AROUND 40 parishioners gathered on Saturday for the funeral of a peacock, Henry Percy, who died in a hit-and-run over the festive break.
Grouville’s beloved bird was buried at midday using a purpose-built coffin, in a patch of grass outside the Parish Hall.
Constable Mark Labey reminisced with those in attendance about the “Grouville Parish Hall mascot”, who Mr Labey said liked blueberries, bananas, grapes, raisins and peanuts.
But it was blueberry muffins that Henry Percy loved most, which were served in his honour at the funeral.
Residents also left flowers and some of his feathers on the coffin.
The peacock was believed to be around 15 or 16 when he was hit by a car during the Christmas break. He was found propped up by the side of the road by the honorary police, who Mr Labey thanked for their service during the funeral.
Mr Labey said Henry Percy had a habit of running alongside the road and sometimes wandering into it, adding that the exotic bird had clearly not read the Highway Code.
He said that the peacock is, in his opinion, “one of the most beautiful animals that God” has created as well as a “marvel of evolution”.
Henry Percy was “a beautiful, beautiful bird”, he added. Parishioners later spoke about his colourful feathers, which had brought them joy when they were going through a tough time.
Mr Labey finished his speech by asking everyone present to make their best peacock sound, a loud “leon”, as a final send-off – which attendees gladly did.
Wendy Durell, who was the closest thing the bird had to an owner – as peacocks are wild animals that cannot be held as pets – said her father Martin had first named him.
“My dad was proud of him and hand-fed him,” she said.
She described him as “quite regal, the way he walked about the place”.
She remembered children living nearby who would feed him before going to school, and herself feeding him blueberries from her breakfast, and peanuts before he went to roost for the night.
“People liked to see him,” she said.
The funeral of Henry Percy. Picture: DAVID FERGUSON. (37291462)
