The evening started with traditional Christmas refreshments laid on by our Hon President Joan Wood aided by Gwen and Shirley with cakes by Viv and Audrey.
Please put a penny
in the old man's hat
This put us in the mood for Imogen Corrigan’s talk ‘The Goose is getting fat’ that covered the history of many traditions of the festive season.
Some traditions come from pagan times and, by order of Constantine the Great, were merged to ease the conversion of pagan religions to Christianity. Traditions such as bringing in greenery and the Yule log to burn over the season can still be seen today as we decorate our homes with holly and mistletoe. Carol singers have their origins in the Wassail, whilst the antics of the Lord of Misrule shadow the modern Pantomime.
The Victorian era brought the Christmas tree, exchanging greeting cards, crackers, advent calendars and Santa Claus in a red suit. A marketing initiative by Coca cola he has replaced the original green robed St Nicholas in the minds of our children.
Imogen ended by saying there are many more traditions relating to the Christmas season too many to relate this evening.
Tricia Baxter