Below is a running list of our Twitter activity from The Big
Tweet, a campaign showing all the City of London Corporation
work which goes on behind the scenes to bring the Lord Mayor's Show
to life. Follow us on Twitter @cityoflondon for the Tweets and
on Facebook/lordmayorsshow for pictures.
Recent Tweets
15 November - 3pm
Paraiso School of Samba danced to the rhythm at #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet, please read
below.
Modelled on the great samba schools that create the Rio
Carnival, Paraiso is a charity providing public samba dance and
percussion workshops focussed on producing carnival parades with
dancers, drummers, floats and live music. Paraiso’s parade was the
culmination of workshops in Hackney schools.
15 November - 12.15pm
City of London PCSO Rosalund Sweet had a fantastic time at
Saturday's #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet, please read
below.
The City of London Police Force has now employed Police
Community Support Officers (PCSOs) for over four years, with
numbers swelling year on year. Their recruits are from a wide range
of experience and background and the Force also benefits from those
with additional language skills such as Bengali and Spanish.
Rosalund was pictured at the Lord Mayor’s Show enjoying the
family atmosphere, and ensuring everything went off peacefully.
15 November - 10.30am
Road Sweeper Makary Slusarczyk from contractor Enterprise sweeps
streets after parade at #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet, please read
below.
Enterprise have been contracted by the City of London
Corporation to deal with all waste management issues in the square
mile, helping sand the roads for the procession route and get the
City clean and tidy again ready for business on Monday morning.
Makary was pictured sweeping the roads along the procession
route, and was just one of many Enterprise staff working to return
the City to its original litter-free state.
14 November - 5pm
City of London Corp Chef de Partie Tim Bannerman preparing the
Lord Mayor's Banquet after #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet, please read
below.
The Lord Mayor’s Banquet is held in honour of the immediate past
Lord Mayor and is the first to be hosted by the new Lord Mayor of
the City of London. Traditionally, it is at this Banquet when the
Prime Minister makes a major World Affairs speech. Hugo is
presently putting together the new Lord Mayor of London David
Wootton’s key note speech.
Tim was pictured preparing the food for the big banquet which is
one of the flagship events at Mansion House.
14 November - 3pm
New Lord Mayor David Wootton marks Remembrance Sunday at the
City's Royal Exchange memorial the day after #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet, please read
below.
Remembrance Sunday is held on the Sunday nearest to 11 November
Armistice Day.[1]It is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in
the First World War at 11 a.m. in 1918 to commemorate the
contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian
servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
New Lord Mayod David Wootton was pictured marking Remembrance
Sunday at the City’s Royal Exchange memorial.
14 November - 10.30am
City of London Police Commissioner Mr Adrian Leppard, Esq thanks
his horse Little Dave for being so calm at his first #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Commissioner Adrian Leppard, Esq is responsible for all policing
matters in the City of London. The force concentrates on three key
priorities: economic crime, counter terrorism, and community
policing. He also leads on force performance.
Adrian took up the post of Commissioner in December 2010, so
this was his first Lord Mayor’s Show and parade. He had been taking
horse riding lessons especially for the event, and was thankful to
his horse little Dave for being so calm.
The Commissioner’s horse has a ceremonial saddlecloth presented
by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
11 November - 4.15pm
Guildhall Art Gallery Volunteer Genevieve inspects an Atkinson
Grimshaw painting before #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Genevieve has volunteered to guide visitors to the Guildhall Art
Gallery around the exhibition which includes more than 60 paintings
from his earliest Pre-Raphaelite inspired landscapes, to the
Impressionist style seascapes of his last years. The show also
includes drawings, manuscripts and photographs on loan from public
and private collections and descendants of the artist.
11 November - 3.45pm
City Corp gardening volunteer Nic Guerra planting newly
re-landscaped Festival Gardens with Wallflowers and clipped Buxus
ready for #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The festival Gardens are award-winning gardens which were
originally laid out over a large expanse of bomb-damaged land after
the Second World War. They now provide one of the most memorable
views of St Paul's Cathedral from anywhere in the City.
