International Swan Day 03-03-2026

 

" Everyone at 'SNBBD' is excited, as tomorrow will be 'International Swan Day' once again.  As all good 'Swan Fearing People' will appreciate, the 3rd of March is the Birthday of the late Joe Roberts, a man who forgot more about swans than anyone normal might rightly know.

We like to think that many people in Maidstone and Sidcup and those known to frequent Joe Coral Betting Shops on a regular basis, will tomorrow, raise a glass of 'bleedin' Light Ale in his memory.

Looking through Joe's extensive archive, we came across references to the wonderful 'Curry'  Joe was known to enjoy 'back in the day' at 'Jock's Cafe' in Sidcup. Apparently, Jock's 'Haggis Vindaloo', which was only available on Burns' Night, was a complete revelation and an extraordinary laxative!

It is 25 years since Joe died and we at 'SNBBD' like to think that he has gone to a better place, a celestial version of Wickes, (Wixies) and is happily spending eternity as well as Saturdays, in the company of 'Beryl from Sidcup'. Joe's' wife's name was Edna (aka 'Nurse Diesel') apparently she was "bleedin mad".

We decided to post this a day early, to enable those who fancy to celebrate with a Swan themed curry, to 'order in' or prepare for the feast. Many of the team, remember the Vesta Prawn Curry, which was deemed 'exotic' back in the 1960s. Few could recall the 'Vesta Swan Balti' but we did find the above photo in Joe's archive.  So he clearly loved 'curry' as well as 'kiddies' and facilities for wheelchair users at UK racecourses, all in a thoroughly nice way.

Happy Birthday Joe!💙🏇🏇 and a Happy International Swan Day to Chris Packham, Sir David and all Swan Fearers Worldwide.

Defcon Four

 

" We did warn you"! - NBBD Team (1100 hrs :07-01-2026)

DEFCON FOUR

New Year 2026 and heightened level of threat.

 

 

Here at 'nbbd' HQ in Lowestoft our team is braced for a difficult year, in 2026, with heightened threat levels from swans now being experienced on all inland waterways.

 We have officially gone 'mute' as we move to 'Defcon 3'.

Naughty and Nice Lists 2025

 

It is always a good strategy to stay on this swan's 'nice list' and avoid the 'naughty list' at all cost. You really don't want to be on the 'naughty list'. You really don't! 

"A very Merry Christmas to friends of this blog all over our amazing world" - Ed

Those Tudors loved a Swan

Mystery Photo.

Imagine our amazement when a plain brown paper envelope was slipped under the office door of the Editor of NBBD. The team gathered around whilst the envelope was opened.

Inside, was the above photograph and nothing else. No covering note, name or legend!

On the back was just one word made from  cut-out letters from the Waveney Gazette stuck haphazardly with Pritt.

The one word - "NONCE" .

What could it possibly mean? The team remains mute.

.

Bill by Mouth

 

" The NBbD Team were delighted to receive this interesting swan themed photograph from Lulu, one of our regulars, in Didcot. 

When one considers the skill that went into creating these wonderful and lifelike sculptures 'blown by mouth, you cannot be other than impressed'. The length of training required, to ensure that the artist does not suck instead of blow, is an industry secret. 

After considerable discussion amongst the team, we came to the collective view that 'blowing' so many swans takes dedication, skill and raw courage in the greater Didcot area" - Editor of NBbD.

Skin Art

 

"Bold"  - Editor NBbD.