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Gull-dodging vicar dons hard hat Gull-dodging vicar dons hard hat
(9 minutes later)
A vicar has been forced to start wearing a hard hat to church after being attacked by a pair of "dive bombing" seagulls in the graveyard.A vicar has been forced to start wearing a hard hat to church after being attacked by a pair of "dive bombing" seagulls in the graveyard.
The birds have nested at St Petroc's in Bodmin, Cornwall, and it is thought they are trying to protect their chick.The birds have nested at St Petroc's in Bodmin, Cornwall, and it is thought they are trying to protect their chick.
Their behaviour has caused complaints but the Reverend Canon Graham Minors, said they should be protected.Their behaviour has caused complaints but the Reverend Canon Graham Minors, said they should be protected.
He said they were "God's creatures" and would probably calm down once the fledgling leaves the nest.He said they were "God's creatures" and would probably calm down once the fledgling leaves the nest.
The birds started attacking people walking through the graveyard about two weeks ago.The birds started attacking people walking through the graveyard about two weeks ago.
Mr Minors said: "It is frightening because the first thing you feel is a rush of wind as the birds come in.Mr Minors said: "It is frightening because the first thing you feel is a rush of wind as the birds come in.
"It seemed sensible to have an umbrella or a hard hat, and in the end I chose both.""It seemed sensible to have an umbrella or a hard hat, and in the end I chose both."
It seemed sensible to have an umbrella or a hard hat, and in the end I chose both The Reverend Canon Graham Minors
He said some people had suggested getting a shotgun down to deal with them but he would be "distressed" if that happened.He said some people had suggested getting a shotgun down to deal with them but he would be "distressed" if that happened.
He said the incident had reminded him of St Paul's call in the bible to put on "heavenly armour".He said the incident had reminded him of St Paul's call in the bible to put on "heavenly armour".
St Petroc's is the largest parish church in Cornwall and used regularly for services and other events.St Petroc's is the largest parish church in Cornwall and used regularly for services and other events.
Seagulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it an offence to kill them birds or interfere with their nests. According to the RSPB, the seagull population has dropped 40% in the last 30 years due to over fishing and other factors.
According to the RSPB, the bird's population has dropped 40% in the last 30 years due to over fishing and other factors.