Lord Mayor's Show Saturday 9th November

Started another busy day with a visit to our office at Plaisterers Hall to collect my Master's gown and the Master's chain of office, then to get robed.  Joined by the Wardens, Clerk and others and we left suitably gowned to visit our Marketors float parked nearby in Aldersgate Street.   And very good it looked too largely thanks to much effort by Junior Warden David Pearson. I am also hugely grateful to Tom Tuke-Hastings who acted as Event Director for the float at short notice.  With the Master, Senior and Middle Warden otherwise engaged all day in a carriage,Tom and David Pearson manned the float, along with Court Assistants Diane Morris and Peter Rees  They no doubt all attracted much attention.  Annie Brooks did a sterling job on the ground as Event Director at the Wine Tun and greeted the parents of St Dunstan's cadets and other Company members. It was a really successful team effort.   

Senior Warden, myself, Middle Warden and Clerk trying out the view from the float - we will not be here for the show this year but instead travelling by carriage

Cadets from St Dunstans College always make a huge contribution to our presence in the Show. The Headmistress Jane Davies helped man the float in the parade - with me prior to both adjourning to Guildhall 

After photographs on the float left with Jane Davies for a breakfast and coffee being offered to members of the Lord Mayor's and Sheriff's Committee and others participating in official capacities in the Old Library of Guildhall.
Soon it was time to find our carriage in Aldermanbury, discovering that it had meanwhile decided to rain - rain that was unfortunately to persist for the whole morning.

Andrew Marsden, Middle Warden joins me in the carriage

Making the acquaintance of Otto and Bullet, our trusty steeds

However the damp conditions did not affect the crowds or the sheer enthusiasm of the participants and whilst it certainly rained on our parade, the show goes on regardless. British spirit prevails.

  

Our float passing Mansion House - in pouring rain

And here I come, protected by Marketors umbrellas and flanked by very smart St Dunstan College cadets

The Lord Mayor enters her coach and joins the end of the outbound procession - her first stop will be St Paul's Cathedral for a traditional blessing

Lunch break and Past Master Peter Goudge entertains family at the Wine Tun

The weather improved for the return part of the show after a half time break for refreshment - the sun even came out and the sky at one point turned completely blue.  
It is a great annual pageant - a brilliant feat of organisation by the Pageantmaster Dominic Reid OBE to get everyone in the right place at the right time and the atmosphere is superb.  Even the police appear relaxed and friendly, even if always vigilant for any surprises.
The Show was followed by lunch at Mansion House with the Wardens and their partners and the Clerk.

The rain has stopped and we return to Mansion House in the afternoon

Our congratulations to Sir Paul Judge as a Past Master of the Marketors, Chair of Governors at St Dunstan's College and President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing - oh yes, Aldermanic Sheriff too.

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We missed the fireworks due to having a Wedding Reception of a close friend to attend in the evening in Putney.

Another very full day for me - but even fuller for the new Lord Mayor on her first full day at the office!