Rowing takes centre stage at 2011 Lord Mayor’s Show

Rowing is set to make a triumphant return to the Lord Mayor’s Show in London on Saturday; 58 years after the River Pageant last formed a part of the famous celebrations.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is a 558-year-old celebration to mark the start of the new Lord Mayor of London’s term of office.

Lord Mayor Elect David Wootton – a former Thames-based rower – will become the 684th Lord Mayor of London at the Silent Ceremony on Friday, before spending a year in office that he hopes will ‘ensure that the City and its institutions are fit for the future.’

Initially a River Pageant, the Lord Mayor’s Show became a land-based parade in 1857 – attracting thousands of participants and hundreds of floats.

The River Pageant returned for one year in 1953 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Show, and Saturday will once again see the return of a river-based event.

More than 20 Thames Waterman’s Cutters will escort the new Lord Mayor from Westminster Boating Base to HMS President, setting off at 9.30am on Saturday morning.

The Mayor will travel in the shallop ‘Jubilant’, before joining the land-based parade as it leaves Mansion House at 11.30am.

In addition to re-incorporating the River Pageant into the Lord Mayor’s Parade, Lord Mayor Elect Wootton has also chosen two rowing charities to benefit from his ‘Fit for the Future’ charitable appeal.

London Youth Rowing and The Rowing Foundation will join three other charities at the heart of ‘Fit for the Future’, in recognition of their ongoing efforts to get young people fit, healthy, and out on the water.

Find out more about the 2011 Lord Mayor’s Show by reading the official flier.