On 11th March the Master was joined by our current Jubilee Scholars Megan Hall, Beth Williams, Harry Towers and Samuel Sharp for this well established annual event which is an important reminder of the links between the City of London and UK agri-food and drink industry. The audience of over 500 Liverymen and guests appreciated an informative speech from keynote speaker John Shropshire MBE, Chairman of G’s group. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, (PM 2002) once again presented the closing address and at the buffet supper afterwards spent time chatting with attendees, including our Jubilee Scholars.
A Flippin’ Good Day
The Master and Senior Warden were joined by Gemma Hooper, Manager of Surrey Docks Farm and Liveryman Cathy Robinson for the annual Lord Mayor’s Pancake Races on March 4th. These fun races take place in the Guildhall Yard, which was blessed with glorious sunshine and large crowds. The Master led his race until he had to stop and retrieve his chef’s hat, without which he would have incurred penalties. This great event raises money for the Lord Mayor’s Charity and although light hearted it is always competitive.
Annual Banquet
Our Annual Banquet was held on 4th February at Drapers’ Hall with Past Master HRH The Princess Royal as principal guest. Over 240 Liveryman, Freeman and guests enjoyed a convivial evening and our speaker, Rt Hon Sir Mark Spencer delivered a stirring speech. HRH The Princess Royal followed and inspired us all. The Carpet Guard for the evening was provided by cadets from some of our military affiliations: Westminster Dragoons, Royal Yeomanry and Middlesex Wing Air Training Corps
Visit to RAF Waddington
13th November saw us at RAF Waddington for our annual visit. Station Commander, Group Captain ‘Dutch’ Holland welcomed the group, and described the crucial “ISTAR” work of the airbase – Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance. We were then accompanied around the base by Flight Officer Henry Campbell. The highlight was getting up close and personal with the new generation of drone – the “Protector”, being assembled and tested at the base. The group then viewed the airbase’s firefighting equipment and some of the modern airforce’s firearms.
Strawberries Galore!
On 12th November some 30 liverymen and guests were treated to a fascinating tour of the Dyson strawberry operation at Carrington, Lincs, organised by PM Philip Wynn. The site was a field in 2020 and was producing strawberries 12 months later, and now produces 1200 tonnes of fruit a year, including 100% of Mark and Spencers’ requirement. The 10 hectare state-of-the-art glasshouse was mightily impressive not just for its scale, but for the level of sophistication of its environmental control systems. The astonishing robotic harvesting units had to be seen to be believed. Each fruit was individually inspected, filmed, picked and filmed again for quality before being allocated to a punnet. The robots from Dogtooth, a Cambridge company, were in their 4th iteration and were nearing the speed required for commercial use. The 3MW anaerobic digester, requiring 140 tonnes of feedstock per day – mainly on maize grown on the farm – provided all of the electrical power and heat for the glasshouse. The three 24 cylinder engines, running on the methane produced by the digester, hummed away impressively as we filed past in awe. Strawberries as far as the eye could see
Remembrance Sunday
The Master and Liveryman Anne Courtney are proud to support the Westminster Dragoons in Fulham SW6. They were invited to hop aboard this Jackal, a mobile weapons vehicle used for reconnaissance
Locked in the Tower
A traditional event for the Masters of the livery world, the Master was “locked” in the Tower of London only to be released on payment of a fine as part of a fundraising event for British Red Cross. On the night, the combined liveries raised over £30,000.
He writes: We had an entertaining dinner for around 30 of us following which our “judgements” were meted out by the two Sheriffs, leading us to bow heads and take our punishment.
Afterwards, we witnessed the “Ceremony of The Keys”, when the Warders – also known as Beefeaters – lock the Tower, an event that occurs every evening after/around dusk, escorted of course.
A great evening out and whilst I wasn’t locked up in the White Tower, (shame you might say) I did find out that someone had told the Sheriffs about one of my most embarrassing moments whilst on a family holiday- there are no secrets!
Surrey Docks Farm visit to Essex
Some 40 children and volunteers from Surrey Docks Farm visited Kelly Turkeys near Chelmsford on 31 July. Founder Derek Kelly and son Paul showed us round the award-winning farm.
Paul Kelly explains incubation
Poults ready for despatch
We saw the hatchery first, where the children were spellbound by seeing the scale of the operation and the little day-old poults being despatched all over the UK.
Outside, we saw Derek’s prime Angus cattle – his real love! After a picnic lunch we moved to one of the Kellys’ nearby rearing farms where we saw ‘Wild Forest Turkey’ production.
The turkeys have full access to the forest floor and were very obliging with their gobbles. Paul staged a gobbling competition, won by young Sam, who gets a free Christmas turkey!
The children’s enthusiastic reaction to this visit amply demonstrated the value of connecting children with the source of their food. Our thanks to the Kelly family, to Gemma and team from Surrey Docks and to PM Richard Whitlock for organising a great day.
The group with the forest turkeys
RAF Waddington visit
On November 8, a group of liverymen visited RAF Waddington for lunch, hosted by the Station Commander Mark Lorriman-Hughes OBE, and presentation of the WCF award by the Master.
The visit was organised by LO Michael Chennells in conjunction with LO, FS Steven Wheatley and Sargent Ross Mc Keon, ably assisted by Stacey Jones.
Our visit was led by the Master Guy Brogden and his wife Catriona. The group of 33 liverymen arrived at the officer’s mess at 8.30 for a 9.00 start.
We then travelled by coach to the part of the base where the Red Arrows are based, and split into two groups to take it in turns to enjoy a detailed presentation on the Red Arrows and a visit to the hanger where they are housed, along with a detailed brief when there was plenty of time for questions.
We then returned to the Officers Mess where we were welcomed by the Station Commander, who updated us all on the current activities on the base, this followed by a presentation from LO Steven Wheatley.
The morning session was then concluded by the presentation of our award along with a keepsake by the Master to Corporal Matt Healey in recognition of his excellence in implementing systems changes and upgrades across the base.
Lunch was then taken in the Officers Mess where we enjoyed a three-meat carvery, following which the Master expressed our thanks to the team at Waddington for entertaining us for the day.
We completed the day by a visit to the RAF Waddington Heritage Centre which covers all aspects of the history of the RAF from the very beginning to the present day.
Lord Mayor’s Show a success
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Show was blessed with blue skies all day, which helped swell the cheering crowds lining the route.
Our ‘float’ consisted of two Case tractors, one of which – the enormous Quadtrac – attracted most of the public’s attention.
Richard Price and the team from the NFU; headed by Minette Batters, Red Tractor and Surrey Docks Farm did a splendid job preparing for the Show, and the incredibly warm reception from the crowds along the way made it all worthwhile.