Leeds Castle and Pickles the Whooper Swan

Mention Leeds Castle and you may think it is situated near the city of Leeds in Yorkshire. It is in fact located some 240 miles to the south, near Maidstone, in Kent and is said to be "the loveliest castle in the world." It is certainly one of the loveliest in Britain, and with eight centuries of history, including an association with six queens, beautiful gardens, a maze, a fabulous playground for kids - you can easily spend a day there.

Also a popular sight at Leeds Castle was Pickles the whooper swan, who was often seen on the moat. He was easily recognisable to visitors by his vibrant yellow bill. Pickles celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this year with a special swan-friendly cake.

Pickles the whooper swan turned 30 in June (Gareth Fuller)

But alas, popular swan Pickles, believed to be the oldest in the UK, has died aged 30. 

Mark Brattle, falconry and wildlife manager at Leeds Castle, said on Monday: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pickles the swan, who passed away yesterday.

“Pickles the whooper swan, was a massive character at the castle and will be missed by staff and visitors alike.

“The falconry and wildlife team would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support.”

Pickles was often seen paddling gracefully across the moat, or on the Great Water, surrounded by his friends – mute swans, trumpeter swans and the castle’s famous black swans.

There are 19 captive-bred swans that call the grounds of Leeds Castle home, but none was more famous than Pickles, the castle’s oldest feathered resident, staff said.

The “feathered King of the Castle” is set to be fondly remembered.

The exact date of his birthday is unknown – when Pickles arrived at Leeds Castle in 2013, it was known only that he had hatched in early June 1991.

Staff from the falconry and wildlife team decided to designate June 3 as Pickles Day, for which there has been a celebration each year.

Whooper swans, which can grow up to 5ft 3in (160cm) in length, generally live to around the age of 10 in the wild, but have been known to reach their late 20s in captivity.

May he RIP

Words above taken from article here

Read more about Leeds Castle here

If you may be planning a visit to Leeds Castle, or perhaps just a nice trip out, why not take some Low Carb Courgette (Zucchini) and Feta Bakes with you. This recipe uses fresh courgettes and crumbly, creamy Greek feta and these egg bakes are ideal for a simple lunch or picnic. You could make a big batch and freeze some for later, as they can even be packed up in lunchboxes for the kids, too.

Please see more details here

This blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, cartoons, music and recipes! However, not all the recipe suggestions featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan