SHEEP DRIVE & LIVERY FAIR 2023
LONDON BRIDGE & THE MONUMENT – Sunday 24th September 2023, 10am to 4pm.
Hosted by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one special day – two unique events, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the atmosphere and spirit of this wonderful occasion.
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the 2022 Sheep Drive was be led by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Vincent Keaveny; also a Woolman – and our very special guest; farmer, best-selling author and one of the UK’s most-loved broadcasters, Kate Humble.
“I’m hugely honoured to participate in this year’s Sheep Drive and Livery Fair. An incredible spectacle that commemorates London’s connection to the countryside, celebrates the many uses of wool and its natural complement to modern living.”
Kate Humble
SHEEP DRIVE: Private Access, Pre-booked
A long-established charity event, celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free; all in aid of raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. This year the Sheep Drive took place on the downstream walkway of historic London Bridge. Access was restricted to registered and pre-booked Freemen of the City of London and their guests, to enable the remainder of the bridge to be open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
LIVERY FAIR: Public Access, Free-of-charge
Located on the north side of London Bridge on the piazza adjacent to The Monument, one of the City’s most loved attractions, the magnificent Livery Fair offered visitors the opportunity to learn all about the Sheep Drive and the wonderful causes it supports and – where livery and specialist wool companies celebrated their trades with interactive displays and sales of their wares. Other fun activities included expert blade shearing displays and some wonderful rare breed sheep!
The Sheep Drive & Livery Fair showcases the important enduring contribution of London’s livery companies, from the formation of the City of London in years gone by through to modern times, both in respect of the continuous evolution of sustainable trades and the important charitable endeavours in support of the various challenges we face today.
Encompassing two of London’s most outstanding landmarks, this enabled us to wonderfully bring to life and narrate this historic tradition.
PARTNER: Open Days
Adding to a day out in the City, 2022 partner venues offered tours, light refreshments and lunch .
WATCH THIS SPACE and CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA… for updates as more plans unfold for 2023!
A splendid day of Livery fellowship which also showcases the enduring relevance of wool as a sustainable and versatile material in today’s world.
Watch our EweTube video:
How Chino the sheep ‘with GoPro’ prepares for the big day!
Truly a unique family day out invoking the memory of life on London’s bridges in years gone by, in aid of The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
