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FROM THE
MASTER’S PEN
communities which
is
the bedrock of
the modern
Livery Companies.
In
addition, we
take part
in
the
government, pageantry
and
customs of
the
greatest
city
in
the world.
The
Firefighters' Company
is
responsible
for
the
Fire
Industry Charity Ball. This
year,
it will be
held on 28
June 2008,
at
the Grosvenor House
By way of
this
communication,
I
Hotel, Park Lane, London.
wish
to
introduce
you
to
the
It's
a
great
fun
night.
Following
a
reception we
Firefighters' Company.
have
a magnificent dinner,
followed by
entertainment
and dancing. We
hold
a
raffle
Our official
title of
“The Worshipful Company of
where
all
the
excellent prizes
have been donated
Firefighters” was
granted
after
receiving our
either by members or
the
corporate
sector. But
letters patent
following 14
years
as
the Guild of
the main
fund
raiser
is
the
auction. This
is
the
Firefighters. The Guild was
the
creation of Gerry
time when
individuals might bid
for
a personal
Clarkson,
the
then Chief of London
Fire Brigade,
tour of
St. Paul's or
the Tower of London, buy
who,
together with
a
number of
loyal
colleagues,
football memorabilia, book
a
ski
holiday or bid
to
had questioned why
it was
that many
trades
had
drive
a
Ferrari. The
corporate bidders may
seek
Guilds
and Livery Companies
formed
in
their
out
unique works of
art, or
grand wines
for
their
name, but
not
the
Firefighters. They were
guests. Last
year,
the
total
raised was over
looking
at
the
historic City of London Livery
£25,000
and
everyone
had
a
fantastic
evening.
Companies,
some of which
go back over 800
years
and decided
the City
had waited
long
enough
for
the
Firefighters!
The mission of
the
Firefighters' Company
is
the
development
and
advancement of
the
science,
art
and practice of
firefighting
and
fire protection.
Of
course
this
could
not be
achieved with
Fire
Service members
alone. Although
vitally
important,
they
are but one
sector of
the
Fire
Industry.
It was decided
at
the outset
that
interest
from
all
sectors of our
Industry
should be
encouraged
and we
now
have members
from
the
Fire
Services,
vehicle manufacturers,
scientific
research
institutes,
test
houses, manufacturers of
detection
and
alarm products,
rescue
equipment,
extinguishers
and
a
host of other products
used
by
the
fire
services,
industry,
government
and
the
general public.
Our 2008
event
is
expected
to be our best
yet
and we
are delighted
to be
joined by
the
FIA
as
rd
Before being
honoured
as
the 103
(there
are
joint promoters
and we
have
already
received
now 107)
livery
company
in 2001, we were
offers of
sponsorship
from
the
corporate
sector.
required
to demonstrate our
commitment,
Sponsorship
through our
'Corporate
table plan'
is
capability
and
resilience
to
comply with
the
a way
for business
to
entertain
customers,
thank
traditions of
the City of London
and
its Livery
their
staff or
suppliers,
and
treat
their
families,
as
movement, by
swearing
allegiance
to
the Lord
well
as
ensuring
that
a donation
goes directly
to
a
Major of
the City of London
and Her Majesty's
most worthy
cause
government. But
additionally,
and most
vitally, we
had
to
have
accumulated
sufficient
charity
Please
join me, my
fellow
Firefighters
and
your
reserves
to be
able
to distribute
aid on
a
regular
industry
colleagues
and
friends
at
the 2008
Fire
basis,
in
line with our Charitable Trust's
Industry Charity Ball
and
have
fun whilst
showing
responsibilities.
It
is
fund
raising
for
charities
(and
how we
all
care
for
those
less
fortunate
than
in our
case
Fire
related
charities)
that
is
the
ourselves!
motivation of many of
those who
now
join
the
Firefighters.
It's
not without
fun,
networking,
friendship or
indeed professional opportunities
but
it
is
charity
and
the opportunity
to put
something back
into one's
industry or
The
Salamander
www.firefighterscompany.orgThe Worshipful Company of
Firefighters
Service,
Fellowship, Harmony
and Honour
“It
is
reassuring
and
pleasing
to
see
the
Fire
Industry Charity Ball
continue
to
grow
and
FIA
is
proud
to
be
supportive
both
in
spirit
and
finance. Contributing
to
Fire
related Charities
is
important
and
in
its
first
year
as
an
association
FIA
has
adopted
the
Firefighters
Company’s Charitable Trust
as
its main
Charity
and
are
proud
to
be
alongside
the
Firefighters Company
as
co-
sponsors
of
the Ball. Attending
the Ball
is
a
fun way
to
help
Fire Charities
and
we
are
particularly
delighted
to
be
able
help
the
Fire
Service National
Benevolent
Fund who will
be
the main
beneficiary
of
the 2008
event.”
Martin Harvey
FIA Chairman
“The
Fire
Services National Benevolent
Fund
is
delighted
to
accept
the
Firefighters' Company's
invitation
for
the
FSNBF
to
become
one
of
the
official
charities
for
the
prestigious
Fire
Industry Charity Ball. Their
support
is
outstanding
and
by
using
both
our
organisations'
expertise,
and
drawing
on
the
additional
support
of
the
joint
promoters
FIA, we will work
together
to
ensure
that
fire
related worthy
causes
are
better
supported
than
ever
before.”
Roy
Lawrenson
FSNBF Chief Executive
Viv
Jones
Master
-
Firefighters' Company
Martin Harvey,
FIA Chairman,
at
their
inaugural AGM
presents
the Master with
the
FIA
donation
in
support
of
fundraising
for
the 2008
Fire
Industry Charity Ball