Flying the flag at the Lord Mayor’s Show

Dispensing opticians on parade

On Saturday 13 November, ABDO president and vice president, Jo Holmes and Daryl Newsome, joined the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) in taking part in the first Lord Mayor’s Show since the start of the pandemic.

The current and 693rd Lord Mayor, Vincent Keaveny, is the first Spectacle Maker Liveryman in 60 years to become Lord Mayor of the City of London.

The WCSM had a 50-strong walking float, including a giant pair of spectacles and yellow eye balloon. Also taking part were past presidents, Fiona Anderson and Clive Marchant, amongst many others from the world of optics – all ‘people of vision sharing one aim: better vision for all’.

Participants walked more than three miles from the London Wall past Mansion House and St Paul’s Cathedral to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand and back along the River Thames and Queen Victoria Street. The streets were lined with more than 500,000 people watching the colourful parade with its mix of modern festivities and traditional pageantry.

Jo said: “It was an honour to be asked to walk in the parade for the Lord Mayor’s Show with the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers representing dispensing opticians. The atmosphere was fantastic, and seeing so many people coming out for the occasion was heartwarming.”

Daryl commented: “Representing dispensing opticians in such a prestigious occasion can only be described as an honour and a privilege.”

The oldest optical body in the world, founded in 1629, the WCSM today focuses on all aspects of eye health, sight loss and vision science. Its charity makes grants to organisations and students to increase access.

Find out more and how to get involved at www.spectaclemakers.com