Christmas story on horseback
CHARITY FOR DISABLED IS PROMISING A NATIVITY PLAY WITH A DIFFERENCE NEXT WEEK
LOVERS of all things festive are invited to watch an “off the hoof” Nativity play – with more than a dozen ponies taking to the stage, thanks to a South Derbyshire charity.
The show will see the usual story of Christ’s birth told on horseback, with Mary’s donkey replaced by a pony and the shepherds ditching their dogs for a pony to herd up their sheep.
Riders from Scropton Riding for the Disabled will be staging a special performance relating the Christmas story, complete with an angel, Mary and Joseph and the three kings.
A spokesman for the centre said: “Ponies are part of everything that happens at Scropton Riding for the Disabled, so it’s only to be expected that they will be an important part of our Christmas celebrations, too.”
The centre has been running for 50 years and is the only facility of its kind in the East Midlands.
It focuses on providing opportunities for disabled people and help them improve their health and wellbeing through horse riding and carriage driving. Every year the centre helps around 400 local children and adults with physical, learning, sensory, profound and multiple disabilities. Nativity organiser Glynis Dalley said: “It’s lovely having our ponies help us with our Christmas celebrations.
“Rehearsals and preparations have been a lot of fun, and all the riders are really enjoying being a part of such a special nativity story.”
The Nativity will be the main event at the centre’s Christmas celebration evening, but there will also be plenty of other activities to keep visitors of all ages amused.
Santa Claus will be making an appearance on his sleigh, carol singers will be providing music and festive refreshments will be on offer.
The show will start at 6.30pm on Tuesday at the indoor riding school in Watery Lane, Scropton.
Although the event will take place indoors, organisers are advising guests to wrap up warm in case the temperature drops. The show is free and anybody is welcome to attend.
There will be a collection at the door and guests will be invited to make a donation to Scropton Riding for the Disabled, which depends on donations.