Hunt begins for newborn to star in 2025 Nativity

The search has begun for a newborn baby to take the lead role in a village's 2025 nativity play.

The Reverend Peter Francis, Rector of Woodchester, Rodborough, and Brimscombe, issued a plea for a newborn baby to star as baby Jesus in Brimscombe's Roaming Nativity last week.

Although some parents were interested, Storm Darragh "put them off", he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire, although the Nativity still packed a few surprises.

"One of the three kings was Elvis," Mr Francis said.

The roaming Nativity was one of the few events not cancelled this weekend due to Storm Darragh, which saw high winds across Gloucestershire and multiple weather warnings for the county and surrounding areas.

A red warning for wind was issued for coastal Wales and Somerset, including the nearby Bristol Channel.

Unfortunately, the storm put a dampener on Mr Francis' hopes of a real baby featuring in the Nativity.

"If it was me, I wouldn't have taken my newborn out into the rain and cold so, unfortunately, we resorted to a doll," he said.

The Nativity sang in the streets of Brimscombe, supported by a group from The Nelson Trust and patrons of The Ship Inn.

The Nativity's Elvis sang songs from "The King's" discography, and delivered lines in Elvis-style.

But Mr Francis is already looking ahead to next year's Nativity.

"We've even started thinking about who is pregnant," he said.

"This year, I even asked a midwife, we were getting desperate but next year we're already planning ahead so, the truth is, the search for the baby continues."

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