by Lorraine Gibson

A much-loved animal blessing service makes a welcome return to St. John’s Church, Holdenhurst Village after a covid-enforced hiatus.

On Sunday, October 2, Reverend Janice Sear – nicknamed the Vicar of Dibley by some – will preside over the special thanksgiving service at 3.00pm on the village green – or in the church, should the weather be ‘fowl’.
All animals are welcome and past ‘congregations’ have included dogs, cats, ponies, chickens, rabbits plus a variety of other creatures, great and small.
Revd. Seare says: “I’m a farmer’s daughter, a farmer’s wife, and animals have always been very much part of my life… they bring so much joy to people.
“Farmers have an affinity for animals.
“They have to, to be able to make a living out of them.
“If you don’t treat them well, you don’t get anywhere.”
Janice has been holding the service, supported by charity Caring Canines, for nearly 20 years and says that she may have got her inspiration from the TV sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, played by actress Dawn French.
“I’ve had chickens, snakes, tortoises, but I particularly have a heart for Caring Canines.”
This is the self-funded, non-profit voluntary group that offers dog-assisted therapy within a 15 mile radius of the Bournemouth area.