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Farewell Mr Percy! Grouville pays tribute to parish peacock

Farewell Mr Percy! Grouville pays tribute to parish peacock

Friday 05 January 2024

Farewell Mr Percy! Grouville pays tribute to parish peacock

Friday 05 January 2024


A memorial service is being held tomorrow for Grouville's official "welcomer" – a peacock named Henry Percy with a penchant for blueberry muffins – after he passed away during the Christmas break.

Estimated to be around 15 or 16 years old, he was known as the friendly "parish bird", who was believed to be between 15 and 16 years old, will be remembered at a special service tomorrow (Saturday 6 January) at noon.

Constable Mark Labey said Henry Percy was "absolutely beautiful" and "the largest peacock I have ever seen, and in perfect condition".

He said the parish thought he was about 15 or 16 years old and had been "adopted" by Wendy Durell, who lives near the parish hall and tried feeding him different foods. 

Henry peacock grouville - pic supplied by parish hall.JPG

Pictured: Henry Percy Peacock outside the parish hall (Grouville Parish Hall)

It was eventually discovered that he liked blueberries and cat food – and, above all, blueberry muffins.

He added: "I've known him for a long time.

"His voice carried all over the parish... He was kind of the welcomer to Grouville."

He described a "beautiful" display and "a very big voice".

"I only saw him display a couple of times, and to see that is an absolute wonder of nature. 

"Millions of years of evolution have come to this," he added.

"We're just going to miss him."

Unusually for a peacock, Henry was a solitary animal who never seemed to join a flock of birds, preferring to strut to the parish hall to have a look in.

He was hit by a car during the Christmas break and later propped up by the side of the road by a parishioner. The parish's Chef de Police then alerted Mr Labey.

Mr Labey added that as peacocks are wild animals, there was no requirement for the driver to stop, and that it would be pointless to try and find out who had hit him.

In honour of Henry's love for blueberry muffins, they will be served at his funeral.

Henry Percy Peacock is to be buried outside Grouville Parish Hall on Saturday 6 January. A small service is planned at noon.

Pictured - top: Henry was beloved by parishioners and parish hall staff (Rob Currie/Grouville Parish Hall)

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