In early November, Covent Garden Market Authority Chair Wanda Goldwag OBE was clothed as a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, pictured. Wanda became the latest in long line of Fruiterers connected to the Market over the centuries, but the first for some time. Many previous Masters of the livery have been from this Market and many more could trace their roots back to either WC2 or SW8.

The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers is an ancient City of London Livery Company, founded in 1463 and chartered in 1605, dedicated to supporting the fruit industry. It acts as a bridge between tradition and the modern industry, with over half its membership actively involved in the fruit sector, and promotes excellence in horticulture through education, research, charitable giving, and tradition.

“It has been a real pleasure and education getting involved with the livery,” said Wanda. “It plays an extremely important role in connecting industry and the City and gives its members the opportunity to give something back. The Company supports research, provides funding for students through annual prizes and awards, helps to organise the City Food & Drink Lecture, and engages in fruit-tree planting around the country. We have nine elms flourishing by the entry plaza to the Market, for example, planted by Past Master and former NCGM wholesaler Laurence Olins.”

CGTA Chairman Gary Marshall has been elected a freeman of the Company and will become a fully-fledged liveryman himself later this year. On behalf of CGTA, he recently presented a cheque for £5,000 to the then Master, George Smith, to support SSAFA, the armed forces charity. “I hope to see more people from this Market becoming Fruiterers in the near future,” said Wanda. “It provides members with a real connection to the wider fruit and vegetable industry, as well as many more industries, and I look forward to playing a full role in supporting its activities in the years ahead.”