Lady Mayors Show – Sat 8 Nov 2025
It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to process in the Lady Mayor’s show. The Master, Hilary Andrews, the Upper Warden, Christine Anderson, Freeman Geoffrey Wheat and Liveryman, Penny Reading attended.
The 697th Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley is only the third woman to have held the post in over 800 years and is the first to use the title of Lady Mayor of London. The Show had over 7,000 participants and the procession is over three miles long. It is the longest and oldest civic procession dating back to the early 13th century and the purpose is for the new Mayor to travel to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear loyalty to the Crown.
We arrived at the Information Technologists Hall for welcome refreshments provided by the Master. Those of you that either saw the procession live or on the television, may have noticed that Penny wore a 1940’s nurse's uniform as requested by the organisers of our float. Thank you to Carol Bavin, for ironing and starching the uniform as well as putting numerous grips in Penny’s hair to ensure the cap didn't fall off! It didn't move an inch!
We met at London Wall to congregate prior to the procession starting at 11am. We were number 59 with the Modern Livery Companies led by the Worshipful Company of Firefighters along with their 1937 vintage Fire Engine. The procession started at the Mansion House and stopped half-way near the Royal Courts of Justice. After a welcome packed lunch and a drink, the return route was via the Embankment back to the Mansion House. Geoff did a sterling job carrying our banner all the way.
The weather was kind as it was a beautiful November day and the pavements were packed with crowds with lots of waves and shouts for the Nurses! We saw members of the Company en route and families and friends who had come to support us. The atmosphere was indescribable, and one we will never forget. By the time we returned to the IT Hall, we were all weary and with tired legs and feet!
