London's Southwark Bridge sees woolly parade at annual Sheep Drive charity event
London held its annual Sheep Drive, herding sheep across Southwark Bridge to honour the historic privileges of the City's Freemen, raising money for wool industry and social charities.
London's Southwark Bridge once again played host to the annual Sheep Drive, an event honouring the historic privilege once held by Freemen of the City of London to drive livestock across the Thames without paying a toll. The modern revival of the tradition began in 2013.
This year marked a first for 86-year-old television presenter Gloria Hunniford, who received the Freedom of the City earlier this year. She led the flock carrying a shepherd's crook decorated with a pink ribbon, in memory of her daughter Caron Keating, who died of breast cancer in 2004.
Around 1,500 Freemen and guests took part in the festivities, joined by rare-breed sheep. The event featured live sheep-shearing demonstrations and a wool fair with roughly 40 stalls. Some attendees dressed as shepherds or as Little Bo Peep. The sheep were brought in from a family-run farm in Bedfordshire, chosen for their calm temperament around large crowds.
Proceeds from the event went to The Woolmen Charity, which supports education, research, scholarships and innovation connected to wool, while helping preserve the heritage of Britain's wool industry and promote more sustainable practices. The event also supported The Lord Mayor's Appeal, a City of London fundraising initiative backing charities and projects that address social challenges such as youth employment, education, inclusion, health and poverty.
