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'Vicar of Dibley-style' pets' Christmas service to be held 'Vicar of Dibley-style' pets' Christmas service in Bournemouth
(about 4 hours later)
Dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters are expected to be among the congregation for a Christmas carol service later. A Christmas carol service for pets, which it was hoped would attract dogs, cats and rabbits, is under way.
The service for pets at the church in Bournemouth will be in the style of a ceremony in the Vicar of Dibley sitcom, the Reverend Chris Colledge said. The Reverend Chris Colledge said the Bournemouth service would be held in the style of a ceremony in the hit BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.
Mr Colledge, whose dog Maisie died eight weeks ago from cancer, said it would also be a service of remembrance. Mr Colledge, whose dog Maisie died eight weeks ago from cancer, said it was also a service of remembrance.
Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner will be at Westbourne's St Ambrose Church with his tortoise and two dogs. Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner is attending Westbourne's St Ambrose Church with his tortoise and two dogs.
Martyn Underhill said Storm, the 10-year-old female tortoise, had "refused to hibernate" this winter so would make the service along with his Shih Tsu dogs Kipling and Poppy. Martyn Underhill described the atmosphere at the service, which has attracted about 100 parishioners and their pets, as "noisy".
However, this will not be the first time the animals have visited church as they all attended Mr Underhill's wedding to wife Debbie in September, where Kipling and Poppy took to the aisle as ring bearers. He said Storm, the 10-year-old female tortoise, had "refused to hibernate" this winter so would make the service along with his Shih Tsu dogs Kipling and Poppy.
However, this is not the first time the animals have visited church as they all attended Mr Underhill's wedding to wife Debbie in September, where Kipling and Poppy took to the aisle as ring bearers.
"I think the service is a great way to celebrate the role animals have in keeping people feeling loved and safe," he said."I think the service is a great way to celebrate the role animals have in keeping people feeling loved and safe," he said.
Mr Colledge said the service would be a time for him to remember his golden retriever Maisie, who had regularly visited local people with dementia, as part of the voluntary organisation Caring Canines. Mr Colledge said the service was a time for him to remember his golden retriever Maisie, who had regularly visited local people with dementia, as part of the voluntary organisation Caring Canines.
He said other members of the congregation would also be invited to remember their deceased pets by lighting a candle during the service. He said other members of the congregation would be invited to remember their deceased pets by lighting a candle during the service.
Connor Burns, Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, and leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, John Beesley, are also expected to attend the service at 15:00 GMT. Connor Burns, Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, and leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, John Beesley, are also attending the service.
Mr Colledge said "a bountiful supply" of Christmas treats would be available for the animals and their "invited human guests".Mr Colledge said "a bountiful supply" of Christmas treats would be available for the animals and their "invited human guests".