Nativity 2009
The animals graciously hosted the Nativity in their barn. Cows, sheep, lambs, a donkey - they were all there.
In spite of the bitter weather and the hazzards of ice and snow outside about 150 people - nearly half of them children with their parents - came to Dupath Farm to witness the re-enactment of the nativity, in what has become an annual event.
Mary and Joseph did a couple of circuits on the donkey which, this year, cooperated beautifully - if not philosophically. The shepherds were there - and brought their lambs. The angels were there in abundance.
The atmosphere was palpable. The mooing of the cows, sporadic and unprompted, brought authenticity to the scene. The audience came face-to-face with the harsh realities of that first Christmas, complete with baby Jesus lying in a bed of straw while the calves, a few feet away, continued to munch on their evening meal.
The audience shivered as they balanced on the hay bales, but warmed up as they sang carols led by the choir and band.
Finally - something that was not on hand that first Christmas - a mince pie with a cuppa! A welcome treat.
For more pictures see the Nativity picture album