This year’s Celebration of Animals Service had the largest congregation we have ever had, both two legged and four!! Maud, the donkey from the Donkey Sanctuary Derbyshire Centre, behaved perfectly even though it was her first time attending the Service and we also had shire horse Goldie and two ponies outside, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Critchlow.
There were many, many dogs of all shapes and sizes in church who also behaved very well, although the ‘singing’ got a little noisy at times and we also had ferrets, hamsters and rabbits. Singers from Myforte Music performed a selection of songs and carols, volunteers from Ashbourne Animal Welfare gave readings about cats and dogs and the pleasure and companionship they give to us. The service was taken by Rev Duncan Ballard and many of those who attended remarked how much they enjoyed the service and how much it meant to them.
