Wednesday 31st October 2007
(ref:
317/2007)
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
So the little Lord Jesus went to Atherton instead!
This Christmas the bustling market town will be transformed into historic Bethlehem with a special Christmas Nativity Parade.
There will be a donkeys to lead the parade, which begins at Market Place at 6.30pm on Friday December 7. Children from local primary schools will take on the roles of Mary and Joseph and other principle characters, while pupils from Hesketh Fletcher High School will narrate the story.
The procession will take in a route around the town centre stopping at three inns: The Red Lion; The Last Orders and The Old Isaacs, along the way.
It will finish at St John the Baptist Church, with the three kings and Deputy Mayor of Wigan Cllr Rona Winkworth bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.
Prayers will be led by the Rector of Atherton Rev Dr Robert Buckley.
Townsfolk and members of the public are invited to join the parade and sing carols as they go. There will be refreshments after the event, donated by Tesco and Waterfields.
Ward councillor Susan Loudon, who has been leading on the project, says:
“This is the first time that such an event has taken place in the borough. We want to focus our attention on the true meaning of Christmas by bringing everyone together to re-enact the very first one.
“Often the true meaning gets lost amongst the glitz and the glamour, but it is important that people remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
“The original idea for the parade came from one of our residents and the event has been funded by councillors both in Atherleigh and Atherton.”
You can find out more about the Nativity Parade from Atherton Town Centre Co-ordinator Janis Maleedy, on 01942 828878.
