Thetford’s museums, community groups and civic representatives are joining forces to showcase the town’s rich heritage at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London on Saturday 14th November.
The entry has been coordinated by Thetford Town Council, the Charles Burrell Museum, the Office of the High Sheriff of Norfolk and the Dad’s Army Museum, with other community groups helping to fund the project and provide costumed characters.
Taking centre stage will be Queen Mary, a showman’s steam engine built in Thetford by Charles Burrell and Sons in 1920. It will tow a trailer carrying Jones’s Van, the 1935 Ford BB vehicle featured in the BBC series Dad’s Army. Captain Mainwaring and Warden Hodges will ride inside the famous van.
They will be joined by 45 costumed walkers, including the High Sheriff of Norfolk, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy, Mayor of Thetford Cllr Vic Peters, the town clerk and councillors.
Characters representing different periods of Thetford’s past will include Thomas Paine, Boudica and her daughters, a Thetford Priory monk, Viking King Sweyn Forkbeard and members of the Dad’s Army platoon.
Thetford’s entry is number 28 among 131 entrants and is expected to feature in the BBC’s live coverage of the historic procession, which dates back more than 800 years.
The town has a fitting connection to the occasion, as Thetford’s own mayoralty dates from 1199 and is believed to be the third oldest in the country, after London and Winchester.
High Sheriff of Norfolk Jo Pearson DL said: “It is very pleasing that we have been able to organise a Thetford entry during my year of office. As a proud Thetfordian, it is great to be able to promote Thetford’s rich history and showcase the vehicles associated with two of the town’s museums, as well as characters that have shaped its history.”
Mayor of Thetford Cllr Vic Peters said: “I am looking forward to partaking in the historic London Lord Mayor’s Show and having the honour of representing Thetford as Mayor.
“The show and Thetford’s mayoralty date back over 800 years, and one wonders if this is the first time that a Mayor of Thetford has taken part.”
Organiser Cllr Stuart Wright, Chairman of the Dad’s Army Museum, said: “I am grateful for the support of many organisations and individuals that has allowed for this event to come to pass.
“It will be a delight to see a Thetford-built Burrell engine playing its part in the parade, as well as the numerous characters associated with the town. Hopefully, the entry will give Thetfordians a greater insight into the history of their hometown, as well as raising awareness of the town to potential visitors.”
BBC coverage of the Lord Mayor’s Show will begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 10.45am.
The full procession order can be found at procession.lordmayorsshow.london.
