Festive glow of St Nicholas Night spreads seasonal cheer in Alcester
THE glow from the switch on of the Christmas lights at St Nicholas Church lit everyone’s faces as St Nicholas Night made a welcome festive return to Alcester last Wednesday.
The occasion sees the selection of the Boy Bishop – this year it was 10-year-old Alex Harbidge - and a procession from High Street to the church where the Boy Bishop turned on the lights after town crier, David Parkes, from Alcester Court Leet started proceedings with the traditional oyez call to those gathered in the town centre.
Organisers for this year’s St Nicholas Night were Rev Katie Cross and Hilary Wren and entertainment included dancing by White Hart Morris, a firework display and stalls representing local groups like the scouts, girl guides and charities.
Beer of the night was Hobsons, The Boy Bishop and the tradition of choosing a Boy Bishop dates back to Middle Ages when a choir boy was elected on 6th December to temporarily replace the actual bishop and his authority lasted through to Holy Innocents Day on 28th December.
It was the former rector, the late Rev Canon David Capron of Alcester persuaded Hobsons Brewery via the Three Tuns to provide a special blended beer for the St Nicholas Night celebrations.
