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On a cool, rainy day on 21 May,  a group of 18 Liverymen from the Company set off for a visit to the Surrey Docks Farm (SDF), ably led by Stuart Philpot.

The WCOF has had links with and supported the SDF for over 30 years, during which time it has grown into the bustling farm it is today. Two of the key roles in which we are pleased to see it performing so well are engaging those who might be less able in society than ourselves and bringing an awareness and understanding of food, farming and nature to those with little or no exposure to it.

Angus cattle, with the unusual backdrop of Canary Wharf

Upon arrival at the 2.2-acre city site we were welcomed by Farm Manager Gemma Hooper and Animals Manager Claire Ellis-Elson, who have been there 12 and 33 years respectively.

Gemma is flourishing in her role, no doubt in part due to the expert guidance of Richard Whitlock (PM 20/21). She also went on our Challenge of Rural Leadership course in 2019 and says she especially benefited from learning how to improve her management of people and leading groups.

The old MF tractor still comes in very handy

After meeting some of the special needs volunteers we moved to the forge; the last known working one in London, then on to look at the specially constructed brick oven. This enables anyone to cook their own pizzas, often using farm-grown ingredients for toppings. This is especially valuable as some families have little in the way of cooking facilities, often just a microwave.

Gemma and Claire told us the education local school groups (and their teachers!) get from hearing about what animals eat, which meat is produced, how animals feed their young and much more.

The mobile farm

Animal petting is strongly encouraged as many children have never seen farm animals, let alone touched one. Bottle-feeding lambs returns a strong income stream, as do the ‘animal experiences’. The whole environment is so utterly different from paved streets and blocks of flats.

An example of WCOF support was when Lottery Funding was won to facilitate a mobile farm lorry to enable SDF to set up in school playgrounds; we also funded and advised on the purchase of hurdles to build pens for the animals.

James, horticulturist of 30 years at City Farm, gave us an insight to the farm’s management of the muck heap – the farm makes and sells its own compost – and he described more about the ingenious rainwater harvesting methods and the on-site biodigester.

The farm also supports two apprentices for an 18-month course; one in agriculture and one horticulture, both of which help with the management of the farm.

This is yet another way in which the farm can support people needing a start. All together an informative and uplifting day.

Liverymen at lunch: Back row L-R: Gemma Hooper, Jo Philpot, Duncan Couper. Middle row: Edward Crawford, Stephen Watkins, Christopher Day, Rosie Carne, Alison and Paul Hovesen. Front row: Paul and Christopher Philpot, John Heath, Hugh Wykes, Richard Whitlock.

Some 34 people joined the Master for the 2024 summer visit to Sicily. We left a cold and wet Blighty and landed in rather contrasting 30 degree sunshine at Palermo airport.

A short coach trip saw us at the magnificent Norman cathedral in Monreale, famed for its extravagantly lavish decoration, perhaps a little rich for austere English tastes.

We then moved on to our accommodation in the medieval town of Marsala – famed for its eponymous fortified wine, a sample of which awaited us in our rooms.

Day two saw us out bright and early for a short voyage to the Egadi Islands off the West coast of Sicily.

Some brave souls had a dip in the rather chilly Med while anchored off Levanzo. The majority looked on in awe.

Lunch on board was accompanied by wine served in re-used water bottles. The content of these unpromising containers was surprisingly potable.

The next day dawned bright and clear once again as we headed off for a fascinating tour of the Pellegrino winery, where many of us were so impressed by the product that we bought several bottles.

We moved on after lunch to the amazingly well-preserved Greek remains at Segesta. The views from the theatre (a mini-Epidaurus) were breath-taking, only spoiled by a new motorway snaking through the middle distance.

Our final day was spent weaving through the many salt pans along the Trapani coast, spotting the odd Flamingo along the way, before embarking the small ferry to the island of Mozia.

The highlight was the remarkable Greek sculpture in marble of a charioteer.

In the afternoon the party climbed its way through the cobbled streets of the walled town of Erice, to be rewarded by some astonishing views over the whole of Trapani.

All commented on how wonderful a trip this was, fostering lasting fellowship as well as considerable historical scholarship.

Profuse thanks must go to Maggi of Windows on the Wild for the organisation of the trip and to our Clerk and Assistant Clerk for ensuring its smooth running.

The rain (just) kept off for the annual clay shoot, held at the West London Shooting School on 16 May. Your Company fielded two teams of four, ably captained by Peter Craven for his second year.

Captain Peter Craven takes careful aim

A well-organised two days saw 103 teams shooting over 12 stands of varying type and difficulty, with four-man and two-man flushes in between.

The overall competition was won by the Watermen, with Farmers B coming second of the ‘non-livery’ teams – our best result for years.

Liveryman Assistant Robert Sears won a prize for his bizarre footwear!

Guest gun George Hurrell did really well, coming 14^th overall, out of 412 participants. Your captain wasn’t too shabby either, with a score of 45, coming in the middle order.

A fun day was rounded off with the customary supper at Boisdales, courtesy of ex-captain and Past Master Alston.

The team enjoyed the post-shoot lunch