St Mary's three Nativity Figures and a wooden crib, which is part of the set, have recently been carefully cleaned and restored by the Conservation of Ceramics and Related Materials teams at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.  Thought to be dating from the 19th Century, the figures are painted plaster objects and the figure of Joseph was quite badly damaged.

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Unfortunately there are no records about where the figures came from or who donated them, but they are of significant symbolic value to the congregation of St Mary's.  The figures are on display every year for St Mary the Virgin's Christmas service. 

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29 January 2020

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