Inner city organic gardening project invited to take part in the 2007 Lord Mayor’s Show

Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show:

• First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its 792nd year.
• It welcomes in the 680th 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 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 10th 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, see the rest of this site.

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, 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.

About the City of London Corporation

The ancient City of London Corporation has a 21st-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 release published Tuesday 02 October 2007

A community organic gardening group in Clapham Park 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.

Progress works with low-income, inner city families to help them transform unused concrete spaces into working gardens, teaching them how to cultivate organic fruit and veg from seed and tend them. Regular gardening “workshops” are complemented by classes in cookery and nutrition to encourage healthy eating and living.

Encouraging team-work across the generations, Progress aims to raise self-esteem in its participants, some of whom have behavioural issues or autism, through the hands-on gardening experience.

Progress’s entry in the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday 10th November will be based on the theme “Fruits of our labour”. Their float will feature images promoting the cultivation of organic food, accompanied by open-backed truck, decorated in an organic fashion, with flowing lines. A seven-piece Cuban band will provide the musical accompaniment as around 50 participants of the scheme follow the float in the three mile-long parade which leads the new Lord Mayor from the Guildhall to the Royal Courts of Justice for the annual inauguration ceremony.

Simon Ghartey, Director/Facilitator at Progress said: “We are delighted to be able to take part in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show, which gives us a chance to show the nation how Clapham Park is involved in food growth and aware of the good nutrition. It is also displays the tremendous benefits our projects can provide to those who take part.”

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