Churches join forces for easter procession

Dozens gathered at St Mark’s on the morning of the Christian festival and processed through Titchfield Park singing and waving palm leaves before finishing with a service at St Peter’s Church attended by 180 people from both churches and from the neighbourhood.

The procession was also joined by special guest, Sage the donkey.

Rev Keith hebden, of St Peter’s Church, Nottingham Road, said; “It was wonderful. The two churches are working much more closely together and it felt like a real family atmosphere - with people chatting as they celebrated.”

The Palm Sunday procession reinacts the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem before his arrest and execution.

Rev David Fudger, of St Mark’s Church, said: “This has brought together two congregations who have not worshippped together for a long time.

“And having the focus of the donkey leading us brought in the symbolism of Palm Sunday.

“We wanted to make a statement of what the Christian faith is all about by processing through the town.”