From The Times this week...
Quote:
LEARNING THE ROPES
Sir, The swans teaching their young to ring the moat bell for food at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells (photograph, Aug 21) follow a long tradition: the first swan was taught the skill by a daughter of Lord Auckland, the Bishop of Bath and Wells (1854-69).
It is now encased in the Wells and Mendip Museum. As cygnets fly away and parents die, it is the palace administrator who actually keeps the tradition alive, training new pairs of swans.
Grace and Gabriel, introduced in May, quickly learnt the technique and have produced eggs, ensuring that another generation will delight visitors.
Peter Saunders
Curator emeritus, Salisbury Museum
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I think it fair to say that the Bishop of Bath and Wells mentioned above, probably isn't the same chap who featured in an episode of Blackadder.