European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 28, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse E n q l an d St. \ vex \ v rtt Oissar ?.v-0 not n a so nyx xxx ,.s. A big Serif London landmark Dock overlooks the thames until the mid-1800s/th6usands gathered on the Banks to View the lord mayor show an annual cavalcade of boats carrying the mayor to Westminster to be sworn into office. --1 a. Many of the pageants celebrated triumphs of the nation and featured performers in fancy dress exotic animals and plants. But in 1856 the show was confined to the roads when the water became too there were the Frost fairs held where the River iced Over under Bridges. There was Archery and dancing and sometimes a whole of was roasted on the ice. Some traditions remain including the annual Doggett coat and badge race for apprentice watermen instituted by actor Thomas Doggett in 1714 to celebrate George i accession to the throne and to Reward an overworked apprentice Waterman who rowed him across the River late one night. Apprentices still compete for the prize of a red Doublet with Silver buttons and a watermen badge. And for two weeks every summer representatives of Queen Elizabeth ii and two ancient orders of tradesmen the dyers and vintners companies who together own All the swans on the River Mark the Bird beaks to define their ownership. The practice called Swan for some the twisting turning thames a compulsion. Twenty Miles West of the Tower Bridge where the River fringed with Meadows Stan rust runs a ferry Between Twickenham and 17th-Century Ham House ancestral Home of the Earls of Dysart. He lives in an old lighter. I have always loved the water so i waited for this business to come up for Sale then i mortgaged my House and came he says. I can t explain it. I just have to be the Tower of London viewed from across the thames left. Boats Dock on a summer Day above. April 28, 1994 stripes Magazine
