Date: Sunday the 24th September
What: Pearly Society Harvest festival in the Guildhall yard
Where: Gresham Street, City of London, London, EC2V 5AE
Time: 1pm
Tickets: Free
London’s Pearly Kings and Queens take to the street again this year for the Pearly Society Harvest Festival in the Guildhall yard. Decked in the finest pearl-button finery, participants will stage an afternoon of traditional entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
The British tradition of decoratively attaching pearl buttons to dark coloured suits was started back in the 19 Century by an orphan named Henry Croft. During that time, street traders were in the habit of wearing trousers decorated at the seams with pearl buttons that had been found by market traders. Croft, who worked as a street sweeper, adapted this to create a pearly suit to draw attention to himself. Little did Henry know that he had unwittingly founded one of great British traditions celebrated to this day.
Everyone is invited to join the Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival celebrations at Guildhall Yard, and experience London’s historic Pearly tradition. Spectators will be delighted to see Morris dancing, maypole dancing and marching bands.
Participants dressed in dark suits covered in hundreds of bright pearl buttons are a charming and unforgettable sight. These Pearly Kings and Queens of London will be congregating in front of Guildhall from 1pm on the day, before parading through the streets to St Mary Le Bow Church for a service of thanksgiving. This truly is the biggest event in the Pearly calendar.
Accommodation
If you are attending Pearly Society Harvest Festival please plan ahead. Accommodation is usually in high demand so book now to avoid disappointment. Astors Belgravia perfectly situated in the heart of London, Victoria with easy access routes to the Guildhall yard. For more information, you can contact us on Phone: +44 (0)2077 307 511 Email: info@astorsbelgravia.com
