Citizens had the rare chance to flock sheep on a Lancaster farm thanks to the revival of a long-lost tradition by the mayor.
Tradition has it that Freemen and Freewomen of Lancaster are allowed to 'pasture a limited number of beasts'.
But today this unlikely honour is rarely taken up by those who are given the Freedom of the City.
That was, until Sunday when a group of Freemen and Freewomen of the City gathered at a Quernmore farm to flock some sheep.
Freemen and Freewomen of the city and their families join Councillor Margaret Pattison, mayor of Lancaster, and her daughter Charlotte (mayoress) at Askew Hill Cottage farm in Quernmore
The idea came from Margaret Pattison, Mayor of Lancaster, to mark the end of her year in office this May.
Beyond Radio's Duncan Moore, who was made a Freeman of Lancaster is 2025, was among those taking part.
LISTEN to Duncan speaking to Councillor Margaret Pattison about the sheep walking
The Freedom of the City is an ancient office dating back more than 300 years and one of the basic privileges being the right to pasture a number of beasts on Lancaster Marsh.
Rather than do it on the Marsh, the mayor agreed with farmer John Hughes to allow Freemen and Freewomen to flock some of his sheep.
LISTEN to farmers John and Matthew Hughes talking about the mayoral sheep walking
Here's Noah, three, flocking some sheep on Sunday.
At one point some of the sheep got a little excited as they made their way down the hill back towards the farm. But all sheep were fine and accounted for!
Freedom of the City also traditionally carried a number of other privileges including to enter the city free from the payment of tolls, and to bring goods through toll gates for sale at the Lancaster Market.
LISTEN to Tim Tomlinson, Lancaster publican and Freeman of the City, talking about his experience of the flocking
Here are more photos from the mayoral sheep walking event.
Read more: Mayor to re-enact ancient sheep tradition at Lancaster farm - Beyond Radio
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