Nic Guerra and the rest of the gardening team have been busy
replanting wallflowers and clipped buxus to restore the recently
re-landscaped area, and it’s a beautiful spot to watch the Lord
Mayor’s procession from.
11 November - 2.45pm
Heart and Soul charity rehearsing for their float with The City
Bridge Trust at #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The City Bridge Trust, whose trustee is the City of London
Corporation, is London’s largest independent grantmaker, awarding
around £15million each year to charities across the capital. Its
entry is in partnership with Heart n Soul, one of the UK’s leading
creative companies with learning disability culture at its heart,
and incorporates music, dance and drama with a carnivalesque
twist.
http://www.citybridgetrust.org.uk/cbt/
http://www.heartnsoul.co.uk/
11 November - 2.15pm
City of London Roads Policing Unit motorcyclist Daniel Shead had
5am start this morning. He's one of 18 City Police motorcyclists on
duty escorting one of the coaches in the parade.
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Roads Policing Unit sits under the Specialist Support
Directorate. It has a diverse remit covering tasks like general
road policing, traffic management, and road safety. The unit
consists of 1 Inspector, 3 Sergeants, 22 Constables and 1 civilian
support staff.
Daniel Shead was up at 5am this morning going over the route,
and will be one of 18 City of London Police motorcyclists escorting
one of the carriages on the day.
11 November - 1.15pm
Events Co-ordinator Donna Fendick tests the microphones ready
for the Lord Mayor's inauguration at the Great Hall before
#LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Testing testing! Events Co-ordinator is pictures testing the
microphone for today’s Silent Ceremony, where the new Lord Mayor is
formally installed. The inauguration got its name because
there are no speeches apart from the one given by the new Lord
Mayor, and pictured is the microphone which will be used by David
Wootton.
11 November - 12.15pm
Corporation of London Security Guard Erroll Goddon standing by
for Lord Mayor's inauguration at Guildhall
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Guildhall security team are well drilled in ensuring
important events go off peacefully and without interruptions, and
the Lord Mayor’s inauguration is treated with the same meticulous
planning as events greeting visiting dignitaries or other major
ceremonial occasions.
Erroll is standing by the entrance at the Guildhall Great Hall
today while rehearsals are carried out inside.
11 November - 11.45am
Mansion House Commis Chef Afrim Drenouci tasting stock for
tomorrow's meal after #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Perhaps the most famous events at Mansion House are the dinners
and banquets. They have always been splendid occasions: once upon a
time they would last several hours, and guests would take food to
the window to hand down to waiting friends and servants.
Today the Lord Mayor hosts ten banquets a year which provide a
platform for ministers (at Guildhall), while every week sees
businesses and livery companies hold dinners at Mansion House, at
the invitation of the Lord Mayor.
Afrim has begun preparing the meal for tomorrow which will be
served at Mansion House after the Lord Mayor’s coach has
returned.
11 November - 11am
Chester the City of London Police Dog has been sniffing waste
bins, buildings and seating areas along the procession route this
morning before #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The role of the Dog Section is to provide police dogs to support
their colleagues across the City, and to respond to emergency calls
where their unique skills can be used to help make London safer.
Chester is a Spaniel and is trained specifically to locate
explosives.
All of the City of London Corporation dogs and their handlers
are based at Wood Street Police station, and will attend calls
anywhere it is safe to do so, in the City and sometimes
outside.
10 November - 6.30pm
Andrew Ford polishes the Lord Mayor's ceremonial sword ready for
his inauguration tomorrow before #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The State sword originates from the mid-seventeenth century, its
pommel is wrought with representations of Justice and Fame and the
sheath is of red velvet adorned with Royal emblems and the City
arms. There are a further four swords, the Pearl sword, the
Mourning Sword, the Old Bailey Sword and the Mansion House Justice
Room Sword.
Andrew Ford has been preparing the sword for the inauguration on
Friday, where it is passed over from the previous Lord Mayor to the
next Lord Mayor.
