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Camels join Ellon pupils for nativity parade

Final preparations are underway as Ellon pupils prepare to welcome three camels to the town for one of Aberdeenshire’s most talked-about nativity events on Monday. (Dec 19)

Around 1,000 pupils from Ellon’s three primary schools and academy will proudly parade behind the camels through the streets of Ellon for an open-air nativity ceremony by the river.

The event involves pupils from Auchterellon School, Ellon Primary, Meiklemill School and Ellon Academy and is also being supported by members of Ellon Rotary Club and Ellon Community Council.

The event has been part-funded by the Formartine Area Committee’s top-up budget.

Committee chairman John Loveday said: “The event has attracted a great deal of interest and we are all very excited to see the parade winding its way through the town’s streets. It will certainly be a unique experience.”

Committee vice-chair Cllr Alisan Norrie said: “I am sure the event will be remembered for years to come by the pupils taking part and the wider Ellon community.”

At 9.45am, the parade will leave from the Victoria Hall and make its way along Station Road and Bridge Street before arriving at the Market Street car park.

Members of the public are invited to view the event from the two bridges which span the river.

The camels, sourced from a specialist UK company, will not be ridden, but will be accompanied by handlers on a route through the town in line with the company’s own risk assessment procedures.

The ceremony itself will begin at around 10.30am. Following a welcome speech, the ceremony will open with a communal performance of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’.

The nativity story will then be led by Rev Jim Clarke before a rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’.

The Rev Peter Manders will then conduct a blessing before a communal performance of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and the conclusion of the ceremony.

Leading the project has been Auchterellon head teacher Morag McGowan, who said: “We are simply thrilled to be able to bring this unique event to Ellon. The pupils of all the schools are very excited about the event and have been working very closely to make it a success.

“We have designed this as a real community event and we hope it will bring a real boost and a little bit of Christmas magic to the town.”

Motorists are advised that Station Road will be closed from around 9am to 10am, with diversions in place via Hospital Rd and Golf Road.

On Bridge Street and Market Street police will hold back traffic for the procession to pass, then open the streets again.

Provisional closure of Market Street has also been agreed from 10-11.30am if the police deem it necessary for public safety.

Public transport will still be allowed through Market Street if it is decided to close it.

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