Oh litter town of Bethlehem!

28/10/2008

A nativity with a difference is to grace England’s most northerly cathedral this Christmas.

The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, is to display a lifesize nativity scene, made entirely of waste items from a local water company.

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

Northumbrian Water is to supply all materials for the project, including 1650 plastic sample bottles, 1200 plastic bottle tops and three bales of cardboard.

The 31 young apprentices, who are in years 10 and 11 and are studying BTEC Art & Design at Seaton Burn College in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Norham Community Technology College in North Shields and George Stephenson High School in Killingworth, will create the nativity with designer Richard Liddle, who works with recycled materials.

The nativity scene, which is being assembled between Tuesday, October 28, 2008 and Friday, October 31, 2008, will be placed, piece by piece, at the main entrance of the cathedral during the first week of advent, beginning Monday December 1, 2008. The final element of the nativity, the baby Jesus, will be laid into his recycled crib during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

The finished nativity will be dedicated at an official ceremony at The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas in December and will remain at the front of the cathedral until Sunday February 1, 2009, when it will be taken away for recycling by Northumbrian Water.

Larry Gent, development officer for North Tyneside Education Business Partnership, 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 the current economic climate.”

The Canon for Education and Learning at the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, the Revd Canon Robert 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.

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

“I’m 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.”

Peter Gosling, head of scientific services at Northumbrian Water, said: “To ensure customers receive excellent quality tap water and we meet regulations, Northumbrian Water is required to take thousands of tap water samples every year from homes and businesses in our supply area. The fact that we’ve found a use for more than a thousand used bottles is wonderful news.”

Dave Whiteley, facilities manager for Northumbrian Water, said: “We have recently introduced a new waste management system which encourages our employees to become more aware of waste minimisation and recycling within the business.

“The project is a win-win situation as there have been no material costs for North Tyneside Education Business Partnership and the cathedral will have a beautiful work of art on display, which will then be dismantled and recycled again at the end of the Christmas period.”

North Tyneside Education Business Partnership, which is part of North Tyneside Council’s education team, acts as the link between businesses and schools in North Tyneside, bringing a work-related context to the school curriculum.

For further information please contact Leanne Clough on 0191 301 6733.