Community Outcry Overturns Donkey Ban in Christmas Parade
A festive tradition in the Lancashire town of Atherton has been dramatically saved after a planned ban on its nativity parade donkeys sparked a furious backlash from residents. The annual Christmas procession, which features nativity characters and donkeys adorned with Christmas themes for children's rides, was threatened with cancellation after a council communication failure.
Council Blamed for Last-Minute Cancellation Threat
The controversy erupted on Friday, November 10, 2025, when local councillor Stuart Gerrard announced the event would have to be axed. He blamed Wigan Council, stating a 'decision made' by the authority prohibited the use of animals. With insufficient time to rework the parade, cancellation seemed inevitable.
The decision prompted an immediate and passionate response from the community. Adrian White, an administrator of a community Facebook group, called the move 'totally unacceptable,' framing it as an attack on the town's 'traditions and freedoms.' He urged the community to stand together and protest the decision.
While some, like Labour councillor for Tyldesley, Jess Eastoe, suggested the parade could proceed without the animals, noting that 'the star of the show [is] baby Jesus anyway,' the public sentiment was firmly in favour of keeping the donkeys.
Misunderstanding Resolved, Donkeys Reinstated
Following the public outcry, the event's organisers, the Atherton Residents' Association, confirmed the parade would go ahead 'donkeys and all.' They revealed the threat stemmed from a significant misunderstanding within the council.
A spokesperson explained that there was confusion among council officers regarding the policy on animal use. Wigan Council's ban on using live animals 'for entertainment purposes' applies only to council-run events. Since the Atherton nativity parade is a community-run event, the strict ban did not apply, though organisers were urged to prioritise animal welfare.
'The officer in charge has apologised sincerely,' the spokesperson added, 'and I am very pleased that everything has now been cleared up so the event can go ahead as planned.' The resolution was met with relief, though some locals took to social media to sarcastically suggest the council was 'led by donkeys.'
