WHY have one nativity display when you can have a hundred?

This is what Newton Abbot’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did earlier this month when it played host to a nativity festival.

The debut event, which celebrated the true meaning of Christmas, saw over 100 nativity scenes of all sizes from around the world on display.

Organiser Dot Martin said: ‘The festival has been held throughout the UK for a number of years but it’s the first time that it has visited Newton Abbot.

‘The nativities have been made  from different materials including  clay, wood, porcelain, felt, paper and even a scene fromSouth African created from dried banana skins .We had some very intricate silver tableaus that were displayed in small jewellery boxes.’

Nativity Festival organiser Dot Martin
Nativity Festival organiser Dot Martin (Steve Pope / MDA)

As well as viewing the numerous displays visitors both young and old were also able to take part in making Christmas crafts,  relax in front of a short Christmas film; listen to a Christmas story being read by a story-teller and learn how to make some memories at home.