10 November - 6.15pm
New Lord Mayor David Wootton at Wed am rehearsal in Lord Mayor's
coach for #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Lord Mayor’s coach was commissioned in 1757 by Sir Charles
Asgill from Joseph Berry of Holborn, and in 1777 the coach was
taken over by the Court of Common Council. It has been used in
every Show since it was built, now 250 years ago, and between Shows
it can be seen in the Museum of London.
The next Lord Mayor David Wooton was at the 5am rehearsal on
Wednesday morning, and can be seen pictured in the magnificent
carriage.
10 November - 6pm
Events Co-ordinator Donna Fendick putting out the VIP signs
ready for the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor before #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Lord Mayor is sworn in on the day before the Lord Mayor's
Show. At Guildhall, the outgoing Lord Mayor transfers the mayoral
insignia - the Seal, the Purse, the Sword and the Mace to the
incoming Lord Mayor.
Donna has been putting the finishing touches the floor plan
today in the Great Hall, laying out VIP signage and getting
everything else in place ready for the big day.
10 November - 5pm
Sir John Cass Primary School Teacher Mrs Pauline Lucas with
pupils rehearsing for the float at #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Sir John Cass Foundation School have joined the DARE City of
London charity float along with other pupils, and will be hard to
miss. Just keep an eye out for 90 school children with drums and
bongos. Pauline Lucas is a Primary School teacher at Sir John Cass
and will be taking part in the float with her pupils.
DARE were established 15 years ago, and DARE has implemented the
drug education and life skills programme in all schools in the
City, as well as others outside the Square Mile.
10 November - 2pm
Assistant Gardener Justin Yanga-Tchouaga is back filling soil in
the beds surrounding the new benches which were installed at Carter
Lane Gardens earlier this year
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Carter Lane Gardens by St Paul’s has been revamped over 2011,
with the new design responding primarily to St Paul’s Cathedral
with permeable circular footpaths that reflect the geometry of the
dome, and integrates the new City of London Information Centre at
the western end of the Gardens.
Justin Yanga-Tchouaga and other members of the Gardening Team
were at Carter Lane Gardens making sure the beds maintain their
fantastic look for all the visitors to St Pauls during the Lord
Mayor's Show.
10 November - 11.30am
Contractor Tim Robertson from Enterprise ready to spread sand on
horses' route for #LMS rehearsal on Wed am
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Enterprise have been contracted by the City of London
Corporation to deal with all waste management issues in the square
mile, doing everything from road sweeping to gritting the icy
streets over winter months. They also sand the procession
route on the day and for the early morning rehearsals for the
horses and carriages.
Extra measures are taken to deal with the huge influx of
visitors flocking to the City on Saturday 12 November 2011, and Tim
Robertson is just one of the many workers making sure the day
goes off without a hitch, while ensuring the City's ready for
business again come Monday morning.
10 November - 10am
Speechwriter Hugo Deadman preparing the big speech for Monday's
Lord Mayor's Banquet after #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Lord Mayor’s Banquet is held in honour of the immediate past
Lord Mayor and is the first to be hosted by the new Lord Mayor of
the City of London. Traditionally, it is at this Banquet when the
Prime Minister makes a major World Affairs speech. Hugo is
presently putting together the new Lord Mayor of London David
Wootton’s key note speech.
9 November - 6pm
City Corp’s Kay English in charge of City’s streets for #LMShow
pictured outside St Paul’s early Wed am for rehearsal
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The road closures remain roughly the same each year, with small
changes to the boundaries and timetable depending on the size and
composition of the procession. The details may change in the last
few days before this year’s Show.
http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/residents/roadsclosed
Most roads in and around the City of London are going to be
completely closed for most of the day of the Show, admitting no
traffic whatsoever. Most parking bays close to the route will be
suspended from 6.30 in the evening before.
9 November - 5.15pm
Coach driver David Lawless takes reigns for #LMShow rehearsal,
guiding 6shire horses&3ton, 250yr-old priceless coach
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Early riser: Coach driver David Lawless takes the reigns for the
second time for the Lord Mayor’s Show, guiding 6 shire horses and a
3-ton, 250-year-old priceless coach – and a new Lord Mayor. David,
whose partner Elspeth Ross rides Postillion on Boy, one of the two
lead horses, work in close tandem and he has know brake to hand and
steers a gold coach is hard work.
