PUB YARD SCEAN OF NATIVITY SERVICE

A PUB backyard provided the unlikely setting for a meaningful nat­ivity service which has been staged by members of the Nottingham Road Methodist Church

More than people from the community were present at the event which was held at the Concorde pub on Park Road , Larklands by kind permission of the licenses John and Sandy Gilbert.

An old garage converted into a ‘stable’ to accommodate Mr. and Mrs. Gilberts’ ‘Pet’ a Shetland pony by the name of Brandy added a touch of authenticity to the setting.

Brandy was to have played a prominent part in proceedings, standing in as Mary and Joseph’s donkey, but the lure of a tasty snack proved too much and he seemed quite content on being an extra.

Even so the Methodist church’s nativity featuring Kelly and Ian Slater as Mary and Joseph, and Geoff Shirtcliffe, Janet Thornhill and Kate Shirtcliffe in the guise of shepherds proved to be well meaning and most appropriate. “We have tried to turn back the clock by recreating a tradition­al nativity in austere surroundings said Ann Sutcliffe.

“it is good to see so many people showing an interest and there’s no doubt that our service has reflected the story of Mary and Joseph’s plight in a way.”

Carols, readings and dance played a part of the pub nativi­ty which was coordinated on behalf of the church by Helen Shirtcliffe.

Members of Nottingham Road Methodist’ music group Pat Rollisson, Frances Bullas, Barry Sutcliffe and David Shirtcliffe made significant contributions as did Jim Swinburne who provided amusing commentary.

“We where please to support the church in its nativity venture and our Grandchildren thought it was a lovely event” said Mrs Gilbert  

NRMC - Nativity Show and Panto 2003