Mrs Newbie and Wallace are reunited [Louisa Green]

• IN response to the letter (Winifred instead of The Widow, August 13), our widow swan does have a name.

Some 10 years ago, when she and her previous partner arrived on Hampstead Heath, they were referred to as “The Newbies”.

When Mr Newbie died in 2016, Mrs Newbie kept her name. When Wallace was brought to Hampstead in March, calling her by any other name just felt wrong.

Even when we took her to The Swan Sanctuary after last month’s dog attack, “Mrs Newbie” was already written on the white board outside her pen by the staff.

Wallace was the closest name I could think of to Waltham Abbey (where he was originally rescued with two fishing hooks in this throat) when he partnered with Mrs Newbie. The name seems to suit him.

The couple are now often referred to as “Newbie and Wallace”.

LOUISA GREEN
Swan Sanctuary Volunteer, N2