THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF WOOLMEN’S ANNUAL SHEEP DRIVE
ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE
SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2022
ASSISTED BY THE GUILD OF YOUNG FREEMEN OF THE CITY OF LONDON
Reporting time and place
Please report to the Registration Cabin no earlier than 30 minutes before your allocated drive time The registration cabin is located adjacent to MONUMENT, Fish Street Hill EC3R 8AH.
At the registration cabin you will be told your station and given an update on timings, which may change throughout the day. You will be given a label identifying your group before you can take part. Please wait in an orderly manner until a member of the Young Freeman collects you and takes you to your start point on the bridge.
Your sheep will be brought to you, and when instructed to do so, you will move forward with your sheep to the next station, where you will relinquish your sheep to the next participant or to a shepherd. Please do not bring your own sheep!
General
Please obey all legitimate instructions from the security staff, marshals and trained sheep-handlers at all times. Please be fully aware of the health and safety issues and possible risks associated with untrained/non-professional handlers being in charge of the sheep. These risks include being pulled over, stepped on, and being knocked down. Sheep, while domestic, are not tame by nature, and this must be kept in mind at all times. Individuals are responsible for their own health and safety and for that of the people in the same group. There may be some standing around between sheep drives.
Groups
If you wish to book a group, the following additional Terms and Conditions apply. The lead booker must ensure the appropriate donation is paid by 25th July before the booking will be confirmed; the lead booker is responsible for ensuring the names ( spelt as group members would like their names to appear on their certificates) of all members of the group are provided to the sheep drive committee by 8th August. The lead is responsible for ensuring arrangements for the day are sent to all members of the group. The lead booker is responsible for filling in any gaps of anyone from the group drops out. Please email sheepdriveteamenqueries@woolmen.com if you have any questions about booking groups.
Guests
Guests (i.e., those who are not taking part in the drive, just watching) will be given a guest pass and directed to the viewing area.
Space is very limited so please keep guests to a minimum.
The sheep are not pets, but if you wish to pet them or if your hands come into close contact with the sheep, please wash your hands in warm soapy water afterwards. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult. Pregnant women must not handle sheep.
Certificates
Certificates signed by the Lord Mayor and the Master Woolman will be provided for all those who drive sheep across the bridge. There are two types of certificate available – one for Freemen and one for those who are not Freemen but are giving them their assistance in the sheep drive. These will be presented to each group at the end of their drive by the Young Freeman assisting your group. Replacement certificates can be provided after the event for an administrative charge of £10 if the name given on the booking was incorrectly spelt.
Dress, Photographs, Photographic Competition
Please dress in whatever you feel comfortable in, taking into account the weather. Fancy dress is welcome – shepherds, bo-peeps, or whatever you like. Please be aware that the wearing of some official uniforms is covered by a legal entitlement – so you can’t come as a Field Marshal unless you are one. Masters and Wardens or equivalents of the Livery Companies are most welcome to wear their robes, badges and hats.
Private press photographers will not be allowed in the sheep runs without accreditation.
Livery Fair 10am – 4pm at The Monument
Please make sure you allow sufficient time to visit and enjoy the Livery Fair. Whilst being an integral part of the day for supporters of the Sheep Drive, the Fair enables a number of the City of London Liveries to showcase to the public what they do and the charitable work they support.
Livery stalls will include skilled tradespeople conducting interactive demonstrations of their specialists area and ‘sponsored’ partner organisations.
Wool related activities may include sheep shearing and weaving demonstrations, livestock and an interesting selection of stall holders talking about and selling wool based products.
There will be a selection of food and drink outlets with dining places to enjoy the atmosphere.
With the Sheep Drive and Livery Fair situated together at THE MONUMENT ( traffic free) there will be endless opportunities for a wonderful day out for the whole family.
Travel
It is advisable to check www.tfl.gov.uk for travel information beforehand. The Monument and London Bridge is well served by public transport.
The downside footpath on London Bridge will be closed to facilitate the Sheep Drive, whilst retaining public access to the subway under London Bridge and the Thames Path.
See below for a 360 tour of the location of the Sheep Drive and Livery Fair.
Sheep Drive & Livery Fair – London Bridge.
Young Freeman will try to accommodate late arrivals but cannot guarantee them the opportunity to drive sheep
Health and Safety – Sheep
You are required to obey all legitimate instructions from the security staff, marshals, organisers and trained sheep-handlers at all times. Please be fully aware of the health and safety issues and possible risks associated with untrained/non-professional handlers being in charge of the sheep. These risks include being pulled over, stepped on, and being knocked down. Sheep, while domestic, are not tame by nature, and this must be kept in mind at all times. On site there will be a vet, and they will be monitoring the treatment of the sheep. The permitted number of people in the sheep runs at any one time have been designed to meet health and safety and animal welfare guidelines. Please respect the sheep and do not treat them as inanimate objects. Individuals are responsible for their own health and safety and for that of the people in the same group.
Hygiene after Handling Sheep
The sheep are not pets, but if you wish to pet them or if your hands come into close contact with the sheep, please be aware that sheep faeces carry diseases such as virulent forms of e-coli. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult. Pregnant women must not handle sheep because of the risk of particular diseases being transferable. It is recommended that you wash your hands in warm soapy water before eating food.
Cancellation
In the unlikely event that the Sheep Drive is cancelled for reasons beyond our control after we have paid administrative costs, we will be happy to return your donation less a proportion to cover these costs.
Individual cancellations will not be refunded unless a replacement can be found. No refunds will be given after 31st August as certificates will have been printed.
