The Lord Mayor’s parade ground to a halt as it passed through Islington on Saturday, when the axle snapped off a wheel of the 250 year old stage coach – leaving Alderman Roger Gifford as red faced as his costume.
London’s 685th incumbent completed the inauguration in an emergency convertible Land Rover, whilst the golden carriage was towed away.
The ceremony, now the oldest civil procession in the world, began at Mansion House, where the coach began the three and a half mile journey between Bank and Aldwych, travelling out via St Paul’s and returning by the embankment.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said: “The coach broke down on the return journey from the Royal Courts of Justice to Mansion House due to a seizure in the rear left axle.
The Lord Mayor was taken safely home to Mansion House, where he now lives for the year, by the Pageant Master Dominic Reid.”
Thousands of onlookers took to the streets to watch the event. Mr Gifford, 57, arrived on the royal barge Gloriana, and was led on land by 14 foot wicker figures Gog and Magog – the traditional guardians of the City of London.
Olympic Gold medallist Jessica Ennis made a brief appearance, joining the parade in a Jaguar.
Many families were present, including the Jones’ from Clerkenwell, who brought their two children, Sarah and Gareth along.
Gareth, aged 8, said: “It was really cool seeing the cars and the scarecrow things.”
However, some of the 6,500 people involved were less complimentary about the ethos of the event. A member of Rhythm of the City, a samba band who performed at the event and practice at City University, to which the Lord Mayor is Chancellor, said:
“It’s a big event which helps the reputation of the University and obviously we love performing as a band and for the people, but it isn’t for the people.
“Politically speaking the whole concept of The Mayor of London, a very much undemocratically elected official who looks after financial power of the City, is disgusting. It’s essentially rich people looking after themselves.
“However, we didn’t have a choice, City University offered us good money which we need for future projects.”
The Lord Mayor is chosen by a group of aldermen. Each alderman represents a ward in London and is elected by residents of that ward.
Despite these criticisms Mr Gifford said he hoped everybody had a “splendid day”.
Fun fact file: Who is the Mayor of London?
- The Lord Mayor is head of the City of London Corporation, which represents business and residents from the City of London – the central business district. The Mayor of London holds wider political power, concerning transport and other duties.
- Alderman Gifford has been described as “joyfully boring”, spending most of his career as UK country manager at Swedish merchant bank, SEB – overseeing 200 people and £100 million of turnover.
- The stage coach was first used in 1712, after Sir Gilbert Heathcote fell of his horse and broke his leg. In between shows it can be seen at the museum of London.
This is so funny. Makes a banal event interesting.
Loved the fun facts,