SOMETHING new is on offer for Barrhead’s pet owners... at the local church.

Reverend Pamela Gordon, from Bourock Parish Church, will this weekend hold a pet blessing for animal lovers in the town.

While the concept is alien to many in the town, ceremonies such as this are much more common elsewhere in the world and have become very popular.

To be held on the green outside the church on Saturday, Rev Gordon is hoping people from across the area will flock to her to have their pet blessed and celebrate their love of animals.

She said: “We bless people, so why not do the same with animals?

“There is a Vicar of Dibley episode with Dawn French where they bless animals and I thought it was a great idea. It is just a way of giving thanks for the animals.

“People might have Highland cows, snakes, or anything else, but they are all welcome, as long as they are kept safe and calm.

“We love all animals, Scotland is a nature-loving place. From beasts to birds, we must celebrate them all.

“It is a new thing and people might think it’s strange but we can only try our best.

“One woman commented saying she thought her pet may need an exorcism more than a blessing, but I don’t think Saturday will go that far.

“At the very least, I know I’ll be there with my dog.”

The minister is now well known for her wacky and unorthodox approach to her job and the pet blessing is the latest instalment in this series.

In the past Rev Gordon’s daredevilry has seen her scale the Finnieston Crane for charity, while next month she is set to take part in a sponsored abseil from the Forth Road Bridge.

Her different approach to faith is garnering attention in the town, with this eccentricity meaning she can reach out to provide services to those who are often not part of a regular church experience.

She said: “The Vicar of Dibley is wacky and unorthodox, so why can’t I be too?

“At the end of the day, you don’t see ministers doing this kind of thing, or jumping off the Forth Road Bridge, often, or even at all. But if people think I’m a bit weird then that is fine with me.”

Saturday’s pet blessing will take place in the grounds of Bourock Parish Church, Main Street, from 2pm, and will move inside if the weather deteriorates.

Pets of any size or species are welcome but must be kept under control by their owners at all times.

For more information

see: www.facebook.com/bourockchurch