PEOPLE in Belstone held a special procession through the village to celebrate Epiphany on January 6 — a Christian tradition also known as Three Kings’ Day.

The village normally hosts a torch-lit procession from Bernard’s Acre Youth Centre to the village church for a service to celebrate Epiphany.

This year organisers decided to develop the idea and style it like ‘La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos’, which is one of the main events of Christmas in Spanish Culture.

The event usually sees a parade of kings through the streets. Hence the organisers used three giant puppet heads, which were donated from Sticklepath Fireshow, and turned them into the three kings.

They also used a fourth puppet head to act as their assistant to carry the star.

They processed from the village hall following a session of tea, cakes and carols. The three kings and the star made their way through the village accompanied by a band and children with lanterns.

As they processed through the village they distributed gifts of chocolate gold coins. They then arrived at the church for a short festive service.

The Rev Stephen Cook said: ‘People think that Christmas is over by December 26 but actually it isn’t. The visit of the wise men is a really important part of the celebration because it reminds us that this is good news for the whole world.

‘The wise men were foreigners, worshippers of other gods, part of another culture. Jesus wasn’t just to be the Messiah for a small group of people in a particular place but for all people everywhere. That really is a message for our times.

‘We hope that people will go away with a big smile on their face and a fresh insight into the meaning of this amazing story.’