This year's show was probably the biggest and best ever, with 137 groups participating. The two and a half mile procession was made up of 67 floats, 200 horses, 20 bands, 20 carriages and 6,500 people. For the first time in eight centuries, we have a third-generation Lord Mayor! David Howard, the Lord Mayor Elect, who followed both his father and his grandfather along the processional route to swear loyalty to the Queen.
In early 1999, the conversation, it is believed, went something like, "Don't you think a float in the Lord Mayor's Show would be a good idea?" "Yes, oh well, perhaps you would like to look into it then Andrew".
Having agreed with Past Master Peter Gell, Andrew Panter, as chairman of the Liverymen's Committee, raised it at the next meeting. Using all his charm Andrew wondered if there were a couple of volunteers who might be prepared to have a look at the proposition. Stephen Brown and John Price were volunteered to form a sub-committee to look into the feasibility entering a float in the 1999 show, but it became apparent that 2000 was more feasible. By about 3.00 pm on 11th November2000, all the concerns, apprehensions and worries of the previous eighteen months had turned into broad grins. For those of the Company who were unable to be there on the day, or missed it on television, all went well and everyone involved had a wonderful day that even the rain could not dampen.
When the project was first discussed, Tony Eady was a member of the Liverymen's' Committee and had experience of the Lord Mayor's Show from his days with Blue Circle plc. You might imagine the expressions of surprise when he suggested we would need over £30,000 for such an enterprise! Matters did not improve when the Clerk of the Salters' Company revealed that their float in the previous year's show had cost over £50,000, half of which was a donation from a major plc! Clearly, before we could take the project further there had to be a serious conversation on the likelihood of being able to raise what would be a large sum of money.
It was hoped that someone within the Company would be able to supply us with a trailer on which to build the float, the idea since it would reduce considerably the cost of construction and that 'Joan' the steam roller from the Amberley Museum would be the towing vehicle. Based on this assumption and, via Keith White, the Upper Warden, we were introduced to the eventual designers of the float who produced a budget cost for the superstructure, which led to an overall budget of £25,000. This had to be raised by subscription, as the Court would only sanction the idea provided none of the Company's own funds were involved.
By September 1999, the basic design for the float was in place, but not the trailer and the funds! It was not long after this that Amberley informed us that 'Joan' was undergoing internal surgery and would not be available. These were not problems, only opportunities!
Fortunately, at the Master's Installation Dinner and buoyed up on the excellent fare, (aka Dutch courage); Andrew, Stephen and John "ambushed" one or two people. Sir Martin Laing agreed to donate a very generous sum of money but only if we personally were prepared to subscribe to his appeal on behalf of flood victims in Mozambique. We felt this to be a most worthwhile trade and from that point onwards the evening became very fruitful. By the conclusion of proceedings, we had somewhere in the region of £8,000 in the kitty.
Eventually, the funds peaked at a fraction over the target of £25,000. However, in early March 2000 we still did not have a trailer; but we did have a steamroller as Amberley Museum had found a 1916 Aveling Porter, owned by David Freemantle, who was more than happy to let us have her for the show.
The absence of a trailer was becoming serious but fortunately, Allan Wiseman, committee member, solved the problem by volunteering to build the trailer from scratch. The high tech off-roader being provided by Stephen Brown, which would be the third vehicle in the entourage, was confirmed. So, by summer 2000, we were well on our way.
On 11 November, the procession set off at 10.50 with the Master and Wardens riding on the float, complete with a jazz band, whilst members of the Livery walked alongside, dressed variously as 19thC Paviors, modern Paviors and in the gowns of the Company. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all, after which the participants, with friends and family repaired to a wine bar for some refreshment!
On behalf of the whole Company, Stephen Brown and John Price would like to thank all the sponsors, both private and corporate, and those who volunteered to be part of the procession. The float will be available for use elsewhere and in future Lord Mayor's Shows. And the good news is we will not have to raise £25,000 again!
John Price