David with Arcade manager, Rita
Hungerford Arcade staff and staff and stallholders always enjoy hearing customers’ stories about what they do for a living. David Hattersley and his lovely wife, Joyce came shopping at the Arcade and when they reached the counter, he saw that another customer had a beautiful swan that she was going to purchase. David looked at the swan and told us what breed of it was modelled on. Enquiring where he got his knowledge from, he told us that he is one of HM Queen’s Royal Swan Uppers. Wow, David had our full attention.
The Queen owns and cares for all the Mute Swans on the River Thames and employs Swan Uppers to look after them. A census of the Swans is carried out once a year when young cygnets are examined and tagged with a lightweight ring which is linked to a database.
The adult Swans are checked for injuries and any health problems. Swans that need treatment are taken to the Windsor Queen’s Hospital. Those left with a disability are taken to a new home at Blenheim Palace. Her Majesty will never have a Swan destroyed because it may have lost an eye or is disabled in any way. They all live long, happy, healthy lives.
Colin Smith / Swan Uppers in Sunbury Lock.
Bfore David retired and became a Royal Swan Upper, he worked for the Royal Mail and delivered The Queen’s personal mail to her at Buckingham Palace.
