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.