And Jesus was born in the station...

AN unconventional Nativity play took place outdoors in Fawley on Sunday, including the arrival of Father Christmas by train.

Children took part in the traditional show at Somersham railway station on the Fawley Hill estate, the home of Lady McAlpine.

First held in 2004, the play heralds the start of the Hambleden Valley Group of churches’ Christmas celebrations.

It is staged on the track and station platform built by the late Sir William McAlpine in 1960.

Children dressed in nativity costumes gathered and played on the haybales at the end of the railway track, while friends, family and villagers chatted on the station platform, enjoying mulled wine and mince pies.

The platform was adocned with lights, with a Christmas tree in the waiting room.

There was a slight delay to the start of proceedings due to a blown fuse, which switched off all the electricity, including the keyboard with which Suzannah Shaw accompanied the carol singing.

Speaking over a loudspeaker, narrator Julia Ogilvy, from Fawley, welcomed everyone.

She asked people to donate to the Kasisi orphanage in Zambia in memory of her friend and neighbour Trevor Cooper, who died in September. He had worked for many years to support the children in the orphanage, particularly those living with HIV. About £1,000 was raised.

Ms Ogilvy said: “This afternoon is about having fun. Please sing along with enthusiasm.

“The world’s in a difficult place at the moment, so this is a wonderful way to celebrate and remember that the Christmas story is, above all, about love.

“I think there’s a special angel arriving on the train.”

Then the Angel Gabriella, played by six-year-old Edie Wilkinson, from Fawley, came along the track.

Ms Ogilvy said: “It all began when the Angel Gabriel visited a young girl called Mary to say some special words.” Edie delivered the message to Mary, played by Coralie Eccles, who expressed surprise that she was expecting a baby.

Mary and Joseph had to find somewhere to stay, as Ms Ogilvy pointed out: “We cannot have vagrants sleeping on the streets.”

Mary then left before coming back riding a “donkey” — a pony dressed up in tinsel led by Joseph — as they could not afford train tickets.

She then “gave birth” before taking her seat on the haybale stage and rocked the crib a little too quickly, prompting a member of the audience to joke: “I won’t be asking her to babysit.”

The shepherds were stationed at the top of the hill across from the platform, with their sheep around a fire. They came down accompanied by a variety of animals followed by the wise men, one of whom had brought gold “so the new King will never have to deal with the cost of living crisis”.

The audience sang carols including O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. To end the story, all the children gathered together on the bales.

Ms Ogilvy said: “So our story is complete, yet it was only the beginning of an extraordinary journey for the baby Jesus.

“As we stand here surrounded by family, friends, neighbours, we should always remember that Jesus calls on us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

“This is the most important message we should take away from this wonderful time. Love is the answer if we’re to have peace in our lives and contribute to peace in the world.”

She said a blessing before announcing she had heard rumours of a “very special visitor who might be arriving by train”.

The crowd sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas as Father Christmas got off the train and walked along the tracks to the children, accompanied by Lady McAlpine dressed in a floor-length fur coat and fur hat.

The children gathered and bustled around Father Christmas, who sat down and spoke to them about their Christmas wishes and gave them presents.

Kate Miller, from Fawley, was with her son Noah, nine, who played a shepherd. She said: “I’ve lived here three years. I met Judy and she invited us to join in. Noah has done it every year. He quite enjoys it. It brings the community together.”

Aimee and Ian Craney were with their children Amelia, five, and Alice, seven. Mrs Craney said: “The children love it. My eldest didn’t want to be anything until about five minutes ago when she decided she was going to be an impromptu angel.”

Edie’s mother, Olivia, said: “The generosity of the community is very evident in Fawley with Judy being so kind.”

Lady McAlpine didn’t see the play. “I never do,” she said. “As soon as it starts, I go off to get Santa and give him a glass of something and then we come down and get the train here.”

Asked why she does it every year, she said: “Because I’m mad. Certifiable. Nobody listens to anything. I keep telling them to get costumes sorted before today and they turn up at 3pm wanting costumes.”

The full cast was Narrator — Julia Ogilvy; Angel Gabriella — Edie Wilkinson; Joseph —  Wilbur Lait; Jesus — Luca Batting; Mary — Coralie Eccles; Innkeepers — Mabel, Bruce, Noah Miller, Enya and Jago Michelin, Rafferty and Toby King; Shepherds — William Ingram, Duncan Bramwell, Griffin Nadel, Henry and Archie Hoyle; Kings —  Ludo Gofle, Ottos Evetts, Max Swinglehurst; Camel — Molly Swinglehurst, Princess — Elodie Nadel; Angels — Connie Bruce and Darcy Eccles; Sheep —  Leo Batting, Hugo Jenn and Albie Wilkinson.