Following a public vote on the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Facebook and Instagram pages, with a reach of over 2,000 and 131 votes, Tullie House’s newest acquisition, a bright pink flamingo, has been given the name: Candy Floss the Flamingo or Flossy for short.
Flossy made her debut at Tullie House on 26 January 2020 at a Tullie Explorers Day, where families were asked to contribute their ideas for a name. After finishing their fabulous flamingo craft, the Explorers filled a whole box full of name ideas. From these suggestions, two contenders were picked; Flossy or Rosie.
Finding a home at the museum is a happy end to a tragic journey for Flossy. This single pink flamingo was discovered by George Scott of the Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue Trust. Flossy had been chased around Skinburness by people trying to catch it. There was torrential rain and it was blowing a gale. The combination of exhaustion and wet weather had pushed the bird close to death.
George took the flamingo back to the centre to try and resuscitate it using an incubator, but it was sadly in vain and the flamingo passed away. Soon after, the flamingo was offered to Tullie House. It’s thought that Flossy originally came from the Isle of Man as the gale was blowing from that direction, and a clipped wing would indicate it was a captive bird rather than a wild one.
Claire Sleightholm Assistant Curator said “This is a most unusual acquisition for Tullie House, especially as our Natural Science collection holds Designated status due to the significance of our Cumbrian holdings. However, Flossy’s local story and undoubted wide appeal meant we couldn’t possibly pass up on this super opportunity.
Single and ready to flamingle, Flossy is now on display in the Lobby at the Museum, normal admission charges apply and free for annual ticket holders.
