Swan Voyage

The Vintners’ Swan Voyage took place on 16 July leaving from Hurley lock aboard the Caverhsam Princess, on a beautiful summer’s morning.

The aim of the day is to join the Swan Uppers, during Swan Upping week, along a stretch of the River Thames and witness firsthand this wonderful tradition, whereby The Royal Swan Uppers, and the Vintners’ and Dyers’, row down the river in skiffs identifying, tagging, and counting the number of mute swans and cygnets on the river.

‘All Up’ the Uppers cry when a family of swans is spotted, and then the skiffs are positioned around the swans so they can be carefully lifted from the water to check their health, age and general wellbeing. The Crown takes ownership of any unmarked birds, and the Vintners’ or Dyers ownership of the cygnets is determined by the parent being ringed or not.
 
Some 50 Vintners’ and guests in the Company of the Master and Wardens of the court were educated about Swans and the important work the Uppers perform, all voluntarily, whilst rowing for five days some 70 miles of the Thames. The whole process is also aided by one of the Swan Charities we work with, Swan Support, who are on hand to ensure the well being of the swans is always of the highest level.

Thankfully this year there are signs that swan numbers have begun to recover after a couple of years of worrying decline. The King's Swan Marker, David Barber, said he was "delighted" at the more optimistic picture, after a 45% fall over the past two years.

Swan Upping dates back to the 12th Century and was once about counting royal property - with the monarch having ownership of unmarked mute swans swimming on open water. But is now more about conservation and education, involving schools along the route and helping to teach young people to respect and protect swans.