Will do so.

He supposedly will be wearing the official uniform of office wig and all. Bringing class to the Chicago Burbs.

Ken! - "He supposedly will be wearing the official uniform of office wig and all. " er . . no . . I really don't think so. Maybe a smart suit . . he is rather partial to light colours . . and crested newts!

I think you have confused the Mayor of London with "The Lord Mayor of the City of London" . . two completely different animals. Ken is the Mayor of ALL of London . . that is a very very big place, it was a position that was brought into play in the last few years. The position of the Lord Mayor has been around for many centuries . . yes, even longer than I!

. . . As for your sartorial elegance, I'd go along with a smart suit . .. is it Black Tie? then Bow tie and white shirt . . My apologies to John Cline . . this has nothing to do with Vegas . . .

Grazie

I am betting its the Lord Mayor he is the sponsor of the parade. To tell you the truth I had not planned on going (or rather was unable to find an excuse not to go.

But I will go and try to take some video or at least a still shot or two. Will make an interesting introduction to the trip video for the band.

The Lord Mayor of London's name is not Ken, it's Dick and he's going for a fourth term in office. Best outfit for the occasion would be a cat suit.

Well Alfred, you are too cryptic. What's Ken's title then? And why the cat suit, because of the nine lives?
Anyway - as an occasional tourist in LondON, needing the services of London Transport as well as the many river companies Ken's forced to so-operate, I think things have improved greatly under Ken's administration.

BTW. London Transport used to have its own film production department, called London Transport Films. It used to do some pretty decent work, too. Any old-times around who could fill us in on that?
Tor

For American readers who may not know Ken Livingstone, he is a communist. He openly supported the USSR regime againt democrocy and he had always been violently anti-American. Any patriot of the USA would boycot this parade.

Yeah, and that same democratic process we all uphold, made him Mayor of London too. Now what do we do? - Grazie

A good Time was had by all.

The official fom London was the lord Deputy Mayor - a wonderful gentleman.

Seems the parade is actually not London but in Westminster witha a partial route through London.

Looks like it will be a good time and we are getting a BBC sat download here in the burbs of Chicago.

Thank you to all who responded..

[ Hello . . please read all this and only after will you see why I invited you to do it . . . ]

"Seems the parade is actually not London but in Westminster with a partial route through London." - No, Westminster IS in London - PERIOD! It may not be in the "City of London" but it is IN London . . I know confusing . . it's a bit like saying that Down Town New York or Chicago isn't in NY or Chicago! Or Manhattan isn't in NY!

What you will be part of and seeing is the diffidence the Monarchy shows towards commerce. If it wasn't for the creative and professional pursuits of the people of commerce . . no monarchy! Put it another way "We both have much to gain - or loose - by 'respecting each other'. Here is a one day in the calendar where I - the reigning monarch - expresses this!". So, the journey from Westminster - the seat of government & state - to the City of London is a symbolic journey taken by the reigning monarch in "visiting" that which is commerce and business - the power house of the creation of capital. And with the assay office, LITERALLY! . . But more of that later . . .

The fellow you saw was the Deputy Mayor of the City of London. He is the Dep of the Lord Mayor of (the City of) London . . . The C of L has had over time retained it's own type of autonomy. It protects its position now more in symbolism than actuality . . In fact WHEN the New Year's Parade does happen the Queen's Coach has to stop at the symbolic Gate - used to be an actual Gate - and her actuaries have to walk forward, and by this action acknowledge the separate nature of the C of L and then the Royal Coach is allowed to come forward again.

