St Nicolas Portslade Nativity Play December 1949

Click on the image to open a large version in a new window

This photograph was taken in the Abinger Hall Portslade a few days before the end of term in December 1949 and features pupils from both Class 1 and Class 2.  Unfortunately, the definition is not particularly good, and this, together with the fact that most of the cast have their heads covered, makes it difficult to identify many of those in the picture.

The two kings on the left I cannot identify.  Joseph is certainly John Comber, but I cannot identify Mary. Of the seven angels I believe that the one at the back on the left is Anita Wilkins. The one in the middle in front of the two shepherds is certainly Barbara Ellis, and the one on the extreme right is Wendy May.

Others that I cannot put a name to are the two shepherds holding crooks, the person between them who may be an eighth angel, and the shepherd boy seated near the two kings on the left. I played the king who brought the frankincense and am on the right standing next to Doreen Baker and Valerie Ayling who were the innkeeper and his wife.

Then we come to the carol singers.  In the back row from left to right I believe we have Peter Killingback, John Daughtry, unknown, Marion Godsmark, Gordon Crowhurst, Fred Mepham, Frank Piner, unknown, unknown, Derek Green, Gary Forgham, unknown. In the front row I can identify only  Geoffrey Purnell on the left but none of the four girls.

The play was performed on two evenings, the first being at the church. So, as with other submissions to this site, it will be down to some other septuagenarians, who visit from time to time, to put names to the unknowns.  I hope that we get some results.