Horsham residents are advised to keep a beady eye out this festive season,as the nation’s most notorious, coolly calculating penguin Feathers McGraw has been officially spotted inside Whirligig Toy Shop, apparently “helping”staff prepare for Christmas. The shop cannot legally confirm whether this help is voluntary or simply part of a cunning plan.
Feathers, remembered fondly and fearfully from Wallace and Gromit’s caperThe Wrong Trousers, arrived last Friday wearing his trademark red rubber glove disguise, despite repeated attempts by staff to explain that it is neither convincing nor necessary indoors. But since then, further information has come to light.
It seems Feathers has been recruiting and finding a whole colony of accomplices. Photographic evidence has been gathered showing them plotting and taking to the streets near Southampton before making their epic getaway. Just whyHorsham has been selected as his target we are unsure.
“We welcomed him in because he waddled up to the window and tapped politely,” said a Whirligig’s owner, Peter Allinson. “Unfortunately, things escalated quickly when he started eyeing up the mechanical display toys like they were part of some… well… ‘grand scheme’. Still, he’s very tidy.Suspiciously tidy.
”Customers entering the shop are being gently reminded not to lendFeathers any remote-controlled gadgets, model trains, moon-landing sets, or trousers of any variety —especially the automated kind.Parents are also encouraged to keep hold of biscuits, sandwiches, and loose spare parts, as Feathers has been seen stashing items in what staff are referring to as “his personal evidence drawer”.
Despite his dubious history, Feathers McGraw insists he is here purely to“spread festive cheer in Horsham”, though he delivered this message by sliding a note under the stockroom door rather than speaking to anyone directly. The note was written in impeccable handwriting and ended with a tiny doodle of a diamond. This has not reassured anyone.
Still, in the spirit of Christmas, the Whirligig team have embraced Feathers’ presence. Visitors can spot him supervising the seasonal displays, organising gift shelves with unnerving precision, and occasionally attempting to operate the till.
Locals are invited to pop in, meet Feathers McGraw (from a respectful distance), and enjoy the shop’s festive offerings. Anyone hearing unusual mechanical whirring, secretive clicking noises, or the unmistakable pat-pat-pat of penguin feet is asked to remain calm and proceed to the till.Whirligig Toy ShopNow featuring seasonal magic, joyful gifts, and one large, silent, feathered menace.
