Special open evening celebrating Advent

The season of Advent was celebrated with a very special open evening at Norwich Cathedral. People of all ages gathered outside the front of the Cathedral for the blessing of the outdoor crib which took place on Thursday 5 December.

Once In Royal David’s City, Away In A Manger and O Little Town Of Bethlehem were among the carols sung by the Cathedral’s Chamber Choir during the short service led by the Very Revd Jane Hedges, Dean of Norwich, and the Revd Canon Andy Bryant, Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care.

Some very special farmyard guests also joined in the occasion, including Jelly the cow, Spice the donkey, goats Freya and Claire, and Norfolk Horn sheep Dolly, Molly and Polly!

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Jane Hedges, said: “It’s always a joy to see so many people gathered at our outdoor crib on this occasion and many people say that it is the highlight of their year and a very special start to the season of Christmas.

"It’s an added bonus to have the farm animals with us and the children in particular love to interact with them.

"We hope that many people will visit the Cathedral over these next weeks and leave their messages about loved ones on the stars on the Memory Tree by the crib scene”.

After the blessing, people were also able to explore the Cathedral by night and see the newly-decorated Christmas trees as well as walk through a candlelit labyrinth in the Cloister Garth.

Those missing a loved one could place a star in their memory on the Cathedral's Tree of Remembrance which will stand outside the Hostry until January 5.

There were also Christmas crafts and free tours, and members of the wider Cathedral Quarter community also joined in the evening with a stall showcasing the wide range of shops and organisations in the area.