As part of the Lady Mayor’s Show, Porky Whites Ltd joined more than 7,000 people in the procession to spotlight British butchery and the City’s historical roots.
A contingent from Porky Whites joined the procession alongside members of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, holding the Boar’s Head and an inflatable rib of beef as fellow Liverymen and butchers followed closely behind.
The procession also featured the Woods family vintage butchers van as well as butchers on bikes, and more than 350,000 spectators lined the streets to watch.
Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, who was elected as the 697th Lord Mayor of London, succeeded Alderman Alastair King. Born in London’s East End, she is the third woman in the City of London Corporation’s history to hold this high office and the first to take the title the ‘Lady Mayor.’
Alongside many others, to mark the historic milestone, 697 women associated with the City – including those from the health, technology, defence and livery sectors – joined the parade, reflecting Dame Susan becoming the 697th Lord Mayor.
To celebrate the show, Porky Whites Ltd created a Lady Mayor’s Sausage. Porky Whites said that the sausage was inspired by Dame Susan Langley’s “warmth, wit and no-nonsense East End spirit”. It featured a blend of cumin, coriander, garlic and turmeric, as well as a kick of chilli, ginger and lemongrass to reflect “the fire that Dame Susan has shown”.
During an interview with BBC’s Tina Daheley, which was broadcast to millions of viewers on BBC One as part of the event’s coverage, Daheley was given a taster of the celebratory sausage, and a box of the sausages was sent to the Lady Mayor to try.
Francesca Wyatt, managing director of Porky Whites Ltd, commented: “It was an absolute honour to represent the Worshipful Company of Butchers and Porky Whites at the Lady Mayor’s Show – a day that celebrates London’s incredible history, diversity and spirit.
“It was also a privilege to tell the story of my Livery and share the Lady Mayor’s Sausage live on air with the BBC’s Tina Deheley. With a blend of tradition, warmth and bold flavour, we felt this extra special sausage was the perfect way to mark Dame Susan Langley’s appointment as Lady Mayor.”
Fran Wyatt’s interview with Tina Daheley can be viewed at the 52:18 mark here.
Celebrating the City of London’s traditions
Lady Mayor Elect, Dame Susan Langley DBE, said: “I’m deeply honoured to have been elected to this office, and to be leading the first ever Lady Mayor’s Show.
“To see so many people join the parade is an extraordinary moment – one that celebrates the City’s long-standing traditions and puts the spotlight on so many of the good causes that we support for the benefit of the City and the UK.
“During my mayoralty, I will work to strengthen London’s global leadership, support business growth, and ensure that the City continues to make a positive social impact, while, I hope, demonstrating to the next generation that the City is a great place to live and work in.”
From 7th November, Lady Mayor Dame Susan will now serve a one-year term as head of the governing body of the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation.
Her role will include serving as a global ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector, working with business leaders and Government representatives – both here and overseas – to strengthen global business ties, and promoting opportunities for UK growth. Acting as an international spokeswoman for the City, the Lady Mayor will aim to promote the UK as an attractive destination for investment.
