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5
FIREFIGHTER
EVENTS
Annual Memorial Service
St Florian’s Installation Banquet
Royal Charter
City Dinner
Members of the Company were
present at two significant events
in the history of the Firefighters
Memorial Trust.
The 2011 Memorial Service, held on 11th
September at St. Paul’s Cathedral, represented a
landmark anniversary in two ways.
Firstly it offered an opportunity to recognise the
20th Anniversary of the formal formation of the
original Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust
Fund, now renamed the Firefighters Memorial
Trust following the grant of a Royal Charter in
2010. This Trust is now directly responsible for:
The National Monument near St Paul’s
Cathedral in the City of London.
The National Monument and garden at the
National Memorial Arboretum
The National Fire Service Chapel at the Fire
Service College
The National Book of Remembrance at the
Fire Service Chapel
The annual International Service of
Remembrance in London in September and
the associated annual wreath laying ceremony
at the Memorial
The annual Service of Thanksgiving at the
National Monument in May
Secondly, it will be the tenth anniversary of the
terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New
York City. Some 330 firefighters were killed in
the aftermath of this atrocity.
Mr Michael Harper, laid a wreath on behalf of the
WCoFF.
The Royal Charter was presented to the
Firefighters Memorial Trust by Princess Anne on
17th July at a special reception at the Artillery
Company.
Photographs of the day at the honourable
Artillery Company can be viewed online at:
On this, the 10th anniversary since becoming a
Livery Company, the Company was very proud
and honoured to be celebrating the installation of
the New Master, Peter Cowland, at our St
Florian’s Installation Banquet in the magnificent
surroundings of Trinity House.
Trinity House, with its wonderful view over the
Thames onto the floodlit and haunting Tower of
London, originated as the Charitable Guild of
Mariners in 1514, later to become The
Corporation of Trinity House. Today, it maintains
71 Lighthouses, 9 Light Vessels and more than
500 other aids to navigation. In addition, it is a
deep sea pilotage authority and an influential
charitable organisation, promoting the safety,
welfare and training of mariners.
The guest speaker was Liveryman, Lt Cdr
Andrew Rhodes CEng Mlet RN. Andrew joined
the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice in
1984. He has seen active service during the first
Gulf War and the Bosnian crisis. He was
promoted to Lt Cdr in 2007 and has recently
served as Weapon Engineer Officer on HMS
Cumberland recently involved in the Libyan
evacuation. He is due to join the British Defence
Staff in Washington DC next year.
The dinner was outstanding, the entertainment
magnificent with good participation and waving
of flags and the occasion was also an opportunity
to make the WCoFF Firefighters Awards.
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
presented an “Exclusive Dinner” with Sir Ken
Knight and sponsored by Catlin Group, the
leading global specialty property / casualty insurer
and reinsurance Group.
HM Government Chief Fire & Rescue Adviser, Sir
Ken Knight CBE QFSM DL, was accompanied by
a host of senior executives from the public and
private sectors. Sir Ken gave a talk on the key
issues being addressed in the Fire and Rescue
area within Government and answered several
questions. The dinner was held in support of the
Charitable Trust of the Worshipful Company of
Firefighters.
This was a unique opportunity to learn about key
issues within the Firefighting and Rescue arena as
well as enjoy some excellent company, some
jovial banter good food and wine.