by Tudor Jones
Sorting out my Christmas stuff this year I came across decorations dating back to the 1950’s at least. These reminded me of my boyhood Christmases in Iron Lane, Georgetown.
Some survivors of the last half century and more include celluloid fairy light shades. I vividly remember my father struggling to get the lights to work, because if only one failed, there were no lights at all. They had to be replaced and tested one by one until the light worked. How fortunate we are today!
I will divide my memories into two sections –
FOOD
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the food was the bird – always a goose, never a turkey. This was roasted on a spit in front of the coal fire as can be seen in the photograph below.
This tradition continued throughout my boyhood and beyond. It tasted delicious.
The Christmas pudding was always home-made. It was mixed by my grandmother and boiled in white earthenware pots covered with cotton on the top. One incident sticks in my mind – my grandmother, mother and I were mixing the pudding and beer was needed. For one reason or another I was sent with a jug to a pub a few minutes away on Georgetown Square (I don’t remember which one now). I remember entering the pub and being served the beer. This as a 10 year old! Not to be done today!
On the day itself, the pudding was covered with brandy or rum, then it was set alight. Christmas pudding remains one of my favourite foods. Afterwards, for the only time in the year, my grandmother, mother, father and myself drank alcohol. I remember its sweet taste – cider.
PRESENTS
As an only child in the 1950’s, I was blessed with many gifts at Christmas time, all wrapped – a tradition I continue to this day. Some of the presents I still have, especially the books: ‘Golden Encyclopaedia 1956’, ‘Golden Book of Bible Stories 1957’, ‘Pageant of History 1959’ & ‘Story of Ancient Egypt’.
I also have remnants of a toy zoo, and other odds and ends, but others have long gone. How much would they be worth today? Two remain in my mind. Firstly a Doctor’s set with stethoscope, thermometer, plasters etc, and secondly an electric Triang train set with lots of accessories. I wish I had kept that.
Another present I remember for other reasons. It was a big black box (not wrapped). I opened it, glanced at its contents, said thank you and shut it – never to use it again. The contents – Meccano, pieces of metal which you could use to build, a sort of metal Lego. I then turned to the rest of Father Christmas’ gifts. My father’s hopes of me becoming a draughtsman were dashed. By the way, I still have that box….but not the Meccano contents.
These memories flood back of an exceedingly happy Christmas time in Iron Lane. I remember it with great joy
