Saturday 19th September saw Siddall & Hilton’s Kate Kendall turn shepherdess for the day as she took part in a charitable initiative to drive sheep over London Bridge – but Kate says that claims she dressed up as Little Bo Peep have been greatly exaggerated!
Only those made a Freeman of the City of London are permitted to drive sheep across the bridge, which is an ancient privilege dating back to the 11th century. These days, special dispensation has to be granted to allow the enactment of this ancient right.
As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wireworkers, Kate qualified for the dubious privilege, and took part to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
“My sheep was the one with a blue ribbon in her hair – or rather fleece! We were ably assisted by a group of young agricultural students sent as minders - we didn't know whether they were there to mind the sheep or the liverymen!” said Kate.
The charitable theme selected for 2008 by Alderman David Lewis, The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, is investing in healthy lives, healthy vision, healthy futures as this most encapsulates the work of his two chosen charities, Wellbeing of Women and ORBIS.
Wellbeing of Women is the only UK charity dedicated to funding research that will benefit these women and their families. The charity also supports the training and development of specialists.
ORBIS is a founding member of ‘Vision 2020 - the right to sight’ a global initiative led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to end avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
Kate drove her suitably adorned sheep just 200 yards across the bridge in a ‘shepherding relay’. Animal lovers should relax – no sheep were harmed during the process and Kate had received expert instruction on correct driving procedures!
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