On Friday 21st July 2017 the annual Swan Upping arrived at Abingdon, completing a five day journey up the Thames.
2017 was a relatively good year with more swans counted than the previous three years.
At Abingdon Marina two cygnets and a father swan were caught near the slipway. Their mother was nowhere to be seen.
David Barber, the Queen’s Swan Marker, and the Queen’s swan uppers were accompanied by swan uppers from both the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies. Some swans are marked for the Queen and others for the Vintners’ or Dyers’ depending on parentage.
The swan and cygnets were assessed for signs of disease and injury, then weighed and ringed with identification numbers. Mr Barber gave a few white feathers, that had come loose from the adult swan, to a child who had held one of the cygnets.
The two cygnets were claimed for the Queen by Mr Barber, although the Dyers’ also tried to make a claim.
The flotilla of six traditional skiffs then rowed off back across the Marina to the Thames – they were rejoined by the three motor boats that give support and provide the occasional tow.
The end of the journey was at Abingdon Bridge where people had gathered. @TheAbingdonTaxi was there on the bridge – reporting directly on Twitter. He had already seen pictures, on Twitter, from @wbGabbleRatchet who was at the Marina.
At Abingdon Bridge the skiffs came together and the company stood up to toast the Queen.
A minute or so later they disembarked, and David Barber was talking on his mobile phone. Then he gave another interview to a lady from the press. A lot of his job is education and public relations to help raise awareness and protect swans. I think he said to her 134 cygnets this year.
Finally, a pleasure cruiser came under the bridge – ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ blaring out. One of the passengers made as if they were conducting the assembled throng on the bridge.
