- Diary 2001 - 2020
Worshipful Company of Basketmakers diary. Highlights, events and important dates for the coming year
Gog and Magog
Now a highlight of the Lord Mayor's Show each year the impressive figures of Gog and Magog lead this, the world's greatest unrehearsed procession. The effigies of two sixteenth century giants, Gog and Magog in the likeness of ancient guardians of the City of London for centuries have stood guard in Guildhall and the inflatable figures which have featured for some years past in the Lord Mayor's Show have been recreated in their original form of construction, using basketmaking techniques.
This was the brainchild of Past Prime Warden Mrs. Olivia Elton Barratt. What better way to promote the craft of basketmaking and the Basketmakers' Association than to have these giants on show with the Lord Mayor. This amazing 'Giant' of a project to recreate the effigies of Gog and Magog in willow received an enthusiastic welcome from the Lord Mayor's Show Pageant Master, Dominic Reid, and the Society of Young Freemen, who provided the manpower to transport the Giants through the City streets.
Construction commenced in the Spring of 2006 with the team comprising members of the Basketmakers' Association, together with Yeomen and Livery Members of the Basketmakers' Company. This presented a wonderful opportunity for all to contribute to a memorable project to publicise our ancient and very much alive craft. Apart from designing and building the willow frames the appropriate clothing and weapons carried by these giants had to be provided.
Thanks to the talents of Past Prime Warden Richard Bundock, suitable trolleys to support the structure were constructed. The figures stand some fifteen feet high, so a very sturdy and stable construction is essential. John Stuttard, then Lord Mayor Elect, visited the project to inspect progress during the second July session. The results of six months' work and much lengthy planning sees the Giants on parade ready for their journey to the City. The two figures were then presented to the City of London as a permanent token of the long connection between the Basketmakers' Company and this ancient City. The two figures can be seen, when not in use, standing within the Guildhall itself.
This was the brainchild of Past Prime Warden Mrs. Olivia Elton Barratt. What better way to promote the craft of basketmaking and the Basketmakers' Association than to have these giants on show with the Lord Mayor. This amazing 'Giant' of a project to recreate the effigies of Gog and Magog in willow received an enthusiastic welcome from the Lord Mayor's Show Pageant Master, Dominic Reid, and the Society of Young Freemen, who provided the manpower to transport the Giants through the City streets.
Construction commenced in the Spring of 2006 with the team comprising members of the Basketmakers' Association, together with Yeomen and Livery Members of the Basketmakers' Company. This presented a wonderful opportunity for all to contribute to a memorable project to publicise our ancient and very much alive craft. Apart from designing and building the willow frames the appropriate clothing and weapons carried by these giants had to be provided.
Thanks to the talents of Past Prime Warden Richard Bundock, suitable trolleys to support the structure were constructed. The figures stand some fifteen feet high, so a very sturdy and stable construction is essential. John Stuttard, then Lord Mayor Elect, visited the project to inspect progress during the second July session. The results of six months' work and much lengthy planning sees the Giants on parade ready for their journey to the City. The two figures were then presented to the City of London as a permanent token of the long connection between the Basketmakers' Company and this ancient City. The two figures can be seen, when not in use, standing within the Guildhall itself.
