past and present
Memories
Memories of Christmas in Wickersley
When we were children goods were still on ration and in short supply. This did not stop us enjoying a good holiday at
Christmas. Inside we used to make decorations, making paper chains out of strips of coloured paper, cutting strips of crepe
paper and twisting them, was great fun. Our family had a set of christmas lights and our Dad used to put them around the
picture rail in the front room. Before Dad would start putting his lights up he would send a group of us down Listerdale
Woods for holly. We knew a special place in the woods where there was a holly tree. My family had an ornamental Christmas
tree and we used to dress it firstly with stretched out cotton wool to make it look like snow, then the tree would be
covered in small gifts. If we could get hold of sweets then that would be a real bonus. Mum used to save, Ration Coupons
to buy the special food, turkey, icing sugar,etc. Any person who touched the icing sugar would be in 'Big Trouble' !
However we used to enjoy giving and receiving presents from all our friends and relations it was a very exciting time for a
young person. Then there was the magic of 'Father Christmas', I think all children believed in him.
Just before Christmas Day most schools had the Nativity Play, this would tell us why we had Christmas and where the
tradition came from. My friends and I would be very excited and count the days off to when Father Christmas was coming.
A highlight of the Christmas holidays from school was for a group of young people to go around the village, with great gusto, singing Christmas Carols to all the friends and relations we knew. Many times we would be invited in, as a group, and given tea and butterfly cakes. This we would regard as a great honour!!!
Terry Colley, 2009
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