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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Gull-dodging vicar dons hard hat | Gull-dodging vicar dons hard hat |
| (about 2 hours 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. | 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 bird's 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. |