Tickets are now sold out for the sheep drive on Sunday, 29 September, although Liverymen and their friends and families are still welcome to attend the day.
Please email the Clerk if you would like to participate. For more information click here.
Common Hall for the election of the Sheriffs
Election of the Sheriffs by the City Livery at the Summer Common Hall on Monday 24 June at the Guildhall, at 11.00am.
This event is open only to Company Members who are Liverymen.
All Liverymen who appear on the 2023 Common Hall Register (ie who became a Liveryman before 31 May 2023) are summoned to meet at Guildhall on Monday 24 June for the election of Sheriffs and other Officers.
Dress code is “Business Attire”
Please email the Clerk at clerk@farmerslivery.org.uk if you would like an admission card,
Note: Lunch afterwards. The Clerk has a list of Halls offering lunch. If you would like to attend a lunch, please telephone the Clerk on 020 8326 2945. If there are sufficient numbers we will make a group booking at one of them.
Livery Familiarisation Day
This highly acclaimed event, to be held at the Farmers and Fletchers Hall at 10.30 am on Monday 17 June, is an informative and informal day for people who would like to know more about the Farmers Company. It is aimed at those who know very little about the Company through to those who have been Liverymen for a number of years.
In the morning there will be a talk on the development of City Livery Companies over the years followed by talks on the Farmers Company. These will include its history, aims, activities, functions, and governance, including on how to become a Liveryman.
The Beadle will explain his role at our functions and demonstrate the correct use of the Loving Cup over a buffet lunch.
In the afternoon there will be City walking tour with a Blue Badge City Guide finishing at approximately 4.30 pm.
The cost of £50pp includes a two-course buffet lunch with wine, and the guided City walking tour.
To register and pay, please use this link.
June Court and Livery Lunch
Booking is now open for the June Court and Livery Luncheon, which will take place on Tuesday, 4 June.
The Court and Livery Lunch will take the form of a Champagne Reception followed by a three course luncheon with wines.
In following the Master’s theme, the speaker will be Cathy Maund, Director of Hammersmith Community Gardens Association, who will speak about the London City Farms initiative.
The Lunch is preceded by our Common Hall which will commence at 10:30am in the Court Room.
BOOKING IS NOW OPEN ON THE MEMBERS PORTAL.
Visit to the Raimes’ vineyard
Robert and Augusta Raimes, fifth generation of the family to farm the fields now flourishing with vines, have kindly invited members of the Farmers’ Company and WCF Alumni Association to their sparking wines estate on the grassy rolling hills of the South Downs National Park near Winchester in Hampshire.
Robert is a Liveryman and also a member of the WCFA – having completed the ACABM in 2008.
This specially designed day, on Wednesday 29 May, will feature a bespoke tour, with guests to arrive from 9:30am for coffee and tea and a prompt 10:00am start. The morning will commence with a presentation on the vineyard and its history.
The tour includes a gentle walk through the vineyard followed by a taste of Raimes’ award-winning English sparkling wines in the wine barn – where you will have the opportunity to purchase wine at cellar door prices. A lunch will be provided prior to departure at approximately 2:30pm.
The visit, inclusive of the tour, wine tasting and two course buffet lunch is £62.00 plus fees for WCF/WCFA members and partners; please use this link to register your place; any questions please contact Duncan who is organising this day via his email duncan@farmerslivery.org.uk.
United Guilds Service
The United Guilds Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 14 March.
Each Livery Company and Guild are issued with a number of tickets. It is a very popular service. The Farmers have an allocation of just 22 seats so early registration is advisable to avoid disappointment.
History. The United Guilds Service was first held in February 1943 as a coordinated response to the challenges faced by the City of London following the Blitz of 1940-41.
It was also a reminder of the religious origins of the Guilds. The first service to be conducted was held on Lady Day – 25 March 1943 – the first day of the year by the old calendar.
The King was petitioned to attend, along with Masters and Prime Wardens in their robes with such of their livery as ‘may be able’. The King did not attend; but the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen did. Dr Fisher, the Bishop of London, gave the address.
