If it’s pomp and circumstance you are after, the Lord Mayor’s Show is hard to beat. And this year, Thriplow decamped to London on the 9th November to help local resident, William Russell, celebrate his election as the 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London.
In a first for this amazing event, a village was to take a float in the world’s oldest, longest and most splendid civic procession, joining marching bands, corporate entries, livery companies and charities winding their way past the crowds lining the streets of the City. Our ‘float’ brought together many of the vital strands that bind our village together, with the headmistress and children from the primary school, Angela, our Vicar from St George’s Church, players from the Cricket Club and the Yellow Barrow Display Team, representing just some of the hundreds of volunteers who make our annual Daffodil Weekend such a success. With 150 floats, the logistical organisation of this historic event is a true military operation, in all senses of the word. As float number three, Thriplow Village had to be in place early in the morning, hours before the ‘off’ at 11am. Tom Clarkson, dressed as the fabled Bronze Age chieftain, Tryppa, after whom the village is named, led our float past William and Hilary at The Mansion House. The well-drilled Yellow Barrows broke off from their intricate set of pre-planned manoeuvres to salute the new Lord Mayor, accompanied by cries of Howzat from the cricketers! And what better recognition of our efforts than the dedicated doffing of the tricorn hat we received from William? All along the route, the crowds were delighted by a faultless display of precision barrowing, with each ‘box’, ‘weave’ and ‘twiddle’, greeted by loud cheers, making the hours of practice on the Cricket Meadow totally worthwhile. However, I think I can speak for everyone involved in our float when I say that the undoubted highlight of the morning was the reception we got from the huge Thriplow contingent in the main Grandstand. As the stand came into view, it was a veritable sea of yellow. Villagers, who’d boarded the coach outside the Green Man earlier that morning, were resplendent in yellow hats, holding aloft yellow Thriplow banners. And no-one present on that wonderful day will ever forget the ‘William Russell Fan Club’ T Shirts sported by Mary, Di and Gemma! It’s the people that make a community and our participation in the Lord Mayor’s Show, not only showcased Daffodil Weekend (and caused a big spike in visitors to the website), but also celebrated everyone who makes our village so special. So, thank you to Wing Commander Paul Earnshaw for leading the Yellow Barrows, to the Cricket Club, the School and to Angela, as well as everyone who made the trip down to London. And don’t forget, highlights of the day are still available on the BBC iPlayer.
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Have you seen the Lord Mayor
In his tricorn headgear Saluting all the people From his Mansion House perch? In his eyes, all you see is pride his family squarely at his side Procession rolling past With floats, bands and so much more So, why would you tell me, the show’s not for you And say for you that the pomp don’t work? Let me take you by the hand and lead you past the float of Thriplow I'll show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen our Bronze Age Chieftan Who leads us out so bravely Beard all aflame And stole falling down? He’s no time for talking He just keeps right on walking Leading us out Yellow Barrows in his wake So, why would you tell me, the show’s not for you And say for you that the pomp don’t work? Let me take you by the hand and lead you past the float of Thriplow I'll show you something to make you change your mind With Rev Ang behind the trusty Haf And two lines of Yellow Barrows Cricket team a’marching with Lisa T in their midst Looking at the world Over the rim of her tea pot Avoiding weaving barrows Until it’s time to cry Howzat So, why would you tell me, the show’s not for you And say for you that the pomp don’t work? Let me take you by the hand and lead you past the float of Thriplow I'll show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen our Wing Commander With his go faster flight suit The fit might be appalling But he still carries himself with pride He’s no time for jetlag Box, weave, peel and salute Just another Thriplow hero On streets that cry out our name So, why would you tell me, the show’s not for you And say for you that the pomp don’t work? Let me take you by the hand and lead you past the float of Thriplow I'll show you something to make you change your mind Who are these apparitions? With bright lips of ruby red Guiding bright yellow barrows Prompting spontaneous applause Gill, Sarah, Mandy, Lisa Morag, Di and Sergeant German Not forgetting our brave lads Making up numbers in the rear So, why would you tell me, the show’s not for you And say for you that the pomp don’t work? Let me take you by the hand and lead you past the float of Thriplow I'll show you something to make you change your mind Our time with the Lord Mayor Is well and truly over Back to reality with a bump that wasn’t seen Yellow barrows just a memory (at least until the next time) An experience to savour for this year and evermore So, why would you tell me, its over And say no barrows anymore? Its session time at Morags, the drinks will be a’flowing So, whiteboards at the ready, for future plans and more high jinks Fine tuning the routines for #lordmayorsshow float. The Autumn sunshine provided the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of precision barrowing. Roll on Saturday.
The adaptation of the Haflinger for the Lord Mayor's Show Procession is well underway. Mechanical soundness is being delivered by the good folks at Revivals Garage, while we have Terry to thank for ongoing Daffodilisation modifications. #thriplowteamwork
Read all about the intepid team who will be taking on the rigours of The Lord Mayor's Show Procession
On 2 October, William Russell was elected as the 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London, serving as a global ambassador for the UK-based financial and professional services industry from 8 November 2019 for a one-year term. Huge congratulations to William and Thriplow Village looks forward to supporting him at The Lord Mayor's Show on 9 November. Read more..... |
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