Slough

Speaker: Dan Keel

The Swan: Portrait of a Majestic Bird – from Mythical Meanings to the Modern day

A local wildlife writer and photographer's celebration of the mute swan, Britain's most iconic breed, exploring the bird's significance across myth and history alongside vivid observations on its habits and habitats - including those on Hampshire and Berkshire's lakes and canal. The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. The mute swan - with its orange beak and aura of stately silence - is the breed we know best in Britain. Dan Keel has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He's spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a pilot sharing the skies. In this labour of love, Dan speaks up for the mute, displays photographs, and answers essential questions about the swan's nature and future. Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans. Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the King own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan's story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.

PARKING AT UPTON COURT PARK. GOOD NEWS!
It has been brought to our notice that some members are having problems with the RingGo system and may have not been attending meetings because of this.

We have been in touch with the Council's Parking Manger and she has very kindly agreed that SLOUGH u3a MEMBERS will NOT need to register with RingGo during the following periods....
1:30 and 4:30 pm on:
The 3rd Wednesday of each month, i.e. the day of the group meetings and
The 3rd Monday of each Month i.e. the day of the Local History meetings.
This means that our members do not need to register your vehicles with RingGo on those days providing you are not in the car park outside of those hours.
The permits we use for outings remain the same
Pete
on behalf of the Committee.