Lord Mayor's Show 2018....

Putting the new Lord Mayor on "show" every year, to prove his fitness for the job....

One of the joys of being part of a livery Company is becoming involved with the traditions and pageantry of the livery movement and particularly with the cycle of events which surrounds the election and installation of the Lord Mayor.

Traditions which date from medieval times come to life and are transposed into the 21st Century.  The Lord Mayor’s Show dates from 1215 when it was

deemed necessary to show the Lord Mayor to prove his fitness at the

start of his Mayoral year. 

The walkers met at Third Warden Bob Harris’s apartment in the Barbican for breakfast (many thanks Bob and Jenny) and to robe and hat ourselves.  All the

Company’s gowns were put into use.  Bob’s grandchildren joined in and

were given sweets to hand out along the route  

Simon Engwell carried our mace – no mean feat as it is very heavy!  

This year there were 116 ‘floats’, derived from the days that barges travelled along the Thames.

We have for the last few years walked with the Sea Cadets, and this year Court Assistant Kanan Barot co-ordinated. The cadets were number 7 in the procession so an early start for us. 

The experience of walking is incredibly uplifting,  cheering and being cheered by the crowd.              We were kept from being too disorderly ....(!)

by the need to keep up with the band,  who set the pace musically and by striding out in front of us; 

together with the more orderly Sea Cadets who marched behind.

We carried umbrellas but the weather was mild and fine and we had worked up quite a thirst by the time we reached the end of the outward journey from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice.

We met up with the non-walkers at The George for lunch organised by Elizabeth Consalvi. 

The pub is directly opposite to the Law Courts and our private room on the first floor had a splendid view of the Floats, Marchers, Bands and the arrival of the Lord Mayor’s Coach.  

Then the walkers were off for the inward journey back to Mansion House. 

The next Show will be on November 9th 2019.  Get the date in your diary now and come and join in:  whether to walk or to meet at The George for lunch and the views.  All are welcome!!

Denise Fellows, First Warden