Swan Upping - Henley on Thames RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Wednesday 14th July 2021

Start: 11:30 am | Finish: 3.30 pm

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD TO 2021; DATE TBC BUT LIKELY TO BE 14TH JULY 2021. EXISTING APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED FORWARD.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRICE IS BASED ON THE 2020 COST AND IS SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION

The River Thames played a significant part of the Master’s childhood, whether walking alongside it, feeding the varied birdlife or enjoying sailing, canoeing and rowing. What better way to enjoy the Thames than to attend the annual Swan Upping event from the decks of The New Orleans, based in Henley-on-Thames, the largest and most luxurious passenger vessel on the Upper Thames.

The New Orleans revives the stylish tradition of a Mississippi sternwheeler with tall twin smoke-stacks and paddle wheel. The mute swan appears to have been given Royal status in the 12th century and by 1378 there was a ‘Keeper of the King’s Swans".

The swans in the River Thames all belong either to the Sovereign or to the Worshipful Companies of Vintners or Dyers, who were granted the privilege of ownership by the Crown in the Fifteenth Century. Every year the beaks of cygnets used to be marked to show who they belonged to – if a bird had two nicks it belonged to the Vintners, if one to the Dyers and if none at all to the Queen.

We will enjoy a buffet lunch with wine while we follow the flotilla of rowing skiffs as they mark the new cygnets.

This event will go to ballot

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Our Members

Annual Banquet at Guildhall

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Well done everyone" - Mrs J.D.

"A triumph" - Mr A.W."

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We now look forward to the next year, different venues and events." - Mr P.B.

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RNLI Demonstration and Supper at the Little Ship Club
"Thank you SO much for arranging a most enjoyable evening. Once again, I was able to catch up on friends and make new acquantainces - all thanks to you for the excellent place settings. The weather was kind to us, the food was amazing and everybody around our table was very happy with the service and the meal." Ms V H

"Following the interesting demonstration Guild Members and their guests retired back inside the Little Ship Club for a stunning two-course supper with some excellent wine and tremendous companionship discussing the RNLI’s great work being achieved on the tidal Thames." Mr D K

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