The Lord Mayor (Sir Samuel Joseph, father of Sir Keith Joseph) hosted an ‘austerity luncheon’ after the service for the Masters and Prime Wardens. The Lord Mayor hoped that the service would be held annually as an opportunity for the Livery to ‘approach God with one voice of united prayer’. His hope has been fulfilled!
OPTIONAL LUNCH AT INNHOLDERS’ HALL
We plan to take a table or two at Innholders Hall for Lunch for those who wish to stay.
Surrey Docks Farm Visit
The next Worshipful Company of Farmers visit to Surrey Docks Farm visit will be on Tuesday 21 May 2024.
The meeting point is at 10.15am for coffee at the Farmers Club, 3 Whitehall Ct, London, SW1A 2EL.
Embankment Pier for ferry boat ride leaves 10.56am to Greenland (Surrey Docks) for a 30 minute river Thames Cruise.
Surrey Docks Farm Tour followed by sandwich lunch at Surrey Docks Farm.
Returning back to Embankment Pier mid afternoon.
Cost £30 per person including boat trip and simple lunch.
Please book your place on the members’ portal.
2024 Master’s Outing
The Master has chosen Oxford for the annual Master’s outing on 10-12 September, featuring Brasenose College, the Blenheim Palace Estate and a formal Dinner at the Weston Manor Hotel.
An allocation of rooms has been reserved at The Voco Oxford Spires Hotel, Abingdon Road, Oxford OX1 4PS. The hotel is a recently built four star property located in 40 acres and a 15 minute walk to the City Centre.
There are 30 rooms at the hotel on allocation with negotiated rates of £250 double and £240 single. These rates are inclusive of breakfast, car parking and VAT. Please make your hotel reservation directly with the hotel by calling 01865 324649 using reference JR5.
The negotiated rate must be taken up by the 26 May otherwise the prevailing rates may apply.
Tuesday 10 September: The visit will include a short river cruise with drinks and nibbles before continuing on to Brasenose College where we will enjoy a drinks reception with buffet dinner in the Smith Reading Room. Transfers throughout will be by coach.
Wednesday 11 September: Following breakfast we will leave for the Blenheim Palace Estate, assembling in the Marlborough Room for tea and coffee before visiting the estate. Lunch will be served in the Orangery. There will be an option to take the Palace Tour for those who wish to do it (tickets £14) otherwise enjoy the extensive gardens and parkland.
We return to the hotel to change for the black tie dinner which will be held in the Baronial Hall at the Weston Manor Hotel in Weston on the Green.
Thursday 12 September: Departure after breakfast. (Check out time at the hotel is 11.00am)
The package price (excluding hotel accommodation) is £275 per person. The package can be booked through the members portal.
The Clerk’s Bin End Dinner
Help the Clerk to clear the ‘bin ends’. Join us and bring your friends for a really fun evening!
This will be a traditional Livery Dinner with one difference; the wines will come from the Clerk’s Cellar, with guests helping to clear ‘bin ends’ from recent events.
White, red and dessert wines will be drawn by tombola tickets by your designated ‘ambassador’.
The event will comprise of a Champagne Reception, kindly sponsored by the Master. This will be followed by a four course dinner
with wines, port, sung grace, loving cup, sung National Anthem.
When coffee is served, Welsh Harp player, Iona Thomas, will play a selection of songs to bring the evening to a relaxing close unless you are staying a while for a stirrup cup.
The Dinner is all about fellowship and fun so please invite guests.
Wednesday 1 May 2024. 6.30 for 7.00pm. Carriages 10.30pm
Dress: Jacket & Tie. Cost: £99.00 per person (82.50+VAT). Venue: Farmers & Fletchers’ Hall
Booking is now open in the Members Portal of the website.
Golf Day at Denham
Save the date – Assistant Robert Sears is organising another golf day with luncheon at the famous Denham Course.
Please put 10 October in your diary with further details to follow in due course. Tee off time will be 8.30am. Denham Golf Club, Tilehouse Lane, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5DE.