A statue has been unveiled in memory of a much-loved resident of Writtle, Essex, who lived in the village for decades.

What is unusual about this is that hundreds of people turned up to pay tribute to a goose named Godfrey, who some believe lived until the age of 45.

Feared by some but loved by many, Godfrey was well-known for photobombing wedding pictures and chasing people around Writtle, the Essex Chronicle reported.

But he died last year after he was brutally attacked by a gang of aggressive ducks.

In his memory, villager Bob Hibberd began fundraising for a life-size statue to be placed in the village pond last summer.

Clearly Godfrey was a popular goose, as £500 was raised for the sculpture.

Bob, whose partner Jean Cakebread has produced a book about Godfrey, said: ‘I think this will bring some closure to the villagers who were upset at Godfrey’s death.

‘Because he was so old, over 30, people grew up with him from being in pushchairs all the way through to adulthood, and he was a real character.

‘He used to chase people around, so while he was a figure that was feared by some, others loved him, and it is testament to that, that we were able to raise £500 to create the statue.’

Writtle was plunged into mourning when Godfrey died at Thurrock’s South Essex Wildlife Hospital in April last year, three months after he was attacked.

His killers, a group of Indian runner ducks, are suspected of being domestic pets that were dumped at the pond.

The replica statue, made by Amanda Reid, consists of 30kg of clay and stands 23 inches tall and 26 inches wide.

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Harley Tamplin

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