26. The Worshipful Company of Farmers, 18 September

It was an honour to be invited on behalf of the Water Conservators to attend lunch with the Worshipful Company of Farmers (WCF), number 80 of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its roots go back to the Cornmongers’ Guild in the 14th century, and the present company was established in 1952.  They have their own modern Livery Hall, which they share with the Fletchers’ Company.  They are a modern Livery company as traditionally they delivered their produce outside the City, eg Borough Market, and it was the other older companies such as the Grocers who supplied the City.

In his welcome, the Master Richard Davies explained that, as part of their commitment to farming, the Company run very highly regarded educational courses at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Cranfield University and Dartington Hall, Totnes, arrange lectures and support city farms.  They give grants of over £40K per year.  He also claimed that farming was the oldest profession in the world.

The speaker Chris Manley described his experience as a WCF/Savills Nuffield scholar. There are “Nuffields” in the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.  Each year the scholars meet for briefings and visits in order to help them understand agriculture in an international context.

It was very interesting talking to members of the Farmers’ Company.  One farmer with 500 acres described with pride the way all the waste produced by his cattle is recycled to the land, with minimal ploughing or application of artificial fertiliser or feed.  Another member who was a team vicar in the Cotswolds described the challenges of managing 22 rural churches with 15 church committees.

It was a good opportunity to catch up with other Livery companies.  I sat opposite Master Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Catherine Carr (above) who are celebrating their Quarter Centenary with an exhibition in the Guildhall Art Gallery on “Treasurers of Gold and Silver Wire”.  The Master Distiller described the changes in the sector with their new gin distillers group expanding to 500 members in 10 years.  It was a fascinating day.