At the 800th Anniversary London Bridge Fayre the Master and two Liverymen exercised their ancient right to drive sheep over London Bridge.

London Bridge was closed to traffic on July 11 while the Livery Companies of the City of London celebrated the anniversary with stalls and events, all proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s 2009 Charity Appeal. The weather was very mixed but the occasional shower did nothing to dampen the spirits.

Early in the day the Lord Mayor led a sheep from Katy Cropper’s Cumbrian Herdwick flock to start the day’s events, accompanied by the pikemen of the Honourable Artillery Company, resplendent in their scarlet uniforms, including our own Liveryman, Col. Brian Kay OBE.

Meanwhile the Master and your website editor were learning the art of bricklaying from our friends at the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers.

When it came to our turn to drive the Master was honoured with the Lord Mayor’s sheep but by then the sheep all appeared to be confused by the constant change of direction from South to North and vice versa. Eventually the Master and Liverymen, Gil Carter and Tim Garland-Jones, reached the South side of the bridge where they were joined by their families who had paid fines of “groats” to enjoy the same privilege and headed off at fine pace back to the North.

Bidding a fond farewell to our woolly companions the party retired to Fishmongers Hall where, believe it or not, the lunch was fish and chips!