Olivia Cooper, Author at Worshipful Company of Farmers

March Court meeting

The March meeting of Court saw three new Liverymen clothed (see picture), followed by a packed hall for lunch. Our speaker was Kelly Hewson-Fisher, an alumna of the Challenge of Rural Leadership course.

The Master with freshly-clothed Liverymen Gary Mills-Thomas, Sebastian Edwards and John Davie-Thornhill

Kelly spoke with a rare passion about the effect the course had had on her confidence and ambition. The Master’s speech reinforced the importance of our courses in shaping the new generation of industry leaders. He was pleased to take wine with the new members of the Farmers’ Company.

Elworthy Trophy training session

The Elworthy Trophy is an annual Tri-Service (Sea, Army, Air) cadet competition organised and conducted within London District. On the day of the competition later this year, the teams – consisting of eight cadets from London-based cadet units – chosen to represent each service, take part in a round robin of competitive activities in the grounds of the Cadet Training centre at Frimley Park, Camberley.

Court Assistant, Liveryman Anne Courtney, who is the Liaison Officer between the Farmers Company and our affiliate the Middlesex Wing of the Air Cadets, attended a training session for the air cadets at RAF Northolt on Saturday 10 March 2023. After a briefing from Wing Commander Niall Cumming, Flt Lt Chris Pocock walked Anne around the various activities being taught.

Anne reported: “It was a pleasure to attend the training Elworthy Day at RAF Northolt and see our affiliation with the Middlesex Wing making a real difference to the lives of the Air Cadets in the North London area. The competitions I observed included first aid, rifle shooting, and leadership skills, together with minibus pulling. The cadets were having a great time and so were the officers!”

Farmers have a good day at the Pancake Races

The Farmers’ team for the 2023 running of the now famous Inter-Livery Pancake Day Races – the 19^th iteration of the Poulters organised event, was made up of The Master, Richard Davies, Court Assistant James Peck, Liveryman James Harris and Company Apprentice Victoria Rayner.

Guildhall Yard had the usual happy, colourful crowd, with some amazing fancy dress costumes (including two versions of St Paul’s Cathedral) and Masters in their Livery gowns and badges. The weather for once, was fine and dry and the pancakes on sale to help competitors carb load were excellent.

Our team, carefully chosen for their athleticism by the Master, were rather more successful this year than we usually are, with two of our competitors James and Victoria winning through to their respective semi-finals. We missed out in both semis by a matter of inches – so no prizes again this year, but valuable training and experience for next year’s event one hopes.

Despite the lack of medals, the day will be remembered for the sight of James, more normally mounted on a giant tractor, piggy-backing a cow in the fancy dress race and the Master complete with new titanium knee running for the first time in many a long year!

Presenting the new John Thorpe Salver

Our military affiliation with the Middlesex Wing of RAF Air Cadets ably assisted us again at this year’s Banquet in January. The Wing is based at RAF Northolt and consists of Air Cadets from 26 different Squadrons from around the north of London. It is an organisation run by volunteer officers.

Six cadets and Flt Lt Christopher Pocock were in attendance.

The Master presenting the new John Thorpe Salver to 1159 Edmonton Squadron

The Master presented, for the first time, the ‘new’ John Thorpe Salver – for the Squadron which has won the most points throughout the year for outdoor activities – to 1159 Edmonton Squadron.

Wing Commander Niall Cumming and his wife attended the Banquet at Goldsmiths Hall, together with O/Cs from our other military affiliations; the Army Reserves Westminster Dragoons and RAF Waddington.

WCF Annual Banquet

Held in the magnificent surroundings of Goldsmith’s Hall on 16 January 2023, the Annual Banquet was indeed a feast for all the senses. Our Clerk Graham Bamford, ably assisted by his dashing assistant, Duncan Couper, pulled out all the stops on the night. A sparkling champagne reception accompanied by a string quartet was followed by a delicious dinner with a selection of delectable wines. Ted Prior, our Beadle, kept things ticking along in his usual authoritative fashion (accompanied by a knowing glint), ably assisted by stewards from the Westminster Dragoons.

Eminent explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams enjoys the reception with Liveryman Chris Philpot

Senior Warden Guy Brogden welcomed the guests and gave a fascinating summary of the somewhat chequered history of the Hall over the centuries.

In his toast to the Guests, the Master described the events of his year so far – astonishingly already a third of the way through – and announced the Company’s support for the ‘Chefs in Schools’ initiative.

Henry Dimbleby makes his point

In reply, Henry Dimbleby MBE, adviser to Government on food policy issues and proprietor of the ‘Leon’ restaurant chain, emphasised the effect on the nation’s health, and finances, of diet, giving the frightening explosion of type-2 diabetes as a graphic example. He went on to describe how important school meals can be for the less well-off, and the work of ‘Chefs in Schools’, which he co-founded. He described how his children wouldn’t believe the pageantry of the evening, and so took a ‘selfie’ in front of the gathering to prove the fact!

Henry Dimbleby takes a cheeky selfie to prove to his children he was really there!

The ceremony of the ‘Loving Cup, the Post Horn Gallop competition by our two buglers, the rendering of ‘To Be a Farmers Boy’ and a superb solo performance by soprano Hilary Cronin made for a wonderful, memorable evening, enjoyed by all.

The Master proffers the Loving Cup to his guest speaker

WCFA Learning Extension Day

One hundred WCFA members, guests and partners attended the 2022 WCFA Learning Extension Days – over a day and a half at Loughborough University – for a full programme entitled “Insight & inspirations from the wider world”.

The 29th November started with an action packed speed networking event – which made many hoarse, shouting over others – followed by a drinks reception and dinner with Amie Burke as our after-dinner speaker. At the dinner, Chris Manley was presented the new Farmers’ Company Alumni award – a silver rose bowl donated by Liveryman Peter Bennett.

Peter Bennett (L) presents Chris Manley with the Alumni Award

The 30th November kicked off with keynote speaker Gareth Timmins, former Royal Marine and author of “Becoming the 0.1% – how to build an elite mindset” – who made many think. Three streams then took place during the day, on social media (Tom Martin), the value of mentoring (Nicola Miller) and funnelling great ideas to enhance your business (Sian Gardner & Martin Horton consultants).

The Master and question time panel

A debate on “farming’s image will only be fixed if we all take responsibility for fixing it ourselves” took place with Charlie Ireland of Ceres Rural; Anna Jones, author of “Divide: the relationship crisis between town and country”; Tom Martin, social media influencer; and Jonathan Roberts, director of external affairs for CLA.

Now the Committee starts planning for 2023 – save the dates of 28th and 29th November.

March Court meeting

Elworthy Trophy training session

WCFA Learning Extension Day

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WCFA Learning Extension Day