Christmas Retrospective

Christmas in Retrospect

By Harold Cunliffe

There is an air of Christmas in the shops and supermarkets as retailers start to fill their shelves with Christmas merchandise. In a search for when the newspapers first commenced their Christmas advertising campaign I find that it was after the Second World War. Before then, commercially, very little was spent on promoting festive merchandise.

Christmas began two weeks prior to the event. The first civic Christmas tree to be placed in the Market Place of the town of Middleton, a town north of Manchester was in 1954, again being post-war. This area was once the location of the central air raid shelter, which was converted into gardens with seating after the Second World War, no doubt 1954 was the time of their upgrade pleasure and recreation facility.

The first two Christmas trees were gifts to the borough. For the Parks Foreman Christmas tree was a task which he had to pay attention to, all the eyes of the borough were upon his work. It was during the mid-1970’s that the team of Rochdale workmen who were given the task of erecting the 35ft tree made an error by attaching a rope too close to the top of the tree, which when tensioned snapped the top section of the tree. In typical workman style it was decided to discard the top section of the tree in the hope that no one would notice. In fairness, no one did until the coloured lamps were fitted, then the festive monument sported a round instead of pointed top.

The local press was the first to highlight the missing section in publishing a comment that some Middleton gardener had a freebie, had sawn the top off and taken it home to use as his festive tree. If there is one thing that instils a response from the council, it is bad publicity. The council thrive on good publicity.

To correct the decapitated tree the powers that be in the Town Hall held a meeting, and the outcome was that a five foot Christmas tree would be purchased which was to be spliced on the top of the thirty foot tree, and it was my job to attach it! Two days later the small tree arrived, a dumpy tree in stature which was totally the wrong shape, a tall thin one would have been ideal, but I followed orders and attached the tree as instructed, which looked dreadful. It looked like a Christmas tree placed on top of a Christmas tree, which it was. Just when you think things could not get any worse, they did. It was very difficult to attach the small tree to the existing tree because the wood and sap was slippery, but I did my best by using metal clamps. The day following my handiwork a strong wind hit the town which made the top section lean at a right angle to the wind. All over the festive period the top section changed direction as the wind changed.

In the end I thought it was amusing having a seasonal weather vane in the centre of town. I certainly did not want to repeat climbing a huge ladder again to attend to the top of the tree. Initially another Local Gvt officer was sent to assist me in the attaching of the small tree, which was to be one as darkness set in so the public would not realise that the tree had grown a new top. My assistant, Trevor, was to ‘foot’ the ladder, to prevent it slipping. After I had been up the ladder a while I decided to have a rest.

The wind was making the ladder sway from side to side; my arms were hurting in trying to hold the small tree while affixing the clamps. Then glancing around from my lofty position I noticed a familiar face in the queue of the chip shop over the road, it was Trevor, he became hungry so went over to purchase two pies. Another seasonal

Hebers Co-operative branch

job was performed as a favour to the Knights of St Columba in the placing of a crib in the Arndale Shopping Centre. Over the years all went well with no problems at all, apart from one slight incident. Once the figures were in place the last one being our saviour, baby Jesus in his manger. On this occasion we were ready to affix the plate glass front, but in the few moments that we were behind the crib obtaining the glass a young girl spotted baby Jesus and picked it up thinking it was a dolly. At the fixing of the glass I shouted “Stop” there is no point, the star is missing.

As we pondered our fate, wondering ‘what do we do now’ a red faced ‘mum’ returned our key figure. One year upon unpacking the plaster figures we found that some of them had suffered damage. Then one of our gardeners informed me that he once worked at a place of art in Manchester, working on glass, mirrors and decorative objects and was confident that he could touch up the figures. Calling at his house four hours later he had made a fantastic job of the donkey and cow. He said that he did not have the right colours for skin tones so had raided his daughter’s make-up bag. The three Kings were acceptable and to be honest looked good in make-up, but the three Shepherds in sporting lipstick, mascara, nail varnish and the like did not represent shepherds of the period from Jerusalem. In the News, from Christmas Past

wrote in the parish magazine, “I write on the eve of another Christmas, and toward the approach of another year. Never since that first Christmas long ago, when the angels sang their song of “peace on earth” has it so far away as at this Christmas of 1941.

For with the treacherous entry of Japan into the conflict, the war now envelopes practically the whole world.” The Right Rev concludes his festive message by commenting, “For 1942 I have added the Apostle’s threefold exhortation, be hopeful, be steadfast, be prayerful. As we move through this dark mile of life’s journey, may these words be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.”

Christmas retro badge

From the Mayor

The Mayor, Councillor Tommy Coates, issued an appeal during October 1942 to the public to support the Christmas parcels for men in the Forces Fund by sending in donations. He stated, “Last year almost 3,000 Christmas parcels were packed and sent off by the W.V.S., and this year the number of men and women serving in the Force will be considerably increased.

