BLESS THIS HORSE
Park Lane Stables revived a tradition today by reintroducing a ceremony called brings The Blessing of the Ponies.
This evening Saturday 6th December Father David Cloake of St Mary’s and St Albans, Teddington attended Park Lane Stables to give a blessing to the horses.
This used to be a regular occurrence – in the past a Park Lane pony has even been inside St Mary’s – but it has not happened since Covid.
Park Lane Stables Founder Natalie O’Rourke said: “One of our volunteers saw the blessing of the Shires at Hampton Court Palace recently and asked why we didn’t do anything like that.
“I told them that we used to and we ought to bring it back.
“We’re very grateful to Father David for agreeing to do it, and from the reaction of our team and volunteers, I’m sure it’s something we should be doing every year.”
The evening was tinged with sadness, Father David noting that Park Lane had lost three of its most well-loved horses this year, Prodney, Annie’s Whizz and Rizz, but his words were full of positivity about the horses and for their services to the community.
The horses in the picture are – Abella and Frankie representing the PLS team.
Park Lane Stables has been part of The Big Give Xmas Campaign this week and are already over their target.
Fundraising continues until Tuesday at midday and Natalie has thanked everyone in the community who has supported the campaign, from the pubs and shops in the High Street which have displayed fliers, to everyone in our area who has donated.