Although Alderman Peter Estlin was elected as the next Lord Mayor on 1 October, it is not until the Silent Ceremony that the actual transfer of office takes place. And it is not called the Silent Ceremony for nothing! I therefore took my place in the Great Hall at Guildhall with a wide cross-section of Livery members (including the Sheriffs, Aldermen and member of Common Hall) and other friends and well-wishers to see the Admission of the Lord Mayor Elect (to give it its proper title) take place.
Those familiar with the Great Hall will know that it is a vast space but it was full to the brim to witness the ceremony as it unfolded before us. Unfortunately, the view is very limited but as the Lord Mayor elect is a tall man (and so am I), one could just about see what was happening (see picture). And it really is held in silence save for one oath given by Alderman Estlin at the beginning. The rest of the ceremony consists of the donning of the new Mayoral tri-corn hat (the moment the power transfers), the giving and receiving of seals of office, the Mace and the Sword and the key to the Christ’s Hospital seal. All this is undertaken by a number of City personnel including the Town Clerk, the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Common Cryer and in a very solemn, precise and ancient order. It is wonderful to see such traditions still being carried out.
The whole ceremony does not take very long and to the sound of marching feet, the new Lord Mayor reassesses from the Great Hall to the Guildhall Yard with a trumpet fan-fare. The new Lord Mayor is in office!
Dignitaries are then wished away to the Mansion House by the Mayoral limousines for afternoon tea. The rest of us just soak up the atmosphere!
So many congratulations to the new Lord Mayor, Alderman Peter Estlin and the Lady Mayoress, Lindy (see picture) and we wish them every success in their year of office. I am delighted that the new Lord Mayor has accepted my invitation to be the principle speaker at our Myddelton Lunch which will be held on 7 January 2019 at Trinity House. It will be a fascinating event.
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