The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is delighted to announce that farmer, best-selling author and one of the UK’s most-loved broadcasters, Kate Humble will be bringing her passion for nature to the City of London, in support of the Woolmen’s 2022 charity Sheep Drive & Livery Fair, taking place on Sunday 25th September.
Kate will be coming from her Wye Valley farm to join The Lord Mayor of London, The Rt Hon Vincent Keaveny, in leading Freemen of the City of London in a Ewe-nique annual livery event re-enacting a Freemen’s ancient right to herd sheep to market over London Bridge, toll-free. Now celebrating its 10th year, Freemen of the City of London flock to book their places on what is always a sell-out event – with 2022 being no exception. Funds raised support the Woolmen’s Charity and Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
Kate will also be attending the open-to-all and free Livery Fair, taking place nearby on the piazza at The Monument. Fascinating displays of traditional Livery Company and wool trades and crafts, including sheep shearing, will take place throughout the day. The Livery Fair is a fantastic day out for all the family and a fun reminder of the abiding and vital connection between city and nature.
Kate Humble is renowned for her love of nature and the countryside and became familiar to many as a presenter on BBC Countryfile, Lambing Live and Springwatch programmes.
Kate and husband Ludo moved from London and purchased a smallholding in the Wye Valley, Wales. Over the last 10 years, they have transformed a small working farm into Humble by Nature, a thriving rural skills and animal husbandry centre.
At Humble by Nature visitors come from all over the country and learn how to start their own smallholdings, keep traditional rural crafts and skills alive, and re-connect with the land. Kate has shared the joys and challenges of a farming life through Channel Five’s, Escape to The Farm and inspired by the popularity of her cooking on Escape to the Farm, Kate recently published her debut cookbook; Home Cooked – a celebration of simple, seasonal home cooking, full of flavour, comfort and joy.
About the Woolmen’s Sheep Drive on London Bridge
Over 1,000 pre-booked Freemen and their friends, in groups of 10, are expected to take part in the charity event, re-enacting their ancient right to drive sheep to market toll-free over the Thames. Small flocks of specially trained North of England Mules provided by Bedfordshire farmers David and Barbara Seamark are expertly shepherded by the Seamarks throughout the day, supported by young farmers, including from City Farms. The sheep have plenty of R&R, food and water in straw-lined pens, to ensure they too can relax and “chew the cud” on their special day out to the City.
About the Livery Fair at The Monument. 10AM to 4PM – Free and open to all
Join us at the wonderful Livery Fair, located on the piazza at The Monument, one of the City’s most-loved visitor attractions. The Livery Fair is open to all and free to enter, and is where livery and specialist wool companies will be celebrating their crafts and trades with interactive displays and the sale of their wares. Other fun activities will include expert blade shearing and some wonderful rare breed sheep. Food and beverages stalls round off what is sure to be a wonderful family day out in the heart of the City of London.
Find out more at: sheepdrive.london
Peter Hullah, Master of The Worshipful Company of Woolmen said: “We are delighted to welcome Kate Humble as our special celebrity guest for the 2022 Sheep Drive and Livery Fair. Kate’s passion for the countryside, traditional crafts and skills – and all things wool! – embodies the very essence of this eagerly-anticipated charity event in the City of London livery calendar. We look forward to a very special 10th anniversary Sheep Drive with Sheep driving taking place in the heart of the City on London Bridge. We will celebrate with what is sure to be a vibrant and fun Livery Fair taking place at The Monument; a chance to delve into the fascinating history of the livery trades, alongside wonderful wool stalls and even a few sheep… a fantastic family day out.” www.woolmen.com
Kate Humble added: “I’m hugely honoured to participate in this year’s Sheep Drive and Livery Fair. An incredible spectacle that commemorates London’s connection to the countryside, celebrates the many uses of wool and its natural complement to modern living.” www.katehumble.com
Peter Ackroyd MBE, COO, The Campaign for Wool – Headline Sponsor: “Kate Humble is a wonderful advocate for nature and living naturally. The Campaign for Wool is delighted Kate is supporting this year’s Sheep Drive and Livery Fair, helping spread the word about wool and its unassailable environmental credentials; widely recognised as one of the most sustainable and versatile fibres in the world and as relevant to the very fabric of society today as it has ever been – whether for personal attire, in the home, or for its many fascinating 21st Century industrial uses.” www.campaignforwool.org