The Lord Mayor’s procession used to travel up and down the
river, which is why the word ‘float’ is used. When it first took to
dry land, the City’s dignitaries travelled on horseback, but in
1711 Sir Gilbert Heathcote fell and broke his leg on his way to
pledge allegiance, and the Lord Mayor has used a coach and not
ridden since.
9 November - 5pm
Black and night: show producer and Pageantmaster Dominic Reid is
on horseback for first time in 20 years running the show. He is
pictured during the Wednesday morning dawn rehearsal on a 16.3 hand
black Household Cavalry troop horse.
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
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.
9 November - 3.15pm
City of London Corp Barbican Team Leader Geoff Rogers sweeping
streets so they're tidy for #LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
On a usual week, every street in the City is swept by hand at
least twice and sometimes up to six times, while at night the roads
are swept mechanically every weekday. But a quick response team is
also available to attend accidents and deal with snow clearance and
road salting and special occasions, such as the Lord Mayor’s
Show.
Barbican Team Leader Geoff Rogers is sweeping the street by
Carter Lane to ensure it’s clean and tidy for the Lord Mayor’s Show
route.
9 November - 2.30pm
Matt Merenda from City of London Police cycling squad will be in
the 12 Nov
#LMShow
parade! Look out for him and wave
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The City of London Police cycle patrol team was first formed on
14th August 2002, making the force the first in the country to have
a full-time dedicated cycle patrol team. Matt Merenda is part of
this team who will take part in the procession for the first time
this year.
City of London Police have pioneered the effective use of
officers on bicycles, with the team, as front line response
officers, able to respond rapidly and efficiently within the
confines of the busy City. The structure of the team, their
equipment, patrol strategy and training methods have been
demonstrated to forces in the UK and Europe and their expertise is
in considerable demand amongst the growing number of cyclists in
the capital who are looking to improve their cycling skills and
gain greater knowledge of safer cycling.
9 November - 12.30pm
City of London Corp Snior Programme Manager and Swordbearer
Richard Martin rehearses at Mansion House for 12 Nov LMShow
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
The Swordbearer was first distinctly mentioned in 1419 when
issues about his job description came up. It was then recorded that
the Lord Mayor should have, at his own expense, someone to bear his
sword before him: ‘a man well-bred (one who knows how in all
places, in that which unto such service pertains, to support the
honour of his Lord and of the City).
Richard Martin is presently the Lord Mayor’s Swordbearer and
will join him in his carriage on 12 November 2011.
9 November - 11am
West Ham Park Nursery Supervisor Paul Harwood checks grass grown
for City of London Corp repairs after 12 Nov LMS
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
With 300,000 people flocking to the City to enjoy the big family
day out, some repairs will always need to be carried out by the
City of London Corporation to the area, especially green
spaces along the procession route. One of these areas is Carter
Lane, Godlimen Street. West Ham Park Nursery Supervisor Paul
Harwood helps grow the grass which is re-laid at Carter Lane on the
Monday following the big day.
9 November - 10am
Volunteer
Elaine grooming City of London Corp Police horse Ken ready for LMS
on 12 Nov
For added background to this
Tweet, please read below.
The City of London Police have retained their
mounted unit over many years, and their horses really enjoy the day
out at the Lord Mayor's Show on 12 November 2011.
Volunteers like Elaine help out in the week leading up
to Saturday grooming and bathing the magnificent animals,
ensuring they look their best for the big day.
The Mounted Branch was first introduced to the
Force in 1873, and at that time the horses were hired in from local
livery stables on an ad hoc basis. Officers who had previous riding
experience from military service (Lifeguards or Blues and Royals)
were tasked with the job of being our first mounted officers.
8 November - 4pm
The Society of Young Freemen make sure Gog and
Magog are ready for Saturday's float.
