Bradwell’s community Nativity is a sell-out

Bradwell’s community Nativity is a sell-out

This year’s creative Nativity service at St Nicholas church in Bradwell captured the community’s attention, as the event was fully booked in advance

Well over 100 people of all ages, some of whom are regulars at church and others who only visit during the festive season, attended the Nativity on Thursday 4 December, which included music, lights and audience participation

Preparations had been ramped up in advance of the event as the team readied themselves for a full house, with the handcrafting of dozens of costumes and hundreds of decorations having been in train throughout 2025
 
Revd Steve Deall, Rector of St Nicholas, Bradwell, said: “This year’s Nativity was a true community effort — people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to plan and serve. It has been just wonderful to see members of St Nicholas generously giving up their time, talents and even possessions to support the production. The event has been in planning for nearly 12 months, and volunteers have been meeting regularly to coordinate casting, costumes, set design, music and hospitality. Every detail has been arranged to complement the wider programme of Advent and Christmas events across the town, adding to a season of prayerful reflection, carols and family-friendly activities rather than competing with them”
 
The congregation at St Nicholas has more than doubled since Revd Steve Deall and his wife Sara first arrived in the parish five years ago, with the establishment of numerous groups and clubs having helped to reaffirm the church as a pillar of the local community
 
Tim Sweeting, Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Norwich, who had visited the church during the preparations for the service, said: “It was inspirational to meet the team at Bradwell and see the hive of activity behind the scenes, in readiness not only for their Nativity but also all the wide range of services and community events they have planned for Advent. What Steve and Sara have achieved since arriving in the Diocese cannot be overstated, and the uplifting atmosphere here in the church while the team decorate is testament to the culture that has been created. The beautiful decorations handcrafted by Julia and other members of the church could not be more fitting as the Church of England nationally welcomes everyone in to share the joy of Advent and Christmas”
 
Church member Julia Knights, pictured right, whose award-winning work as a florist has taken her across the globe, leads a group of volunteers in all things artistic, centred on a monthly Creative Circle meeting started by Sara Deall. This dedicated band of innovative locals have been working tirelessly to transform St Nicholas for the festive season. Aside from stunning, bespoke floral arrangements which tell the nativity story, Julia and the team have crafted all the costumes for attendees to wear during the service – many of which have been crafted from unwanted curtains!
 
Reflecting on the months of preparation for this year’s Nativity, Julia said: “Much time has gone into preparing all these things, and none of it would have been possible without the group of people we have here. Everyone has played their part - When people said ‘I can’t sew costumes or decorations’ I have told them it’s no problem, they can definitely stuff them! We have been really excited to share our version of the greatest story ever told”
 
Arrangements were made to maximise accessibility to the sell-out event, including the attendance of a British Sign Language interpreter to ensure all visitors with hearing difficulties could fully enjoy the performance
 
Details of other events scheduled at St Nicholas, Bradwell, this festive season can be found on the church’s Facebook page
 
The photos, courtesy of the Diocese of Norwich, show, main, Revd Steve and Sara Deall (R) with three volunteers, Julia Knights crafting a large floral display to top the church font , and a floral display depicting one aspect of the Nativity story

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