Swanning around!

We soon discovered, as we drove into Wells on Saturday evening,

that something was going on!

It was the sight of a rather large Swan, which greeted us as we entered the city,

that caught our interest.

Swans everywhere!!

What's going on?

On 2nd June, 60 Swans landed on the streets of Wells, to take part in a public

art sculpture trail around the city and surrounding area.

Why 60? 

Well, that's easy...one for each year of Queen Elizabeth's reign.

If you're lucky enough to visit Wells between now and September, 

you will not miss these things of beauty.

Sponsored by businesses, individuals and organisations

and decorated by teams of artists and craftspeople, the Swans are dotted

 all over the place. After gracing the streets of this lovely city for the summer,

they will then be rounded up and displayed at The Bishop's Palace

for a  'Swansong Auction Preview Weekend' on 15th and 16th September.

On 29th September, the 'Swansong Charity Auction' will take place.

All net profits will go to local charities.

So, you know where to go if you want something a little different for your garden! ;-)

Swans have been synonymous with Wells, for centuries.

They are a permanent feature of 13th Century The Bishop's Palace, 

which has been the home to the many Bishops of Bath and Wells, for over 800 years.

And the Swans of Wells, apparently, have a unique habit! 

They ring the bell by the palace drawbridge, to ask for food.

This all started 200 years ago, when the daughter of a Victorian bishop taught her

favourite swan to ring the gatehouse bell for scraps of food.

We managed to spot a few of the colourful variety

as we took our usual walk around the city.

I loved this one...'Up Before the Beak'

However, they were all lovely!

Wells is certainly well worth a visit.

It's an interesting city which we love to frequent 

We'll be back soon!

We still had more to fit into our Sunday.

We had a Dairy House to visit... and I don't mean cows and milking!

More next time!

;-)