The following was written by Kelvin Mills, Court Assistant, Danny Kalman, Liveryman, and Sally Unwin, Freeman.
Discover more about the day’s festivities and our role here.
Each year the Lord Mayor’s show showcases London’s credentials as a global city. Equipped with our blue umbrellas, high-vis vests and dazzling float, Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli couldn’t miss us if he tried as we passed by him along the iconic 3-mile procession.
The sunny weather reflected the jubilant mood of the crowds, and I was particularly struck by the numbers that showed up to cheer us on and the sheer diversity on show!
Kelvin Mills
A memorable day to see ‘our own’ Past Master Michael Mainelli become the Lord Mayor of the City of London on Saturday 11th November. In the perfect crisp winter sunshine, our float looked magnificent (many congratulations to Wil White and his team for the design and development!) and it was a great pleasure to walk together with around 40 other World Traders, proudly showing off our WT umbrellas (more needed to keep away the glare of the sun than the rain!).
It was my first time attending the parade and I felt proud to represent our Livery Company, especially as we are the Mother Company of the new Lord Mayor. Seeing so many families with young children enjoying the parade made it even more special and there were lots of high-fives! Past Master Mary Hardy did a great job of organising the day for us all, which included stops for breakfast, lunch and drinks afterwards.
All the best to Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli and Lady Mayoress Elisabeth for a fabulous year in office.
Danny Kalman
Just over a year ago, I was admitted as a Freeman of the Company at the Mansion House dinner to install Michael Shapiro as Master. It was therefore a huge privilege to salute this year’s Lord Mayor of the City of London outside that same building, particularly when it is “one of our own”.
The weather could not have been kinder. The World Traders’ float was amazing, with thanks to Wil White and his team, and the organisation on the day by Past Master Mary Hardy was simply superb. She ensured we were all properly fed and watered, and knew where we were going.
Some 40 World Traders walked in front and behind the float. We twirled our World Trader Umbrellas, using them as ceremonial swords, bowing and dipping them to the Lord Mayor as we passed the Mansion House Stand. Our high viz jackets, proudly announced that we were World Traders, and as we led the parade of floats, we received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowds. The families with young children were the ones I spotted, in order to be sure of getting a wave back!
We stopped opposite the Royal Courts of Justice for a pub lunch, and as we left to rejoin our float for the walk back along the embankment, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress were arriving in their magnificent gold coach.
It was a day I shall remember, and I thank the Company for the opportunity to participate and to have such fun!
Sally Unwin
