Attack on nativity scene condemned

VANDALS damaged this Christmas Nativity scene

Damage to restored crib is ‘disgraceful’

CALLOUS vandals who damaged a beautifully-restored nativity crib in Oldham town centre have been slammed for ruining the spirit of Christmas.

Seventy children, aged from three to five, from Hey with Zion Primary School, Lees, spent five painstaking days preparing the colourful backdrop for the crib which has been installed outside the Up Steps pub on High Street.

But special flexi-glass on the front of the crib, which houses new model figures and animals, has been daubed in a random attack.

Sara Machin, the school’s foundation stage co-ordinator, said:”It is so sad and disappointing this should happen.

“The children took real pleasure preparing the backdrop. It was their way of gifting something back to the town.

“Many of them have made a special trip taking their parents, relatives and friends just to see the crib. They are really proud of their work.”

Mary Bradford, a mother-of-four said: “It’s disgraceful the crib should be damaged by thoughtlessness. The children obviously put so much hard work into doing the backdrop. It is a lovely gesture at this time of the year.”

For the last few years the crib has been criticised by the town’s business community because it has become scruffy and many of the figures were scuffed, chipped or damaged.

But this year the council splashed out more than £2,000 for a new set of replacement figurines, painting the display case and installing the flexi-glass.

Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy council leader, said: “Our Street Lighting team is responsible for the crib and they also asked a local school — Hey with Zion — to create a new backdrop for it.

“Sadly, someone has decided to daub and smear something on the front of the glass. We are now getting this removed and cleaned up.”