All is quiet as nativity scene vandalised last year goes west
A NATIVITY scene which hit the headlines last year after being vandalised repeatedly in Town has found a new home in St Peter’s.
The life-size models were the creation of Tony Falla and John Henry after Roy Sarre came up with the idea of having a nativity in Town.
‘We thought that by the donkey statue was just the best spot you could find,’ said Mr Falla.
The scene attracted a lot positive comments when it was in Town. ‘There were children coming up to see the baby,’ he said.
But the models were vandalised more than once and on one occasion the baby figure from the manger was stolen.
So this year, with the help of St Peter’s Church rector, the Rev. Adrian Datta, ‘the three wise men went west’, as Mr Sarre put it.
The mannequins of Joseph, Mary and a shepherd were placed on the green outside the church along with the manger.
But there was one figure who was not immediately obvious. ‘Adrian wanted to give the message that the church is “expecting a delivery”,’ said Mr Sarre.
Baby Jesus will be added to the manger on Christmas Eve so, for the time being, Mary is sporting a bump.
It is hoped that people will stop and take photos of the tableau, said Mr Sarre, and the plan is that the scene will grow in the years to come.
‘I think that what’s nice here is that you come around the corner and it just catches your eye,’ said Mr Falla.
Mr Sarre added that the tableau also had a serious purpose.
‘The whole idea is to get back to some understanding that Christmas isn’t just about the razzmatazz. It goes back to the old story of a family who couldn’t find a place to stay.’
The green on which the nativity stands, not far from the Christmas tree and some reindeer, will be the focal point of carol singing during Christmas week.
