In typical inter-British Isles banter, the English often mock the Welsh for having an unhealthy fascination with sheep and goats.
The Welsh ludicrously think the English are talking a load of rubbish, but the evidence is all around us to show that the English are actually correct.
Earlier this year, a group of Welsh shepherds shomehow got their flocks to forms a huge shape of a sheep on a hillside, and the video is now an internet hit.
And there is also a goat in a Welsh regiment of the British Army.
Many English regiments like nothing more than a visit from a Page 3 Girl, just as those from Irish and Scottish regiments love a visit from the boss of the local brewery with two dozen large bottles.
But the members of the 1st Batallion The Royal Welsh can't wait to be visited by a goat named William Windsor, or Billy. Until 2006, the Royal Welsh was two regiments before they merged, and each had its own goat.
Billy was not a mascot but a ranking member of the regiment.
But, sadly for them, their pin-up is retiring.
He has seen action overseas, led every batallion parade and has even met the Queen.
And he was once even demoted from his rank of Lance Corporal to Fusilier for not marching in time during a parade for the Queen's birthday (who says the British aren't eccentric?).
The soldier in charge of the mascot is known as the "Goat Major".
He will spend his deserved retirement at Whipsnade Zoo.
Now a replacement is being sought amongst the mystical herd of Great Orme in Llandudno in June.
'No kidding' for retiring goat
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
The BBC
Billy the Goat has been with the Army most of his life
He has seen service overseas, met royalty and led every battalion parade, but after eight years on the job, it is time for William Windsor to retire.
But unlike other old soldiers, this veteran will be spending his final days in a zoo - because he is the regimental goat, better known as Billy.
The four-legged member of 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh was cheered from his trailer with pomp and ceremony.
He will spend his honourable retirement at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
The nine-year-old was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress, in preparation for a journey to the zoo.
The route from his pen to the trailer was lined by soldiers from the regiment to say farewell and thank you to Billy for his many years of good service.
Billy meeting the Queen in 2008
Billy was not a mascot but a ranking member of the regiment.
His main role was marching at the front of the battalion on all ceremonial duties.
He spent two-and-a-half years overseas in Cyprus when the battalion was posted over there and has lived in Chester since their return.
During his time in Cyprus, he was even disciplined and temporarily demoted from his rank of Lance Corporal to Fusilier for not marching in time during a parade for the Queen's birthday.
Billy was waved off by members of the regiment
Billy had his own full-time carer during his military service , Lance-Corporal Ryan Arthur, known as the goat major, who ensured his welfare at all times.
Captain Nick Zorab said: "Every parade the regiment has taken part in, he's been there. He'll have met members of the royal family.
"He's being retired to Whipsnade Zoo. It's just (because of) his age.
"He's eight years old now, so he's got a few more years left.
"The soldiers themselves love having him - it's a bit of a novelty in these days. He's very friendly and not aggressive at all.
"He likes being out and about and meeting people. We have never had any complaints."
Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time.
His replacement will be chosen from a herd on the Great Orme in Llandudno in June.
news.bbc.co.uk
The Welsh ludicrously think the English are talking a load of rubbish, but the evidence is all around us to show that the English are actually correct.
Earlier this year, a group of Welsh shepherds shomehow got their flocks to forms a huge shape of a sheep on a hillside, and the video is now an internet hit.
And there is also a goat in a Welsh regiment of the British Army.
Many English regiments like nothing more than a visit from a Page 3 Girl, just as those from Irish and Scottish regiments love a visit from the boss of the local brewery with two dozen large bottles.
But the members of the 1st Batallion The Royal Welsh can't wait to be visited by a goat named William Windsor, or Billy. Until 2006, the Royal Welsh was two regiments before they merged, and each had its own goat.
Billy was not a mascot but a ranking member of the regiment.
But, sadly for them, their pin-up is retiring.
He has seen action overseas, led every batallion parade and has even met the Queen.
And he was once even demoted from his rank of Lance Corporal to Fusilier for not marching in time during a parade for the Queen's birthday (who says the British aren't eccentric?).
The soldier in charge of the mascot is known as the "Goat Major".
He will spend his deserved retirement at Whipsnade Zoo.
Now a replacement is being sought amongst the mystical herd of Great Orme in Llandudno in June.
'No kidding' for retiring goat
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
The BBC
Billy the Goat has been with the Army most of his life
He has seen service overseas, met royalty and led every battalion parade, but after eight years on the job, it is time for William Windsor to retire.
But unlike other old soldiers, this veteran will be spending his final days in a zoo - because he is the regimental goat, better known as Billy.
The four-legged member of 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh was cheered from his trailer with pomp and ceremony.
He will spend his honourable retirement at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
The nine-year-old was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress, in preparation for a journey to the zoo.
The route from his pen to the trailer was lined by soldiers from the regiment to say farewell and thank you to Billy for his many years of good service.
Billy meeting the Queen in 2008
Billy was not a mascot but a ranking member of the regiment.
His main role was marching at the front of the battalion on all ceremonial duties.
He spent two-and-a-half years overseas in Cyprus when the battalion was posted over there and has lived in Chester since their return.
During his time in Cyprus, he was even disciplined and temporarily demoted from his rank of Lance Corporal to Fusilier for not marching in time during a parade for the Queen's birthday.
Billy was waved off by members of the regiment
Billy had his own full-time carer during his military service , Lance-Corporal Ryan Arthur, known as the goat major, who ensured his welfare at all times.
Captain Nick Zorab said: "Every parade the regiment has taken part in, he's been there. He'll have met members of the royal family.
"He's being retired to Whipsnade Zoo. It's just (because of) his age.
"He's eight years old now, so he's got a few more years left.
"The soldiers themselves love having him - it's a bit of a novelty in these days. He's very friendly and not aggressive at all.
"He likes being out and about and meeting people. We have never had any complaints."
Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time.
His replacement will be chosen from a herd on the Great Orme in Llandudno in June.
news.bbc.co.uk
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