b'SHEEP DRIVEIt is not clear when the last sheep were driven acrossLondonBridgetomarket,butthe widespread introduction of motorised vehicles in the early 20th century would have signalled the end of the practice, if it had not already ceased. ThetraditionofdrivingsheepacrossLondon Bridge has regained interest in recent years.TodaysmodernSheepDrive,isalong-establishedcharityevent,celebratinga Freemans ancient right to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free.The term Freeman referred to someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but rather, by the Middle Ages, referred to people who had the right to trade and conduct business in the Square Mile. ThemoderncityofLondonwasbuiltfrom proceeds of the wool trade, regardless of the yearsgoneby,woolisstilloneofthemost sustainableandversatilefibresintheworld and it is as relevant today to the economy as it has been during the Middle Ages. The Sheep Drive and Livery Fair demonstrate the enduring linkanddependencybetweenthecityand naturewhichremainsextremelyimportant. The modern purpose of this ancient event is to promote industry and encourage conversations andinterestinthisenvironmentallyfriendly fibre, its products, and sheep farming.The Networker Autumn 2022 17.'