Bronze swans of the Thames
12.55pm on Wednesday 11 July 2007 at St James Garlickhythe
Church, Garlick Hill EC4.
Photo opportunity of the new Master of the Vintners’ Company, Mr
Anthony Edwards, unveiling a bronze statue of the Barge Master and
Swan Marker.
The Vintners’ Company, together with the Crown and the Dyers’
Company, owns swans on the Thames and during July take part in
‘Swan Upping’, the ceremonial marking of cygnets between Sunbury
and Abingdon.
After the unveiling, the Company will process from the church
with their path being swept by the Company’s Wine Porter. The
Vintners are the only Livery Company still to sweep the path of
their procession.
Wardens and members of the Vintners’ will wear traditional
uniforms and carry posies.
The Swan Marker is in charge of the Vintners’ Swan Uppers for
the event, but also wears the uniform of Barge Master, dating back
to the time when the Company owned a ceremonial barge on the
Thames. For more information visit
www.vintnershall.co.uk
The statue of ‘Swan Marker and Swan’ was created for the
Vintners’ Company by the well known sculptor, Vivien Mallock. Some
of Vivien’s best known works include several busts of members of
the Royal Family, the Royal Tank Regiment Memorial in Whitehall,
and Brian Clough see www.vivienmallock.co.uk.