On Their Uppers – Swan Upping Along The River Thames
The Royal Tradition of Swan Upping takes place every July on the River Thames, so I got my bike out again, and headed down to Shepperton Lock to meet up with the Swan Uppers, on the first day of Swan Upping of 2023.
David Barber, the Kings’ Swan Marker, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas Kurn
This year was the first time under the new King, and the King’s boats in the Flotilla bore the new Royal Cypher. The flotilla consists of several wooden skiffs (rowing boats) plus some motor cruisers, which are mostly their to support the Swan Uppers, including giving them a tow along the longer stretches of the river! I did shout out that they could at least pretend to be rowing, but most of the rowers seemed to be enjoying the rest.
A Swan Upper at Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas Kurn
Originally swans were considered a desirable meat and they were captured for feasts in Royal palaces. Nowadays, swans are protected, and Swan Upping is undertaken as a conservational exercise, acting as a census of mute swans. When they are lifted out the cygnets are weighed, and checked all over to see that they are in good health. The Swan Sanctuary was on hand in case of any issues with ill birds.
A cygnet is checked over by the Swan Uppers, , Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas Kurn
I followed the Swan Uppers from Shepperton, through my home town of Chertsey (where they found a family of 6 cygnets), on past Penton Hook Lock to Staines-upon-Thames, where they stopped for lunch, obviously in the Swan public house!
Swan Uppers at , Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnThe Swan Uppers stop for lunch at the Swan public house in Staines-upon-Thames. Photo by Douglas KurnA statue of the Swan Master, Staines-upon-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnSpectators watch the swan upping, Staines-upon-Thames. Photo by Douglas KurnA spectator videos the Swan Upping on his mobile phone, Staine-upon-Thames. Photo by Douglas KurnA man enjoys an ice cream during the swan upping, Penton Hook Lock, Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnThe King’s boat on the River Thames approaching Chertsey, Surrey. Photo by Douglas KurnDavid Barber, the Kings’ Swan Marker, helps with the marking of a swan, Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA Swan Upper ties the legs of a swan so that it cannot escape, Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnDavid Barber, the Kings’ Swan Marker, Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA Swan Upper ties the legs of a cygnet so that it cannot escape, , Chertsey, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnThe Swan Upper’s arrive at Bridge Wharf, Chertsey, where a swan and 6 cygnets have been located. Photo by Douglas KurnThe Swan Upper’s arrive at Bridge Wharf, Chertsey, where a swan and 6 cygnets have been located. Photo by Douglas KurnThe flag flown on the Swan Uppers boats, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA spectator at the Swan Upping, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA Swan Upper at Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnTwo cyclists take time out to watch the Swan Upping, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA swan is released after being inspected by the Swan Uppers, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnSpectators watch the Swan Upping, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnPhotographers gather round David Barber, The Kings Swan Marker, whilst he holds a swan, Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas KurnA Swan Upper at Sunbury Lock, Sunbury-on-Thames, 17/07/2023. Photo by Douglas Kurn
