Earl of Athlone takes part as Vintners procession takes place with ancient ceremony . The annual Vintners company procession from the Vintners Hall , Lower Thames Street , London , to the church of St Michael , Paternoster Royal , took place with the customary ceremony dating back to the plague of London . Men with brooms swept the street and sprinkled herbs along the route , a relic of the plkague . the Earl of Athlone , who is the Rental Warden this year , walked in the procession . The Earl of Athlone walking in the procession behind the new Master of the Company , Mr James Henry Todd . 14 July 1932