29. 9th November 2019

“Are you sellin’ a house , or off to join a protest ?“ came the question as I walked in my suit towards the end of Cloudesley Road en route to Angel tube station on a crisp and sunny early November morning. The Water Conservators placard carried, preassembled, over my shoulder, had excited the interest of the man sweeping leaves in the municipal gardens at the end of the road. In response, I explained that I was off to participate in the Lord Mayor’s Show ; a conversation ensued on the Lord Mayor’s Show , the origins of the Livery movement , and who the Water Conservators are.

As I turned into Chapel Market , a route that I have walked to work regularly over the past 30 years, a number of familiar faces looked at me quizzically ; “ who are you goin’ to smack over the head with that then ? “ enquired one stallholder with a broad grin.

I, and my assembled placard, successfully negotiated the tube to Moorgate, and after a short walk, I spotted on London Wall the red bus which would be the support vehicle for The Modern Livery Companies as they walked along the processional route.

The early morning of the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show brings with it an air of expectancy and focussed preparation that is most stimulating. Over the next half hour or so my three Wardens , Rob Casey , Graham Howells and Martin Baggs all arrived , and, as we gowned up , others around us were perfecting their floats , marshalling vehicles, or trying to calm equine impatience . Parade Marshalls pored endlessly over clip boards, and the queues for coffee at various outlets grew longer as we all sought to stave off the penetrating November chill.

Eventually we were off and, being float number 30, we were quite close to the front of the procession – along Gresham Street and swinging round to the right , and the right again and we were passing Mansion House . A wave towards the Lord Mayor standing on the dais, and there was Aldermanic Sheriff Michael Mainelli acknowledging the Water Conservators’ contingent. Then along Cheapside we went, high fiving the crowd, especially the children, waving all the while, and having a brief chat here and there.

Throughout the morning, as we walked westwards towards Fleet Street and the Royal Courts of Justice, the forecast rain held off. Soon we were past the Law Courts and

turning left down to the Embankment where a welcome glass ( or two ) of prosecco and some sandwiches awaited us on HQS Wellington.

As we reassembled after lunch to continue the parade, the rain came, although, fortunately, it was not too heavy during the walk back to Mansion House. All along the route, as we walked back eastwards, happy smiling faces; cheering and clapping crowds, and many children waving Union Jack flags.

As we returned to our end point on London Wall and said our thanks and farewells to each other, I reflected on what a truly unique and uplifting occasion it had been. I then had the opportunity to watch the rest of the procession over a piping hot coffee.

I would not have missed it for all the world!