WITH just over a week to go until Christmas, Southall has been getting in the festive spirit.
A home-made nativity crib has been unveiled at a nursing home in Swift Road while schoolchildren have been decorating a Christmas tree outside Southall Manor House.
Richard Menezes, domestic supervisor at Martin House, said he has makes the crib annually for residents and is now in his third year.
He said: “It takes me about seven days to make the crib, and I usually spend about 1 to 2 hours a day while I’m making it.
“All the residents and their families love it. Some of them take the time each day to spend a few minutes sitting next to it and saying a quick prayer.”
Schoolchildren from Southall were joined by Ealing Council leader Julian Bell as they furnished a tree with decorations at Manor House in The Green.
Mr Bell helped children from St Anselm’s school decorate the 15 foot Norwegian spruce tree, which was adorned with handmade decorations made by the pupils. It will be up until the new year.
He said the council will continue work to refurbish the site during 2012. The project has had £560,000 allocated to it, which will be used to protect some of the house’s original features and prevent any further deterioration.
Mr Bell said: “The children have put so much effort into making wonderful decorations and it’s a pleasure to have been invited to join them to turn on the lights.
“I’m looking forward to the new year, when you’ll really be able to see a difference as the restoration work progresses.”
