Young and old 'City Gents' – residents in the Square Mile take part in 2007 Lord Mayor's Show

Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show:

• First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its 792nd year.
• It welcomes in the 680th Lord Mayor of the City of London.
• The Show takes place annually on the second Saturday in November.
• At 5pm, the Lord Mayor will light the touch paper to the Lord Mayor’s Fireworks display on the River Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridge. A team of eight pyrotechnicians takes two days to set more than half a tonne of giant fireworks, some of which shoot more than 600ft into the air. It is the largest firework display in London.
• The word ‘float’, used to describe components of a parade or procession, is derived from the Lord Mayor’s Show when originally the exhibits would do just that – ‘float’ along the Thames in barges.
• The Pageantmaster, Dominic Reid, is responsible for organising the logistics of the Show – this includes arranging for the lifting and checking of 3,500 manhole covers, installation of 4,000 grandstand seats and 6,300 galvanised crowd barriers and laying of 43 tonnes of sand. He also organises the 6,000 participants, 180 vehicles and 20 marching bands.
• Last year there were more than 6,000 participants, 1,550 military personnel, 249 vehicles from Morris Minors to open top buses, 71 floats, 24 bands of all shapes and sizes and a giant mechanical Bengali tiger.
• To enjoy the celebrations, get to the City for the morning of Saturday 10th November and nab a place on the well-marked route. The procession will weave its way from Guildhall in the heart of the City, through the historic streets of the Square Mile, passing the Mansion House and St. Paul’s Cathedral before continuing to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.

About the Role of the Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of the City of London acts as an international ambassador for the UK business and financial services industry. He spends up to 80 days a year, travelling to around 20 countries to promote this industry and the Square Mile as a place of excellence in which to do business. As head of the City of London the Lord Mayor is involved with local government and London-wide issues, from the City of London’s work in the regeneration of neighbouring boroughs to transport and environmental issues which affect the City. On behalf of the Sovereign and the Government, he also acts as host when the City of London provides hospitality for visiting heads of state and foreign dignitaries.

About the City of London Corporation

The ancient City of London Corporation has a 21st-century role supporting the business city as the world’s leading international financial and business centre. The City of London Corporation provides local government services for the City of London ‘Square Mile’ at the heart of London – but its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City boundaries and include paying for and running the Barbican Centre, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health Authority.

Press release published Wednesday 17 October 2007

The City of London’s Family and Young People’s Service is one of six London groups to have received £10,500 in funding from the Lord Mayor of the City of London to build their own float for inclusion in the Lord Mayor’s Show.

The City of London’s Family and Young People’s Service is one of six London groups to have received funding from the Lord Mayor to enter the Show. Their float will include about 70 people from the City, aged from three to 80 years old, all transformed into proper City Gents.

In the coming weeks, around 70 children and adults (three to 80-years-old) from the City will be transformed into real ‘City Gents’ to entertain around 300,000 spectators when the parade hits the streets of London on Saturday 10th November.

The City of London’s Family and Young People ’s Service within the City Corporation’s Department of Community and Children’s Services, delivers informal education and self-development opportunities in the City and works with voluntary and community groups providing activities for the Under 5s.

The City float will feature participants wearing pinstripe suits. The residents will dance to the all time favourite tune – ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and perform with umbrellas and bowler hats. The float will be developed under the theme of ‘OneCiti’, which reflects all the people that work, live and play in the City.

Gillian Humble, Family and Young People’s Director at the City of London said: ‘We’re very excited about residents of all ages joining forces with the Youth and Play Service to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show. It’s a great opportunity to bring people together across the generations and showcase the talents and diversity of some of the 9,000 residents living and working in the Square Mile. Our music is ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ but we hope the sun will shine for all.’

The Lord Mayor’s community float scheme extends links between the Square Mile and neighbouring City fringe boroughs. Sponsorship in terms of finance and through expert workshops allows group participants to develop their talents – which are demonstrated on the day to the Show’s audience across the world.