31. Sheep Drive and Livery Fair, 24 September 2023


Freemen and friends gathered on Southwark Bridge to celebrate a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free.  It is organised each year by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen and raises funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.   Southwark Bridge was completely closed to traffic and provided a great setting for the teams from many Livery companies to drive their sheep across the river.

This year the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators entered two teams and we were supported and encouraged by a large number of friends and family.  Fortunately the Livery teams and the sheep all seemed to know which way to go and there was little rebellion from the sheep.


After team M successfully drove the sheep to the middle of the river, team N took over to complete the job.  It was great fun and the sheep seemed to enjoy it.  They are Mule sheep, born and bred in Yorkshire near Hawes, so know their stuff.  They had spent the past few days on holiday in Bedfordshire.  After a few journeys across the river the sheep were given a rest and alternated with another team.


The successful sheep drivers were obliged to retire to a nearby coffee house to recover their energy before visiting the variety of stalls at the Livery Fair.  The Fair was an opportunity for Companies to show the public what they do.  Company members demonstrated their trades from turning to basket-making.  Wares for sale ranged from doughnuts to lavender bags.


The sheep driving stepped off with a demonstration of how it was done by Chef Richard Corrigan along with Alderman Vincent Keaveny, Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, the Lady Mayoress, Sir Andrew Palmer as Lord Mayor Locum, and Sheriffs of the City of London.  I am sure we were better at it.

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