ANGELS WING IN FOR XMAS
THE streets of Ashbourne have been filled with hundreds of hand-made angels.
It is part of a festive gesture by the town’s churchgoers.
On Sunday morning, townsfolk woke up to find 1,444 hand-made angels had appeared around the town, and the colourful creations had been left by well wishers from the town’s churches as gifts for people to find and keep.
The angels were left on railings, windowsills and flower beds all through the town centre early on Sunday morning. By lunchtime, almost all had found new homes as people had discovered them and chosen one to take away.
Each angel has a festive message attached which is a reminder of the meaning of Christmas and the messages brought by angels on the first Christmas.
They were created by a small army of crafters in the churches in Ashbourne – and some churchgoers have knitted or crocheted bundles of angels through- out the year, while some have contributed just one or two. The project has been coordinated by the Craft and Chat group, which meets in the Cornerstone cafe on Church Street every Monday afternoon, and which is part of Ashbourne Methodist Church.
Clare Sales, who helped to coordinate the project, said: “These angels are a gift to the town, and come with prayers from the town’s churches.
“It has been wonderful to hear stories of how they are blessing people as we prepare for Christmas, a time when angels came bringing messages of good news for the world.”
People who found an angel are encouraged to enjoy it, show it to their friends and, if they are able, to share a photo and message online, using the hashtags #xmasangels and #ashbourne
Craft and Chat sessions are held at The Cornerstone cafe on Monday afternoons from 2pm until 4pm and people are welcome to drop in any time with their craft, or just for a chat.
To find out more call Clare on 01335 342321 or visit www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/craftchat