Name Castle’s fluffy new ‘tenants’

 

Two fluffy peachicks hatched in the Castle grounds last week and have become an instant hit, so much so that a competition has been launched to find names for the newborns.

 

“They’ve been attracting an awful lot of attention as they wander around the castle courtyard in the glorious sunshine, peeping out from behind their mother and nibbling the crumbs left behind,” said Alison Dyer of the National Trust-run castle. “They’ve proved so popular that we have opened up a competition on our Facebook and Twitter pages to find them a name.”

 

The best suggestions will be put in a hat, and the peachicks will discover their new names after the draw on Monday, August 1. Alison advises participants to avoid Alan, Penny and Perry as they are the names of their father, mother and big brother!

 

The draw will be held on the Castle’s Great Lawn during the Fairytale Picnic (12pm -3pm) when children are encouraged to come dressed as knights, princesses or dragons to enjoy stories, crown making and labyrinth racing. There are prizes for the best dressed.

 

 

 

1.    The peafowl is a native of the Indian Subcontinent

2.    It is believed to have been introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great

3.    The male is a Peacock, the female a Peahen and their young Peachicks

4.    A fully grown Peacock can measure up to 2.25m (7 feet six inches) from bill to the end of his train, and weigh 6kg (13lb 3oz)

5.    A valued symbol, the Peacock is used as the logo for the American TV company NBC, the Pakistan Television Corporation and Sri Lankan Airlines.

6.    Prominent in many cultures’ beliefs the Peacock has been variously linked with immortality, wisdom, compassion and royalty.

7.    It has been the National Bird of India since 1963.

8.    Knights in medieval Europe wore Peacock feathers in their helmets

9.    Viking warriors were often buried with Peacock feathers

10.  It was once believed that keeping a Peacock would rid an area of snakes.