In medieval times, sheep farmers drove
their sheep across London Bridge into the City of London to sell them at
market. Freemen of the City were excused the bridge toll in recognition of
their status as local traders. Freemen of the City of London still have the
right to drive their sheep across London Bridge free of charge and in 2013 the
Worshipful Company of Woolmen arranged a “sheep drive” for Freemen to help
raise funds for the Lord Mayors charities. This event was so successful, that
it has been repeated each year.
Fiona (also a Freeman of the City of
London) and I registered for this very popular event this year before all
bookings were sold out. We were part of a group of 8 Freemen from a variety of
Livery Companies and we had a start time of 1.30pm from the South side of the
River Thames – see photograph of our guide from the Guild of Young Freemen.
The sheep are well cared for throughout the
event – fed and watered and supervised by the RSPCA. Our pack of sheep
consisted of 8 pretty docile creatures – one per Freeman. See photograph.
We set off across the bridge on the stroke
of 1.30pm and without incident (other than stepping in a lot of sheep’s poo) we
made it to the North side of the river. See photographs of us en route.
On arrival at the finishing post, we were
presented with our signed certificates which recorded the fact that we had
exercised our right to drive sheep across London Bridge!
An excellent turnout by Masters from a wide
range of livery companies and great fun! Some £60,000 was raised for the Lord
Mayors charities.
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