The idea of the event is simply to re-enact Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and to have some fun along the way.
This year, after three years of unsuccessful attempts, and following an appeal in the local paper, a record number of villagers were joined by a pair of real live donkeys. The donkeys, Jack and Lulu, came with their owner, Karen Rust, all the way from Sculthorpe to join in with the fun.
The event took place on Sunday 15 December starting in Cawston’s Primary School where everyone got into their costumes. As the story of the nativity was retold, the assembled cast wended their way to the village pub, The Bell Inn, where they found there was no room in the inn. Fortunately, the landlady allowed us all in for refreshments. The event finished with carols in the church as the first nativity figures were placed in the crib scene.
Team Vicar, Rev’d Andrew Whitehead, said:
“The Walking Nativity is now a firm fixture in Cawston’s Christmas Calendar. It’s so much fun for everyone to get involved and even the adults seem to like dressing up, and it’s great to take the story of Christmas out onto the streets. The addition of live donkeys this year was truly magical and we’re so grateful to Karen for bringing Jack and Lulu to be part of the day. I’m sure the donkeys helped to bring in even more people than ever to this year’s event, with over 70 people taking part.”