Seven people and two carols maintained Ballycarry’s nativity tradition

Covid-19 may have almost cancelled Christmas in 2020, but a small group of Ballycarry people were determined that it would not stop the annual outdoor nativity in the village.

The event has been running for almost 40 years, and usually draws a large crowd to the amphitheatre at the Fairhill in the centre of Ballycarry on the Sunday before Christmas.

In 2020, however, the nativity could not be held owing to coronavirus and instead a band of seven people gathered to sing two carols and reflect on the message of Christmas.

The features of the annual event include sheep and a donkey as well as the donning of traditional nativity costumes, while community carol singing and music by Magheramorne Silver Band have been regular elements of the nativity. The event also raises money for charity, and since the death of local girl Erin Bonar (5) in 2015, the Children’s Hospice has been the beneficiary.

The woman who started the outdoor event was Valerie Beattie and she and a few friends decided that the tradition should not be allowed to die because of Covid.

“A few good friends spoke to me about it and we decided that it would be such a shame if it was not going to take place after all these years,” she said. “We decided to go ahead with a small socially distanced event within the current government guidelines, and Rev. Dr. John Nelson was kind enough to agree to come and conduct some carols and a prayer. At least we can say that something happened on the night of the nativity in 2020 and we look forward to our traditional event returning in 2021.”

Although there was no donkey present, the manager and baby Jesus were brought to the Fairhill to underline the occasion, and Valerie received a surprise gift of a knitted donkey as a token of the evening.

Some people came to their doors while carols were being sung on the Fairhill and a bucket left for donations to the Children’s Hospice had been generously supported, with the sum of £155 being raised from people passing by.

The event first took place on the amenity green in Ballycarry in the early 1980s, when Mrs. Beattie and a small group of people gathered on the village green to listen to a taped recording of the Christmas story and donate to charity.

In 1991 the village community association assumed responsibility for organising the event, which continued to be held at the amenity green until the creation of the amphitheatre at Fairhill a few years ago. Over the years the event has raised thousands of pounds for a number of charities, including Developing World projects and the Northern Ireland Hospice.

Click here to read: New Year honours for east Antrim’s business and community leaders.

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