A herd of cows were so captivated by an impromptu performance by a choir in the park that they joined the audience to watch. One even nodded along to the music.
The Red Polls cows appeared ‘hypnotised’ by the West Bridgford Social Singers as they gave impromptu acapella performances at Mill Pond, Cambridge.
Lori Cunningham filmed the “magical” encounter while cycling home on September 7 after noticing the farm animals all staring to one side.
She said: ‘I saw cows along the path, which is not unusual as they roam freely here, but it seemed like they were staring in one direction.
‘I followed their gaze and at the same time I heard singing and saw small groups of people gathering to listen to the spontaneous performance of a choir.
‘It was beautiful. There was even an interaction between a couple of cows that nuzzled two singers, almost as if they were thanking them for the beautiful music.
“It was a sublime moment and a poignant reminder that cows are sensitive, feeling creatures.”
The Red Polls cows appeared ‘hypnotised’ by the West Bridgford Social Singers as they gave impromptu acapella performances at Mill Pond, Cambridge
One of the choir-loving cows in the photo grazing on some grass nearby
The herd at Coe Fen wear large cowbell-like collars with GPS trackers and follow the tradition of ‘Commons gazing’, a tradition used in towns before the 17th century.
During the spring and summer months they are a regular attraction for both locals and visitors to the university town.
West Bridgford Social Singers were on a social day out to Cambridge with 54 of their members when they were joined by four animals
Secretary Lyn Schofield said the cows were ‘absolutely captivated’ and it was a ‘magical moment’ when the cows stayed for about an hour.
She said: ‘I was born in Cambridge and I told the others that the cows own this land.
‘We were having a picnic on the corner of the Mill Pond, which was beautiful. We started singing a few songs and the cows were walking over it.
‘One of our members was headbutted three times because she was petting one of them and liked the petting.
‘I swear one of the cows moved its head back and forth to the rhythm of the song.
‘Once we got to Christ’s Pieces the cows also went back to their pasture at Coe Fen.’
Lori Cunningham, who filmed the encounter, said: ‘There was even an interaction between a couple of cows who snuggled up to two of the singers, almost as if they wanted to thank them for the beautiful music’
Lori said, “It was a sublime moment and a poignant reminder that cows are sensitive, feeling creatures.”
The choir, based in Nottingham, has been around for 30 years and organises regular outings so the singers can get to know each other outside of rehearsals.
Lyn added: ‘It was one of those beautiful moments that we captured and that the cows made especially for us.
“We were amazed at how long they stood still, as if hypnotized.”
The choir sang ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri for the cows as well as ‘Shallow’ by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.