planted a ChiversDelight apple tree, chosen because thevariety dates from 1912, two years afterthe founding of the Goring. The tree wasvery generously sourced and provided byPast Master Will Sibley. It was pleasing tosee how the Master’s dexterity with thespade has improved over the year! Lunchwas splendid, of course. We wereprivileged that the hotel dedicated thewhole dining room to us and the choice ofmenu was exceptionally good.

The whole day belied the epithet thatused to be applied: “the boring Goring”.Why boring? In pre-war days, as one ofthe very few London hotels to have centralheating and bathrooms in every room, itwas particularly favoured by Americanvisitors. However, it paid no commissionto travel agents; so, when a client insistedthat they stayed there, the travel agentwould shrug and refer to it as the boringGoring.

The day finished with a game of ratherunrefined croquet in the garden. Thehigh-spirited competition was fuelled bychampagne, kindly provided by the

Master, that flowed so fast that it seemedto be on tap. It was very good to see thatnot all Fruiterers are perfectly behaved atall times. Boring, it was not!

Piece provided by Past Master Steve Bodger

11

Carmen win the Fan Makers' Cup Inter Livery

Golf Day Blackheath 2014Fan Maker Doug Clasby presents the Cup to

the winnng Carmen. Peter Aves, Paul Britt,

Stephen Pawson and Walter Gill 2014

The Master & Stuart Geddes plant the tree

An emerald Oasis in a city landscape

The Goring Hotel

Inter Livery match for Fan Makers Cup

Goring Hotel Tree Planting

Spitalfields Market recently donated toa local children’s hospice, ‘Richard

House’ in Beckton. A stone was placed inthe unit’s ‘Path of Life’. The Market was

also present at the National Fruit Showwith their Stand. In co-operation with theFruiterers’ a mini float was hitched to theback of the main trailer in the Lord

Mayor’s Show. Liveryman Chris Hutchinsonwalked in the parade as did his wife Jan –but she was dressed as a ‘Pink Lady’apple!

Spitalfields Market

It is always a privilege and pleasure to beat the Mansion House for the annual

Presentation of Fruit to The Lord Mayor.The Fruiterers are one of a very smallnumber of Companies that through historicreasoning are allowed to participate insuch ceremony. Fiona Woolf, whoseofficial residence we were in, made us

most welcome and entered into the spiritof the occasion with enthusiasm andinterest. Our Honorary Fruit Porter JimmyHuddart made the announcement andfollowing speeches from our Master andthe Lord Mayor a Loving Cup was drunk.Once the formalities had been completedthe occasion was celebrated with a glass

of bubbly before Fruiterers withdrew to theCity Livery Club for lunch. In connectionwith this event funds are raised for theCompany’s fruit gifting programme which,under the direction of Past Master IvorRobins, provides monthly deliveries offresh fruit to hospices, hostels and refugesin and around the City of London.

Presentation of Fruit to Lord Mayor

NEW FREEMEN BYREDEMPTIONJohn Charles HodgesHenrietta Louise NaishPeter Robert Thomas

NEW FREEMAN (Honoris Causa)Dr Michael Geoffrey Solomon

NEW LIVERYMEN(CLOTHED)Sarah Elizabeth CalcuttNicholas David DunnStephen Frank MeineckIan Stuart MitchellRohan Michael MoorthyJohn Bourne ShropshireIan Harvey Stephenson

NEW APPRENTICEBenjamin George Olins

Spitalfields display in Lord Mayor's Show

The Lord Mayor drinks a Loving Cup with the

MasterThe Lord Mayor & Master with presentationOur Master, Wardens, Beadle and Honorary

Fruit Porter prepare for the Ceremony

New Freemen, Liverymen and Apprentice at the November Court

Jan Hutchinson (r) and

Caroline Cassells (l)

with Master Fred

Hargreaves

12

The National Fruit Show

13

Between the 15 and 16 October theNational Fruit Show was held on the

Kent National Showground at Detling. It

was opened by Lord de Mauley. Therewere just under 100 stands of which 9%were new. Forty-four farming companiessubmitted 150 entries of fruit in thecompetition which resulted in a 30mdisplay of fruit. Show Champion wasCameo grown by Newmafruit whichscored an amazing 99.25! The show wasfeatured in three episodes of FarmingToday and on local BBC News. Fruitererswere there in force and had a presencewith their Stand. The Master spoke at thedinner and also presented the Fruiterers’Fruit Culture Award and Fruiterers’ Crafts -man’s Award to two very worthy recipients.

(See Congratulations Page 14). Other Frui -t erers’ Awards were given for three cate -gories; The Most Meritorious Exhibits ofDessert Apples, Culinary Apples and Pears.

