Page 101 - Archived Back Issues

FIREFIGHTER EVENTS
Members of the Company were present at two significant events in the history of the Firefighters Memorial Trust.
Annual Memorial Service
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.
Royal Charter
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: www.photoboxgallery.com/royalcharter2011
St Florian’s Installation Banquet
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.
City Dinner
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.
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