WEB PAGE NO. 2868

24th December 2021 First Picture: Roast Turkey

Second Picture Christmas Pudding

Third Picture: Chocolate coins

Forth Picture: Christmas Trifle

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS IN THE 1950s

I know people often say we look back through rose-coloured spectacles, but there was definitely something wonderful about Christmas in the 1950’s. Maybe it was because the preparations didn’t start months and months ahead or it wasn’t one big sales pitch but, whatever the reason, it just seemed a magical time. We didn’t have a lot of money then. My dad worked in the Dockyard and my mom a housewife like most women in the 1950’s, but they always made Christmas extra-special. I remember we never decorated the tree until Christmas week and the room trimmings were paper chains which came in kit form which we loved making. We never had an artificial tree , I have no idea where the real one came from but it was decorated with coloured baubles and tinsel and coloured lights. On Christmas Eve we always left a glass of sherry and a mince pie for Father Christmas plus a carrot for Rudolf and, of course, the next morning, the contents of the glass and the mince pie had disappeared and there was a big bite out of the carrot. I didn’t have a proper Christmas sack then and so a white pillow case or bolster case was left at the foot of the bed. I remember waking up on Christmas morning and seeing the misshapen case and knowing that Father Christmas had been. It would be filled with all sorts of goodies… Annuals An Enid Blyton Famous Five book A magic colouring book and brush A model car usually Dinky A net of chocolate coins Games like Snakes and Ladders and Tiddly Winks A Cadbury’s Selection box A tangerine And other small things It’s strange to think that parents today think nothing of spending hundreds of pounds on presents for their children. I often wonder if their children get as much pleasure from these expensive presents as we did from our simpler ones. Christmas lunch was always turkey with all the trimmings…roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts, carrots and homemade parsley and thyme stuffing followed by Christmas pudding and custard. The Queen’s first Christmas message was broadcast in 1957 and, for many years afterwards, like so many other families, we would gather round the television at 3:00pm to listen to her annual message. We were always so full after Christmas lunch that we never wanted much at teatime, maybe some sherry trifle and a slice of Christmas cake, both made by mum. This was also the only time of year that we had dates and walnuts in the house. I have no idea why dates and the walnuts always sent my mother on a desperate hunt for the nut crackers. Tangerines also made an appearance as did boxes of Turkish Delight, Peppermint Creams and chocolate selection boxes. I have so many happy memories of those magical 1950’s Christmases. Do you have any special memories of Christmas past? And don’t forget on the big day we all had to wear our smart brand-new Christmas clothes at the dinner table!!! Finally a group of 1950s kids were asked what they wanted for Christmas - their answers will amaze you. Unlike today's youngsters, children certainly didn't ask Father Christmas for smartphones or 3D printers back in 1959. Whether they'd been naughty or nice, children in the 1950s dreamed of finding very different things in their Christmas stockings to the kids of today. And they weren't looking for a Barbie, Buzz Lightyear, or Scalextric. Dressed in shirts, pinnies, winter coats, centre-partings and bobs, the cute primary schoolchildren only wanted for simple things - especially the girls. Two little boys tell Father Christmas they want 'a bike', with two wheels and a bell, a clockwork mouse and a penny whistle. But the girls had even humble requests. one seven year old girl, asked for an ironing board - no doubt so she can help her mum around the house. Whilst an eight-year-old just wanted to dress smartly and asked Santa for 'an underskirt'. The two other girls asked for 'a bible' and 'oh, anything'.

Carl Writes: Pete Sexton Funeral I attended the funeral service for Pete Sexton on Monday at The Elms which was extremely well attended. While it was said that there were those present who were former pupils of Manor Court and Springfield schools an attendance they must have been after my time as I didn’t recognise a single face, mind you we were all masked of course however I was probably among the few of our age there. I did have a nice chat with Peters wife Linda ( nee Anson ) who I hadn’t seen since school days. She was shocked and delighted I think that a former pupil of her time was actually there. It was a really nice service, glowing tributes from the lady who led the service and some lovely memories mentioned by their two daughters Michelle and Marie. I was speaking on the phone with Chris Farmer on the Sunday evening and he said that his sister Jenny had let him know of Pete’s passing. Pete was their Sunday school teacher when they were much younger and long before Manor Court days. We were reflecting on the fact that when Pete Sexton together with Chris Cudlip joined the teaching staff at the school that they only seemed to be a few years older than us 5th and 6th formers at the time. Clearly not the case as Pete was nine years older than me. I hadn’t realised how close he and Ray Dopson had become. They were both very kind towards me along with George Pledger when I was having, shall we say, problems with Reg Davies. All a long time ago now but what happy days, almost a shame in some respects that we had to grow up and become responsible for ourselves. It was a brilliant school which I took full advantage of. All the very best, Carl. Ps., please feel free to impart any of the above in your next missive to the faithful. It seems that he continued there in his retirement and unknown to me a life long supporter of Pompey and would you believe there is a picture of him in the player’s tunnel. Thank you for attending Carl, I was determined to attend despite my treatment but dislocating my should three days beforeput paid to that. Thanks again and ay lest Linda knew what our generation thought of Pete. Stay in touch Peter