Liverpool Lord Mayor’s Pageant, 2009

SO it did rain on our Parade; no matter! Quite a throng of hardy souls made it to witness the gallant bands of participants in the Lord Mayor’s Pageant, on Saturday, 6 June. 2009 has been designated the Year of the Environment, drawing attention to conservation and other issues of global importance; therefore the whole parade was ‘Green’ in that there were no motorised vehicles. All the displays were either horse drawn, used green propulsion such as solar energy or used Shank’s pony! Consequently there were a large number of inflatable props. The overall effect was still colourful, striking and patently had demanded a large degree of ingenuity and patience to deliver. Just one thought, however, it was nice to see the Three Armed Services on this, the anniversary of D Day.

Despite the drizzle, which meant that many, especially minor performers, were encased in transparent macks, their enthusiasm was in no way daunted. Sadly, we saw little, freely available information about the participants, which might have allowed spectators of the parade around the City, to identify and learn about the pageanters. Representatives of various community and religious groups from around the City were taking part; the voluntary, statutory and business organisations including youth groups, charity organisations and the armed forces. They danced, twirled, marched, tootled flutes, banged drums, squeezed accordions and what ever; to provide the spectacle to which we have become accustomed. The slower speed of the pageant’s progress gave the spectators plenty of time to admire more details.

The new Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike Storey, acknowledged the efforts of the participants and also gave thanks to all including the hard work of those behind the scenes. It is a great start to his year in office as the Lord Mayor of the City of Liverpool.

Throughout the day, events took place in various locations in the City Centre. Pageant artists gave performances in Church Street and in Liverpool One, as did street dancing groups and others. Urban Canvas’s Art Action Stations created fun for all ages, using recycled materials to create art, in Williamson Square and in the Metquarter, where free advice was on offer for people with regards to personal colour choice and fashion. O2 offered fun with the Dinosaurs colouring activities and the Bluecoat also offered creative experiences. Lewis’s staff dressed in green, and held a children’s treasure hunt; whilst the now familiar, ‘Gorilla’ troupe, complete with ‘Diane Flossey’ look-alike, enthralled spectators as part of the ‘World Environment Day’ in the bustling St John’s Market. Somehow the advertised Superlambanana garden looked rather like a car park with good skyline views; but whatever!  It was a great day out for many, and even the weather cheered up in the afternoon.

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