Swan Upping

Excellent article...just one question: as there are three potential 'owners' of the swans, who decides how they are allocated and on what basis?

or

Are the cygnets of already ringed swans automatically ringed in the same manner.....all else being left for HM?

Simon
 
It's a wonderful display of British (well probably English, give its location) dottiness.
The swans could well be upped more efficiently by anonymous operatives. BUT that's NOT the point. A couple of locks full (I mean Hambledon sized) of well-jolly folks in silly uniforms is a most pleasant sight (unless you're a Republican).


The shame to my mind is that the Pubic don't know it's happening so all the pageantry is lost - except to the converted.

OK, I know that there are folks who are / have been very rude about the official followers. It is said that they behave like Saturday boaters visiting Henley Week in days of yore. Even the breaking wash is a sight to be seen...

So shout it from the rooftops "The Uppers are umm -Up".

Not quite The Wedding, but still it's done Quite Well.
 
Tradition

It's a wonderful display of British (well probably English, give its location) dottiness.
The swans could well be upped more efficiently by anonymous operatives. BUT that's NOT the point. A couple of locks full (I mean Hambledon sized) of well-jolly folks in silly uniforms is a most pleasant sight (unless you're a Republican).


The shame to my mind is that the Pubic don't know it's happening so all the pageantry is lost - except to the converted.

OK, I know that there are folks who are / have been very rude about the official followers. It is said that they behave like Saturday boaters visiting Henley Week in days of yore. Even the breaking wash is a sight to be seen...

So shout it from the rooftops "The Uppers are umm -Up".

Not quite The Wedding, but still it's done Quite Well.


I quite agree,,,,nothing better than some quirky tradition.....its what sets us apart from those dreadful things 'west of the Pond'......
 
Here are a few photos I took of the Swan Upping several years ago at Henley.
East Coast sailors from Bradwell may well recognise the face in the first photo.
 
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