Press releases Celebrate London's heritage and diversity at the Lord Mayor's Show 2009
Monday 24 August 2009

Event: Lord Mayor’s Show
Date: Saturday 14 November
Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm (Fireworks 5.00pm)
Cost: Free
Tube: Bank, Mansion House, St Paul’s
Public enquiries: www.lordmayorshow.org

On Saturday 14 November, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, the 682nd Lord Mayor of London’s first duty will be to embark on a procession from Mansion House to St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show.

In a tradition dating back to 1215 and enshrined in the charter of King John, each new Lord Mayor is required to swear a pledge of allegiance to the Sovereign in front of the Lord Chief Justice and Judges of the Queen’s Bench Division. An established highlight of London’s social calendar, the Lord Mayor’s Show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Behind the new Lord Mayor, in a procession extending more than three miles, around 6,000 people from all across London will come together to celebrate their city’s proud cultural heritage and to revel in its diverse modernity. With more than 60 participating organisations ranging from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to the British Red Cross Society, this year’s Show demonstrates exactly why London is widely regarded the most cosmopolitan city in the world and why the Square Mile continues to enjoy its reputation as the pre-eminent centre for global finance.

Much more than a pageant, the Lord Mayor’s Show’s focuses on local communities and encourages young Londoners to develop new skills and make new friends by getting involved. In keeping with this commitment, The City of London Corporation is providing an opportunity for community groups from inner-London to take part in this year’s Show by sponsoring the following four floats at a cost a £15, 000 each.

Tropical Isles

Based in Hackney, their mission is to provide year round carnival acts activities with a specific focus on developing the skills and talents of young local people. Tropical Isles plays a central role introducing Hackney’s Youth Carnival showcase event providing workshops in carnival costume making and performance and dance. The organisation presents the youth carnival at Notting Hill Carnival and other major international events and is one of the key carnival youth groups in London.

City of London Academy (Southwark)

Co-educational state funded comprehensive secondary school designated an Academy under the government City Academies initiative. The Academy is based in Bermondsey and is playing its part in regenerating this area of Southwark. The school serves the residents of the City of London and the London Borough of Southwark.

International Dance and Music Centre

The International Dance and Music Centre was established in 2003 as a voluntary community organisation based in Hackney. The aim of the organisation is to promote cultural cohesion within the borough by offering cultural dance, music, theatre and folk dance festival training which allows members of the community to explore employment opportunities that have been identified as important to them. Children and young people are strengthened through increasing their skills and gain a greater sense of their cultural identity.

Streetwise Opera

The Streetwise Opera raises the self esteem and confidence of homeless and vulnerably housed people through their engagement with singing and drama workshops which leads them to making tangible changes in their lives. It also seeks to challenge the general public’s view of this client group by staging professional operas with the participants working alongside professional singers. The organisation serves client groups across the United Kingdom as well as at hostels and homeless day centres in the London area.

Briefly:

The 2010 Lord Mayor's Show will be on Saturday 13 November. The procession lasts from 11am to about 2.30pm and fills the whole area between Bank and Aldwych. There are guided walks at 3 and the day ends with fireworks at 5 over the Thames.

Take part!

If you'd like to take part in next year's Show, please get in touch with the Pageantmaster's office to register your interest. It's a fantastic way to boost your profile, raise morale and do something for charity all at once.

Credits:

The Lord Mayor's Show is organised and directed by the Pageantmaster, Dominic Reid OBE. This site has been built and managed by spanner since its launch in 1996, and currently runs on a modified version of radiant and rails. It is entirely paid for by the generous sponsorship of the London Stock Exchange.

Contacts:

For press enquiries: Lesley Mair at the City of London press office. For general enquiries: Helen Field in the Pageantmaster's office. For problems with the website: William Ross at spanner. For more details and phone numbers please see the contacts page.

Pitch Perfect,

the charitable appeal chosen by Lord Mayor Elect Nick Anstee for his year in office, will benefit the London Symphony Orchestra and the Cricket Foundation and bring musical and sporting opportunities to young people in East London.

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