Doreen Hannam, the pearly queen of Hornsey, sits in the Guildhall Yard

The Harvest festival features dancing and entertainment by participants in traditional costumes. It concludes with a service at St Mary-le-Bow church in the City of London, home of the renowned Bow Bells. Dressing as a pearly king or queen, by wearing clothes adorned with pearl buttons, originated in the 19th century when London street sweeper Henry Croft decorated his uniform and began collecting money for charity ~ Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images