No Harm Done

The star element of the popular Winter Droving event held in the market town of Penrith in northern England has been the torchlight procession through the streets in darkness. After unavoidable cessation because of Covid, this year the procession was back. It took place last Saturday. The big feature of the procession is illuminated lantern depictions of animals of the countryside. Sheep are represented - as the photographs of the procession in 2019 display.

The Winter Droving festival attracts around 20,000 people. By the method of the Winter Droving procession sheep have public spotlight, recognition and appreciation, but without actual sheep being present. Sheep have given spectacle and have received public notice and attention without attendance of any real sheep. Sheep have been a presence without having been present. No sheep have suffered any harm, stress and indignity from being in an unsuitable and unnatural-to-sheep environment. There is a lesson - of very wide application - for learning.