This is the 5th year that the NFU has supported the Worshipful Company of Farmers in this annual event. Wth an estimated 600,000 people lining the streets of London it’s a prime opportunity to engage with the general public and tell them that British farmers are proud to produce their food.
During the parade, Katie Anderson representing the NFU south east region was interviewed by Chris Hollins and explained to the BBC TV audience of 4 million people why she is proud to help produce the nation’s food.
This year Massey Ferguson provided machinery for the event consisting of a Massey IDEAL 9T combine, one of the most advanced combines on the market, and a brand new Massey 6714S tractor. The tractor bucket was brimming with hampers of British produce to help the public connect food with farming, as well as promote fantastic British fare.
NFU vice president Stuart Roberts joined the young farmers on Saturday to parade in London and said "it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the best of British food and farming to millions of people and explain the crucial role of British farming and its place in the wider food industry.”
Find out what some of our young farmers thought of the parade:
Francesca Beswick, representing the North West:
#ProudToProduceYourFood and extremely proud to represent our amazing industry! Hope I’m doing all our farmers proud
Katie Smith, representing the West Midlands:
Had the most incredible couple of days in London representing the West Midlands in the Lord Mayor’s Show! Great opportunity to show the public how important it is to support British farmers. Thank you to everyone that made it possible!
Ben Theaker, representing the East Midlands:
This is a once in a lifetime experience walking through the streets of London with a combine harvester! Waving and talking to everyone has been an amazing
Matt Launder, representing Wales:
Great day spent showcasing our fantastic industry. Hitting the streets of London to parade and meet the general public was a highlight. One person even thanked me for producing food and for his breakfast. Extremely proud to be a farmer!
Anna Hunt representing East Anglia:
This has been a great opportunity to show everyone what Britain has to offer!
Luke Cox, representing the South West:
A huge thank you to Worshipful Company of Farmers, NFU, Red Tractor ad Massey Ferguson for the opportunity to #Back British Farming this weekend at the Lord Mayor’s Show. A great group of new friends who share the same ambitions – to promote our amazing industry!
A special hamper was also presented to the new Lord Mayor which included oils, preserves and drinks made from the best British produce plus a copy of the Countryside Kitchen cook book.
Amazing facts
- The Lord Mayor’s show parade is three miles in length
- 600,000 people lined the streets of London to watch the parade
- Food and farming contributes £112 billion to the UK economy
- The grain tank on the IDEAL 9T combine is 17,100 litres and hold enough grain to produce around 24,000 loaves of bread
- Home-grown food is something the British public is proud of – 89% agree that it’s important to support British farming according to government statistics
- The new Lord Mayor of London is Peter Estlin – he’s the 691st Lord Mayor
- Food and farming is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector
- The Worshipful Company of Farmers is a modern and progressive City Livery company promoting all aspects of farming and associated activities and promotes excellence within the industry