Tony Franham of Newmafruit winner of the

Fruiterers' Most Meritorious Exhibit of Dessert

Apples Award

On a dark, damp November eveningthe lights from Barber-Surgeons’

illuminated Monkwell Square and beck -oned Fruiterers to the reassuring home -liness of this familiar Hall. Through thepolished windows one could see the Masterpresiding over the Court prior to thecommencement of the main proceedings.

With less than a week to Armistice Dayit was very appropriate that the principalguest was Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson,CB, CVO, National President of The RoyalBritish Legion. We were also fortunate tohave at table Past Sheriffs Alderman SirPaul Judge and Robert Waddingham, CBE.Adding extra grace to the company wereMaster of the Barbers’ with his Clerk,Master Gardener and Master Poulter.

Winner of the Fruiterers’ ManagementAward for 2014, John Berry of Haygrove,Ledbury, was presented with his medal bythe Master. Mr Berry has been outstandingin his imaginative development of plastictunnels for the cultivation of strawberries,cane fruits and other crops.

During his address, our Master wel com -ed the distinguished guests high lighting theco-operation and relationships that theFruiterers enjoy with those repres ented atthe dinner. He referred to the Company’spresence in the Lord Mayor’s show on the8th November that had received generousfunding for which he expressed gratitude.He revealed that sixty ind iv id uals would beassociated with the float on the day. Special

mention wasmade of

Liveryman Dennis Surgeon’s activities inorganising the Christmas Cards, receiptsfrom the sale of which will be directed toour Charitable Trusts. Thanks wereextended to the Honorary Fruit PorterJimmy Huddart who was present and whohad undertaken his duties so admirably atthe Annual Presentation of Fruit to TheLord Mayor.

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson respon dedon behalf of the guests and provided theaudience with a brief, historical account ofThe Royal British Legion and its activities.Founded 0n May 15, 1921 it has grown asa charitable institution to such a size that itdistributed £24m in 2013 to its targetrecipients. He spoke of the endeavoursand achievements of the organisation inthis centennial year since the outbreak ofWorld War I hostilities. A Garden ofRemembrance had received 280,000visitors in 2013 and the 250 dedications atthe National Memorial Arboretum wereattracting an increasing number of people.The recent, specially commissioned displayof ‘Poppies in the Moat’ at the Tower ofLondon had ach ieved international recog -nition. Like our Upper Warden, Sir Peterwas a sub-mariner, of which he was“proud”. Lighten ing the tenor of his speech

he delivered a humorous account of the ill-fated K Class submarines, many of whichwere rammed, collided with other vesselsor sunk. They were superseded by the Mswhich were also “fraught with problems” onwhich he did not elaborate in such depth.There was general amusement when hedescribed the contents of the instructionmanual that had arrived with a new pair of“wellies”. They epitomised how bureau -cracy has taken health and safety issues toabsurd levels. Returning to a more sombretone he said “I know I can bank on yourindividual support and that of the Company”.

Emerging from Barber-Surgeons intothe cool air of the City after a splendidevening where one had been royally wined,dined and entertained, the sharp realisationstruck. If it had not been for the gallantryand sacrifices of the millions whose actionshave defended our liberty and guaranteedour security such enjoyment would not beavailable. The Royal British Legion’s Motto‘Service not Self’ struck a clear resonance.

Master and Wardens’ Dinner

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson at

Master & Wardens’ DinnerA splendid venue for an enjoyable dinner

Our Master

addresses the

diners

Annette Bardsley, winner of the Fruiterers'

Most Meritorious Culinary Apple Exhibit

Fruit Culture Award

In recognition of her outstanding achieve -ments as a fruit consultant, Janet Allen

was presented with the annual Fruit CultureAward by our Master at the National FruitShow on 16 October.

Janet Allen has worked as an ADAS fruitadvisor and consultant for 45 years. Shehas specialised in soft fruit production, be -coming a world leading expert in prod uctionof cane fruit crops, including raspberries,blackberries and hybrid berries.

Her passion for advising fruit growershas extended to close collaboration withscientific researchers at East MallingResearch and at the James Hutton Institutein Scotland; she has acted as a very effectiveconduit between scientists and growers.

She has co-ordinated a great manyraspberry variety trials during her career,producing a vast amount of new inform -ation and understanding about the growthhabit, fruit quality, pest and diseaseresistance and market value of many newvarieties from the UK breeding programmeand overseas.

