There’s a stone memorial topped by a cat on Highgate Hill, supposedly on the very spot where Dick Whittington heard the Bow bells ring out: “Turn again, Dick Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London”. We all know that Dick never was a poor tramp and that he must have had a very poor sense of direction to be returning from the City of London to his home in Gloucestershire by way of Highgate Hill but no matter, it’s a favourite childhood story. And, of course, he actually was the Mayor three times, in 1397 under Richard II, 1406 in the reign of Henry IV, and finally in 1420 when Henry V was on the throne. I am thinking of him because the spectacular Lord Mayor’s Show is on this Saturday, the 12th of November.
Dick would have been on many a parade and the The Lord Mayor’s Show has a history going back 800 years.
A new lord mayor is appointed every year and the public parade that takes place as his or her inauguration ceremony reflects that this was once one of the most prominent offices in England. The position of Lord Mayor has a role within the City and is entirely distinct from the position of Mayor of London (a role which has existed only since 2000).
Over time this journey grew into a riotous medieval pageant. It was the first outside event ever to be shown on television and is still today the oldest and grandest civic procession in the world.
The Lord Mayor’s Show is a procession of more than 6500 people, 165 horses, 20 bands and 35 carriages.
It is a great day free day out – with something for all the family!
9 AM – The new Lord Mayor arrives in the City in a splendid flotilla including QRB Gloriana and many other traditional Thames barges from the livery companies and Port authorities. They set off from Westminster at 8.30 and Tower Bridge will open in salute at 9.25.
The real fun begins at 11 am when it sets off from Mansion House on a route via Victoria Embankment and back to the Mansion House around 2pm.
5.15pm There will be a spectacular fireworks display along the Thames.
For more information see https://lordmayorsshow.london/
Wishing you all a very happy weekend.
