Sheep Drive over London Bridge
19th September 2008
The Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis receiving the cheque for his charities from the Lookers and helpers at Mansion House 23rd October 2008
£51,000 - yes you are reading this figure correctly. This was the astounding amount raised by the Sheep Drive held across London Bridge last September for the then Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis's two charities, Wellbeing of Women and Orbis. The Lookers, a redoubtable band of six World Traders were the organisers of this amazingly successful event - Pat Alston the immediate Past Master's wife being the driving force. So complicated and difficult were the obstacles to be overcome to get this whole event on the 'bridge' that without her tenacity, and the determination of the Lookers the event may well have faltered. Just some of the hurdles were getting police permission in the first place, finding suitable sheep and a farmer willing to spend hours training them for their adventure (sheep are not used to red buses!), DEFRA, Animal Health and Welfare, Operational Planning City of London, river police to name but a few.
The kernel of the idea began when a small group of World Traders were in Muscat in February 2008 accompanying the Lord Mayor on his business visit to the Middle East. When the Lord Mayor was approached about this idea he was surprisingly enthusiastic. It later transpired, when he was presented with a huge cheque at Mansion House (he was amazed when he saw the amount), he admitted that he only said yes as he didn't really believe it would happen!
The response was amazing. Donations and sponsorship money poured in. 480 Freemen each signed up to drive a sheep in relays across London Bridge in the time honoured and traditional right of a Freeman to drive sheep into the City free of charge. The response from the City Livery Companies was fantastic with 70 Companies being represented. 19th September was a wonderful day with beautiful weather (how lucky was that in 2008!). The 20 Romney sheep behaved beautifully. What a sight, the Lord Mayor in full regalia, Masters with gowns flowing in the wind, the lovely red colours of the Pikemen and Musketeers in their King Charles I uniforms, with their drummer leading the Freemen backwards and forwards across the bridge, together with various shepherds and shepherdesses and the sheep so beautifully pristine in their smart red harnesses.
At the end of the morning everyone said what a wonderfully happy and enjoyable occasion it had been. Best of all World Traders continue to be congratulated on organising such a hugely successful and high profile event.
The Lookers, so called after the 18th and 19th century itinerant shepherds of Romney Marsh, were Pat Alston, John Burbidge King, Jan Davis, Sarah Leonard, Wendy Hyde, and Marina Nicholson, assisted by John Farthing, Mavis Gold and Chris Nicholson. Particular thanks to farmer George Horne and his Romney ewes and Wendy Lloyd. Many thanks also to BlackRock, the World Traders helpers on the day, the Hadlow College students, the Marshals, members of the Romney Sheep Breeders Society, the Vet and the Red Cross.
Marina Nicholson
