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The Worshipful Company of Firefighters held their annual
Charity dinner in the majestic and historic setting of Apothe-
caries’ Hall. The guest of honour for the occasion was Sir
David Brewer CMG, Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and
former Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Other principal guests included Ron Dobson QFSM, Com-
missioner London Fire Brigade and David Johnson, Chief
Fire Officer & Chief Executive of Essex County Fire and
Rescue Service.
Following dinner, approximately 120 members and guests were treated to a musical interlude featuring
excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan and Flanders and Swan songs which added to the cordiality of the
dinner
In welcoming Sir David and guests to the Apothecaries’ Hall, the Master Geoff Morgan
commented that the Hall, in addition to being one of the oldest Halls, was of special sig-
nificance to him personally, as this was where he had been Clothed in the Livery of the
Firefighters Company
The Massey Shaw Dinner is an opportunity to raise funds
for the WCoFF Charitable Trust and this year £3000 was
raised. It was also an opportunity for the Firefighters to
thank our many generous sponsors and benefactors for their
support at last year’s Fire Industry Ball,
which had raised
over £34,000 for our Charitable Trust Fund
. Presentations
of certificates of thanks were given to representatives from
the FIA, Apollo, Tyco, Vimpex and Fire Fighting Enter-
prises. The Master is shown with a few of the awardees.
The occasion was also used to recognise and acknowledge the
huge debt owed to the bravery and professionalism displayed
by the LFB in tackling the fire at the College of Arms.
In presenting the Commendation and Citation, Sir David
thanked Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Smith and the
LFB on behalf of the City and City Livery Companies for their
prompt and decisive action in saving thousands of irreplace-
able records and artefacts dating back to the 14
th
Century.
Although the fire had been widely reported, few people realised just
how close we had came to losing one of most significant and visited
City buildings along with our nations history.
.
Massey Shaw Dinner
“All too often the work of our
Emergency Services are taken
for granted, as is the dedica-
tion and concern that is
shown by our firefighters, for
life and property”.