Help break a world record in Poulton - by joining a nativity scene

An attempt to smash a festive Guinness World Record is to be made in Poulton tomorrow– and a rallying cry has gone out asking people to help.
Rev Paul Critchley with church lay worker Ruth Dowson and local school children are encouraging the community to come together for the Guinness World Records title attempRev Paul Critchley with church lay worker Ruth Dowson and local school children are encouraging the community to come together for the Guinness World Records title attemp
Rev Paul Critchley with church lay worker Ruth Dowson and local school children are encouraging the community to come together for the Guinness World Records title attemp

Poulton Methodist Church is trying to break the record for the ‘most living figures in a nativity scene’.

Organisers need more than 1,254 people gathered together in order to get the attempt in the record books.

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The big bash is due to take place at St Chad’s School Playing Field, Hardhorn Road, on Sunday,, from 2pm to 2.30pm

Despite the need for numbers, strict rules mean the volunteers must be dressed in the right sort of costumes – or the result may not stand.

So participants are being asked to wear full, traditional nativity costumes, and not just the odd garment worn with normal clothes, for characters such as an angel, a shepherd, a Magi (wise man) or animal – oxen, sheep or donkey.

The challenge is the idea of the church’s minister, Rev Paul Critchley.

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Ruth Dowson, lay worker at the church on Queensway, said: “It’s exciting because we’re looking to beat the world record and bring the community together at the same time.

“We are asking that everyone wears the right sort of attire.

“The rules also state we have got to hold this scene for a minimum of five minutes, so we hope to have a good carol when everyone is gathered to ensure we break the record.”

Two characters who aren’t needed are Mary and Joseph.

Ruth said: “We are hoping that some children from the local primary schools will make up the nativity scene - Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Magi, that we will gather round."

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The ‘most living figures in a nativity scene’ world record is 1,254, achieved by Calne Town Council and Bible Society in Calne, Wiltshire, on December 3 2016.

To verify if the Poulton attempt can beat it, a member of the Guinness World Records will be in attendance on the day.

Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor in chief said: “It’s fantastic to see the community of Poulton-le-Fylde combining their competitive spirit with a bit of myrrh-vellous fun.

"The current Guinness World Records title for the most living figures in a nativity scene is 1,254 people, so best of luck to the community in smashing the record."

Participants in the challenge itself should simply turn up tomorrow from 1pm onwards.

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