?PICKLES? the donkey will be visiting Okehampton again and coming to church to play a role in the Palm Sunday service this weekend.
Last year, the Rector of All Saints the Rev Stephen Cook made an appeal to Okehampton Times readers to ask if anyone knew where he could find a donkey for the Palm Sunday Family Service and Pickles was found in time for the occasion.
The distinguished donkey will be leading the procession from the junior school car park to All Saints Church this Sunday.
Pickles is 18 years old and retired three years ago from giving children rides on Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Farm manager Emma Rawling said: ?He enjoyed himself so much last year, we were sure he would like to do it again.
?The children made a great fuss of him and gave him lots of carrots and apples. He doesn?t get out much now and this is a real treat for him.?
Mr Cook, said: ?Palm Sunday is the day Christians remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, to show he?d come not as a conquering king but as a servant. It makes such a difference to have a real donkey at the service. Pickles was a star last year.?
The procession gathers at the school at 10.30am and the service starts at the church at 11am. All are welcome.