Lord Mayor’s Show 2009

As I came out of the underground this morning workers were busy unloading metal barriers from a collection of lorries and they’d obviously been at it for a while as the streets were already lined with them. Yes, the Lord Mayor’s Show is upon us again and apparently if you hurry there are still a few grandstand seats left at St Pauls! As the official website explains:

“In a tradition dating back to 1215 and enshrined in the charter of King John, each new Lord Mayor is required to swear a pledge of allegiance to the Sovereign in front of the Lord Chief Justice and Judges of the Queen’s Bench Division. An established highlight of London’s social calendar, the Lord Mayor’s Show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.”

“Behind the new Lord Mayor, in a procession extending more than three miles, around 6,000 people from all across London will come together to celebrate their city’s proud cultural heritage and to revel in its diverse modernity. With more than 60 participating organisations ranging from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to the British Red Cross Society, this year’s Show demonstrates exactly why London is widely regarded the most cosmopolitan city in the world and why the Square Mile continues to enjoy its reputation as the pre-eminent centre for global finance.”

The parade starts at 11am, though an early arrival is recommended because of the inevitable crowds, but if you can’t make that then I’d really recommend the fireworks down on the river at 5pm. It’s always a spectacular show.

For a plan of the route and more details of the timings go to the official website:
http://www.lordmayorsshow.org