Today (Friday 9th April 2021), the world lost a gentle, loving soul who made everyone's life brighter just by being a part of it. Anybody who met Tina instantly fell in love with her, but nobody will feel her passing more than the staff and volunteers at Dean Farm Trust.
I only had the chance to meet her a few times, but I feel incredibly privileged to have done so. She would follow me around whenever I was taking photos in the barn, and sing to me as she did, with her friend Harriet usually nearby too. Always a curious little girl, when I visited recently, she decided that my coat and camera bag were incredibly interesting and if I turned away to photograph someone else, I would turn back to catch her having a good poke and peck around in my coat!
For those who don't know, Tina was rescued from a farm back in December 2016, saved from the Christmas dinner plate by Mary along with three other turkeys, all of whom were just 5 months old. She became something of a local celebrity thanks to her beautiful singing voice and even appeared on BBC Wales so that everyone could see.
For now, I will leave you with some photos of Tina in all of her glory. My deepest condolences go out to everyone at Dean Farm, especially Mary, Tina will be missed by all who knew her.
James