The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

The Lady Mayor’s Show

Saturday 8 November saw the Master and Wardens, in gowns and badges, assembled on London Wall suitably fortified by a glass of fizz (courtesy of the Nurses Company) and a bacon sandwich (thanks to Ironmongers Hall), waiting for the start of the Lady Mayor’s Show. 

This year was the First Lady Mayor’s Show as Dame Susan Langley, the third lady to occupy the office, has styled herself as Lady Mayor, and it was a great joy and a huge privilege to be part of the Show. As usual the show, which is the longest and least rehearsed civic procession in the world, was an eclectic mix of the traditional and the wacky – livery companies, Gog and Magog, and representatives from institutions and organisations in the City. The floats represented some of the Lady Mayor’s interests, including for the first time a Premier League football team in the form of West Ham, as well as her mother company, the Insurers.  

We were part of the Modern Companies, walking ahead of a WW II fire engine, and the reception from the crowds that had been up early to line the route of the procession was amazing. It is one of the most vibrant and fun events in the City’s calendar and a real joy to be walking with members of other companies. It is slightly surreal walking through the City on a Saturday in the middle of the road, waving at and high fiving those along the route, stopping in front of Mansion House to cheer the Lady Mayor.  

The only downside of participating in the Show is that you don’t see the whole procession, so afterwards it was time to get home, put our aching feet up and tune into the BBC coverage.