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Gog and Magog are famously known as mythical protectors of the
City of London, and will be walked along the procession route by
the Society of Young Freemen, the 100th Regiment Royal Artillery
and the Guild of Basketmakers who made the wicker statues.
http://www.youngfreemen.org/
The towering statues have been a part of the Lord Mayor’s Show
for 500 years, when they first led the procession. They have
suffered many repairs over the years before being finally destroyed
in the blitz, but these most recent creations were made by the
Guild of Basketmakers.
8 November - 1pm
‘SquareMiler’ Benedicte finishes training as an on-street guide
for the LMS, giving advice to many of the Show’s 300,000
visitors.
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Benedicte usually works as a Visitor Advisor in the City
Information Centre, the striking ‘spiked’ building opposite St
Paul’s Cathedral – but for Lord Mayor’s Show day she is going out
on street as part of the City of London’s intrepid ‘SquareMiler’
team. You’ll find helpful SquareMilers all along the procession
route, ready to give information and advice – whether you want to
find the nearest Tube station, find out about all the free
entertainment for kids, get details about the fireworks display
over the river, or simply get some tips on what to see and do in
the historic City of London. Look out for their red tabards and
bags.
8 November - 11.30am
City of London Police Commissioner Mr Adrian Leppard, Esq, took
up horse riding in January and just passed his test! Looking
forward to his first LMS and parade.
For added background to this Tweet,
please read below.
Commissioner Adrian Leppard, Esq is responsible for all policing
matters in the City of London. The force concentrates on three key
priorities: economic crime, counter terrorism, and community
policing. He also leads on force performance.
Adrian Leppard took up the post of Commissioner in December
2010, so this is his first Lord Mayor’s Show and parade. He has
been taking horse riding lessons especially for the event, and is
greatly looking to being involved on Saturday.
The Commissioner’s horse Little Dave has a ceremonial
saddlecloth presented by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
8 November -10am
Deputy Speechwriter Naiomi Thalayasingam putting finishing
touches to Lord Mayor Michael Bear's outgoing speech
For added background to this
Tweet, please read below.
The Lord Mayor is elected for one year and it is an
exceptionally demanding role, requiring some 90 days spent abroad
while addressing some 10,000 people face-to-face each month and
making around 700 speeches-per-year. Naiomi Thalayasingam works in
the speechwriting team, helping prepare many of the speeches he
gives while developing links between global markets and the
City.
Naiomi is pictured here putting the finishing touches to Michael
Bear’s speech for the Presentation of Addresses, this will see
Michael Bear thanked for his hard work over the previous 12
months and welcome in Alderman David Wootton as the new
Lord Mayor.
7 November - 5pm
Andrew Ford polishes the Lord Mayor's mace at Mansion House
ready for the big day
For added background to this
Tweet, please read below.
The Mace is a symbol of the Lord Mayor and the City of London
Corporation’s authority granted by the monarch and parliament, and
is carried by the Sergeant At Arms for ceremonial events. It’s
polished by Andrew Ford who takes care of the gold and silver plate
collection at Mansion House.
The Mace was made in 1735 by John White of London in silver
gilt. It's beautifully crafted, surmounted by a royal crown with
orb and cross under which are the royal arms and cipher of George
III.
7 November - 4pm
West Ham Park Nursery Supervisor Paul Harwood watering 'out of
season meadow’ for the Worshipful Company of Gardeners
For added background to this Tweet, please
read below.
‘Mad about Meadows’ is the theme of the Worshipful Company of
Gardeners floral float, taking inspiration from the Olympic Park
who are creating new wild flower meadows. Paul has been cultivating
flowers for this float from his nursery in West Ham over recent
months, and is pleased with how well they’ve come out.
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners float will be walking
alongside the City of London Academy (Southwark) and St John
Ambulance Cadet Unit (sponsored by the Worshipful Company
of Gardeners), where the Lord Mayor is a governor.
The company is supporting a number of London-wide organisations
who are seeking to engage London’s gardeners, schools and local
authorities to grow a meadow in 2012, thus creating new habitat for
insects, butterflies and bees.
Visit www.gardenerscompany.org.uk