London,
23
October
2017
|
10:13
Europe/London

Show time for Lord Mayor Charles Bowman

The noisiest and most colourful event in the City of London’s calendar takes place next month (Saturday 11 November), featuring military bands, camels, an Achilles tank, vintage buses, Samba drummers, and an inflatable pig in a three-mile-procession through the Square Mile’s streets.

Some 7,000 people, 200 horses and 70 decorated floats will take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, during which Charles Bowman, who will take office as the 690th Lord Mayor of the City of London on 10 November, will ride in the State Coach. The Lord Mayor’s Show dates back to the 13th century and allows the Lord Mayor to ‘show’ himself or herself to the people of the City, as well as to swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign.

Cheered on by hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets and millions more watching the live TV coverage, the Show celebrates the City’s ancient past and its modern outlook – with livery companies and the Pikemen & Musketeers joining community groups, charities and overseas trade organisations.

There are two landmark anniversaries to note in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. The Royal Air Force, which will form a Guard of Honour during the Show and perform a flypast, celebrates its centenary; and in November 1937 – 80 years ago - the BBC began televising live coverage of the Show, making it the longest running television programme on the planet.

The day starts and ends on the River Thames - the Lord Mayor arrives in the City in a flotilla, travelling in the Queen’s Row Barge, Gloriana, and rides in the State Coach from Guildhall to The Mansion House at 10.45am. The procession leaves The Mansion House shortly after the National two-minute silence at 11.00am for Remembrance Day, and the Show ends with a free-to-view fireworks display at 5.15pm, which attracts huge crowds along Victoria Embankment and on Southbank.

Lord Mayor Elect Charles Bowman said:

“The Lord Mayor’s Show celebrates the historic and thriving City of London - the very centre of our strong and diverse capital – which, in turn, supports a globally successful country.

It is a joyous occasion, full of colour, fun and ceremony, and it is wonderful that so many people come along and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.

“It is entirely right that the Show brings together so many diverse groups and communities from London and the UK, including hundreds of young people who love taking part.

“I’m calling on everyone to communicate throughout the Show, joining in on Twitter with #LordMayorsShow, and using the Lord Mayor’s Show App to vote for your favourite float.

“Working with City businesses, some of whom are taking part in the Show, and their communities, to promote integrity and create a positive effect on society will be at the heart of my mayoralty. And my ‘Business of Trust’ agenda will ensure we are helping to create better business, trusted by society.”

The City of London Corporation, which is headed by the Lord Mayor, invests over £100m every year in heritage and cultural activities of all kinds. It is the UK’s largest funder of cultural activities after the government, the BBC, and Heritage Lottery Fund. It is also developing Culture Mile between Farringdon and Moorgate – a multi-million pound investment which will create a new cultural and creative destination for London over the next 10 to15 years. This includes £110m funding to support the Museum of London’s move to West Smithfield and £2.5m to support the detailed business case for the proposed Centre for Music.

For more information about the Lord Mayor’s Show, visit www.lordmayorsshow.london; call 020 7332 3456 or download the official Show App. People are encouraged to post their photographs of the Lord Mayor’s Show on Twitter using #LordMayorsShow

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Tel: 020 7332 1452 / Mobile: 07795 333060 / Email andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. The City Corporation’s charitable arm, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

• We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.