East Garston

Many people commented at the Carol Service and again on Christmas morning, on how beautiful the decorated church looked. The simplicity of the candles amongst the yew and ivy in the window sills and ledges, is always a winning combination. The positioning of the Christmas tree on top of the font, worked like a dream – despite a doubting Thomas or three! We wanted the tree to be visible from every part of the church and we wanted to start the Crib Service with the children standing under the tree, alongside Mary on the donkey. And they did – singing Little Donkey of course! Thank you Di Smith and Martyn Wright for heaving the tree into position! Also to Ann Phillips who decorated it with Martyn – shimmering in white and gold, it looked wonderful.

Saturday the 20th of December 2008 ~ Village children come together to celebrate the Christmas story here in East Garston.
Around forty babies, toddlers and teenagers performed a nativity play at All Saints' Church, as part of the annual crib service.

Led by Joseph, (George Carver) ~ A donkey named "Polly-Anna" from a sanctuary in Didcot,
brought Mary, played by (Sophie Hubber), into the Church, and stayed for the duration of the service.

Children from the church's Young Families Group played the lambs, the shepherds, other animals and the kings,
while the older ones directed them. Readings were given by the parents.

As with all very young children, their curiousity and sense of adventure came to the fore, and a large basket full of soft dry hay soon
found itself stewn around the floor in a very casual manner.

Ann and her daughter Helen, also made some spectacular costumes for the Crib Service: Tegan and Brooke Gibbard were dressed in midnight blue dresses for the girls Madonna dance and for the dance of the Angel Gabriels, Ann and Helen made very effective white satin gowns, decorated with silver and blue sequins.

The three Kings watch two shepherds as they try to settle the disputed ownership of one particular shepherd's crook.

The costumes were made in 48 hours and without time for a fitting, they were perfect for each of the girls. Thank you Ann and Helen, What talent we have in East Garston! Tegan and Brooke also worked hard at their dancing and moved beautifully.

(Above), Shannon and Mollie sing Silent Night.
(below right), Joseph contemplates loading hay onto Baby Jesus, Thankfully his efforts were thwarted by a quick thinking Mary

Inevitably it happened, a good old hay throwing session ensued, much to the amusment and delight of everyone present.

Churchwarden Sally Wright said "The Children delighted the congregation with their obvious enjoyment in coming together in costume to perform this year's nativity play. Polly-Anna the donkey revelled in the attention from the children."

Shannon Rodbourne and Mollie Prictoe did a wonderful job with Ann and Di, gathering and decorating the windows with greenery and clustering the candles amongst it. Thank you also to Diana Pilling for her dainty and very effective pedestal with white roses and ivy around a pillar candle,with a skirt of bear grass. Also, thank you to Julie Pennycook for her beautiful Christmas wreath, which hung on the church door. Julie followed the white roses amongst ivy and yew theme, and decorated and hung the wreath with gold gauze ribbon. Julie has already promised to make another wreath for us next Christmas – thank you.

Happily both Diana’s and Julie’s decorations were still in place 3 weeks later and looked just as lovely at the service on 11th January.
The Archdeacon of Berkshire, The Venerable Norman Russell, conducted our service on Christmas morning. Afterwards he captured what so many of us felt, when he left the church and said, “Sally, the decorations in East Garston Church are magical”. Praise indeed – thank you everyone for a real team effort.

Photos: Ken Tarbox : Martyn Wright
Text : Sally Wright : Ken Tarbox