Socially-distanced Nativity Window Trail to bring hope to Salford community this Christmas

Leading up to Christmas, a socially-distanced Nativity Window Trail has been set up to bring hope to the Salford community during strict Covid-19 rules.

Hosted by Langworthy Community Church, Salford locals have been encouraged to decorate their window using the theme of ‘hope’ as inspiration.

From now until 11 December, anyone in the area can travel around the city to explore and discover the works of art using an interactive map. The windows will be lit up from 4pm-8pm.

Natalie Lane, organiser of the event and member of Langworthy Community Church, said: “The Nativity Window Trail was just a way of trying to think of an idea that would enable the community to reflect on The Nativity Story as part of their Christmas celebrations, but in a Covid-secure way.

“Obviously, we didn’t want to do something that would put people’s health at risk.”

Here is a sneak peek of the windows included in the trail:

Over the past 15 years, Langworthy Community Church has held Christmas carol services, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, they were unable to do this.

Lane continued: “[Our Christmas carol service] was all about doing something to help the local community to remember what Christmas is about.

“I think it’s a significant part of the local community’s Christmas celebration.

“It was really sad when we realised we wouldn’t be able to do that.”

Marcus Little and Adele McEwan, members of Langworthy Community Church who took part in the trail, said: “We’re so used to doing community stuff as part of the church.

“We usually do the Christmas carol services so we needed something that would be a big community event.

“We just thought, let’s get part of it and join in really.”

Marcus and Adele’s decorated window Image credit: Marcus Little and Adele McEwan

Lane added: “The thinking behind this has come out of recent events, we just need a bit of good news, don’t we?

“The Nativity Story in the bible is described as good news for all the people, so we just want to really grab hold of that this Christmas time and just encourage each other.”

If you would like to join in and find the beautifully decorated windows, follow the interactive map and plan out your journey. Windows that are part of the trail will have a printed logo stuck up, so make sure to look out for it.