Leeds Parish Church unveils a new nativity tableaux

A newly commissioned life sized set of nativity figures has been unveiled and dedicated at Leeds Parish Church.  The traditional nativity scene has been specially created by York based artist Richard Ison. (picture: Canon Tony Bundock, Rector of Leeds Parish Church, seated in front of the new nativity figures).

The eight figures consist of Mary, Joseph, an old Shepherd, a young Shepherd, a Shepherd boy, an African Wise Man, an Oriental Wise Man, and an Arabian Wise Man.  Commenting, Canon Bundock says: "The aim is to reflect through the sculpting of the features of the crib figures at least something of the character of modern-day Leeds as a multicultural, multiethnic community"

The figures all have heads and hands individually sculpted and cast by Richard Ison. These have been attached to tailoring mannequins. The costumes have been made by three church members working as a team. They consulted with a local mediaevalist in the choice of fabrics and costume design with a view to reflecting late mediaeval custom and creating a scene in the style of the first ever Nativity tableau created by St. Francis at Greccio in 1223AD . In addition there are several animal models including a donkey, two calves a young goat and five sheep.