On Sunday May 14th when 7/8 days old the cob Green ringed 852 and daughter 175, walked with their 7cygnets on their annual pilgrimage from the Pit to the canal. The cob suffering from his damaged hip found walking difficult, and seemed to lose his way, leading the family into the Ring O Bells car park, instead of along the footpath to the primary school.
Fortunately the Rector’s wife Fiona, and John Beckitt spotted them and were soon joined by the Rector and John Eccles. They were coaxed out of the car park and back down the path towards the primary school, across Quarry Lane, into Rowan Park and through a garden onto the canal. The cygnets struggled with the curb stones en route, and more often than not tripped and rolled over onto their backs - we had to gently lift them over the curb stones!
As you can see the cover photograph shows our very own ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’ Fiona as she leads the way, through the village, for the swans and cygnets. They sailed off happily onto the canal, safe for a time in their new environment.

Photographers: John Beckitt and David Cummings