Albi tribute thrown away

By nle marie

A shrine dedicated to Dorking's departed albino squirrel has been binned.

The pure white albino squirrel was killed as he crossed Mill Lane just after 3pm on Tuesday, October 27 last year.

He had been a popular attraction in St Martin's churchyard, where he was buried and his grave turned into a shrine, which included a framed photograph of the rodent.

Cathy Santoro, of Hart Road, Dorking, who used to visit the squirrel she called Cyril daily, was shocked when she found the shrine in the bin.

She said: "It was very upsetting. They even took the little photo of him, that I had framed.

"They just chucked it all in the bin. It is like someone just had a fit and threw it all in the bin.

"There seems to be a lot of people who were against him and there are a few people who have called him a furry tailed rat.

"I don't think it was vandals. It was just very sad and I think there should be something to remember him by in the church yard, as that is where he spent most of his life."

The church is also baffled as to what happened to the beloved squirrel.

Reverend Stuart Peace, from St Martin's church, said: "It had nothing to do with the church.

"I have asked around and no one has any idea who removed it."

The Advertiser also asked Mole Valley District Council if the border was cleared by their parks department, but a spokeswoman from the council said it had nothing to do with them."

But some believe a fitting tribute would be to bring in another squirrel.

Ali Kelman, from Lower Road, Great Bookham, who has previously penned a poetic tribute to Albi said: "I think a fitting tribute would be to reintroduce another albino squirrel into the churchyard, seeing as the last one was so popular."

●Have your say – how do you think Dorking's Albino squirrel should be remembered email: editor@dorkingadvertiser.co.uk