East Anglian Galvanizing Ltd proudly supported the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and a team of artist blacksmiths ahead of the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show – a procession that dates back almost 800 years.
Doug Campbell FWCB, a Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Liveryman, Bronze Medal holder and Owner of Caimbeuls Forge, said: “The Lord Mayor’s Show is a highly-respected event and one that’s been core to our British history for hundreds of years.
“Alongside my co-lead blacksmith, Liveryman Ian Parmenter FWCB of Parmenter Forge – and a team of 50 other brilliant artist blacksmiths and liverymen and budding students from across the UK – we spent several months designing and creating bespoke and beautiful pieces in preparation to welcome the 696th Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alastair King DL.
“Alastair is the first Lord Mayor of the City of London whose Mother Company is the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. He was apprenticed to the Blacksmiths’ Company aged just 14 and served as Prime Warden in 2020-21. The origins of the Company can be traced back to the 11th Century. So it was an absolute privilege to be involved.
“To form part of our dedicated float, we forged six side panels, one double-leaf gate, a gazebo, and a hanging sign bracket, all of which we wanted to be galvanized due to the aesthetic finish and protection it provides.
“Having worked with East Anglian Galvanizing Ltd for over 13 years, who’ve always gone above and beyond, and treated my artwork with total care and respect, I reached out to see if they’d be interested in getting involved. Much to my delight, they agreed to sponsor the pieces and provide complimentary galvanizing, which would allow these items to be rust and corrosion-free for over 70 years.”
The items were sent to the galvanizing bath where they were hot dipped in molten zinc at temperatures around 450C to allow for a metallurgically-bonded coating to be formed. Once returned to Doug and his team, they were added onto the float in readiness for the procession on 9th November which escorted the Lord Mayor from Mansion House to Westminster to swear his loyalty to the Crown.
Selwyn Parrish, Commercial Manager at East Anglian Galvanizing Ltd, added: “When Doug approached us about this fantastic opportunity, we were really excited to get involved. We’re wholly passionate about galvanizing and its illustrious history dating back to the mid-1700s, and so it seemed only fitting to use it to commemorate another tradition that’s truly embedded in our British heritage.”
East Anglian Galvanizing Ltd is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, the largest hot-dip galvanizing organisation in the UK with a history dating back over 155 years. With 14 plants strategically placed across the country, the firm offers a truly national galvanizing service. For further information, please contact Wedge Group Galvanizing on 01902 601944 or visit: www.wedge-galv.co.uk.
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