The Lord Mayors parade - a Sheffield tradition which has long since disappeared

It one of our yearly traditions in Sheffied which has long since disappeared.

The first parade took place in 1964, and gained in popularity and momentum over the years until its decline in the mid to late 1990s.

This would be an opportunity for companies to showcase themselves, their products or services.

These parades must have been a real spectacle and relief after years post war austerity.

I used to love the Lords Mayors parade, in the 70’s and 80’s.

I even participated a couple of times. I was a member of a marching band at the time called Sheffield Corps of Drums.

This band were national champions several times over and they were given the honour leading the parade circa 1976.

The parades were a big event at one time, with the Royal Air Force providing a fly past, something very rare in Sheffield these days.

In my time the parade, I remember it started at the old Thomas Ward Stockyard, also called Fiery Jack at the junction of Spital Hill and Saville Street, close to the Wicker Arches.

All the floats were assembled ready to begin the procession. Local companies would plan and make floats throughout the year, which would be mounted on flat bed lorries ready for the start of the parade. It was organised by the Sheffield Junior Chamber of Commerce

On June 7, 1969 there was a very successful parade which was self-financed. The Lord Mayor at the time was Dan O’Neil, who took the salute at the Town Hall.

The making of floats was a serious business, in 1969 there were 74 floats. With more entrants turned down, each float was judged and prizes awarded accordingly.

The parade in 1969 was themed ‘Sheffield in Tomorrow's World.’ There was a real enthusiasm to take part and see the parade. Fifteen marching bands among the floats graced the occasion giving it a real carnival atmosphere on that lovely summer's day.

The city with a population of 500,000 there was an estimated of 300,000 who turned out to watch it.

As I remember the route started from Wicker Arches along the Wicker over Lady’s Bridge, past the Haymarket ,up Commercial Street negotiating the long gone ‘Hole in the Road’, up High Street, along Leopold Street past the Town Hall, where the Mayor and Lady Mayoress waited to take the salute of all participants of the parade,ending at the bottom of The Moor.

One of the things I remember was when the floats passed by, they would throw sweets and freebies such as pens and badges to the crowds. Health and Safety might have something to say now?

The armed forces were always well represented as I remembered.

I remember 1982 was particularly poignant. The parade had taken place not long after the end of the Falklands War, just before I’d joined up actually.

I was standing in the gallery above British Home Stores, when members of the RAF marched past. The crowd went mad, cheering and clapping loudly – very patriotic and I am sure a proud moment for our boys in blue.

The parade went into decline over the years as changes to road structure and costs rose.

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