Company Dignitaries and St Anthony's Pig
Saturday, November the 14th produced, as forecast, a
blustery day with some longer periods of cold rain. Some said
it was not as bad as last year and indeed there were short
periods of intermittent sunlight at the start!
Yet again Ian Lumsden’s immaculate organisation had
ensured the delivery of the float and two steamrollers from
Amberley Working Museum and other far flung origins. Some
deft manoeuvring of two flatbed lorries saw our machinery
unloaded and ready to roll by the appointed time. Many may
not appreciate that the steamrollers need to be “fired up” at 5
o’clock in the morning. Even after several years, I can say
that seeing everything in place and operational gives some
degree of relief to all those involved.
Master of Charterhouse sees our party off
This year some 60 participants gathered around Jacqui
Davies, who had made detailed arrangements for the day, at
Old Charterhouse where we all received a fortifying coffee
prior to walking to the float. We were warmly welcomed by
the Master of Charterhouse who not only ensured that we
had all the facilities needed but also took some photographs
of the gathering and had printed copies on display for our
return!
2009 saw an even longer procession than in previous
year’s with a total length over twice as long as the route, once
again our float was the longest in the procession, and
certainly the two 10 ton steam rollers bring their own
challenges for the organisers, who work increasingly hard to
accommodate the various health and safety and security
issues that we present.
The Fowler and Marshall Steam Rollers steamed up and crews ready
At 10:45, with Upper Warden, Master (complete with St
Anthony’s pig) and Renter Warden installed at the front of the
float, we were ready to take our place in the procession. Our
walkers had donned safety helmets and hi-visibility vests, and
complete with the tools of the trade there was little room left
for doubt that we were the Paviors. So we went on our walk
through time past the Guildhall, Mansion House, where we
doffed our hats to the new Lord Mayor, St Pauls Cathedral
and the Royal Courts of Justice to our lunch stop at Aldwych.
After our snacks some took to warming themselves beside
the fireboxes of the steamrollers before the second half of the
procession.
The weather was very mixed throughout but the crowds
were surprisingly large especially along the Embankment and
up Queen Elizabeth Street then along the phalanx of Old
People’s Homes buses and finally finishing back where we
started at around 2.30 pm.
60 strong this year and raring to go!
As usual, even though we were quite late on in the
procession (No. 98), we provided a welcome sight for the
crowd who are clearly used to seeing us and have taken to
signalling the steam roller for a whistle which invariably raises
a good cheer. The jazz band on the back of the float also
added to the carnival atmosphere.
We are as ever entirely indebted to our sponsors for their
financial support of this year’s entry and consequently the
Lord Mayor’s charity. Those who made our entry possible are
shown in the box on the right.
On our return to Angel Street the float was reloaded on its
transport and a happy pride of Paviors retired to Doggetts
Coat and Badge Inn on Blackfriars bridge to take on
refreshments. This year we shared the venue with the Company
of Actuaries, who are renowned for their large pencils, though
the numbers attending were more than had been anticipated for
the space. None the less The Master of the Actuaries welcomed
all present, our Master suitably replied and donated some “pink
pigs” to the Actuaries as a memento of the occasion. The food
and libations were very welcome and the only downside was
the cancellation of the fireworks display due to the high winds.
All things considered another very successful day, enjoyed
by all, which hopefully provided effective promotion for the
Company and sponsors alike, not to mention providing a useful
boost to the Lord Mayor’s Charity.
Billy McCoubrey
Sponsors:
Sir Robert McAlpine (Tom Barton)
Keltbray Group (Brendan Kerr)
Saint-Gobain Weber (Peter King)
F M Conway (Michael Conway)