New Spitalfields Market tenants provided the fresh fruit and vegetables that greeted the throngs of visitors to the Guildhall Christmas Market on November 26.

 

The magnificent display was the focal point of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers presence at the event that raises money to support the excellent and exhaustive work of the British Red Cross.

 

The Fruiterers’ stall was one of more than 100 at the eclectic market and thousands of Christmas shoppers, city workers and liverymen and women descended on Guildhall on the lookout for distinctive festive gifts.

 

Fruit and vegetables, of course, are a gift year round, and the Fruiterer’s stall offered people 25 pieces of beautiful fresh produce for £10, or the opportunity to buy smaller quantities for a suitable donation to the cause. Almost needless to say, it sold out and raised the grand total of £1430 (and a few pence).

 

Pictured in our main photo is the Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Cheryl Roux, who donned the greengrocer apron and was kept very busy as she dished out fruit and veg to the customers. In our second photo are Liverymen Peter Thomas of Prescott Thomas and Jimmy Huddart, the infamous London markets porter. And in the third are Jimmy again, Marie Heuderbeurck, who works for the City of London at New Spitalfields and Liveryman Tommy Leighton. Our thanks to Past Master Peter Cooper who was present throughout the two days, but took the photos rather than appeared in them!

 

To find out more about the work of the British Red Cross or to donate, click on www.redcross.org.uk