The Story so far….
The tradition of the Christmas Crib in the Barn at Great Coxwell goes back to the year 2000. It was inaugurated by a group of villagers led by Geoff Lee (formerly of Stonelea), whose idea it was to have a collection at the end of the service for St Giles’ Church and The Batemans Trust (a local charity which supports disadvantaged children in South India).
The nativity/crib scene will be in place at the Barn from Saturday afternoon 10th December 2022.
As with all great traditions, the Great Coxwell Christmas Nativity Scene and Christmas Eve Carol Service has developed over the years and now includes a Christmas Eve Procession through the village with Mary, Joseph and a donkey! This gives us a chance to remember Emma Watters (formerly of Warenne House), who played a part in this later addition to the tradition.
In 2021 we introduced the opportunity to buy and share Christmas drinks from Danes Cottage (“Danes Inn”) raising money for the village Community Fund; Ainslie and Dan look forward to welcoming guests to the Inn this year after the Carol Service.
This year volunteers from the ‘Longcot Ringers’ will be jingling their Bells to Christmas and Carol tunes outside the Barn for those who are unable to walk along with the procession.
Timings
The Procession and Carol Service are on 24th December 2022, Christmas Eve:
5.15 Bell Ringer outside the Barn (for those unable to walk with the procession)
5.20pm Procession gathers at the southern end (bottom) of the village outside Foxley (pink cottage).
5.30pm Procession starts.
6.00pm (or earlier; Service will commence on arrival of the procession) Carol Service in Great Barn (cash donations to the charity collection will be gratefully received).
6.50pm Danes Inn Christmas Drinks (outside). Please bring cash (proceeds to the Community Fund).
**Advanced Notice. Road Closure**
The VOWH has granted a road closure on Christmas Eve 24 December 20022 from 5.15pm to 6pm.
Holloway Road will be closed from the Barn to Spicers Cottage to provide protection to the Christmas Eve Village Procession. Annabelle’s Nursery has offered their car park for vehicles during the road closure. Access to the village can be made on foot using the public footpaths/pavements.
Keeping everyone safe
There will be marshals with torches to guide us and first aiders on hand. Please:
Our sincere thanks goes out to: All of our village Christmas volunteers; St Giles Church; the National Trust for hosting; Kiera and Muffin the Donkey, The Longcot Ringers; and to O&O Electrics for overseeing the electrical safety.
The tradition of the Christmas Crib in the Barn at Great Coxwell goes back to the year 2000. It was inaugurated by a group of villagers led by Geoff Lee (formerly of Stonelea), whose idea it was to have a collection at the end of the service for St Giles’ Church and The Batemans Trust (a local charity which supports disadvantaged children in South India).
The nativity/crib scene will be in place at the Barn from Saturday afternoon 10th December 2022.
As with all great traditions, the Great Coxwell Christmas Nativity Scene and Christmas Eve Carol Service has developed over the years and now includes a Christmas Eve Procession through the village with Mary, Joseph and a donkey! This gives us a chance to remember Emma Watters (formerly of Warenne House), who played a part in this later addition to the tradition.
In 2021 we introduced the opportunity to buy and share Christmas drinks from Danes Cottage (“Danes Inn”) raising money for the village Community Fund; Ainslie and Dan look forward to welcoming guests to the Inn this year after the Carol Service.
This year volunteers from the ‘Longcot Ringers’ will be jingling their Bells to Christmas and Carol tunes outside the Barn for those who are unable to walk along with the procession.
Timings
The Procession and Carol Service are on 24th December 2022, Christmas Eve:
5.15 Bell Ringer outside the Barn (for those unable to walk with the procession)
5.20pm Procession gathers at the southern end (bottom) of the village outside Foxley (pink cottage).
5.30pm Procession starts.
6.00pm (or earlier; Service will commence on arrival of the procession) Carol Service in Great Barn (cash donations to the charity collection will be gratefully received).
6.50pm Danes Inn Christmas Drinks (outside). Please bring cash (proceeds to the Community Fund).
**Advanced Notice. Road Closure**
The VOWH has granted a road closure on Christmas Eve 24 December 20022 from 5.15pm to 6pm.
Holloway Road will be closed from the Barn to Spicers Cottage to provide protection to the Christmas Eve Village Procession. Annabelle’s Nursery has offered their car park for vehicles during the road closure. Access to the village can be made on foot using the public footpaths/pavements.
Keeping everyone safe
There will be marshals with torches to guide us and first aiders on hand. Please:
- Stay behind the mule during the procession
- Keep dogs and children under control
- Take care on uneven ground by the barn
- Do not smoke or have any naked flames in the barn
Our sincere thanks goes out to: All of our village Christmas volunteers; St Giles Church; the National Trust for hosting; Kiera and Muffin the Donkey, The Longcot Ringers; and to O&O Electrics for overseeing the electrical safety.
RSS Feed