Like father, like daughter: Lord Mayor’s Show is a family affair

 
Lindsay Watling14 October 2013

The pageant master of the Lord Mayor’s Show whose family is the longest serving dynasty in the event’s 798-year history has told of his pride at continuing the legacy.

Dominic Reid, 52, will perform the role for the 22nd time next month. His father John did the job 20 times before him — and this year will be extra special as his daughter Grace, 11, will also be taking part.

A pupil at St Paul’s Cathedral School, she will be singing with the choir when the 686th Lord Mayor — Alderman Fiona Woolf — is blessed.

The lawyer is only the second woman to hold the position in the City of London’s 800-year history after Mary Donaldson in 1983.

Mr Reid, who took over when his father died aged 66 in 1992, told the Standard: “It has been a long time so it means a huge amount to me. It’s a very personal thing and as you grow with it you make it slightly your own role. I’m very proud of the fact I have taken over from my father. I enjoy the sense of continuity. I also like the fact you get better at it and learn something each time. I think my father would be proud.”

The Hammersmith-born former architect is also following in his father’s footsteps in overseeing the inauguration parade of a female Lord Mayor — his father presided over Ms Donaldson’s event. Mr Reid junior, who now spends his time between Norfolk and London, said: “My personal view is that it’s very important to have a woman in the post.

“My mother was master of her livery company after her husband died and my parents were equal partners in a design consultancy so I have always grown up with a sense things should be equal. It will be refreshing for the city.”

This year the show, which has been running since 1215 and is the world’s oldest street party, is on November 9 at 11am. Seven thousand people, including three floats sponsored by the City of London Corporation, are expected to participate.

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