A look at Christmas through the ages

Her subject was The Victorian Christmas. She began with a seasonal quotation from Hamlet and finished with the much loved poem by Clement C Moore, '˜Twas the Night before Christmas'. Between the two, Marion portrayed to us traditions not just of Victorian but some from before Roman times, when the Sun God was worshiped at this time of the year to encourage him to return for the following spring and of course to the Green Man of fertility. It was the Romans who fIrst used Laurel leaves in wreaths wishing to bring good luck and peace into the home. It seems evergreen have many legends attached to them. Holly symbolises the crown of thorns and Blood of Christ and guards against thunder and lightning. It is said to cure gout, rheumatism and asthma. Bay is the bringer of peace. Ivy is for faithfulness and friendship and cures corns, and prevents baldness. Rosemary is for love and remembrance and guards against the plague and comforts the weak and feeble brain. If this grows well in your garden, it is believed the woman is in charge! Mistletoe of course is for fertility. Remember to remove a berry with each kiss and discard when there are no more. Victoria and Albert, both very dedicated to the family unit and hard work, encouraged the idea of the real family Christmas and it was he who introduced the continental idea of bringing a fir tree into the house to add to the decorations. Evergreens were still used with great abundance. Cornucopia filled with sugared almonds, homemade sweets, decorations and lighted candles adorned the tree, with a star to finish the look. Children made paper chains and were instructed in the preceding months to make gifts for family members and for the less well off in the area. These gifts and any left over food were distributed on Boxing Day. It was at this time that Tom Smith had the idea of filling paper with sweets tied at each end to sell off excess stock. However, these did not take off until he hit upon the idea of adding a motto and making them crack as they were pulled apart. It was also at this time that large stores, like Dickens and Jones, developed the idea of the Christmas gift catalogue. Stockings, hung by the fIre by hopeful children, were filled with an orange for good living, an apple for health, a penny for fortune, and toys. Food, of course, played an enormous part in the festivities, especially in upper and middle-class households. The meal often comprised several courses which might have included swan or peacock, usually goose and beef. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 22, in Jubilee Hall, Chalcraft Lane at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Paul Templeton on Plant Maintenance and Pruning. Entrance 1.50.