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John Deere & The Worshipful Company of Farmers promote British Farming at the Lord Mayor’s Show
An impressive John Deere 7750 ProDrive 625hp forage harvester used to harvest grass, maize and other forage crops for use as livestock feed was seen parading through the streets of the City of London taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday November 8, with the message: “British Farmers, British Milk”.
Each year one forager like this can harvest 60,000 tonnes of feed for 4000 cows that produce 49 million pints of milk. The 7750 weighs around 13 tonnes and is around 120 times more powerful than the average lawnmower. It is capable of harvesting the size of a football pitch in around two minutes.
Entered by the Worshipful Company of Farmers, it took part in the three-mile long procession which wound through 1.7 miles of streets in London’s Square Mile as part of the ‘Modern Livery Companies’ exhibit. The Worshipful Company of Farmers, whose ‘Grant of Livery’ was approved in 1952, was formed with the aim of promoting a better understanding of the importance of food and farming in the City, and to stimulate the development of agricultural education and awareness of farming matters, both to the broader public and to people engaged in farming.
Marching with the John Deere 7750 forage harvester was the recently installed Master of the Farmers’ Company, John Thorpe, supported by Senior Warden Jeremy Courtney and Junior Warden Follett Balch. Court Assistant Lindsay Hargreaves carried the Farmers’ banner, dressed in ‘working attire’, as shown on the Company’s coat-of-arms.
“We got a tremendous response from the crowd,” reported Lindsay, “Despite the pouring rain we must have been one of the most photographed parts of the parade, with a huge cheer as we arrived at the grandstands and with children laughing and pointing at our cartoon cow. It was great fun, but we were also making a serious point about British food production and food security.”
The City of London is described as the beating heart of the British economy; its institutions drive almost everything we do. As Master, John Thorpe commented: ”To have a farming display closely associated with the Lord Mayor of the City of London makes a strong statement about the importance of British-produced food to feeding the people of Britain, particularly appropriate in this challenging year for the City and for the economic wellbeing of the country.
“While the parade itself has strong links with the ancient traditions of the City, this forage harvesting machine represents the very best of 21st century technology, placing British food production firmly on the world stage,” continued Mr Thorpe. By taking part in the parade, livery companies are declaring allegiance to the Crown, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the City and all the people and institutions that rely on them.
The Lord Mayor’s Show takes place every November, and is a parade of floats and displays involving more than 6000 people. This follows the Lord Mayor’s ceremonial carriage through the streets of the city, starting at the Guildhall, pausing at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Courts of Justice, then returning via the Mansion House to the Guildhall.
The office of Lord Mayor of the City of London dates from 1189, with the first Show taking place in 1215. The show was initiated under the Charter of King John, who decreed that the Lord Mayor of London should ‘swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown’ and also that he ‘should show himself to the people’. So each year, the new Lord Mayor proceeds through the City, followed by his supporters.
Alderman Ian Luder was installed at the Guildhall as Lord Mayor on Friday November 7. On Saturday November 8 he ‘showed himself to the people’ and ‘swore an oath of allegiance to the Crown’. He is the 681st person to be Lord Mayor of the City of London.
There are 107 Livery Companies in the City of London, with the earliest dating back to the 12th century. The 29 formed after 1926 are referred to as The ‘Modern Livery Companies’, The Worshipful Company of Farmers is listed number 80 in order of precedence.
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