THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF WOOLMEN IS ONE OF THE OLDEST OF THE LIVERY COMPANIES OF THE CITY OF LONDON
The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is one of the oldest Livery Companies of the City of London tracing its roots to 1180.
Originally it was the body that oversaw woolpackers and wool merchants to ensure consistent standards for wool producers and wool merchants throughout the wool industry.
It now combines its ancient history and traditions with an active role with the $80Bn Global Wool Pipeline Industries through its City Wool Project.
Manny Cohen is the new Project Team Lead at The Woolmen sheepdrive!
A long-established charity event celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll-free, all in aid of raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. This year’s Sheep Drive took place on Southwark Bridge. Access is restricted to registered and pre-booked Freemen of the City of London and their guests, to enable the remainder of the bridge to be open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Located on Queen Street and Queen Street Place, the magnificent Livery Fair offers visitors the opportunity to learn all about the Sheep Drive and the wonderful causes it supports and – where livery and specialist wool companies celebrate their trades with interactive displays and sales of their wares. Other fun activities include expert blade shearing displays and some wonderful rare breed sheep!
The Sheep Drive & Livery Fair showcases the important enduring contribution of London’s livery companies, from the formation of the City of London in years gone by through to modern times, both in respect of the continuous evolution of sustainable trades and the important charitable endeavours in support of the various challenges we face today.