A colourful parade on the river Thames which harked back to a bygone age has been dropped from this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show.
In recent years the Lord Mayor’s Day river flotilla has seen the new mayor start his big day with a trip down the Thames on board the Queen’s row barge Gloriana.
Gloriana was accompanied by the traditional cutters of the Traditional Thames Rowing Association (TTRA) in a revival of an ancient tradition.
But the TTRA and organisation that manages Gloriana have been told they they will not be required for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show which takes place each November.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson told City Matters that “the flotilla was designed to run as a one off in 2011 but has continued into recent years. It has since been decided to expand the main Show, which brings together so many diverse groups and communities from London and the UK, including hundreds of young people who love taking part.”
Malcolm Knight, events organiser for QRB Gloriana told OnTheThames.net that “it was with great disappointment that I received the call from the Pageant Master [Dominic Reid] informing me that we would not be required in the future… May I thank all those who supported the event and I look forward to seeing you out on the River Thames in London again very soon.”