ArticleSwan Upping
The third week of July, every
year within the UK an ancient ceremony takes place on a 70 mile stretch of the
River Thames called 'Swan Upping. This is the annual census of the swan
population on stretches of the Thames in Middlesex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire,
Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The ceremony dates from the 12th century and came
about when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans, because back then
swans were regarded as a delicious dish at banquets and feasts, of course today
they are no longer eaten. The Crown stills retains this ownership right, but
only on unmarked swans in open water, but the Queen only exercises this right on
certain stretches of the River Thames and its surrounding tributaries.
The Swan Upping Ceremony is
carried out by the Queens Swan Marker and the Swan Uppers of the Vinters' and
Dyers' livery companies who jointly own these swans after being granted to the
rights of ownership by the Crown in the 15th century. It is a 5 day ceremony
where the officials in traditional uniforms and in six traditional Thames rowing
double Skiffs, flying the appropriate flags and pennants, row sections of the
Thames to carry out this task. Each Skiff is manned by two watermen handling a
pair of sculls, however the The Queens Swan Marker sits at the stern of a randan
propelled by one man with a pair of skulls and two others each working a single
scull, and all are dressed in traditional scarlet jackets. On passing Windsor
Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boats with oars raised and salute
'Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans'. When a brood of cygnets is
sighted a cry of "All Up" is given to signal that the boats should get into
position.
|
|
Its purpose is to weigh,
measure and ring (giving identification numbers) any new cygnets, and to carry
out a health check and count of the current Mute Swan population on a 70 mile
stretch of the River Thames, through 5 counties. Once the process is complete
the swans are set free again. On completion of the 5 days The Queen's Swan
Marker produces a report which gives data on the number of swans including
broods and cygnet, this data is then used to determine suitable conservation
methods and other protections required for the Swans.
The Queens Swan Markers role
is to carry out this function during the Swan Upping ceremony, but he is also
has other duties including:
-
Advisor to other
organisations throughout the UK on swan welfare and incidents involving swans
-
Monitors the health of local
swan populations
-
Briefs fishing and boating
organisations on how to work with existing wildlife and maintain existing
habitats
-
Works closely with Swan
rescue organisations
-
Carries out the rescue of
sick and injured swans
-
Co-ordinates the temporary
removal of swans from stretches of the Thames used for summer rowing regattas.
It is a traditional and
typical English procession of the 6 colourful boats, but also a flotilla of
accompanying boats going down the River Thames, through locks and 5 English
counties.
Dates and Schedule
The Swan Upping Ceremony
usually takes place during the third week of July, but check out our July diary
pages which are usually up in June of each to year to check the exact dates for
the current year.
A typical schedule for the
Swan Upping week is:
Monday
|
|
|
Sunbury
Lock |
09.00
(Departure point) |
Shepperton Lock |
10.45 |
Penton Hook Lock |
12.30 |
Romney Lock |
17.30 |
Tuesday
|
|
Eton College Boat House |
09.00 (Departure point) |
Boveney Lock |
10.15 |
Boulters
Lock |
13.30 |
Marlow
Lock |
17.45 |
Wednesday
|
|
Marlow Bridge |
09.15 (Departure point) |
Hurley Lock |
10.30 |
Hambleden Lock |
11.45 |
Henley Town |
13.30 |
Marsh Lock |
16.30 |
Thursday
|
|
Sonning-on-Thames |
09.00 (Departure
point) |
Caversham Lock |
10.30 |
Mapledurham
Lock |
12.45 |
Goring Lock |
17.30 |
Friday
|
|
Moulsford |
09.00
(Departure point) |
Benson
Lock |
10.15 |
Culham
Lock |
16.00 |
Abingdon Bridge |
17.15 |
To find out more about Swan
Upping you can at the following links:
Also See our other pages on Swans
Swans
Where to Photograph Swans (Location List)
Mute Swan
Bewick's Swan
Whooper Swan
|