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Popular nativity event returns to church

A nativity scene made out of stained glass. Mary and Joseph are in the middle, looking over baby Jesus. Kings, camels, elephants and angels can also be seen in the nativity.
A nativity scene made out of the cardboard tubes from toilet roll. The figures are covered with fabric, pieces of coloured card and pipe cleaners. Joseph, Mary, Jesus and other characters from the nativity are on display in a stable, which contains real straw.
There are 130 displays at this year's Crib Festival
Cardboard tubes from toilet roll have been transformed into a nativity scene

A popular event to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through a collection of nativity scenes has returned to a church.

More than 100 crib scenes are on display for the Crib Festival at St John the Baptist Church in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire.

The hand-crafted figures are made from a variety of materials including stained glass, wool, and toilet rolls.

Reverend Chris Butler said: "I think for a lot of people, this is the beginning of their Christmas."

The event began in 2011, after the church's previous rector was inspired by seeing it elsewhere.

It was held annually until the Covid pandemic, but has only just returned, following high demand from locals.

Rev Chris Butler. She has long hair and is wearing black framed glasses and a green hoodie with a nativity scene embroidered on the chest. She is looking directly at the camera and smiling. Some of the nativity displays can be seen out of focus, in the background behind her.
Rev Chris Butler said the event is popular with residents

This year, 130 different scenes have been put on display.

Some have been loaned by families who have owned them for generations, while others have been crafted by local children and organisations.

Others have been sent in from Rwanda and Alaska, which feature nods to their cultures.

"It’s really nice to know that [people] want to be involved," Rev Butler said.

"Their creativity and skill is just mind-blowing," she added.

The Crib Festival runs until 1 December.

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