Church cockerel back after gunshot damage (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Church cockerel back after gunshot damage

A GOLDEN cockerel that survived thirteen gun shot wounds was shown to primary school children in Tetbury last week.

The historic handcrafted bird is soon to be reinstated on top of the parish church spire - the fourth highest in the country.

Parish vicar Rev John Wright took the 35lb cockerel to St Mary's Primary School on Tuesday and talked about its recent adventures.

The cockerel was originally placed on top of St Mary's Church spire on August 8, 1983.

It was the final stage in rebuilding the tower and spire, paid for by the former owner of Highgrove House.

But the bird was taken down in October to be repaired and reguilded - and 13 bullet holes were found in it.

Work has since been undertaken in Somerset to bring the cockerel back to life, at a cost of £4,000.

Craftsmen have applied gold leaf, touched up the stonework and mortar and repaired the spindle, which supports the bird.

Children at the school were given a commemorative bookmark for the occasion.