Iconic City of London courier motorcycle in the historic Carmen livery, freight vehicle parade across Guildhall Yard in one of the hottest days of the year amidst a global cyber-pandemic.
The courier motorbike final mile represented half a million items delivered across one hundred and thirty thousand City miles. Almost half a decade of history for half a millennium of transport ceremony with five hundred guests celebrating transport in the Square Mmile.
IOC chairman Carl Lomas rode the 1976 series one Honda CX500 courier bike dressed in the brands of the eighties same day delivery companies, Pony Express, Delta, Security Despatch, Mercury and GLH. A Carmen livery disc adorns the front mudguard and FORS stickers are on both sides of the bike. Lomas was not alone, he was escorted by IOC hon fellow and City of London Alderman Alison Gowman who wore a glittering golden open face motorcycle helmet for the City occasion.
Alderman Alison Gowman comments, ‘The City of London relies on good deliveries and so with the Lord Mayor's theme of "Connect to Prosper" the courier industry is key. Tremendous to take part and celebrate the success of the final mile express sector on such an iconic motorcycle.’
A vehicle ambassador for our sector, the courier bike was recognised for delivery of freight by the Worshipful livery of Carmen Master David Pugsley and the Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli. The Lord Mayor, using gloves provided by Master glover, took a red-hot branding iron in hand and tax-marked the courier bike to conduct trade in the City of London. The tax branding was conducted under the watchful eye of this year's Master Carmen, IOC Hon fellow Leon Daniels.
It's not a proper final mile without a delivery. The IOC had a package at Cartmarking for the Lord Mayor, the delivery was a silver-framed photograph, it delivered a memory of the IOC presentation of a Puffin bird to the Lord Mayor at Mansion House by the IOC clean air delivery float in last year's Lord Mayor's Show.
IOC CEO, Dr Tracey Worth explains, ‘The Lord Mayor's favourite bird is a Puffin, it adorns his coat of arms. In recognition of this the IOC operator brand leaders all waved Puffin hand puppets at the Lord Mayor at Mansion House, and added to that a life size Puffin walker, who delivered a very special hand puffin glove to the Lord Mayor in a perfect final mile special. To this day the identity of the life size Puffin walker remains a mystery, the best-kept secret in final mile.’
The transport livery of Carmen's Cartmarking is believed to be the oldest vehicle taxation for trade in the world; five hundred years ago oak carts moving goods from the Thames Wharves to the city had to enter Guildhall Yard each year, they were brand marked with a year registration making them legal to work in the City. Today is ceremonial, an oak branding board is attached to trade vehicles to be branded by the Lord Mayor, he places a hot iron to mark a letter of the alphabet for the tax year. The brand mark is valid for one year to ply transport trade in the City of London.
Lomas explains the iconic courier motorcycle, ‘by modern motorbike standards, the bike is big heavy and scary to ride! But iconic for our sector, a bit of living history, almost fifty years old. The bike is often seen around the UK transport trade shows including Multimodal, and the Microlise conference, where it showcases the Carmen Cart board. The water-cooled, shaft-driven V-twin had an enviable record for reliability. Today I am focused on the cobbled yard ahead. Sand on the cobbles of Guildhall Yard helps the horse freight entries but runs a little scary on two wheels!’
Lomas IOC chair with Carmen Senior Warden Leon Daniels and Alderman Alison Gowman
Group with the Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers
dpd David Winchcombe with Alderman
Cartmarking 2024 Vehicle Gallery
