Little donkey, little donkey

A standing dish at every Christmas nativity, the humble donkey often steals the show - but beyond the festive spotlight, what does life hold for these remarkable equids?

- 

IN the run-up to Christmas, Wintershall donkeys Sam and Denzel will perform to around 8,000 people as part of the Travelling Crib in Lambeth Palace Gardens and in eight nativity performances at the Wintershall Estate in Surrey.

They are part of a team of animal performers that includes two Highland ponies, Merlin and Primrose, as well as a small flock of sheep and their lambs.

Donkey handler Georgie Gregson, 37, first joined the team at Wintershall when she was nine. She explains, “It’s been a bit of a family affair. It all started when my father was asked to play the part of a shepherd in the annual nativity and he took me along with him. I have been involved ever since.”

The donkeys are trained to go up and down stairs, and to cope with lights, flapping costumes and loud noises.

“They're really quick to learn and great at working things out, although a big bag of treats comes in handy too,” explains Georgie.

However, she warns: “Once they've learned to do something a particular way, they don’t like anything to change. Each year, for example, they go the same way across the fields and round a tree to the crib, entering the inn during verse two of O Come, All Ye Faithful.

“One year, the director tried to change their path and to get them to wait until verse three to enter but the donkeys weren’t keen. They stuck to their route regardless and, at verse two of the carol, Sam was knocking at the door with his hoof!”

For the team at Wintershall, The Nativity Journey (16-21 December) is all about bringing the Bible to life.