20 September 2007
Hello Bollywood - Asian elders in Newham take part in 2007 Lord
Mayor's Show
Ekta Project based in Newham 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.
In the coming weeks, over 40 elders from Newham will be trained
to become Bollywood dancers to entertain around 300,000 spectators
when the parade hits the streets of London on Saturday 10th
November.
Ekta Project brings together groups of Asian older people in
Newham and to improve their quality of life through communication,
campaigning, awareness, social and healthcare. Many of the Asian
elders involved are isolated or depressed, disabled, housebound,
recently bereaved and frail. Ekta’s services include providing
support, health awareness and elder abuse awareness and social
events etc
The Ekta float will feature vibrant colours portraying
folkdances from different states in India and the history of
success within the Asian community. The elders will help decorate
the float in Indian Bollywood style using silk saris, flower
garlands and velvet umbrellas. Participants of the project will
dance alongside the float as it travels the 1.7mile show route.
Ramesh Verma, leader of the Ekta Project said: “We feel honoured
and proud to be given the opportunity to take part in the Lord
Mayor’s Show, a well-known and important event of the year.
“This is a great chance to showcase the talents of Asian elders
from different cultural and religious background as the Show will
be seen all over the world. Through our participation we hope to
promote unity and celebrate a diverse community thriving in the
City of London .”
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.
Ends
Notes to editors
Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show:
- First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its
792 nd year.
- It welcomes in the 680 th 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 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 10 th 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 .
- For more details on the Lord Mayor’s Show, including route,
timings and road closures, go to
www.lordmayorshow.org
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, traveling 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 21 st-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 enquiries to:
Loretta Lui, T: 020 7332 1528 M: 07785 528 453,
loretta.lui@cityoflondon.gov.uk