The making of Gog and Magog If you would like to see the giants between Shows, they currently brush the ceiling of the Royal National Hotel in Russell Square. They should eventually move back to the Guildhall, but at the moment there's too much building work going on. In 2006 the original wicker Gog and Magog finally returned to the Lord Mayor's Procession, thanks to months of hard work by the Company of Basketmakers. On the morning of their first Show the giants were assembled outside the Museum of London. Here they are being guarded by 100 Troop. Packing and moving the figures was a delicate job carried out with great care by the soldiers of 100 Troop. The hair was tricky: it had to be convincing, but in the same style as the wicker bodies, and it had to be light enough not to overbalance the head. Here Bunty Ball and Harriet Middleboe put the finishing touches to Magog's coiffure. The finished Gog and Magog with their makers caption: The figures combine basketmaking on a giant scale with some marvellous detaile work. This is Magog's helmet. The figures combine basketmaking on a giant scale with some marvellous detaile work, as here on Magog's helmet The nearly-finished figures tower over their makers (and their makers' houses) Kay Johnson, who kindly allowed her barn to fill with giant body parts over nine months The hands were trickier still, and eventually the team decided not to make them in wicker. Here Hilary Mayne tries on the leather versions for size. The bodies were made in parts, then assembled around a lightwight frame. Here you can see the heads in progress. Olivia Elton Barratt, on the right, sweeps up at the end of another long day. With her are Jan Barker and Mally Gower. The making of Gog and Magog The making of Gog and Magog The statues of Gog and Magog currently standing in the Guildhall were commissioned from sculptor David Evans after the previous versions were destroyed in the Blitz. The phoenix shield tells us that this is Magog. 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show 2007 Lord Mayor's Show David Lewis, Lord Mayor for 2007-8, waves from the State Coach after being blessed at St Pauls. Picture by Swamibu via Flickr David Lewis, 680th Lord Mayor of London, takes part in the early morning coach rehearsal in 2007 The Promise Centenary Scout Band The Promise Centenary Scout Band The Promise Centenary Scout Band lord mayor's coachman outside mansion house Lord Mayor's Coach & six Lord Mayor's Coach & six May 2008 Lord Mayor St John Ambulancde Volunteers At the Parade IV, taken by James Kirkbride At the Parade II, taken by James Kirkbride At the Parade III, taken by James Kirkbride At the Parade I, taken by James Kirkbride lms 2007 lms 2007 waiting MMB
