Thirteen nativity scenes went on show at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Wisbech at the weekend, to mark the beginning of the Advert season.
The church was one of nine churches in the Diocese of Ely chosen to hold a big crib festival, and all the nativity scenes were blessed by Father Paul West at a special service on Sunday morning.
Churchwarden and organiser of the three day festival Lesley Mardle said: “We had a wonderful festival, with cribs of all shapes and sizes on show. We were delighted with the response, and we are already planning another crib festival for next year”
Children from the church Sunday School had spent four weeks creating a nativity scene, with a variety of animals including a glittery camel. The scene will stay in church throughout Advent.
Pupils from the Ramnoth Junior and Nene Infant Schools in Wisbech created a life-sized crib scene, which is now on show at the school.
Other cribs were entered by Wisbech in Bloom, the Mothers’ Union, Macmillan Cancer Support, Wisbech Craft Centre, Wisbech Rotary Club, and Country Garden Florists from Wisbech. Other cribs on show belonged to members of the congregation.
Mrs Mardle added: “We are looking forward to a wonderful Advent period. Many of the town’s schools have their Christmas celebrations in our church, so it is full of families and children, which is exactly how it should be. This all leads to our 5pm candle lit Christmas Eve service. We usually have 500 people at that service, which includes the singing of carols around the church crib.”
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