A Covid safe trail to enable families to celebrate Christmas this year has been set up by one of our vicars in Hudderfield. 
Many of our plans for Christmas will be different this year. Concerts and services have had to be cancelled and even schools can’t invite parents to nativity plays.
In response, Fr Simon (pictured), Vicar of Golcar and Longwood decided to find a way for families to celebrate the season, coming up with the idea of giant community advent calendar trails around the villages of Golcar and Longwood.
Just like any other Advent calendar, the trails start on the 1st December when the first Advent Windows will be displayed.
There is a guide available to help people follow the windows on the trail, which continues throughout December telling the traditional Christmas story as the windows are revealed one by one. 
Families can walk around safely in their bubbles, and it could be part of their daily exercise.
It will finish on Christmas Eve where the trails will end at a nativity scene at Fr Simon’s churches in Longwood and Golcar, where people will be invited to take a photo of themselves with the crib.
The trails have brought the communities together with different shops, houses, schools and charities all taking part.
Fr Simon said, “At this time of year we need to do something festive, family focussed and safe.
"These giant Village Advent calendars seemed just the right idea. We’ve been overwhelmed by so many people offering to take part. I just hope children don’t expect to find a chocolate behind each window!”
More information can be found on the facebook pages of the churches:
https://www.facebook.com/StMarksLongwood/
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnschurchgolcar/