Curse of the Furry Things

Commiserations for all at Aardman Animation who today lost their warehouse in a massive fire here in Bristol. A load of their history completely up in smoke.

Is this part of a more sinister act however. According to Ireland Online posters for the new Wallice and Gromit movie, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit were banned on the Isle of Portland, just off the west coast of England. Why? Because of a 100 year old superstition that means that Islanders will not even say the word 'rabbit'.

It all stems from land slips caused by rabbit burrows over a century ago that in turn convinced them that bunnies bring bad luck. Like actors refusing to name the Scottish Play by name, they refer to rabbits as the 'underground mutton' or the 'furry things'.

Aardman tweaked the posters so the offending word was removed. But was it too late? Has the real curse of the rabbit come back to haunt the animation company.

As Mayor Of Portland said: "There is certainly a feeling against the word rabbit, especially from the older residents. It is a local superstition, but like any superstition, people take it seriously."

Perhaps the deadly rabbits do too. I mean, are we really sure that bunnies can't use matches?

Are we?