A FAVOURITE feature of the festive season in Helensburgh made a welcome return to Colquhoun Square on Saturday – and there was little doubt who was the star of the show.
Helensburgh Baptist Church’s open-air Nativity in the Square performance is a long-established fixture of the countdown to Christmas in the town, and judging by the number of people who braved the freezing conditions for this year’s show, it’ll remain a much-loved part of the seasonal events calendar for a while yet.
Elise the donkey at the Nativity in the Square.
Mary and Joseph were played this year by Morven Taylor and Ewan Fry Brockie, surrounded by the customary cast of angels, shepherds and wise men as well as narrator Jessica McMaster, with the church’s pastor, the Reverend Neil Allison, and Robert Thorn in charge of the music, providing important supporting roles.
Angels Niamh (left) and Rowan Taylor.
Mary and Joseph welcome a shepherd to pay homage
If there were the Helensburgh version of an Oscar for the best supporting actor (or actress), though, it would surely go to Elise the donkey, who has long revelled in her important job transporting Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and who once again seemed to thoroughly enjoy taking centre stage and basking in the admiring looks she received from those in the audience.
Narrator - Jessica McMaster
Reverend Neill Allison
Spectators at Nativity in the Square
Saturday afternoon’s performance also brought the curtain down on the church’s annual ‘Baby Jesus Rocks’ children’s rock hunt around the town, and was followed by a much-needed reviving cuppa and nibbles back at the church on East King Street.
A church spokesperson said: “Thanks to all those who worked hard for our Nativity in the Square, and also to all those who painted and placed Baby Jesus Rocks around the town for the children to find.
Spectators at Nativity in the Square
Robert Thorn provided the music.
One angel and two wise men
“We would also like to thank the folks who provided food and drink back at the church, and also all those who came to the square to watch the Nativity.
“We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.”
(Photos by Ann Stewart)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here