Nativity story is recycled by teenagers

Oct 31 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Cathedral’s Nativity scene is being built from bits of waste plastic. The life-size display at St Nicholas Cathedral will be made entirely from waste items supplied by Northumbrian Water.

It is donating 1,650 plastic water sample bottles from its laboratory at Horsley in Northumberland, plus 1,200 plastic bottle tops and bales of cardboard.

Canon Robert Gage, responsible for education and learning at the cathedral, invited students from North Tyneside Education Business Partnership to create this year’s Nativity scene after being impressed by the idea of producing a work from waste which could be recycled when the display ends.

A total of 31 teenagers aged 14 to 16, who are studying art and design at Seaton Burn College, Norham Community Technology College and George Stephenson High School, were working at the Black Gate next to the cathedral yesterday with designer Richard Liddle, who uses recycled materials.

Canon Gage said: “It’s certainly one of the most unusual Nativity scenes we’ve had on display and it brings a modern twist to the traditional Nativity.

“It shows that the Nativity story can be endlessly renewed and recycled to be part of everyday life.” Most of the scene will be complete by the first week in December. The final element, the baby Jesus, will be placed in his recycled crib during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

The work will remain at the front of the cathedral until February 1, when it will be taken away for recycling by Northumbrian Water.

North Tyneside Education Business Partnership development officer Larry Gent said: ‘’We were overjoyed to be commissioned to produce this year’s Nativity scene.

“Richard’s idea was radical, but it struck a chord with Canon Gage, who thought it was an innovative and resourceful idea in view of the current economic climate.

“The message of what is a very unusual approach is that we can celebrate Christmas and the past, but without wasting resources.

“We could have bought new material from a retail park and created something like Fenwick’s window, but that is not what we wanted.”

Mr Liddle, who runs design and innovation company Codha in Felling, Gateshead, said: “We are using the waste as building blocks to create something which is interesting and unexpected.”

Canon Gage said: “As an urban cathedral, engaged in contemporary issues, it seems appropriate that we are involved not only in a young people’s art project, but also one which encourages taking care of the environment, which is something we wholeheartedly endorse.

“I am sure our community, and all visitors to the cathedral, will appreciate the message behind this year’s Nativity, which is the importance of caring for the environment that God has created and being resourceful where we can.”

Northumbrian Water head of scientific services Peter Gosling said: “That we have found a use for used bottles is wonderful.”

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Greener

THE number of people in Newcastle who class themselves as dedicated recyclers has trebled since 2006.

In a survey 66% thought of themselves as committed recyclers. In 2006, only 12% said that.

The research, commissioned by recycled tissue brand Nouvelle Soft, also identified three distinct groups – those who recycle everything they can (66%), those who would like to do more but say they are too busy (31%) and those who rarely or never recycle (3%).