Woolly Week

 Mr Lamb took junior lamb down town to meet his cousins.  It's all part of the Campaign for Wool festival this week, where everything woolly is celebrated.  From cartoon sheep at the Chelsea Design Centre to knitting craft workshops  and displays throughout the city showing the diverse uses of wool.

The week began with sheep and male models tripping up and down the "sheep walk" in Saville Row.  Both showing off their beautiful woollen outfits.  Friday is your chance to show off your woolly style on Woolly Hat Day wear your best or quirkiest woolly hat, all in the name of supporting the Mission to Searfarers Charity

A Grand Entrance

I'm seeing sheep everywhere this week.   

Ancient Rites

Yep its a bunch of sheep that trip tropped across London Bridge yesterday, much to the amusement of several American tourists that were passing by.

Quirky, but it has it roots in hard won rights back in the 12th century.  The freemen and liverymen were allowed to bring their produce to market without having to pay the onerous taxes of the day.

For the Woolmen  this meant they had the right to drive their sheep to market, crossing London Bridge (the only bridge at the time) without having to pay the hefty wool taxes.  Nowadays it is purely ceremonial.  Every year they dress up in their robes and march a dozen (or so) sheep back and forth across the bridge.  Its a fun day and a chance for the company to remind the public where meat and wool comes from whilst raising money for their charitable activities.

Sheep Dancing

Only an Aussie sheep shearer would end a show with dancing sheep. Harry can really groove to his moves as did Nobby, Susie, Belinda, Martha and Lenny.
Today is their last show at the Food Festival on at Southbank. Get on down there, the show is free and very entertaining.

Dylan's Haircut

Dylan patiently queued all day for his turn to be shorn. He is a Southdown, a now rare breed of sheep. Bred for maximum wool and meat with minimal waste. This beautiful thick fleece that Dylan is being relieved off has a market value of 45p per kilo. His, thicker than most, is around 3 kilos. Farmers are turning to breeds that malt rather than require shearing. Shearers are better off becoming bankers.

Spitalfields City farm aims to protect many of the UK's endangered indigenous farm animals. Goats, pigs, chickens, donkeys to name a few. They have loads of fun and educational activities. The mainly volunteers who run the farm rely on donations.

Sunday Bridges - Ancient Rites

An ancient right dating back to the middle ages allowing the freemen of London city to drive sheep over London Bridge free of charge was exercised by the Lime Street Ward Club in aid of the Red Cross on Saturday. All freemen were invited to the special event where this special breed of sheep "stufftus onwheelera lifesizium" crossed the bridge finishing with a race at twightlight. In addition to the fastest sheep awards were also given to best of breed and the highly coveted black sheep award.

Courtesy of host Louis La Vache visit other Sunday Bridges

Sheep Drive on London Bridge

The building of old London Bridge was completed in 1209. Yesterday the current London Bridge was closed to traffic to hold the 8ooth anniversary fayre.
Part of the festivities included a sheep drive. The origins go back to medieval times when the freemen were permitted to drive their sheep across the bridge bringing them into market without having to pay the toll.