Highlights of my year:
During my year of office I was extremely fortunate that our Honorary Freeman, Sir Robert Finch (now sadly deceased) was installed as Lord Mayor of London. As one of his four supporting Companies, we were accorded some rare privileges.
On the Friday before the Lord Mayor’s Show, we were able to attend the Silent Ceremony in the Guildhall , followed, that evening by the Blessing of the Lord Mayor by the Bishop of London in the Tower of London, with evensong sung by the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
On the Saturday of the Lord Mayor’s Show, the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners had a successful float in the Parade headed up by the then Senior Warden, Paul Michael. In addition , we were given the honour of having a horse drawn carriage following behind the Lord Mayor’s coach. In addition to myself as Master, we had in the carriage Senior Warden Paul Michael, Junior Warden Mike Poulter and the Clerk Michael Bizley. I will always remember the feeling of being cheered, throughout the route, by tens of thousands of people, who hadn’t a clue as to who we were.
At the halfway stage, we were able to enter the Central Courts of Justice to witness the Lord Mayor being sworn in by the twelve High Court Judges.
When the parade end up at the Mansion House my wife joined me for a late lunch with the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen. Carol had watched the entire Parade from a seat on the balcony of the Mansion House.
On the Monday evening, we attend the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in the Guildhall, the principal guest being the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
A truly memorable weekend and certainly the highlight of my year as Master.
“…hadn’t a clue as to who we were”
The Lord Mayor’s Show
With thanks to Michael Poulter for supplying this video.
