Everyone is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon, it seems.
Celebrities, soccer stars and TV presenters claim thousands if not millions of followers on the social media site.
But now they’ve been joined by a new convert – Tolson Museum’s famous Half Pig.
The museum’s infamous exhibit has apparently opened his own Twitter account to celebrate moving into a new display case, created by the museum service’s Design and Technical Team in Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen.
But he’ll have to watch out for “spam” tweets.
The Half Pig, described as ‘charming’ and ‘an old ham’, who oinks rather than tweets, is the museum’s unofficial mascot.
He will be sharing his observations about life and history while helping to promote the museum and local events.
The Half Pig, showing his skeleton on one side and coat on the other, has had a makeover from museum curator Chris Yeates, a natural historian.
He used a special low suction museum vacuum cleaner to clean the pig, wearing a face mask just in case there were any residual traces of deadly arsenic present.
Arsenic was used in taxidermy until relatively recently.
Clr Jean Calvert, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for health, well-being and communities, said: “Social media helps to involve different audiences with local heritage and a memorable character like the Tolson Half Pig is a good way to capture their imagination.
“He will be encouraging people to play their part and get involved in supporting the museum through donations, bequests, corporate projects and its Friends group.”
Museums and Galleries development manager Kathryn White said: “The pig is one of the museum’s most popular objects, astonishing and horrifying visitors in equal measure for almost 89 years.
“He is remembered fondly by several generations of visitors and is delighted to have the chance to chat with his new followers on Twitter.”
She added: “We wanted someone with personality to be the new face of Tolson and he’s certainly got that. He can hopefully reach out to a whole new audience and get them interested in taking another look at Huddersfield’s museum.”
The pig was bought for £14 from Gerrard’s taxidermists of London on December 4, 1924, with a grant from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Tolson Museum has several other half animals in its reserve collection including a horse, sheep, goat and cat.
