43. Election of the Lord Mayor

On 29th September  I attended Common Hall at the Guildhall where the new Lord Mayor was elected. The day started early when breakfast was provided by caterer “The Cook and the Butler” in the 3rd floor dining room at Guildhall 08.00am. That was a friendly and very social event where many Master’s, Clerks and Senior Wardens met up to “put the world to rights”!

At 10.00am we moved down into the Crypt to get gowns, chain and badges in place (see photograph, top right) before all 110 Masters lined up (in reverse numeric order) and then formed a procession across the courtyard to St Lawrence Jewry Church (see photograph, middle right) for a Divine Service before the election took place.

At 11.30am we formed a similar procession back into Guildhall (see photograph, bottom right) where we took our places for the election process. This was a very formal affair and lasted about an hour. Alderman Andrew Parmley (who is an Honorary liveryman of our Company) emerged victorious and was duly installed as Lord Mayor Elect.

A very colourful and well orchestrated event that showed the finest traditions of the City.