They say never work with Children and Animals… again!

• Posted by admin on December 18th, 2009 filed in Previous Events

On Monday 14th December 2009 York city centre churches’ open air nativity play returned to King’s Square York.

Organised by CoRE, this traditional nativity play once again featured the clergy of the city’s churches and the pupils of St Barnabas School.  Cruckley Animal Farm once again kindly brought the ‘stars’ (or should it be aaahs) of the show two pygmy goats and two miniature donkeys.

Helen Robson of CoRE said “We perform this traditional nativity play to bring the spirit of Christmas to the workers and shoppers in the city centre and use the event to collect for Guardian Angels. We have a limited budget and without the generous support of everyone concerned, particularly Cruckley Farm and the City of York Council we would find it difficult to make the day so special.  Thanks must also go to Millie’s Cookies and Thomas the Bakers for their kind donations for the children to enjoy after the show.”

Mary and Joseph arrive with their donkeys to find no room at the inn, as it is full of people making their way to Bethlehem. They are offered accommodation in the stable.  Later, after tending their lambs and goats, the shepherds will go and visit the newborn king. Finally, three wise men take their gifts.

Martin Cummins, Teacher of Class 2 at St Barnabas said, “This is our fourth year of taking part and the play is very special to all the children at the school. They had a fantastic time the previous years. The interaction with the animals brings out the very best in all the children who take part. The whole school is very excited about the play and it is great that so many of them can be involved”.

Allan Hughes writer and director of this play said, “We have an excellent cast of 25 children this year with accompaniment from many of the city’s clergy, the choir of St Columba’s United Reformed Church and the Railway Institute Band”.

The Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed explained “This traditional nativity play is an important part of the York City Centre Churches’ Christmas celebrations and is enjoyed by the children, clergy and everyone involved”

The event was covered by BBC Radio York, the York Press and Yorkshire Post.  The Radio York interview can be heard here

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The 2010 Nativity will take place in King’s Square on Monday 13th December 2010 once again with two performances at 12.30pm and 1.30pm.