A Wigan borough Nativity parade is going ahead after all - donkeys included - after a council mix-up
A popular Wigan community Christmas event has been reinstated just hours after organisers feared it needed to be axed after issues with the use of donkeys.
Last Friday was it announced by Coun Stuart Gerrard and Atherton Residents’ Association that this year’s annual Nativity parade, which has always featured donkeys, was having to be scrapped because the council had informed organisers that the docile four-legged creatures could no longer be used.
It caused an immediate community backlash, with many claiming it was a case of “health and safety gone mad” and accusations that the local authority was damaging the Atherton community and economy by putting a spoke in the wheel of such an enjoyable and well-attended event.
But it was all down to a council policy mix-up in that town hall policy now is not to use animals in entertainment events, but it remains discretionary for other event organisers.
Only the next morning the residents’ association published an update saying that the event was well and truly back on.
It read: “I’ve been contacted by the council this morning and I’m delighted to share that the Nativity parade will be going ahead, donkeys and all.
"This is fantastic news for our community, and I truly hope that everyone come out to show their support for this fantastic event.
"It seems there was some confusion among some officers regarding the council’s policy on the use of animals in community-run events versus council-run events and this wasn’t relayed properly to the organisers.
"The officer in charge has apologised sincerely, and I am very pleased that everything has now been cleared up so the event can go ahead as planned.”
Organisers of other festive events involving livestock, including the farm at Kitt Green which accommodates the Blackpool donkeys over the winter and who star in the village’s own Nativity parade will doubtless be breathing a sigh of relief too.
Wigan Council has now issued a clarification on policies on the subject:
Since 2023 the local authority’s internal approach has been not to use live animals during events for entertainment purposes.
However, this is a community event, and the organising committee should make their own decision, noting the importance of animal welfare.