The City welcomes its first Lady Mayor with the WCI leading the way

The City welcomed Dame Susan Langley as Lady Mayor at a joyous Lady Mayor's Show.

The streets were packed and cheered her all the way. As the Lady Mayor's Mother Company we were given pride of place in the procession in position number four (out of 126). Our bus carried the message that #LondonInsuresThe World on one side and a huge banner congratulating the Lady Mayor on the other side.

Livery companies and the City Civic were out in force and another special moment for Dame Susan was when the "697 Women" passed the Mansion House, representing the hundreds of successful women in the City of London as the 697th Mayor assumes office. There were plenty of familiar faces from the WCI among them.

Alderman Bronek Masojada, a former Master of the WCI, was seen atop the Alderman’s bus and current Master Sara Fardon was captured waving from her open horse-drawn carriage.

Master Sar Fardon said it was a great day for the WCI, the City and the insurance market.

“Our Lady Mayor’s Show celebrations were always set to be something special and I don’t think we disappointed on that front. I was so excited when we first saw the bus all set up and ready to go – banners, balloons and sponsors logos all prominently displayed.

“I couldn’t stay though as my ride in the show was a horse drawn open top carriage – what an experience. With deep crowds lining the route it was waving and cheering all the way – and especially in front of the Mansion House. We were able to witness the Lady Mayor sign the official warrant at the Royal Courts of Justice, before riding back. I looked at young children standing at the roadside and remembered how Sue has said she had seen the show from her grandfather’s shoulders. Would any of those children I saw be a future Lord or Lady Mayor I wondered?

“The BBC’s coverage was super for our bus – they didn’t show my carriage though!

“Back at Painter Stainers I know everyone had a fabulous day listening to the Band of the Royal Marines Cadet Corps and Isabella Boakye-King playing the piano. Food and fizz was enthusiastically consumed. Civitas Schools, our charity partner, and all sponsors well looked after. We were accompanied by in the procession by six Army Cadets and nine RAF Cadets.”

Nothing on this scale happens without a lot of behind-the-scenes work over many months, said the Master:

“Thank you to the organising committee of Fraser White, James Benn, Lesley Dunn, Mark Brookes, Carole Nicholls in particular. Senior Warden Ajay Gupta and Junior Warden Claire McDonald and Lee Taylor our Beadle and everyone who played their part in waving, cheering, walking and taking photos!

“I was really proud of everything we did on the day – well done WCI!”

She thanked the sponsors whose geneorus support made our particpation possible.