After a break of more than three years, parishioners at St Joseph’s RC Church in Peasedown St John were at last able to resume a long-standing parish tradition, by celebrating the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem with a procession and a live tableau.

Hilary’s beautiful woodland garden in Stony Littleton once again provided the backdrop for the wise men and shepherds to make their way to the life-size crib.

Sadly, Hector the donkey, who had been part of the festivities for so many years, recently died and so, instead, three alpacas were persuaded to play the part of camels and to lead the kings to their destination.

There was a strong turn-out of supporters to join the procession and to salute the royal visitors with carols, accompanied by Kit on the cornet.

The weather was bright and seasonally cold, but cloaks and traditional costumes provided excellent insulation, together with lots of warming mulled wine and the refreshments for which St Joseph’s is well known.

This event was a very welcome sign for St Joseph’s of things starting to return to normal. Although the Church has been able to remain open for almost all of the covid period, the congregation has had to wrestle with a variety of other difficulties, including the loss of their regular priest, together with the death of their much loved Parish Administrator, Michaela and a great sense of insecurity about the future.

Now, however, with the recent appointment of Father Alexander McAllister to St Alphege’s and St Joseph’s, it has become possible to return to the usual Sunday timetable of 9 am Mass in Peasedown.

“It’s as though we have all been holding our breath and can now at last breathe out,” said one of the parishioners. “We are ready to pick everything up and start again.”