The Martyrs

I heard the drums roll and then saw these gentlemen marching by. Who are they? The sashes and banners say Martyrs, from various places, Essex, Kent, Medway. I found a little information from a google search that tells of a protestant martyr burned to death in 1555, for not attending a catholic mass, then I found contradicting information, saying those who were catholics were the martyrs.
I'm still none the wiser as to the organisation represented here.

I can tell you though they were not keen on being photographed. Come on guys if you are going to march through the streets of London dressed like this and banging drums, expect to be photographed.

Behind the Scenes

The annual Lord Mayor's show was held last Saturday. There has been a Mayor of the City of London since 1185 in times when the King had to be wary of his Earls and Barons and probably anyone else in a position of power, including the church, King John granted a charter in 1215 to the people of London allowing them to elect their own mayor each year. In return the Mayor, who later became known as the Lord Mayor was required to make the journey to the city of Westminster and swear allegiance to the sovereign. This journey continues every November.

It's a very grand occasion and the Lord Mayor travels in a gold carriage to the courts to take his oath. The day before the parade I popped along to see how preparations were progressing. As you can see in the image above the gold carriage was being polished and groomed for the occasion.

Student Process

Thousands of students marched through London yesterday is a relatively peaceful protest against cuts in education and increases in student fees. The protest march was flanked on all sides by 4,000 police directing the route of the students.

Pride 2011

London's biggest party of the year. Pride 2011 took place yesterday. Among those represented was this group displaying the banner for a South Africa charity whose aim is to raise funds to create safe places for Lesbians who suffer 'corrective rape' and fear for their lives.

Red Hat Society

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

So begins the poem that inspires the women of a certain age who are members of the red hat society.

New Year's Day Parade

Bon vivant 2011.

Men at Work # 26

After the parade.

London Pride 2010

An estimated one million people hit the streets of London yesterday for the 2010 Pride Parade. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the gay liberation front, the theme was paint the town red.

St George

He's been away for some time. In fact the last time St George was seen parading the streets of London was 1585.

New Year's Day Parade

Like everything in London, welcoming in the new year is spectacular. Fantastic fireworks on the eve and the Mayor's parade on New Year's day. Thousands of performers from marching bands to giant pigeons, puppets, morris dancers, firemen, and clowns to mention but a few. It takes over three hours for the parade to weave it's noisy and colourful way from Piccadilly to Westminster. Nature was kind and New Years day was fine and sunny - that surely is a good start to 2010.

Enthusiasm

No rain is going to dampen her spirits.

Time Out

Taking a rest from the Parade

Soldier

Continuing with the Lord Mayor's Parade.
A soldier waves to the crowd.

Proud

As promised the next few days will be pictures of the Lord Mayor's Parade.
Here a glimpse of the traditional finery.

Your Carriage Awaits Sir

As promised here is more from the Lord Mayor's parade last weekend.
The newly elected Lord Mayor is swearing his allegiance to the Queen before the Lord Chief Justice before popping back in his carriage back to Mansion House.

The first few hundred years the Lord Mayor would have ridden his horse here. That was until in 1711 Sir Gilbert Heathcote broke his leg. So a coach and horses was hired for the next couple of years, until 1757 when the golden gilded coach you see here was commissioned.

If you missed the parade you can still get to see this beautiful ornate carriage in the Museum of London

The Parade Must Go On

Sunday was the Lord Mayor's Parade. Each year the newly elected Lord Mayor's procession makes its way through the streets of the city to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the new Lord Mayor pledges allegiance to the crown. Only once in 800 years has the parade been cancelled.
Despite the heavy rain and gusting wind it was a spectacular parade. I will bring you more pictures over the next couple of weeks. It really was worth being drenched and cold.

The Parade

Today a picture from the Thames Parade. A wonderful extravaganza of costumes, light and people.

Don't forget my competition that is running at present to win yourself a pair of tickets to Brussels. You can enter as many times as you like.

Hokey Tokey

Also known as hokey cokey, hokey pokey, cokey cokey. A lot of effort went into finding a name for this dance, performed, as I understand it, by most English speaking nations around the world. Is that right? Do you know it? Do you have a version in your country?

Actually these red stocking legs are on a more serious outing than that of a frivolous dance. They are pikemen and musketeers. Not a single mickey mouse in sight, these guys form part of the honourable artillery company that dates back to the 1500's. They are to be found leading parades for royalty or heads of state or as on this day, the Lord mayor.
No hokey tokey here.