Killinghall’s last remaining peacock looks set to be re-homed outside the village.
Roaming peacocks have been a common sight in Killinghall for about 50 years.
But about a dozen are believed to have been killed last winter by a disgruntled villager annoyed by their screeching.
It left just one peahen, which has prompted concerns she is lonely and would be happier elsewhere.
One of the missing Killinghall peacocks
Now a resident has contacted Lucie’s Animal Rescue in Thirsk about rehoming her.
The rescue centre has agreed to help and a group of villagers are trying to work out the best way to capture the peacock, which has its own Facebook page.
The resident leading the campaign, who asked not to be named, said:
“When I read there was only one female left I felt upset for her. It didn’t feel right that she was all alone.
“There is nothing Lucie won’t do for an animal so I know if our girl goes to her she will have the best care for the rest of her natural life.”
Read more:
- Have missing Killinghall peacocks been secretly killed?
- Bilton’s Peter the Peacock living his best life in Lancashire
The villager said the end of bird flu restrictions made it a good time to act before winter sets in.
Lucie has suggested somebody regularly feeds the peacock so she keeps going back, which would make her easier to capture.
But peacocks are big and strong and difficult to catch so some residents have found a large cage they hope to entice her into. The resident said:
“It would be good to avoid rugby tackling her if we can but I suspect that might be the only way.
“So far only a small group of ladies have come forward with offers of help and ideally we may need a couple of strong guys to help – if it comes down to rugby tackling her! Then the plan would be to drive her to Lucie at Thirsk.”
The village peacocks roosting in a tree before their disappearance.
Like many villagers, the resident was incensed by the peacocks’ mystery disappearance. That so many vanished overnight and no remains have been found suggests they were slaughtered.
The resident said:
“I was really angered by what happened to the others. They were doing nothing wrong, just living their lives as a family group.
“I used to love hearing the males calling across the village when I was in my garden.”
Peter the Peacock, who was regularly seen in Bilton, was re-homed in 2021 after getting injured.
Luxury new-build bungalows go on the market in picturesque village of Rainton
This article is sponsored by Linley & Simpson.
An exclusive new development of luxury four-bedroom bungalows has gone on the market in the picturesque village of Rainton.
Boasting a cricket club, green and pub, the idyllic rural setting provides the perfect location for Grange Farm.
As village locations remain in huge demand, one property has already been sold.
However, there are two spacious detached homes with double garages remaining, with prices starting from £630,000.
They have been built by Harrogate-based independent developers JWK Developments Ltd.
Plot 1 at Grange Farm Barns, Rainton.
Lucy Collinge, new homes marketing executive at Linley & Simpson, the agent selling the properties, said:
“It is unusual for a development of bungalows to come to the market – particularly as new builds.
“These properties are around 1,800 sq ft. However, they are really energy efficient as they are fitted with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating.
“The specification is high quality with stunning contemporary open-plan fitted kitchens, french doors opening to a private garden and patio and tiled bathrooms and ensuites. There is also a feature oak handrail in the hallway.”
The homes boast a carefully considered layout, with living and sleeping accommodation shared on the ground floor, as well as featuring a principal bedroom to the first floor in a dormer bungalow style.
A bathroom at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
A separate sitting room and optional study or snug allows for a second reception room, ensuring that these homes provide for versatile living accommodation.
The ground floor also provides a utility room, cloakroom WC, house bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a single fourth bedroom/study.
Ms Collinge said:
“They also feature large landscaped gardens, which have been planted with crabapple trees and are really pretty. They are very much in-keeping with the village landscape.”
Rainton is a quintessentially English village, nestled between Ripon and Thirsk.
It is close to the junction of the A1 and A168, providing the commuter with options when travelling by car. Central Harrogate and York are 16 and 25 miles to the south respectively and Leeds is 38 miles away.
A kitchen at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
For longer journeys, the nearest train station is Thirsk which is just seven miles away. From here, it is possible to catch direct trains to Leeds, London, Manchester Airport, Sunderland and York.
Ms Collinge added:
“Rainton has got a lovely village green and a maypole and it certainly looks the part.
“You’ve also got great transport links on the doorstop giving seclusion without remoteness.
“Rainton really is a stunning village in a fabulous location – the perfect place to buy a new home.”
James Knight, director of JWK Developments, said:
“Grange Farm is a truly unique development and the importance of an energy efficient and sustainable home has been recognised.
“From Mitsubishi air source heat pumps, underfloor heating to the ground floor and electric vehicle charging points, this offers buyers luxury eco-friendly living.”