13 October 2008
City’s young and old bring holiday sprit to Lord Mayor’s Show
2008
The City of London’s Family and Young People’s Service is
one of just four London groups to have received £15,000 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 theme of their entry will be “City on holiday” and in the
coming weeks the group will be collecting thousands of plastic bags
and crisp packets to recycle to create their costumes, musical
instruments and props which will be used to entertain around
300,000 spectators when the parade hits the streets of the Square
Mile on Saturday 8 November.
The group of 30 adults and 30 children will transform everyday
materials and traditional City accessories like bowler hats into
colourful Carnival costumes. They will also take part in drumming
workshops led by creative arts group TARU
(www.tarubrazil.com) who specialise in using
instruments made from recycled materials. They will be focusing on
samba and South American rhythms to create a dynamic routine that
will be performed on the day alongside a traditional London
Routemaster bus. The bus will be transformed with puppets, bunting
and streamers in true holiday spirit. The decorations will be made
by participants led by designer Caroline Jones.
Jenny Goodall, Director of Community and Children’s Services at
the City Corporation, said: “The Lord Mayor’s Show is always a
great opportunity to bring together City residents of all ages to
showcase their wide range of talents. The group is working hard to
put together what will be a real taste of summer colour and fun to
brighten up the last days of autumn.”
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-fives.
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
793rd year.
- It welcomes in the 681st Lord Mayor of the City of London.
- The Show takes place annually on the second Saturday in
November.
- At 5.00pm, 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 annual 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.
- This year he will also be in charge of the 6,100 participants,
71 floats, 200 horses and 220 vehicles – which include a WW2 tank,
a fleet of Morris Minors, several vintage buses and horse-drawn
sleigh with Santa Claus!
- To enjoy the celebrations, get to the City for the morning of
Saturday 8th 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 around 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.
Press enquiries
Lesley Mair – 020 7332 1754
Lesley.mair@cityoflondon.gov.uk