On a bright sunny day, after coffee and bacon rolls at Ironmongers Hall, we formed up as part of Float 17 under the Senior Liveries Companies.
The Worshipful Company of Distillers were represented by the Master, Master Elect, and Upper Warden Elect and their Consorts.
The Distillers’ flags, very distinctive against the wooden placards of other liveries were designed and commissioned by the Mistress, and were much admired along the route. They were captured on BBC TV as part of their coverage.
We set out, walking quickly, not the slow shuffle we had been lead to believe, and as the crowds swelled across the route, we reached the Grandstand in front of Mansion House where the Newly elected Lord Mayor and his entourage were waving enthusiastically.
The Master waved a bottle of his Masters Cask at the Lord Mayor, and then briefly broke away from the parade to hand the bottle to security to deliver to the Lord Mayor.
The Group broke for lunch at Carmens’ Hall in Fleet Street (refreshing wine and sandwiches), and then rejoined the parade on the embankment to return along the same route. We re passed the Grandstand, now without the Civic Party who had passed us en route to the Law Courts for his lunch.
Finally after 3 miles ( 18,000 steps), we returned tired but elated to Ironmongers.
A fantastic day to be part of, and a resolve to make next year, a bigger turn out for Distillers.
Thanks to the Mistress, Sue; Master Elect, Lorne; Upper Warden, Nick; Seana, and Lou for making this such a fun outing!
Chris Searle
Master 2022-23
