YOUNGSTERS from Bourton Primary have been treated to a special Christmas Experience in a week of festive activities.

A total of 231 children have been enjoying a visit to the barn at Upper Farm, in Clapton- on-the-Hill, near Bourton, where church members have been reading them bible stories and hosting craft activities.

Farm owners Helen and Jim Adams and Bourton residents Alan and Carol Pountney have enlisted the help of members of the congregation of St Lawrence’s Church, Bourton, and St James’ Church, Clapton-on-the-Hill, to make a Christmas to remember.

Each day the children have been going by coach to the farm and making Christmas cards, crowns and angel decorations and listening to Santa tell stories about the shepherds. It has been a real community effort, with presents donated by a Bourton painter, party bags donated by the Windrush Cafe and even a huge Christmas tree was delivered by a neighbour.

Mrs Pountney, who gives weekly Bible readings at the school with her husband, said: “They love it. It’s a lovely way of sharing with the members of the public and the children at this time of year.”

St Lawrence’s Church and the school have been working together for the past 14 years providing the children with Experience Christmas and Experience Easter events.

Headteacher John Jones said: “It’s been wonderful for the children.

“It just makes Christmas that little bit more special.

It’s having recognition of the special day that Christmas is in terms of the birth of Christ the Saviour.”