Nativity scene on show at St Nicholas Cathedral

Dec 4 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A NATIVITY scene fashioned from plastic waste went on show yesterday at St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle.

Northumbrian Water supplied the materials for the project, including 1,900 plastic sample bottles, 1,200 plastic bottle tops and bales of cardboard.

The Dean of Newcastle, the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, said: “I think it is a wonderfully creative take on the traditional story. It shows the old story itself can be recycled and has something new to say to every generation.

“People may be challenged as well as comforted by the nativity scene but I think it has something to say to people.

“It has involved young people in a very intimate way with the nativity story.”

He said that the scene also carried an important environmental message.

“God gave us the world to look after and we haven’t done very well. We need to take better care of it.”

More than 300 pupils aged seven to nine were the first to see the scene at a special nativity service yesterday.

The Canon for Education and Learning, the Rev Canon Robert Gage, selected young apprentices from North Tyneside Education Business Partnership to create the nativity scene after being impressed by the idea of creating a recycled work of art.

The nativity was assembled by 31 BTec Art & Design young apprentices, aged 14 and 15, from Seaton Burn College in Newcastle, Norham Community Technology College in North Shields and George Stephenson High School in Killingworth, working with Gateshead designer Richard Liddle.

Julie Robson, headteacher of Archbishop Runcie First School in Gosforth, Newcastle, one of the schools taking part in the service, said: “Christmas is a celebration and also an opportunity to think about the contribution we each make for the future.

“Through the work that we do on ecology and stewardship in school, the children understand the value and importance of recycling and the recycled nativity is an imaginative example of this in action.”

Chantelle Oliver, 14, from Seaton Burn College, said: “It’s a good idea to use recycled materials.

“When people look at it, they should think about how they can reuse everyday things. I am sure that the nativity will be liked and it will certainly be a talking point that makes people think.”

Dave Whiteley, facilities manager at Northumbrian Water, added: “At the end of the Christmas period, it will be a case of ‘away with the manger’, as we will be taking the nativity scene away – for recycling once again.”