Michael was visiting the Vintners’ Company Hall in London. With its Royal Charter granted in 1363, the Vintners’ Company is one of the earliest London Livery Companies. What concerns Abingdon is that they co-organise the Swan Upping and will be one of the boat crews, along with the Royal boats and the Dyers’, that bring the swan upping to Abingdon this Friday.

Michael took pictures of their wall display showing the swan upping.

This one reads, ‘No, it’s not a footballer’s outing. That’s swan upping. They catches the birds and marks ’em to prevent the smart boys from doing a switch and serving ’em up as Duck a la Maitre d’Hotel in the joints in Soho.’

They also display a stuffed swan.

This blog could well report on the swan upping on Friday if I get there at the right time. There is no right time. But I will be there at around 5 pm at Abingdon Bridge and will wait if I haven’t already missed them.

Thanks to Tim for the report and pictures:

Several years ago a boat broke free from its mooring and sank in the middle of the Thames off the field near swift ditch.

Today it was being recovered using heavy equipment that had been brought in to carry out repairs to the rail bridge further upstream.

As the new owner of the field has banned any further mooring, loose boats will now come from the other bank.

This picture of a large group of youngsters and instructors from the Kingfisher Canoe Club’s was taken a few days ago. The new club hut and store was opened near Abingdon Lock in 2021 and the club’s future has been secured.

Four men rowing a boat through Abingdon. The town was described as quiet, respectable, clean, and dull by Jerome K Jerome in his book ‘Three Men in a Boat’, published in 1889.

Two barges emerge from Abingdon Lock with a word and a wave. Abingdon Lock is known for its friendly atmosphere, where Richard, Frank, and others are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable.

Salters Steamers are often seen in Abingdon with chartered boats or regular sailings. They now require groups of 30 or more to have pre-booked to run their regular sailings.