Pony stars in ‘railway’ nativity

A PONY took part in the 19th annual Fawley railway nativity, which took place on Sunday.

The animal, a Shetland pony called William, played the part of the donkey in the otherwise traditional adaptation of the Christmas story.

The event, which was first held in 2004, heralds the start of the Hambleden Valley Group of churches’ Christmas celebrations.

It had been set to take place in the station at the Fawley Hill estate, the home of Lady McAlpine, two weeks ago but was cancelled due to the effects of Storm Darragh.

So the organisers decided to reschedule the performance to take place in St Mary’s Church in Dobsons Lane instead and to incorporate it with the church’s carol service, led by Rev Andy Storch.

The performance began with the lighting of the third candle on the church’s Advent wreath, which was lit by Enya Michelin, who played Mary.

Rev Storch said: “After last weekend’s abysmal weather, we had to cancel the railway nativity but to stay true to that spirit, we are here to give an excuse for the children to dress up, and also myself, I am the station master – the fat controller.

“The railway nativity is of course based on the little-known fifth gospel according to St Thomas, better known as Thomas the Tank Engine. We are here at the church because the trains couldn’t make it here so we will have to improvise.”

Rev Storch then told the congregation that they would have to make the sound of trains to pretend as if they were still at the station.

They then made the sound as the Archangel Gabriel, played by Coralie Eccles, appeared to Mary and told her that she would have a baby named Jesus.

O Little Town of Bethlehem was then sung which was accompanied by organ playing from Dr Lisa Silver.

Rev Storch continued the story, he said: “The emperor Caesar Augustus thought of a clever way to raise money, he invented taxes. To collect them he decreed that everyone should return to their home town and register. Joseph had been born in the town of Bethlehem and married Mary, so now with a baby about to be born, they had to travel from Galilee to Bethlehem.

“Mary was expecting her baby very soon but unfortunately they couldn’t afford the train tickets so they had to walk at least most of the journey.”

Mary and Joseph went from inn to inn trying to find a place to stay, ending at the Last Chance Saloon and finding a space in a stable. She then “gave birth” a little too quickly, prompting Rev Storch to joke: “It is that easy.”

Rev Storch continued: “Meanwhile up in the hills there were shepherds watching their sheep.” The shepherds then pointed out the unusual star which Archangel Gabriel said meant that a saviour would be born, this prompted the shepherds to go visit the baby Jesus taking their sheep with them.

Rev Storch said: “When the shepherds arrived at the stable they were astonished to see the baby. And without knowing why they knelt and gave to him, one offered a lamb, which Joseph took thanking the boy.”

The carol Away in a Manger was sung and the congregation then made the sound of the train to usher in the arrival of the three wise men.

Rev Storch said: “We have three wise men and they are coming by express train, they have seen something very important in this star in the east that seems to be moving, and they decided to follow it.

“Luckily, they had interrail tickets so they could cross any country with no problems. As they travelled, they saw it came to rest over a small town called Bethlehem so were very curious.”

The kings then found the stable with the baby Jesus and knelt with TV presenter Ben Fogle’s son, Ludo, gifting the baby Jesus gold and the other wise men giving gifts of frankincense and myrrh. Rev Storch said: “And so our story is complete. Jesus is born, recognised by some but un-noticed by the rest of the world. The story of Jesus’s arrival is only the beginning — look out for the sequel that is Easter, the stories of Jesus, birth, life, death and resurrection are now told by the world.”

Wilbur Lait then read The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson and then musician Mike Hurst sang Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley, and White Christmas by Bing Crosby with the congregation joining in. Jingle Bells were then sung before members of Fawley Poetry Circle read extracts at the front of the church.

Rev Storch then jokingly referred to the pony, which had relieved itself a couple of times during the performance. He said: “We are going to stand to sing to cover up the fact that we need to clean another pile of poo here.”

The congregation then sang O Come All Ye Faithful and Lady McAlpine read A Very Special Place, which she wrote about the village. Lady McAlpine, said: “Twenty years ago a nervous bride moved to her new husband’s home. She was an object of considerable curiosity as she and the new husband had been subjected to a lot of very nasty press generated by the lies of a few sad people.

“The bride knew from her own childhood that in every small village, neighbours know each other’s business and generally look after each other. One adverse judgment and a whole village can reject an ‘in-comer’.

“So villagers called to inspect this newcomer, invitations were issued, doors were opened. She found herself surrounded by smiling, gentle people. No-one asked questions about the horrid press stories. No one said ‘No smoke without fire’. Just ‘come for coffee’... or Champagne.

“That new bride is now an old lady and for 20 years she has known that if Mary and Joseph had come to Fawley looking for a bed, they would have been given someone’s best bedroom, a slap-up breakfast and a few dogs to cuddle. This is a very special place. Happy Fawley Christmas.”

The congregation then sang Good King Wenceslas while the collection was taken. Sophia Heczkova-Pringle performed a solo singing Silent Night. Wilf Oseman then read Snowball by Shel Silverstein and the congregation sang Hark The Herald Angels Sing.

The service ended with a blessing from Rev Storch. He said: “The joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Mary and Joseph and the peace of the Christ child.

“Be yours this Christmas and forever, and the blessing of God Almighty the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among and remain with you always, Amen.”

Villagers then had mulled wine in the church before going to Fawley Hill for a reception hosted by Lady McAlpine.

Lady McAlpine said: “The carol was just so wonderful. We had to cancel last week and we lost three kings and two innkeepers who couldn’t come this week.

“So the kids who stood in didn’t know what they were doing but they were brilliant. They didn’t get any practice in the new venue, they just arrived. I must admit the Shetland with diarrhoea wasn’t great.

“I have been saying for ages we ought to do it at the church but, of course, it has become known as the railway nativity. It used to be known as the Hambleden Valley Nativity, and they used to do it in a barn at the far end of Fawley.”

The full cast list was: Rev Andy Storch (narrator); Coralie Eccles (Archangel Gabriel); Sophia Pringle (Joseph); Enya Michelin (Mary); William Oseman (donkey); Barney Oseman (handler); Amelia Craney, Henry Hoyle and Edie Wilkinson (innkeepers); William Ingram (head shepherd); Darcey Eccles, Tillie Lait, Molly Swinglehurst, Archie Hoyle, Alby Wilkinson, Iona Fogle and Isla Phillimore (shepherds); Jago Michelin, Wilbur Lait and Ludo Fogle (kings); Ariadne Lait, Alice Craney, Amelie Phillimore and Kaia Michelin (angels); Hugo Jenn (sheep) and Rufus Lait (reindeer). Muffin Hurst (stage management) and Dr Lisa Silver (music).