The Christmas Story Comes Alive for Chilworth Infants

Published on: 15 Dec, 2022
Updated on: 19 Dec, 2022

73 children from Chilworth C of E Infant School saw the Christmas story come alive in a trip to a Nativity play at the Wintershall Estate in Bramley yesterday (December 14).

Starting with a workshop in the barn, the children were visited by Mary preparing for her journey to Bethlehem and an angry King Herod threatened by the news of a rival king.

A teacher said: “Crunching across frosted fields, the infants watched in awe as the angel visited Mary and Joseph telling them the news of their special role in the birth of Jesus.

“The shepherds in the fields warmed themselves around fires before making their way to pay homage to the newborn King.

Well wrapped up on a frost morning, the school party approaches the fields where the play is to be performed.

“The theatre performance of the Christmas story held the audience spellbound as the sights, sounds and smells of the stable came alive before each child’s eyes.”

Headteacher Coralie Mankel explained: “I wanted the story of the first Christmas to have meaning and knew this would be a magical way to end the term for my infant pupils.

The crunchy fields and the shepherds’ fire.

“Even the near-freezing temperatures didn’t prevent the pupils from having a fantastic and memorable day.”

Judging by the pupils’ reaction the aim was achieved. Jasper in Reception Class said: “I loved the soldiers and their swords.” Violet in Year 2 liked: “Seeing real animals in the play,” while her classmate Frank said: “My favourite part was meeting Mary in the barn.”