Magical experience I will never forget

Where do I start? Here we go a call from a fabulous lady six at night, remove myself from the front room into my study so I can listen also not worry about being to loud when hubby is listening to the news. So we have general nice chit chat when my friend Trish, asks me if I’d like to do a few days in a German style Christmas Market, in Coventry in March. Yes of course anything to help promote my little business, I’m up for most things. Trish then proceeds to tell me there will be a film crew there to, wow I thought I started to cheer with Joy, when I asked is it for The Nativity Film, yes she replies but don’t tell a soul it’s top secret. My husband comes running in hearing me thinking something bad was happening, no I said I’m ok well more than ok Trish am I allowed to tell the hubby, ok she says but just him. So we knew for a good few weeks as I got all my Christmas things out for my stall to use in the film.

Obviously I’m game for most things especially where certain things lye my family, business, and Socially Shared, my granddaughter Loves The Nativity films, she watches them back to back all day long, even when Grandad gets in from work it’s still on, even in January, so I really wanted to do this for her. If I’m in for one second it will all be worth it.

My first day was when we had a visit from The beast from the East, and wasn’t it just, got there at 7.00 am lucky loaded car evening before. I found a parking space in the snow, emptying car with all my Christmas delights a 6ft Christmas tree decs tinsel plus all my normal face paints, posters, roller banners, all good. Someone asked if I’d like to go into a stall to keep warm, so I got all items into stall which when closed was pitch black, I put one of my chairs up a sat down still freezing I got my hot water bottle out, as I’m used to doing Events in cold, then got my onesie out and my Christmas blanket and put them over my lap to keep me warm. After about an hour people came and helped set up they disappeared for filming, so Jake came to help then he disappeared too. Right think happy thoughts setting up as it’s so cold, the snow is not giving up the wind is bitter, but my little haven is helping. Jake suddenly appears again saying the lady wants you up the top, er no I’m meant to be on my German Market Stall, so he goes backup the top of Bailey Lane again, five minutes later he’s back to me they want you up at the top for filming as some people haven’t turned up. What I’m thinking in my head wow what!!!! So first thing the two costume girls change my look a little, with a grey scarf, I really hate grey but never said a word. I have to hold packs of baubles and put by a Christmas tree while walking by extras, oh my word I never expected this, but I was having so much fun too. Just watching what was happening to other extras, the film crew the sound lights clapper board lady producers director security guards all lovely. We had to pop into a pub to keep warm, the wind seemed to cut like a knife. I was asked to do some walks past a hot dog stand, then they changed my hat to a super snowman, very funny as I don’t usually wear hats I dont think I suit them. After quite a few takes past the camera, having lots of fun, well I was enjoying myself, but at this point my lips started to go numb, I found it hard to talk as it was so cold.

At two I found myself on a minibus with all these extras and actors going for lunch sitting in a mobile eating a meal with people I’ve never met before, I was so lucky these were nice people as I find it hard on stairs they helped me up and down quite high steps with my dinner in tow. On the way back I pinched myself as it was all so surreal for me I couldn’t quite believe I’d being filming in the Nativity Rocks film and how much my Granddaughter loves it. Thought I may of dreamed it all, and said to myself are you really Christine Cooper?

Afternoon back to filming on the steps of Coventry Cathedral just so amazing in the snow it was also like being at the OK chorale with snow whipping up in the wind, like tuffs of tumbleweed, I was worried for the extras as they may of slipped at any time. I also couldn’t believe how rude passers by are walking into screen shot when filming they really believed we thought they didn’t know what they are doing. How very stupid. While talking to an extra Wendy knew her face to so happened we had met briefly mid 2017, so we both laughed about that, small world. We had a hot chocolate while in the Russian artic snow storm, we were all so so cold but still having fun although no snow ball fights. Nightfall was upon us in no time after quite a few takes, me watching all eagerly taking it all in this wonderful experience.

Home time the quietness of the snow on the cobbled street, bobbling along slowly not to slide until I reached the main road, it then took me one and a half hours to get home normally twenty minutes, bumper to bumper, when I reached home feeling tired but elated, I had to thaw out cold to the bones.

That night I thanked God as I truly believe he guides us through, I said my prayers for lots of people that I know that’s poorly or need help, was already looking forward to my next days there. Seven in all dressing as Mrs Santa, I didn’t need the pillows either! Working with Jess, Sandra Godley, some Celebrities we’re also amazing stopping for selfies Anna Callerhan was so lovely to everyone, we all had so much fun, I think Lady Luck was there for me, it’s been one of the best experiences of my life truly. A big thank you to Trish for putting me forward for this super time this will stay with me forever.

I felt terrible telling little white fibs to friends Karen, Becky, Shelley, Kate, Emma, Phaedra All superwomen, now you know I can keep a secret, now I’m allowed to talk about this fantastic new film Nativity Rocks out November 23rd 2018, by the wonderful Director Debbie Isett.