IF ALL you want for Christmas is to see a camel then you’re in luck this year, as three will be attending Salisbury Cathedral on Christmas Eve. 

Three camels who have not traversed from afar, just from Little Durnford, will be at the Salisbury Cathedral Family Service at 3.30pm on December 24 to take part in the Nativity story.

Photographer Spencer Mulholland captured some gorgeous snaps of the majestic animals during their rehearsal at the cathedral this morning, December 9. 

Owned by Lady Chichester, the domestic Bactrian camels named Timujin, Lena and Ivan, from Northern Asia, are used to the chilly climate and will be "snug in their luxuriant winter coats" during the service. 

The camels all have two humps, and Timujin is "the grand old man of the trio" while his companions are just four-years-old.

A spokesperson said: “The camels are a friendly bunch, well used to public appearances in support of charities including the Diocesan Sudan Link.

“For the actual service, they will be 'dressed' in gorgeous fabrics, and their handlers will wear exotic costumes including stunning fur hats, all imported from Beijing. 

“For rehearsal, sadly, their outfits [are] more muted - casual clothes for the handlers and decorative head collars for the camels.”  

During the Christmas Eve service, 8ft Nativity puppets, and Jilly the donkey from Teffont will accompany the camels as they make their way up and down the cathedral aisles and the nave, reimagining the story of the Nativity.

The other attraction to see at Salisbury Cathedral this month is their 33ft Norway Spruce Christmas Tree from Longleat forest which has now been decorated.

There are also three giant, renaissance style Nativity panels to be seen hanging 14-meters off the ground at the spire crossing in the centre of the cathedral, as has been traditionally hung at Christmas since 2019.

This year the cathedral are also introducing new child-friendly, wooden Nativity figures created by Ray Wirick, a chainsaw artist. 

The figures will be on display from December 15 when the cathedral are holding an open evening, and they will be blessed in the Carol Services on December 22 and 23.

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