I visited the office at 79a Long Street, Middleton and saw a parcel packed for the Middle East. I feel sure the man who gets it will welcome it. The W.V.S. have taken great pains, in these difficult shopping days, to find suitable gifts. I understand the parcels for the home based troops will contain such articles as books, cigarettes, postal orders, etc. All this costs money and I trust the citizens of the town will do all they can to help so worthy a project.” Christmas 1944

A letter arrived at a local newspaper office from a serviceman signing himself as “Diago” serving in the Royal Navy, he wrote, “You may recall the old saying that in Spring a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love. At Christmas time the thoughts of a man turn to home and the loved ones left behind. That is what I and all other lads, at home and abroad, will be doing this Christmas, as we have done for the last four years. May I express, on behalf of them all, and myself, the pleasure we get out of reading the local newspaper. You do not know how much it brings us near home. It makes our hearts happy to read of the children’s parties and the old folks “do’s.”

I would also like to send my personal thanks to those grand women who have sent us parcels each Christmas without fail. We are all grateful and thank you, W.V.S. I wish the Editor and staff a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We all hope it is the last was Christmas we shall have.” The Editor added a footnote: “And so say all of us. But none of us at home deserve thanking. We have had the easy task. Yes, easy, when compared with what our fighting men endure.” A White Elephant

Interesting reading matter items published at Christmas. During the 1880’s it was the wish of a wealthy circus owner to obtain a sacred white elephant. To accomplish this wish Mr Barnum employed an agent and in association with the United States Minister at Siam, visited the King and asked him if he would sell or lease one of his elephants. The king was not keen on the proposition and shrugged his shoulders, commenting, “Did you

know that the spirit of Buddha was supposed to dwell in a white elephant.”

Mr Gaylord the agent for Barnum stated that a Buddhist priest would accompany the elephant on its journey to America where upon arrival the animal would be treated in royal style. The King of Siam deferred his decision. Next Mr Barnum sent £20,000 to his agent in an attempt to secure an elephant. The cash sum was to show that money was no object. The King was in no rush, I am unable to unearth information if Mr Barnum was successful in obtaining a white elephant.

The news item which aroused much interest in 1883 was the death of the fat bride, Mrs Blanche Moses in New York. Several medical colleges in the city were keen to acquire the corpse for research. It was a widely known fact that the medical men were anxious to have the body on their dissecting tables. The family of Mrs Moses were having none of this and had her buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, but with the threat of an attack by body snatchers a special guard was placed in the upper room of the cemetery keeper’s house under the direction of the keeper, Mr Bockman.

The party of grave protectors were armed with shot guns and revolvers ready to meet any party who desired to steal the body. Around midnight a covered wagon was seen to pass along the cemetery lane and four men alighted, two white men and two black men took shovels from the waggon and made their way to the grave. Once they commenced their work the guard who were watching fired their weapons at the men, who ran off at speed to their waggon, and drove off. A few hours later another group of excavationists arrived and their task was cut short having received the same treatment as the first party. It was thought that one of the grave robbers was badly wounded as a loud cry was heard when the guns were fired. It was decided that a strict watch over the grave should be maintained until the body started to decompose.

Old Baths Interior of the 1860 Bath

Professor Poulton at His Best

It was a bitter cold winters day in Lancashire when during the school lunch break a school pal invited a few of his friends to visit his grandparents’ house which was located on the main road out of town towards Manchester. David Hall commented that there was always a roaring coal fire in the kitchen, and plenty of food available, so we all accepted his invitation. Arriving at the Victorian house we noticed that it had never been modernised or upgraded. In the kitchen was the old cooking range complete with oven next to the coal fire. It was just like going back to Dickensian times.

A door gave access to a large room with a wooden floor next door, which looked like it was being used for religious purposes. Many years later I discovered what the building was used for, it was the first public baths dating to the 1860’s. Under the wooden floor existed the original bath. The covering of the bath enabled the building to be used during the winter months for dancing Christmas parties, and other civic events.

What was a mystery back in 1860 was where the water was obtained ti fill the bath. The swimming bath did not have pumps or filtration. When the water became foul it was discarded and the bath refilled. But in the 1860’s the road in which it was located did not have a mains water supply. The answer came to light during the Covid-19 lockdown, a time when quite a bit of researching took place. In one of the reported swimming gala’s it was mentioned that a wealthy mill owner, Mr Salis Schwabe from Rhodes attended a swimming gala and noticed that the water in the bath was untreated and unfiltered, frogs and other pond life could enter the water which had to be scooped out.

From Socks To Suits

He generously financed the installation of filters to improve the water quality which was supplied from the reservoirs of Messrs Kemp & Stone, owners of the blue dye works at Kemp Street. Mystery solved, the details being in a report published at the time of the fitting of the filtration. When the new baths opened in 1860 we find that a Grand Swimming Gala took place which featured the “World Renowned Amphibious Man,” Professor Poulton, who was also credited to be the champion scientific swimmer of England.

