The article below was in this weeks Bath Chronicle


A Somerset town has gained international acclaim after breaking the world record for the biggest Nativity scene.
More than 2,000 people braved the cold and rain when they packed Midsomer Norton’s High Street for the Christmas Nativity Lantern Fayre on Friday.
A total of 743 people, dressed as shepherds, angels and wise men, played their part in helping to beat the previous record of 567 set by Italian town Sassi di Matera.
Stewards at gates into the Nativity scene handed out stickers to everyone who had dressed up in costume to count the number of participants, including little Josiah from Peasedown St John who played the part of baby Jesus lying peacefully in a manger as the unique take on the traditional Christmas story played out all around him.
Matt Coomes, of Welton Baptist Church, thanked the local community for supporting the challenge.
He said: “We are delighted by the response to our Nativity record breaking challenge with a staggering 743 people qualifying to be included in our total number of participants.
“Although we await official confirmation from the Guinness Book of Records, we’re confident that we’ve broken the world record and in the process have enabled the 2,000 people who attended overall to join in with the true message of Christmas. On behalf of the church I would like to say a big thank you to the community for all of your support.”
Welton Baptist Church is now hoping the local community will support another world record attempt before Christmas.
The church, which has bucked national trends to see an ever-growing congregation – which currently totals around 250 – will join churches up and down the country when they attempt to smash the current world record for the largest number of people singing carols together across multiple locations on December 18.
The previous record was set last December in Sassi di Matera in southern Italy.
An organisation promoting Italian heritage called UNPLI, had even included real sheep in the scene, which were being tended by farmers dressed as traditional shepherds.