The Master concluded by saying “JanetAllen’s primary aim has always been to helpgrowers to improve their production andincrease their margins. Her enthusiasm forher work is legendary and she is able tostimulate and motivate growers just asmuch today as she did forty years ago!”

Fruiterers’ Craftsman’sAward

Mr Edwin Blunt was presented with theFruiterers Craftsman’s Award by Mr

Peter Cooper, Master of the WorshipfulCompany of Fruiterers, at the National FruitShow on 16 October.

This Award is not presented every year,but whenever the situation merits it, torecognise conspicuous craftsmanship andthe exercise of practical skills in fruitgrowing.

Edwin (known to all as Ted) has workedon the Calcutt family farm for more than 60years. He joined the hop team at FourWents one week after he got married, andwas hop stringing champion for more thanten years. He went on to work with the fruitteam and at the age of 84 still manages afull spray programme over 50 acres, nowworking part time.

In making the presentation the Masterconcluded by saying “Ted has dedicated hislife to the production of fruit; his crafts -manship is precisely what the Craftsman’sAward is designed to celebrate”.

Fruiterers ManagementAward

In recognition of his outstanding achieve -ments as a manager of technological

advance within the fruit growing industry,Mr John Berry was presented with theannual Fruiterers Management Award byour Master at the Master & Wardens’Dinner, held at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall on6 November.

John Berry has spent much of his careerat Haygrove Tunnels in Ledbury, primarilydirecting advances in poly-tunnel tech nol -ogy and the development of mechanisation.

The changes that have come about in UKfruit growing in the past ten years have beendramatic and extraordinary; many of theseadvances in cultural practices in strawberry,cane fruit and cherry production have beenled and driven by John Berry and his team ofengineers and technicians at Haygrove.

Some of the recent developments haveincluded new tunnel venting systems, tele -scopic tunnels for improved climatic controlfor early produced fruit, gutter systems forcollecting rainwater between tunnels, waterharvesting systems, moveable table-topstrawberry production systems, mechanicalharvesting aids and gantries. All thesedevelopments have been initiated by Johnand his team.

Making the presentation, Peter Coopersaid “These technological advances havemade the UK fruit industry more comp et -itive in the world market and helped UKgrowers to retain a significant share of thefruit market, in the face of increasingcompetition from overseas. John and histeam have had a profound, beneficial effecton the UK fruit growing industry”.

Congratulations

14

John Berry at Malvern Farming Conference

Master presents Ted Blunt with Fruiterers'

Craftsman's Award

Janet Allen receives the Fruiterers'

Fruit Culture Award

Congratulations to John Thatchernominee for the Fruiterers’

‘Matthew Mack Award’ which is made triennially for DistinguishedAchievements in Training, Educationand Innovation within the fruit industry.The presentation will be made at theBanquet to be held at Mansion Houseon 16th February, 2015.

Congratulations to David Bartlettwho wed Lydia Oates in Sheffield

10.5.14

Congratulations to Peter &Pauline Halliday who celebrated

their 40th Wedding Anniversary30.11.14

15

Meet the Master Elect

Our Master Elect receives

an award from

HRH The Princess Royal

Our Master Elect wearing another hat as a

Steward at Shepton Mallet

Master Elect shakes hands

with onlookers at

the Lord Mayor's

Show

Rupert Best has been a Liveryman since2003. He was educated at Winchester

and Dartmouth and is married, with threechildren.

Serving in the Royal Navy, he comm -and ed two submarines. After a SloanFellowship at the London Business School,with others he put together a successfulbid for the former Portland Naval Base,now a commercial port of which he is adirector. In 1996 he took over the runningof the small family farm in West Dorset,developing its cider apple business.

Rupert’s family has long been assoc -iated with the Royal Bath & West ofEngland Society, which has supported thecider sector since 1777, and was a majorcontributor to the founding of the NationalFruit and Cider Institute, later Long AshtonResearch Station, in 1903. At theMillennium Show in 2000, after a period ofpost-war decline, Rupert, with fellowgrowers and cidermakers, re-establishedthe Society’s cider section. The Worshipful

Company of Fruiterers, in presenting theFruiterers’ Cup for the Supreme ChampionCider and providing core sponsorship, waskey to the success of this enterprise whichnow runs the largest cider competition inthe world and is an annual meeting placefor growers and cider makers. The MasterElect is a strong believer in the ability ofLivery Companies to make a valuablecontribution to their industries and he iskeen to see what else the City of Londonmight do to support the rural economy.

Having experienced directly the benefitsof the Fruiterers’ charitable giving andhaving learned, as a member of theAwards Council, of the extent to which theCompany, with modest funding, encour -ages excellence, helps to solve industryproblems, and promotes research anddevelopment, he firmly believes that wecan all be proud of what is done in ourname.

