19. Masters’ and Clerks’ Luncheon, 17 September 2018

It was a great privilege for myself and our Learned Clerk, Ralph Riley to be invited to the Worshipful Company of Farmers’ Masters’ and Clerks’ Luncheon at the Farmers and Fletchers Hall on Cloth Street. We joined some 120 other guests of the Master Farmer and were quickly made to feel very welcome.

The Farmers & Fletchers Hall is home to both one of London’s oldest livery companies – the Worshipful Company of Fletchers – and the relatively young Worshipful Company of Farmers. Having never been inside the Hall before (although we had visited it as part of the Livery Hall Walk – see Blog No. 15), I was keen to explore and to see at first-hand the refurbishment work that had been recently completed. I think it safe to say that ancient and modern come together beautifully in this stunning hall which combines flexible purpose-designed event spaces with the rich heritage of London’s medieval guilds. The common area on the ground floor is light and spacious and a wide spiral staircase leads down to the main Dining Hall. The impressive decoration on the end wall (see photo) is inspired not only by the ploughed field but also the feathers of the fletcher’s arrow; a fine installation.

After Grace and a short speech of welcome from the Master, our Guest Speaker Alice Midmer from LEAF gave us a fascinating insight into the work of her organisation and help it provides to the farming community. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) was set up some 27 years ago by Caroline Drummond and – as the name suggests – provides a link between the commercial and practical constraints of farming and those of the environment. In the early days this was quite a challenge but due to the passion, commitment and drive of LEAF, good progress has been made and Alice was able to describe the complexities of managing habitat to the mutual benefit of all. Her work takes her across Europe as well as the UK and also includes pastoral support for those in the farming community suffering from mental illness and depression, sadly a not uncommon feature in the present day.

Alice was also very complementary about the Leadership course provided by the Farmers Company and the benefit she gained from recently attending one.

We then enjoyed a splendid meal and some very good company.

After lunch and in response, the Master Farmer thanked Alice for her speech and went on to describe some of the challenges facing farming today, not least of all Brexit. There are certainly many issues that face the industry but the Livery Company are there to assist and support their members wherever possible.

We then rose and joined friends and colleagues in a Stirrup Cup before departing into the warm autumn sunshine. It was a wonderful event and once again showed the strength of fellowship across the Livery movement. I know our Learned Clerk enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you to the Worshipful Company of Farmers for such a pleasant day.