HER Majesty's inspector of swans will return to Oxfordshire this week for the annual swan upping.
The Royal Swan Marker David Barber will lead an inspection team up the Thames from London to Abingdon all this week counting the number of mute swans.
Setting off from Sunbury Lock south of Heathrow this morning, the team will travel up the river over the next four days.
Reaching Oxfordshire on Friday, they aim to make a count at Moulsford at 9am, then again at Benson at 10.15am, Clifton Hampden Bridge at 1pm, Culham Lock at 4.15pm and Abingdon at 5pm.
The Royal Swan Uppers, who wear the scarlet uniform of Her Majesty The Queen, travel in traditional rowing skiffs with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies.
School children are frequently invited to meet the Swan Uppers on their journey up river.
The children involved may have the opportunity to view cygnets at close quarters and ask questions about swans, the boats used and The Queen’s ownership of mute swans.
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