a smoking goat?
On Saturday 20th September Taffy (formally known as Corporal William Windsor), the regimental goat, came to Ludlow along with the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh who were given freedom of the town to mark the 325th anniversary of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Ludlow mayor Jim Smithers said “As well as being the 325th anniversary of the raising of the Royal Welch, 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, so this is the perfect time to commemorate the gratitude of the people of Ludlow to the soldiers past and present who have served this country, not least the Royal Welsh Regiment and its predecessors.”
No-one mentioned the hills
Who’s a pretty boyo?
Corporal William Windsor
The history of the regimental goat dates back to the American War of Independence when a wild goat wandered on to a battlefield and ended up leading the regimental Colours at the end of a battle.
There are perks to the job too because Taffy gets a two-a-day cigarette ration, (he eats, them as traditionally the tobacco is thought to be good for the coat) and Guinness to drink when he is older “to keep the iron up“.
Lisa of the blog NorthWest Frame of Mind has decided to run a different project over the next 24 weeks. To try to show what is happening in different parts of the world (if you all join in) at a particular time of day. If you would like to participate you have until next Saturday midnight to post a photo or write about what is happening in your part of the world. This week is between 10:00 – 11:00. I hope you’ll join in! See links for more details.
TRAVEL WORDS 
I am so glad I was able to read this post – because that was the nicest hair I have ever seen on a goat – and then to read that Taffy gets to chomp some cigs and enjoy some beer – um, I mean Guinness – well that is just fun! have a nice week – 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it Yvette – I must admit I enjoyed following Taffy around the town, and he was very good about being photographed 🙂
How does a goat get to be chosen by the regiment for the lifetime rations of cigarettes and Guiness?
Ha! There is a story behind that. They choose one from a wild herd in Wales when the current one is due for retirement. It has to be the right goat for the duties and ALWAYS male 🙂
😀 This gets better and better! I suppose there is a set of written rules or criteria for determining who the “right goat for the duties” is?
Taffy has a pretty sweet deal 🙂 I like the faces she puts in your shots 🙂