Barrow-in-Furness pop up nativity with all invited to join

Pop up nativity to take place and local community are encouraged to take centre stage

The Salvation Army is to host a live community nativity, do-it-yourself style, for the whole of Barrow-in-Furness to dress up and be a part of.

The ‘Big Community Nativity’ will take place on Saturday, December 14, at 12pm outside The Forum on Duke Street, and the church and charity is encouraging everyone to get involved and play a part in telling the Christmas story, performed through rhyming verses, appealing to both adults and children. 

People are encouraged to dress up as their favourite nativity character, whether as a wise man or a sheep, Mary or Joseph, the innkeeper or the star in the east. 

For members of the community who don’t have costumes to hand, from 11am, The Salvation Army’s church and community centre, located on Abbey Road, will be open with craft equipment supplied for people to make angel wings or crowns and take their place in the performance as either an angel or a king. Tea towels will also be provided for anyone looking to be a shepherd.

Everyone is asked to arrive outside the Forum at 12pm sharp to make sure their nativity character can be written into the performance, which will last for approximately one hour.

Captain Sarah Griffiths, church leader at The Salvation Army Barrow-in-Furness said: “This is our opportunity to tell the real Christmas story in a fun and engaging way for members of our local community, of all ages! Christmas has become so commercialised over the years that there is something really lovely about taking it back to its grass roots and teaching the story of Christmas and the joy that comes from it. 

“Being there and supporting others, bringing the community together and everyone being a part of and united in something special is what Christmas is all about and inspires all of us to do. We can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits and we know there are so many stars among us.”

A selection box will be given to every child who takes part and St Marks Church will be giving out mince pies. The event will culminate with a performance from Askam Band and a carol concert, ensuring everyone is in the festive spirit.