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Nearly 200 nativity scenes in one church

Sophie Parker,Wiltshire,
Ben Prater,BBC Radio Wiltshireand
Will Glennon,Wiltshire
News imageBBC A large wooden cut-out nativity scene in front of a church altar - cartoon-style figures in traditional dress. It is colourful, with hay on the floor below a stained glass window.BBC
The scenes have mainly been collected by the vicar

A listed parish church has squeezed nearly 200 nativity scenes in, mostly belonging to its vicar.

The vicar at St Mary's Church, Lydiard Tregoze, Reverend Canon Captain Clive Deverell, has been collecting the scenes from all over the world since the 1990s.

Nearby schools and a few others have also contributed scenes, and as Rev Deverell is retiring next year, this is the last chance to see his whole collection.

"It's an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the reason for Christmas," he told BBC Radio Wiltshire.

News imageA small model of a goal with a goalkeeper, playing the part of Joseph. Mary kneels outside, dressed in a football kit, and the baby Jesus is in a small hay-filled crib.
One of the scenes is football-themed and comes from Spain
News imageA small wooden nativity scene on a wooden table top. Painted wood in a simple style, a background with two angels around a star on a night sky. The figures in front are separate and movable, all in traditional dress but cartoon-like. To the right is a snow globe with a separate nativity inside.
The vicar has collected nativity scenes since the 1990s

One has a football theme - bought for him by his daughter from Madrid.

"One of my other favourite ones is of the holy family on a VW camper. It reminds me of the flight to Egypt," he said.

"Then there are lots of African ones and South American ones in gourds and squashes, so there's a lot to see."

News imageA view of a few different small nativity scenes today - one is wooden and child-like, another in a yellow VW camper van. One at the back is metallic-like, with an elephant featuring. Another a simple style and includes a stable structure.
One of the vicar's favourites features a VW camper van
News imageA view of the inside of the church - pews going towards an ornate altar with stained glass. Medieval archways with the remains of medieval paintwork in light red. To the right, the camera angle captures a small hanging nativity.
The listed church has put nativity scenes wherever it can, while keeping the pews clear

Of those made locally, Rev Deverell said: "They've taken time and energy to take part in the story of Jesus. It's a real community bringing together.

"One of the things we forget sometimes - when you go to a Christmas market, it's hard to find the reason for Christmas in the stalls."

News imageA row of four nativity scenes inside the church, amongst the pews. Two are knitted figures, another is in fabric, and another is Playmobil.
Rev Deverell says a lot of effort has been put into scenes - including several knitted ones
News imageAn African nativity scene, with figures made from grasses and a stable at the back, also made from natural materials.
Scenes come from all over the world and are made from different materials

The nativity scenes are on display on Monday and Tuesday from 12:30 GMT until 15:00 GMT at St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze.

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