"At this time of year, the Editorial Team at ‘Nice Birds but Dangerous’ look to compile material for the Christmas blog post. For inspiration, we often peruse our archival collection of the thoughts and teachings of Joe (Swan fearing) Roberts.
This year instead, we went through the copious store of artefacts he left behind after his untimely death in 2001.
All of our regular readers and swan aficionados worldwide, will know that Joe was ‘no stranger’ to the benefits offered by the occasional Light Ale but few will appreciate that his absolute favourite amongst the ‘Pale’ libations was ‘Courage Light Ale’ circa 1970.
What the editorial team only discovered this week was that Joe had been involved with the development of ‘marketing material’ designed by the company to rival the Guinness Toucan balancing a pint of stout on its bill. Joe, never averse to putting himself forward and thus into the limelight, came up with the catchy strap-line “It’s what Joe would have wanted”. When we found in Joe’s belongings, the above ‘printers proof’ for the pilot advertisement, it all became clear. Sadly, the campaign was abandoned peremptorily, due to fears articulated by the RSPB, that it might promote under-age binge drinking, particularly amongst cygnets, and generally in the close vicinity of lakes and other inland waterways. We shall however, never really know!
We at ‘NBbD’ wish all our blog readers and contributors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
However, we like to emphasise each and every year, how dangerous cold and hungry swans can be during Winter Solstice. And yet every year there are unfortunate and avoidable swan related events resulting from rash actions and thoughtless behaviours!
TAKING SMALL CHILDREN TO FEED
THE SWANS ON BOXING DAY IS COMPLETELY WRONG AND TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE!!
Even feeding swans with bread can have unforeseen circumstances. They may be nice birds but they can be dangerous!" - Ed.
