Born and raised in London, I’ve had the chance to see many of the customs and events that happen on the River Thames, which runs through the middle of our great city. I also really enjoy the sheep drive that happens every fall across London Bridge. Read below about “London’s River Thames Hosts Damian Lewis and a Flock of Sheep in Tradition”.
The Worshipful Company of Woolmen put on this wonderful show every year for 31 years to raise money for charity and honor London’s historic wool markets that used to line the banks of the Thames many years ago.
As an urban planner who has studied London’s history and landscape for almost ten years, I like how this event brings Londoners together with their past in a fun and interesting way. When dozens of sheep walk across one of the world’s most famous bridges, and the towers of Tower Bridge can be seen in the background, it’s a scene that only happens in London and makes both tourists and tourists happy.
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A Long History of the Sheep Drive
In the 1200s, sheep farmers would lead their flocks across the bridge into the city to feed the wool and cloth markets. This is where the sheep drive tradition got its start. London has changed a lot since the Middle Ages, but this event takes us back in time to see what life was like when sheep roamed the streets.
As one of the few people from London who helped herd the sheep across the bridge in 2015, I can say that I feel a strong link to the past. The cheers from the crowds on this famous landmark, the wind in my hair from the river, and the bleating of dozens of Herdwick sheep all around me took me back in time to a different time in London’s past.
Without a doubt, the sheep are the real stars of the show. The Herdwick is a unique breed of sheep that comes from the Lake District but has strong ties to London’s past as a wool trading hub. These fuzzy sheep with smokey gray and white fleeces have been used to cross the bridge since the beginning.
It’s truly amazing to see the Herdwicks walk across the busy bridge and back onto their barge on the Thames. As a proud Londoner who loves my city’s history, taking part in this event made me feel incredibly proud and happy.
The Famous Faces Who Participate
However, it’s not just the sheep that draw people in every year. A famous person who leads the crowd across the bridge is another reason why people come to the event. Actors like Bill Nighy, Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey, and Mark Williams from Harry Potter have been in charge in the past.
Damian Lewis, a famous actor from London who is best known for his roles in hit TV shows like Billions and Homeland, won the award this year. When Lewis led the sheep parade in his wool top hat and red coat, the crowd went wild with cheers and applause. Lewis is a famous Londoner who was taking part in a beloved tradition from his hometown.
Lewis waved to the people as he crossed the bridge, which was lined with dozens of bouncing sheep. He stopped often to take selfies with fans. In later interviews, he raved about what an honor it was to be a part of an event that was so British and tied to London’s past.
As someone who has lived in London for a long time, I always feel proud to see famous people love our city and its history. It looked like Lewis enjoyed it just as much as the sheep did.
The Benefits for Local Charities
The main goal of the event, though, is to raise money for charity, not all the fluffy fleeces and fame. Several tens of thousands of pounds have been raised through the sheep drive over the years to help London’s Air Ambulance and other local charities.
As the sheep pass their gathering buckets to people on the bridge, they eagerly accept coins and bills to help these great causes. During the event, different charity partners have information booths and games to teach people about their work.
As someone who works on urban studies and social issues in London, I’m glad to see that such a fun event is also doing good things for the community. The sheep drive is a good example of how civic customs can both honor the past and build for the future of this great city.
The Delight and Drama of the Crossing
Of course, it’s not easy to get a bunch of sheep across one of London’s busiest bridges! As you might expect, the crossing causes a lot of fun, trouble, and even drama along the way.
During the woolly walk through the busy streets, the sheep often stop to eat tasty bits of grass that stick out from cracks in the road. At that point, the people who are shepherding the sheep have to hurriedly try to get them to keep trotting along, which makes people laugh.
And every so often, one or two sheep get away from the rest of the group, making everyone run after them before they get too far away. As a participant in 2015, I had a whole new appreciation for people who had to handle sheep during those crazy times!
But after an hour of waiting and not giving up, the flock finally makes it across the bridge, through the streets of Southwark, and onto the barge where they will float back home.
As I watch the sheep finally get on the boat and look back at Tower Bridge as they sail away to sea, I feel proud that I was able to get these special animals back to safety. It’s not easy, but it pays off big time!
Why This Tradition Matters
London is moving quickly into the future with its cutting-edge technology, architecture, and global impact. But customs like these help us remember where we came from. That link to the past is important no matter how modern London gets.
The sheep drive across London Bridge every year connects people today to a practice from the Middle Ages and is a beautiful example of this bridge between the past and the present. I’m very interested in London’s past and culture, and I think that events that ground us, teach us, and captivate us in unique ways have a lot of meaning for me.
Aside from the laughter, bleating sheep, and views of famous people, the sheep drive for me represents how strong London is. In its 2,000-year past, the city has been through fires, plagues, wars, depressions, and every other problem you can think of.
Conclusion
Still, customs like these have stood the test of time, changing with the times. This year, as London comes out of the pandemic, it was particularly moving to see the sheep cross our famous bridge again, as a sign of how strong our city’s spirit is.
What ever the future brings, the sheep drive makes me think of how London will handle it with wit, fun, and a celebration of everything that makes this city so magical. There is a golden thread running through our customs that connects the past, the present, and the future. It goes through the many bends of our beloved River Thames. I hope you like reading “London’s River Thames Hosts Damian Lewis and a Flock of Sheep in Tradition”.
With over 5 years of experience exploring London’s diverse neighborhoods and a background in urban studies, our author brings a blend of expert knowledge and personal insights to alondonlist.com. Passionate about uncovering the city’s hidden gems and cultural hotspots, they offer readers practical tips and authentic experiences for making the most of London. Follow their adventures on Instagram.
