In order to boost attendance to the annual village carols event, a group of parishioners on behalf of Tubbs Hall Management Committee decided to go for a new approach this year.
Whispers of the event had been going round the village over the last few weeks.
20 children from Kings Worthy Primary School were enlisted to take part in the presentation of the Mystery of Christmas and have been rehearsing in their school lunch break.
About 200 villagers congregated at St Mary’s Chapel Hall (Nazareth) to hear Mary and Joseph’s plight at having to journey for King Herod’s census.
They were accompanied by a local donkey, Woody, a group of musicians from the Army Adjutant General's Corps Band from Worthy Down and parishioners, including many more children, bearing flaming torches to light the way and singing carols.
On arrival at Tubbs Community Hall (Bethlehem), the travellers were met by a friendly inn-keeper who showed them to his stable (a canvas one provided by the local scout troop, 3rd Winchester).
Needless to say they were then visited by a group of shepherds and wise men, who then led the congregated parishioners in more carols around the village Christmas tree in front of the hall.
Reverend Alan Gordon spoke to the congregated crowd, pleased to see that Kings Worthy had decided to celebrate the original meaning of Christmas and to put Christ at the centre of the secular Xmas.
The travellers, young and old, were then treated to refreshments, traditional mulled wine and mince pies, or, more appealing to some, squash and biscuits, as they warmed up in Tubbs Hall after the event.
Our local Police Community Support Officers were in attendance, taking part in the fun along with representatives from many local organisations.
A huge success, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and hopefully the start of a new annual parish event
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