He is a strong supporter of theFruiterers’ links with East Malling Research

and the Nuffield Scholarships, as well asthe award of prizes in public recognition ofindividual achievement.

He sees the coming year as an opp -ortunity to look beyond the Company’sheartland in the south east to all fruitgrowing areas of the country and beyondthat to the countries of the Common -wealth.

“I am very lucky to be part of aCompany that is deeply rooted in itsindustry, with distinguished Liverymenfrom every sector and, importantly, also aneclectic mix of talent from otherprofessions. I have a great admiration forall that Liverymen contribute and the waythey build on and embellish the tradition ofover 700 years in the service of the City ofLondon. Above all, I revel in the goodfellowship and the opportunity to learnfrom over 250 seriously nice and capablepeople.”

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Editor wishes to thank the following for their valuable contributions to this Newsletter, Adrian Barlow, Jenny Bartlett, Berry World Ltd.,

(Dave Ashton), Rupert Best, (Upper Warden) Steve Bodger (Past Master), David Bryant, Sarah Calcutt, Gill Collins, Prof Geoff Dixon, DrGraham Collier, Peter Cooper (The Master), Lt Col Lionel French (The Clerk), John Giles, David Hohnen, (Past Master), Dr Gerard Lyons,

Andrew Poulton, Ian Rainford, (Remembrancer), Dr Mike Solomon, Austen Steers, John Warner and Sarah Whitworth.

OOBBIITTUUAARRYY

Ian was born at the British Consulatein Tallin, Estonia, where his father

was based as an M16 officer. Thefamily was evacuated just before theGerman invasion of the Baltic Statesin 1940. His education continued atCrediton Grammar School, Devon,where he captained the Rugby XVand became the school’s ‘sausageeating champion’ (rationing was inoperation!). On finishing his formalstudies he moved to London andsoon after joined the small, CanadianInvestment Bank, Wood Gundy.Start ing at a junior level, in theensuing 20 years he worked his wayup to vice chairman and establishedhimself as one of the City’s pre-eminent “bond daddies”. Regardedby his peers and colleagues as aconsummate and dignifiedprofessional who always conductedhimself with utmost integrity. Herepresented his Company at theWorld Bank and was chairman ofEuroclear in the mid-eighties andover four decades remained with thesame employer.

Being a serial entrepreneur atheart he embarked on a number ofventures including a self-service

grocery store (long before theybecame fashionable), a cardealership and a mushroom farm,which was one of the biggest in theUK, even though he couldn’t standthe taste of them.

In later years Ian turned his talentsand energies to charitable works andfound his own charitable trust. Healso invested in various parts of racehorses – something which gave himenormous pleasure.

Politically he was a lifelong liberaland member of the National LiberalClub for over 60 years. He met hiswife, Barbara, in the young liberalsand eventually stood as a potentialparliamentary candidate for Watfordin the 1959 General Election. Ianthought that his greatest politicaltriumph was delaying the ann ounce -ment of the official outcome bydemanding two recounts at WatfordTown Hall. This was not because hewas in any danger of winning the seatbut merely to ensure he didn’t lose hisdeposit.

The family lived for almost 40years in the Heronsgate district ofRickmansworth, moving once, to aproperty called ‘Ladywalk’. He was a

great entertainer and the New Year’sDay parties were legendary as werehis champagne cocktails. In the late‘90s he sold up and moved back firstto live in Grosvenor Square andlatterly in the heart of his belovedsquare mile at the Barbican.

Ian was a very social individualwho enjoyed entertaining and beingentertained. Blessed with a sharpmind, quick wit and infectious laughhe was most generous. Extremelyproud of his children (Austen, Nicola,Nigel and Jeremy) and his grand -children who will miss him greatly.

Ian was admitted to the Fruiterersin 1971, served as an HonoraryAssistant and for many years as avaluable member of the Finance SubCommittee.

Our condolences are extended tohis family and colleagues many ofwhom attended his funeral at StPaul’s Church, Knightsbridge, hisfavourite place of worship.

Ian Sydney Steers

Ian Sydney Steers

Our thanks to Hayley Bray the photographer whowalked with the Fruiterers Float in the Lord

Mayor’s Show and whose pictures bring to life theexcitement and vibrancy of the occasion. Some arefeatured in this issue but if you would like to view theentire gallery go to www.hayleybray.com or enquiries atinfo@hayleybray.com

Editor’s thanks. The Editor extendshis sincere thanks to the organisers

of the ‘London Produce Show’ whohave kindly sponsored this Newsletter.