WRITTLE'S famous resident Godfrey the Goose is in hospital after being beaten up and ousted from the duck pond by new rivals.
The star of children's books and self-appointed guardian of the village's picturesque pond is recuperating at the South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Orsett after sustaining injuries.
The much-loved Toulouse goose, reputed to be about 45-years-old, has lived at the pond for four decades and guards the ducks from his island like a drill sergeant, while frequently gate-crashing wedding photos.
But Writtle's favourite bird was unsettled by the recent arrival of a new goose as well as a number of runner ducks, believed to be former domestic pets which have been dumped there.
Residents first thought Godfrey had found a new mate – to replace the one killed by a passing car years ago – only to discover he had been on the end of frequent attacks and exiled from the pond's island.
Tom Kinloch, 47, of nearby St John's Road, has lived in the area for ten years and was alarmed when he saw Godfrey with a bloodied head on December 29.
The married chartered surveyor said: "I walked by the pond about mid-afternoon and when I saw the state of him I just thought 'enough is enough' and I rang the RSCPA.
"They came to collect him the following day and it turns out he had been cohabiting with a rather aggressive goose who was giving the poor old chap a hard time.
"He is a patriarch of the pond, a very popular character who everybody knows. I was married at Writtle church in 2012 and my wife and I actually got a picture with him on our wedding day."
The protagonist of Jean Cakebread's children's book, Godfrey has been on antibiotics for an infected wing and is responding well to treatment at the wildlife hospital. It was also confirmed the blood on his head was in fact from a foot injury.
Staff at the volunteer-run veterinary centre have kept Godfrey cosy under a heat lamp, but are yet to decide whether he should be released back into the wild.
Sue Schwar is the charity founder of the South Essex Wildlife Hospital and admits there is no point allowing Godfrey to return to Writtle if he is to be subjected to more abuse.
She said: "I've got a dilemma on my hands as we would like to put him back in the pond because he is a wild animal, but that would be futile if he gets beaten up again. At least we can look after him here."
The fate of where Godfrey moves next is in the hands of the RSPCA, according to the chairman of the environment committee for Writtle Parish Council.
Cllr Liz Roe, who has been chair for seven years, admitted that the relocation of Godfrey once he checks out of the South Essex Wildlife Hospital is not a matter for the council.
The Lawford Lane resident said: "It isn't really up to us to campaign for his return, but if villagers want to that is their decision.
"We will continue to liaise with the RSPCA and we will take our guidance from them. Until he gets better I wouldn't suggest we do anything."
To show your support for this campaign and see Godfrey return to his former stomping ground, visit the Writtle Voice Facebook page.
