This was the third year that the Tylers and Bricklayers have been part of the Senior Livery Walking Float at the Lords Mayor's Show.

 

 

To give a quick refresher on the background, the election of the new Lord Mayor takes place  at Common Hall a few weeks before the Show,  on Michaelmas Day (29th of September). He or she is then installed the day before the show at an ancient ritual called the 'Silent Ceremony', which is held at the Guildhall. The Ceremony itself takes approximately 25 minutes. In summary there are many dignitaries processing, perambulating and bowing with maces and a ceremonial sword. Everything is carried out with much precision, pomp and ceremony and apart from the Lord Mayor Elect’s declaration everything is carried out in total silence. This year the new Lord Mayor is Alderman Alastair King DL

 

The day started at 9.30am when the Master, Jenny Rolls, Wardens, Alan Dodd and David White, our Learned Clerk, Heather Smitth together with Court Assistant Martin Reading gathered at Ironmongers Hall for the traditional bacon butty and coffee. As an aside Ironmongers itself is a compact gothic Victorian building surrounded by the 1970s' brutalism of the Barbican Estate, which makes it somewhat unusual. However, the good news is you will be able to see it for yourself if you attend the T&Bs Court and Livery luncheon on 12th of June 2025! That said, after meandering to the starting point around 10.30am at the London Museum roundabout and having a few chats and some banter with members of other Senior Liveries, the 'Ancient Liveries Group' to which we belong, held a walking float starting moving at 11am. The atmosphere was truly electric and to be in the thick of the participants, organisations, elaborate and creative floats as well as the sea of bystanders (reported at 350,000)  was amazing.

 

 

On this occasion the T&Bs were not so close to the front of the parade; in fact, we went from being No.2 to No.34 but we were still in earshot of a military band which kept us walking at a quick march. The route took us from Aldersgate Street to Bank, Mansion House (where we waved, doffed and cheered the new Lord Mayor), Cheapside, St Pauls, Ludgate Hill and Fleet Street where we stopped for some sustenance in Carman’s Hall.  On leaving Carman’s we were met by Past Master Ian Mitchell-Grimshaw who took advantage of a great photo call.

 

 

The procession then continued east along Embankment, Queen Victoria Street and again passing Mansion House where we took another opportunity acknowledge new Lord Mayor. The icing on the cake was when our Master was invited to be part of the Guard of Honour for the new Lord Mayor – our Learned Clerk applies for this honour each year. Suffice to say the Master’s Consort had a pass which allowed ‘access all areas’ so we can only assume he was enjoying the hospitality.

 

 

To say that we all thoroughly enjoyed the day was an understatement, we all felt honoured and privileged to be part of the occasion and it was so interesting to be walking through the streets of the city and seeing things from such a different perspective. Also meeting members of the public and other Ancient Livery Companies was a real joy. The Senior’s Float is likely to continue in the future so hopefully we will be back again next year.

 

Martin Reading - Court Assistant