There were more nativity cribs than ever at St Ippolyts Church’s annual festival over the weekend.

The Comet: A crib on display in the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonA crib on display in the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)

There were 190 crib scenes this time – up from about 150 last year – with an almost global reach, with sets from South Africa, Burma, Peru and many other countries.

The festival in the village church near Hitchin was well attended on both Saturday and Sunday, with a new attraction this year being a full-size Christmas scene outside where visitors could dress as nativity characters.

Barbara Thomas, one of the organising team, told the Comet: “One of the high points is the wonderful stories of cribs that are part of families’ Christmas traditions – especially those that have been owned for years and ‘adapted’ to cope with misfortune.

The Comet: Visitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonVisitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)

“The fabulous outdoor living nativity gave fun to loads of children – and, last but not least, we had the cakes and the cheese scones!”

Submissions for next year’s festival were already coming in over the weekend. Email barbara.thomas@live.co.uk if you’d like to put in a crib next time.

The Comet: Comet reporter JP Asher with his son Thomas, three, at the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonComet reporter JP Asher with his son Thomas, three, at the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)

The Comet: Visitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonVisitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)

The Comet: Visitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonVisitors to the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)

The Comet: A crib on display in the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy HaughtonA crib on display in the St Ippolyts Church nativity crib festival. Picture: Amy Haughton (Image: Amy Haughton)