Crib festival at Down Parish Church

Crib festival at Down Parish Church

19 December 2018

DOWN Parish Church hosted another very successful crib festival last week.

The event featured a wide and varied display of nativity scenes which have been created by several local churches, charities, schools, groups and individuals.

Many people took the time during the busy festive period to in to the church to marvel at the displays and have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.

Now in its second year, the event continues to go from strength to strength, with some of the creations on display created by the Fountain Foodbank, Hollymount Church, Down Cathedral, Downpatrick Women’s Institute, Downpatrick Nursery School, Bright Sunday School, Hollymount Sewing and Quilting Group, Downpatrick Primary, Down High School, Downpatrick Presbyterian Church and Down Parish Church.

Organisers were delighted with the response and have already extended an invitation to individuals or groups who would be interested in taking part next year to make the festival bigger and better.

This year’s event raised money for the Fountain Foodbank with organisers hoping to support another worthy cause next Christmas.

Down Parish minister, the Rev Captain Scott McDonald, said he was delighted with the creative talents of all those who took the time to come up with a wide range of designs for the festival.

He said the various displays were “original and thought provoking” and thanked everyone for their continued support which helped raise some money for the local foodbank at an important time of then year for the organisation.

“I came up with the idea of asking various organisations, charities and individuals to design a crib which reflects the Christmas story and also elements of their work, looking at Christmas through a fresh pair of eyes,” he explained.

“This is the second year we have organised the festival and we are pleased so many have taken part, in particular, a number of neighbouring churches.”

Mr McDonald said the event is designed to draw people in from their busy schedule at this time of the year to have a look at the various displays and take time to reflect on the message of Christmas.

The minister said a number of the displays will remain in place in the church over the Christmas period, with festival organisers pleased they were able to build on the success of the inaugural event.

He added: “We would be keen to wide the festival’s appeal next year and hope the event will continue to capture people’s imagination at what is a special time of the year.”

The four-day crib festival drew much appreciation from visitors, with excited children from Downpatrick Nursery School paying a special visit last Thursday morning.

Mrs Alison Carson, who was also involved in the project, said there are a number of festivals at this time of year, with several churches across the district focusing on Christmas tree displays.

“The crib festival is a little different,” she said. “A wide range of groups got involved in the project which was terrific and we hope to have a bigger and better festival in 2019.

‘It would be great if more people, groups, schools, organisations and even businesses come forward with their displays as well.”