The annual Blessing of the Lambs service at Bolton Priory in the Yorkshire Dales will be seen by millions of viewers on BBC1’s Songs of Praise this coming Sunday 9 April.
Introduced two years ago by the Rector of Bolton Priory, Canon Simon Cowling, this celebration has now become a much-loved feature of Spring.
As in previous years, a ewe and her four twenty-four hour old lambs were brought to the church by the local Carr farming family, being led up the aisle to a special pen in front of the altar.
Children in the congregation were invited to name the lambs, which they did – Blossom, Blanche, Linda and Priscilla. Presenter, the Revd Kate Bottley interviewed some of those taking part and the Songs of Praise programme will also include scenes from the Wharefdale farm where the lambs are reared.
Curate, Revd Jonathan Cain, then conducted the service, during which, says Simon, “mother and daughters behaved themselves impeccably.”
Simon commented after the service, “It has been a wonderful afternoon of celebration and thanksgiving not only for these new-born lambs, but also for all those in our community who contribute to such an important area of our local economy. The presence of the BBC was an added bonus and we were delighted to welcome them”.