Lord Mayor's Show 2022

The Lord Mayor’s Show 

In what is a first for the Needlemakers and many other senior livery companies – at least in recent times - we processed in the annual Lord Mayor’s show. What fun it was! Amazingly the Senior Livery Companies “float” was second in line in the parade behind the Bands of the Scots Guards and the Welsh Guards. Over 120 organisations had floats ranging from the Bank of England, the London Fire Brigade, local schools and universities, the armed forces & cadets and many other livery companies. Lots of the floats had displays of some sort or another and two brave Merchant Taylor liveryman even rode camels!

The Immediate Past Master, Russ Dawes and I met at Ironmongers' Hall at 9am and Philip brought our flag which was waived enthusiastically during the procession. Each of the Senior Livery Companies were allowed up to four people and soon over 100 people were gathered in the hall to enjoy a welcome cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich to start the occasion.

We then all gathered by London Wall and the Guards marched at a fairly brisk pace past the Bank of England (with many people watching the event from the balcony of the Bank of England) and then past a stand outside Mansion House where we acknowledged the newly-elected Lord Mayor, Alderman Nicholas Lyons. Nicholas is no less than the 694^th person to hold the office! He joined the procession later in a state coach that is over 250 years old.

The weather was particularly kind to us and the streets were lined with crowds of cheering people. There were smiles and laughter all round with liverymen giving “high fives” to many children lining the streets.

The senior livery companies float peeled off at the Carmen’s hall, with some staying there for lunch and others, including the Needlemakers, having lunch on HQS Wellington. The ship is the home of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners who looked after us with a champagne and sandwich lunch. After lunch we processed back to London Wall to collect our belongings and head home.

Our thanks must go in particular to Jonathan Grosvenor (Clerk to the Chartered Accountants) who led the organisation of the Senior Livery Companies float. It really was an excellent day out.

Assistant Charles Barrows