Donkeys kept busy at six churches for Palm Sunday

At Castel Church, Mathilda the donkey made an appearance from Rodney Dyke’s farm in St Peter’s.

‘She’s very friendly and well behaved,’ Mr Dyke said about her.

‘We have six church appearances this morning for Palm Sunday, it’s something the children at church really enjoy as well.

‘They get to pet the donkeys and feed them a carrot sometimes.’

Palm crosses were handed out outside the entrance to the church.

Church-goers were encouraged to hold onto them until next year to remind Jesus of their support not just on Palm Sunday but on every day.

Castel rector, the Rev. Scott Innes Lamb, said having a donkey lead the procession was a proper start to Palm Sunday.

‘As soon as you follow a donkey you are a part of the story,’ he said.

The symbolism of the donkey parade on Palm Sunday is that it represents Jesus’s journey by donkey to Jerusalem on the Sunday before Easter.