New crib blessed at Guild Chapel on Saturday
IF you are up for a bit of Christmas magic, then you could do no better than go along to Alternativity — A Feast for Christmas which is taking place at Stratford’s Guild Chapel on Saturday, 3rd December, at 6pm.
The fun service has been organised by Sarah Hosking and the Reverend Paul Edmondson, of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to bless the recently restored crib made by Sarah’s father, Dick Hosking. Sarah, who runs the Hosking Houses Trust, a charity that supports women writers, explains that both her father and mother, the sculptor Alma Ramsey Hosking, were artists and both made amazing cribs: “Dad was head of Coventry Art College from 1948 to 1965. His work can be seen in Leamington Art Gallery and Museum. He could make anything, and he made this crib out of wood and sawdust around 1955.
“For years and years it was in St Mary’s in Warwick, but was eventually returned to us and the structure fell to bits.
“Dad died in 1991 and I thought it was too good to throw away and kept it in the cellar until now, and I thought it was just the ticket for the Guild Chapel.”
The Town Trust has paid for reconstruction of the stable, with its star, and after Sarah has given it a lick of paint it will be ready for next Saturday’s service, when Paul will bless the crib. Asked what her dad would make of the crib’s resurrection, Sarah said: “He would be chuffed as chuffed. “I have fond memories of seeing the crib during services growing up in Warwick.”
She continued: “It really is an amazing thing: the baby Jesus’ face is just heart-melting!” Amazingly Sarah’s mother’s crib takes pride of place at Coventry Cathedral. She was originally commissioned to make it by renowned architect associated with the cathedral, Sir Basil Spence. Sarah led a project to restore it in 2007.
Alternativity will be compered by the soprano Catherine Bott, and will feature some unusual and fun readings, an opportunity to sing some classic carols, and listen to the choir, guided by Rohan Horace Stewart-MacDonald. There will be cake and wine too, and proceeds raised will go towards the Hosking Houses Trust. All are welcome.
