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Following the star around Hanham
A knitted nativity trail in Hanham hopes to bring some Christmas cheer to people during a difficult festive season.
Eight knitted nativity scenes to find have been hidden in shop windows throughout the Bristol suburb for people to find over the Christmas period.
Organised by the church leaders of Hanham and led by reverend Peter Cook of Hanham Baptist Church, the nativity trail is “a celebration of the Christmas story in the local community”.
is needed now More than ever
The Follow The Star trail is was created after the church leaders decided “to do something that said that, even at this difficult time, God was still with us”.
In 2018 and 2019, the churches had organised a Hanham Angels project, which saw angels knitted by church goers strung all across Hanham, including on trees, fences and lampposts.
“Each angel had a small blessing attached to them,” says Peter. “The idea was that people could take them home and enjoy the blessing.
“Some put them on Christmas trees and still show up when I visit houses in the area. There was loads of really good feed back.”
The Hanham Angels project has become the Follow The Star trail. Photo: Follow The Star
While the Hanham Angels project felt needed after such a difficult year, Peter and his fellow leaders wanted to ensure that what they did was Covid-safe.
“The church leaders in Hanham meet regularly together )on Zoom this year) and that desire to do something was strongly expressed.
“It was in September that the idea of a nativity of some kind was put forward. In the quirkiness of this year it was suggested that we could put figures in appropriate window. We thought about Mary and Joseph in the local Wetherspoons window for the ‘No room at the Inn’ scene.
“The more this was discussed the more the fun of the possibility came out. We also wanted to do something to encourage the shop keepers, who’ve had such a difficult year, something to give them the chance to add their own creativity and sell more of their products.”
Nativity figures can be found across Hanham. Photo: Follow The Star
Local businesses were behind the idea, and while the Wetherspoons hasn’t been able to join in as of yet because of the tier three restrictions, all the nativity scenes have been placed in a relevant store window.
Knitters at the churches helped to create all the nativity figures, which all have a QR next to them. The QR code links to the Follow The Star website, which tells that part of the Christmas story.
“As Christmas nears, many activities are being cancelled, but this is one that you can do, out of doors, in the safety of your own bubble,” says Peter.
“Most of all, have fun, celebrating the real good news of Christmas that even Covid-19 can’t wipe out.”
Main photo: Nicola Bartlett
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