Traditional - Celebrating Swan Upping (The Counting of Swans)
Swan Upping takes place during the third week in July on the River Thames when the Worshipful Companies of the Watermen & Lightermen row the skiffs up the River Thames from Sunbury on Thames to Abingdon when Swans found on the water are caught and marked, now adays with bands on their legs, in older days the becks were nicked. Two of London’s Livery Companies, the Vintners and Dyers share the marks with the Monarchy. The main purpose for this today is as a census on the state of the swans on the river,
The Monarch is the Seigneur of the Swans and their representatives for Swan Upping are the Swan Markers – The Monarch’s has a Uniform of Red, The Vintners of Blue
The Company of Watermen and Lightermen – have Red Livery – Bring an Oar
The Vintners – Livery is Blue for Swan Upping – Bring a Barrel of Wine (Bottle)
The Dyers – Livery is Blue – Bring a bolt of Cotton or ball of Wool
The Monarchs Representative – Livery is Red – Bring a Swan or White Feather
Geocachers - Celebrating Swan Upping / Swanning About (The Counting of Swans)
Geocaching is going to take this on board with a series of Events, one a day for 5 days, about the third week in July 2025 from 13th to the 18th
Cache Upping takes place during the third week in July on the Buckinghamshire & Bedfordshire Border when groups esteemed geocachers (row their skiffs) drive their charabancs around the lanes looking for Swans found on the roadside that are visited where they, now a days marking the event log with bands of ink on the paper, in older days the quills scratched the parchment. Some of Local Cache Chasing Companies, the BBH, NN and “The H” share their marks with the non-affiliated. The main purpose for this today is as a census on the state of the cachers in town,
Which of the contingent of the Counters will you be on, indicated by what you wear / bring (see above) if you care to join in.
Attendees will be able to exchange there travel bugs if wanted
Where to be counted this week
1 - Monday 14th July 2025 - GCB1N37 - The Swan Pub and Bistro, 12 High Street, Olney, MK46 4AA
2 - Tuesday 15th July 2025 - GCB5ZZ2 - The Swan, 2 Wavendon Road, Salford, MK17 8BD
3 - Wednesday 16th July 2025 - GCB604N - The Swan, 1 Dunstable Road, Flitwick, MK45 1HP
REST DAY
Thursday 17th July 2025 - GCB - The Black Horse, Ireland, 12 High Street, Olney, MK46 4AA - 19:00 to 19:30
Celebrating Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan - GCB
Come along and celebrate this Irish American wearing your clothes the wrong way Round!
(Not part of the Swanning about count)
4 - Friday 18th July 2025 - GCB605C - The Swan, Bridge End, Bromham, MK43 8LS - 19:00 to 20:00
5 - Saturday 19th July 2025 - GCB1NYJ - The Swan, 2 High Street, Woburn Sands, MK17 8RH
Marking you and your attendance
Swan Upping involves the marking of swans, this event offers you as an attendee to write your mark on the log with ink and I as organiser offer you opportunity to be marked, similarly to a swan, you shall be mark by the giving of a wristband, a marking ring, likely to be big enough to go round your ankle, to be like the swan, the sympathy vote or round your wrist is an possibility
This wrist / ankle band will be a Friendship Knot of rope. Add a Travel Bug Code to increase its uniqueness.
If you would like to be marked as so, please say so in your “Will Attend” Log stating if you will provide the TB that will be added to the ring at the event or you want me to have your ring and TB pre-assembled for the event and there will be a charge for the TB Costs as that needs covering
Look in the Gallery for an Example of the Marking Band, go on, give it a gander, OH that is a goosy thing!