In just this one action the centre of business and trade is telling the reigning monarchy that we are "allowing" you here, inside the City of London, just remember that! The C of L was a walled City containing a collection of what were called Guilds or Livery Companies. Guilds were/are trade associations not only protecting their own quality of activity but also zealousy protecting their own business from competition. They did this through indentures and the Master and Apprentice schemes, culminating in the production of a final "Masterpiece" by an apprentice. [ I'll save this for another time . . but this period did identify some of the most cruel and insidious aspects of protectionism, much dreaded by "free-thinking" nations. Starting to sound familiar? Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations? . . this for another time though ] . One for example was the "Fletchers", arrow makers. But for extensive "collection" of these Companies read below and then recognise how powerful they would have been to the "City of London" and thence the Nation and then the reigning monarch . .you can then realise just how powerful they would have been AND the importance they have embedded into the not only the psyche of London BUT the whole national canvas that is the UK . .. Here yah go . . some History . . it is very interesting and will put you head and shoulders above of not only your colleagues visiting London, but a lot of Londoners too! [ . .. I especially like the REAL and original derivation of the meaning of the phrase "Lock Stock & Barrel" . . . read this and amaze your friends and family!]

. . I found this on the net for you . . .

" Among these, the Goldsmiths still run the London Assay Office where they "hallmark" gold, silver and platinum and also test the coin of the realm at the annual "Trial of the Pyx"; the Fishmongers daily inspect fish sold in the London market; the Gunmakers "prove" hand guns and mark them (hence the phrase "lock, stock and barrel"); the Apothecaries and the Spectacle Makers set examinations; the Brewers are active through the Trade Committee; the Vintners with our wine industry; the Scriveners' Company examine and qualify Notaries Public in the City of London; the Farriers hold examinations and grant diplomas; the Stationers still bind apprentices to the printing trade; the Carpenters support their craft through a Trade Training School, and similarly the Leathersellers. Other companies, such as the Saddlers and the Cordwainers, are closely associated with the City and Guilds qualifications, and the Loriners award National Certificates for competence. Ancient companies whose original craft has vanished have allied themselves with modern industry and professions, for example, the Carmen with transport; the Fanmakers with air conditioning; the Barbers with surgeons and dentists; the Horners with plastics; and the Farriers with veterinary surgeons. "

. .So, my friend, as with much of this "quaint" and cute country much MUCH history has passed. And during this creation of real "history" the centuries have laid down strata of complex and complicated mechanisms. What you will be experiencing will be fun. But please please also appreciate from whence this "stuff" came from. It does have its roots firmly embedded in the struggle between state, government, monarchy and business. You will be in the "navel" of this very public recognition of this history. Personally I find the whole thing exceptionally moving - and not for the pomp and circumstance which is quite spectacular - but to be able to stand back and see the history and the centuries flying backwards where the "struggles" and issues of these 4 aspects of a Nation have been at times very uneasy "companions" and often unwilling collaborators.

.. hey I'll stop here, but just think of the Goldsmiths having their real "value" of their of their work being "devalued" by the monarchy needing to infuse more Gold to fight wars and they - the Goldsmiths - having to deal with this new flood of the precious metal lowering the price of their business? Think about that one!

. .. I wont even talk about the irony of our friend here spoke so "clearly" and knowledgably about Mr Livingstone having certain political followings, when the Guilds of London attempted to form the union of labour and capital, outside of the reigning monarchy . . . things sometimes, just sometimes aren't what they appear.

But hey Guy .. what do I know?

Anyway come here, have fun, play in the parade, experience the cute Old Country wearing its finest livery and gold clothes and take your pictures . . but please .. also be aware from whence all this . . .er . . stuff emerged from. I'd also implore that you don't do this out of polite recognition, but demonstrate your own open and clear-eyed State Side awareness that often is reserved for your own history - the wagon trains and those wide open frontiers. This country has customs . . but they have come from somewhere - yeah?

.. of yeah contact me too . . if you wish!

Grazie

. . ps if you haven't had enough of all this, then go to . . http://www.heraldicmedia.com/site/info/livery/

Well done Grazie. History will prevail!
Tor

Thanks Torsie . . . been editing all day and had the "client" come around just now . . he's happy . .the invoice just went in!

Grazie

I know the feeling. Been reading about it in books.
Tor