Plaque Wording:
{left small plaque}The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, in celebration of the Company's 400th Anniversary, 1606 - 2006, W. A. Sibley Esq - Master, Lt. Col. L. G. French - Clerk. This bronze relief sculpture was commissioned on the initiative of Sheila and Barry Springer, supported by The Covent Garden Area Trust, The Woburn Trust and The Jubilee Market Traders. It commemorates the bustling fruit and vegetable market that operated in Covent Garden from 1670 to 1974. With grateful thanks to those named on the relief and to the many others who donated so generously. Also to the following livery men of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and their forebears, who worked in the market....
{Main Relief}In May 1670, King Charles II issued a grant to the 4th Earl of Bedford, to hold a market in Covent Garden's Piazza 'on every day of the year except Sundays and Christmas Day, for buying and selling all manner of fruit, flowers, roots and herbs'. For the following three centuries, London's largest fruit and vegetable market traded here. In 1828, the 6th Duke obtained Parliamentary powers to provide market buildings, which were then roofed in 1876. The estate remained in the Bedford family until 1918. This bronze honours all those men and women who bought and sold fresh produce here which was then distributed throughout England.
{Main Relief}In May 1670, King Charles II issued a grant to the 4th Earl of Bedford, to hold a market in Covent Garden's Piazza 'on every day of the year except Sundays and Christmas Day, for buying and selling all manner of fruit, flowers, roots and herbs'. For the following three centuries, London's largest fruit and vegetable market traded here. In 1828, the 6th Duke obtained Parliamentary powers to provide market buildings, which were then roofed in 1876. The estate remained in the Bedford family until 1918. This bronze honours all those men and women who bought and sold fresh produce here which was then distributed throughout England.