SHOPPERS took some time out of their busy shopping schedule to watch the blessing of the crib in Freshney Place – and hear some festive tunes from local primary school children.
Reverend Mary Vickers held a service to bless the crib in Freshney Place shopping centre with hymns from St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy, in the midst of late night shopping.
A crowd gathered as the children sang Mary Had A Baby Boy, Away In A Manger, Little Donkey, and the lesser known Christmas Calypso to wave off the spectators with.
Rev Vickers, urban and industrial chaplain for North East Lincolnshire, said: "People say that Christmas is all about shopping now and we are in Freshney Place, but the number of people who stopped when they heard the children singing shows that it is much more than that.
"I think even people who aren't Christians like to see others singing about Christmas and celebrating their faith and that is why the service today drew such a big crowd."
St Mary's teaching assistant Annie Cook, who teaches the school's Glee Club, said: "It's been a fantastic service – the children worked really hard and have done a good job.
"They've been excited about singing in Freshney Place for weeks and they love anything to do with Christmas."
Donna Martin, 32, of Robson Road, went to watch her daughter perform.
She said: "It was lovely watching her sing and although we are not churchgoers, anything that makes the kids happy makes me happy."
One of the singers, Abbie Latta, 8, said: "I have been really excited for ages and it was so much fun."
See more about Christmas events in Grimsby and northern Lincolnshire
