Donkey prepares for village nativity acting debut

A three-year-old donkey is this year’s star attraction in a Staffordshire village nativity walk after last year’s animal issues.

Mary, Joseph, their donkey and a procession of more than 200 people have paraded through Rocester on Christmas Eve for the past eight years.

Last year, a nervous donkey meant the church volunteers had to rope in the services of a Shetland pony, but they are confident in this year’s casting.

“He’s the man for the job,” said Dexter’s owner, Olivia, “a really good temperament but he can be a little bit stubborn - I’m hoping he doesn’t get stage fright.”

Church volunteer Mandy Ellis revealed they have an alpaca waiting in the wings should there be a problem.

Seven-year-old Ella is taking the role of Angel Gabrielle beside her excited little brother King Oscar

Real-life couple Richard and Megan will be playing Mary and Joseph with their children Ella and Oscar also taking part.

“It brings everyone together,” beamed Richard.

“It started off much smaller than it is now and it's great to see so many people getting involved.”

Neil Hutchinson is responsible for the procession’s sound engineering, as the cast make their way through the village, via the pub and into the church.

“It’s a great way to involve people who would not regularly come to church,” he smiled, “We have had Spider-Man by the crib, we’ve had Superman by the crib, but also lots of shepherds and angels - it’s wonderful.”

‘Donkeys do what donkeys do’

Neil and Richard admitted that working with animals and children in the church could present some challenges.

“One year, there was a big pile of mess on the floor. It was a donkey,” Richard confirmed, “Not the children - it was absolutely hilarious.”

The procession begins at 16:00 GMT on Tuesday and finishes at St. Michael’s Church for carols, performance and refreshments.