The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company, celebrated the arrival of the 695th Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Mainelli, in style, with a float in the official procession of the Lord Mayor’s Show.
The Lord Mayor’s Show took place on Saturday 11th November in the City of London. The show dates back to the early 13th century, and is the oldest civic procession in the world.
The Furniture Makers’ Company joined other livery companies, charities, and the armed forces in celebrating the new Lord Mayor in the historical parade of floats which preceded him as he travelled by golden carriage to Westminster to swear loyalty to the crown.
In a lorry supplied by corporate member All Truck, the Furniture Makers’ colourful float featured furniture and furnishings from companies including Celtheath, Ercol, KI and Panaz, and was emblazoned with the organisation’s new My Furniture Career branding, with messages encouraging viewers to ‘start a career in furniture’.
Walking and dancing alongside the float were the dancers from Creative Industries Oxford College and members of the livery company, dressed in foam costumes in the shape of chairs, tables and dressers.
Among the representatives from The Furniture Makers’ Company on the float were: master, Amanda Waring; immediate past master Tony Attard OBE DL; senior warden Brian Ahern; and junior warden Debbie Johnson, as well as other members of the company.
Over 7000 people, 250 horses and 100 floats were estimated to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, cheered on by an estimated 250,000 people lining the streets, and millions watching the live BBC One coverage and online streaming.
The Furniture Makers’ Company would like to thank All Trucks, Affinitas, Celtheath, Ercol, George Stewart Design, KI, Panaz, Shackletons and The Vita Group for sponsoring the float, along with those individuals who made donations.
Amanda Waring says: “We are delighted to have supported this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show, particularly as the new Lord Mayor is an honorary liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company. Our float’s theme, 'Careers in furniture', was designed to showcase the various sectors in our industry while promoting our new careers recruitment website, My Furniture Career, to any budding furnituremakers in the crowd.
“It was a fantastic day – the atmosphere was incredible. My thanks to the individuals and companies that worked on the float, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.”
The Lord Mayor’s Show is available to view on BBC iPlayer.
