Four lucky Sea Cadets from Hackney were chosen to take part in this year's Lord Mayor Show in the City of London on Saturday 12 November.

Making history this years’ show turned back the clock over 100 years to 1856 the last time the Lord Mayor travelled by boat on the River Thames, to the palace of Westminster to swear allegiance to the Crown.

Sea Cadets from Hackney, Able Cadet Krystal Weston (14);  Cadet Jennifer Webb (16);  Able Cadet James Andrews (14); and Able Cadet Jake Wilson (14), all took part in an historical Flotilla.

Joining members of London’s Youth Rowing, the four Sea Cadets were part of a  Flotilla of 40 boasts which rowed and sailed, down the Thames from Westminster Boating Base in Pimlico, down River to finally row under an open Tower Bridge (open in Salute)  to their destination at the Royal Naval Reserve base at HMS President. 

On arrival the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Wootton was piped ashore whilst the band of the Royal Marines played in celebration. 

Alderman Wootton then headed back to the Guild Hall where the main procession and Lord Mayors’ Show began. 

In a tradition dating back to 1215, this spectacular, annual procession celebrates the new Lord Mayor taking office and showcases all the different elements that make the City unique by coming together and celebrating the Capital’s heritage, business, culture and communities.

The new Lord Mayor, Alderman David Wootton, will hold the title for the next twelve months and is an international ambassador for the City who is elected annually and heads the City of London Corporation, the organisation providing local government services for the City.