Feast serves up well-known 
faces at celebration of region

MANUFACTURERS across the region are preparing for the 377th annual Cutlers’ Feast, where they will be addressed by Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2013, 01:01 BST

Sheffield born and bred, Sir Bernard attended Hinde House School before joining South Yorkshire Police as a 22-year-old and working his way up to the top of his profession.

Also speaking at the event on Thursday night is Daniel Evans, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres.

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The Company of Cutlers, which dates back to 1624, supports and promotes manufacturing in the Sheffield City Region.

The Master Cutler, Neil MacDonald, who said he sees the feast as the high point of his term of office, said: “This being the year of the centenary of Stainless Steel, I was very keen to invite speakers with a strong Sheffield connection to help us celebrate all that is so good about this region.

“The great success of the Stainless Steel Centenary has been down, in no small part, to the collaboration between various local bodies – the Cutlers’ Company, the council, our Chambers of Commerce and the local museums – and one of the pleasing outcomes has been the strengthening of the relationship between business and the arts.”

Other invited guests include politicians and representatives from industry, the civil service, the military, City of London Livery Companies as well as Freemen and Friends of the Company of Cutlers.

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Two hundred years ago the Cutlers’ Feast extended over three days with booths erected in the High Street and in the ‘church yard’ with all business ‘generally suspended’. Today, it spans one evening. “The feast is recognised as an opportunity to showcase the region as the centre for high value, modern, effective manufacturing,” said Mr MacDonald.

“Optional visits the following day to various manufacturing businesses, including the Advanced Manufacturing Park, have proved very popular and give us the opportunity to show business people and politicians exactly what we have to offer.”

Last year, Tory grandee Lord Heseltine addressed the Cutlers’ Feast, calling on family-owned businesses to raise their game and help improve Britain’s international competitiveness.

Related topics:Daniel EvansSheffield