Poulton stated that he could perform 15 feats in the water, and also eat a sponge cake, smoke a pipe and drink a bottle of milk under water. First feat was to a standing plunge of forty feet on the surface of the water. 2. Swimming backwards. 3. Swim the length of the bath, which was 60 feet, in three strokes. 4. Ten summersaults under water. 5. Swim the length of the bath with hands and feet tied together. 6. The Indian method of crossing rapid rivers. 7. Representation of the Steam Tug. 8. Overhand swimming on the back. 9. Spinning on the water. 10. Ornamental swimming. 11. Standing on his head under water. 12. Walking on his hands under water. 13. The Grand display of motionless floating on the surface of the water, illustrative of the dead man, crucifix, and other scientific postulations. 14. Representation of the dying gladiator. 15. Professor Poulton’s great feat of revolving on the water.

To witness this amazing man the entrance fee was 6d., or with a seat, 1s. (5p). Quality Festive Food

Mr Timothy Ward, a butcher in a small Lancashire mill town excelled himself by obtaining a quantity of first class beef and mutton. A report was published in the local newspaper detailing the meat which would be on offer throughout festive season. The report stated that Mr Ward had secured a Galloway Scottish bullock, bred by Lord Wenlock, of Eskwick Park, York; a short-horn heifer, bred by Captain Vyner of Fairfield, York; an ox of pure English breed, bred by W.J.Leigh.Esq., M.P., of Lyme Park; this beast is said to be the largest ever slaughtered in town, and was the winner of the bankers prize at the Salford Christmas show in 1883, and also took the first prize at the Royal Agricultural Society’ shows in 1882 and 1883.

The report also states that Mr Ward purchased twenty black faced sheep, bred by Anthony Harrison., Esq., Lowfield, Penrith, which were winners of the first prize at the Lazonby fat stock show earlier in the same year. Mr Ward and his staff would have been busy in the run up to Christmas.

Three years earlier, 1880, Timothy Ward was in the news when he purchased seven West Highland Scotch beasts, which were herded from the railway station near Oldham, a distance of about two miles away. Residents stood outside their homes taking in the sight of the animals as they passed by. Very few Lancashire folk had witnessed animals of this stature other than in books and toffee tins with their short

Co-op grocery advert

legs, shaggy coats and their distinctive horns. At this period it was normal practice for butchers to hang their carcasses outside their premises facing a highway which the main form of transport was via horse and lorry which the ‘exhaust’ would be deposited in the road.

One can only imagine the flies which would be attracted the manure which was in the road. In one report it is stated that a side of beef on display outside a butchers shop was infested with maggots, but we find that customers were not put off from purchasing this meat. One lady customer commented, “If the beef was good enough for the maggots, it is good enough for me.” As late as the 1950’s we find that grocery branches of the Co-operative stores did not have refrigeration. Each night the meat products were stored in the cellar, which was the coolest room, and then each morning the shop assistant would remove any overnight maggots prior to putting the produce out on display. One former assistant, who worked at a branch named Hebers or “Yebber’s” by the locals, commented “there were always maggots on the sides of bacon in warm weather.”

Carter’s in Court

The late John Chapman was once a coal delivery man for the Co-operative Society. He related what life was like working with horses, which was the main form of transport when he started work. John related that during cold weather when snow was on the ground he would attach boots to the horses to enable them to grip the road. He said that should they lose their footing they would panic. Another interesting comment was that the horse knew which house he delivered coal too.

The animal would “walk-on,” to the next customer’s house without being prompted. Looking at the court cases we find that many carters fell fowl of the law by falling asleep while in charge of a horse and cart, leaving the horse in ‘auto-pilot,’ which practice was promptly acted upon by the police. John Holt lived in the small village of Bowlee, where one route to the village was via Wood Street, a long narrow road with little or no traffic. John was unlucky in the run up to Christmas, 1883.

Sergeant Watson stated in court that on the night of the 15th, the defendant was asleep whilst in charge of a cart drawn by two horses passing along Wood St. He called to him twice, but got no answer, and he then stopped the horses and woke him up. The defendant said that he was tired and did not think there was any harm in going up Wood St, as there was no traffic. He was ordered to pay 2s 6d, which in decimal currency is twelve and a half pence. Christmas Gifts

In the 1960’s notices were placed in the shops of the village of Blackley inviting the poor and needy to apply for assistance from the trustees of Blackley charities. The following extract is taken from a fifty five year old copy of the parish magazine of St Peter’s Church, Blackley, “Peter’s Post.”

A plaque erected in the church gives details of benefactions made to charity in Blackley, the first being in 1625 by Adam Chetham who gave, “A piece of land, known as the ‘poor’s land’ containing four acres, which was the

Lancashire Measure and situate in

Blackley, in the Parish of Manchester, together with the messuages’ and buildings thereon.” A number of other benefactors added to this charity. Miss

Alice Alsop was another benefactor who generously left £600. The dividend generated by the investments was distributed by the Trustees at Christmas.

It is reported that the annual gifts were in the form of flannel, shawls, shirts, quilts, calico and coal to the poor and needy of the village of Blackley.

Christmas 1888, Eli Fielding received calico, Maria Write, a quilt, Hannah

Wren, one blanket. The report also states that in 1922 the gifts handed out numbered 251, including 58 blankets at 4s. 4d. each, 193 yards of calico and a number of shirts valued at 3s. 6d. each. One of our images shows Valentine Brow, Blackley,

Manchester. This road being the main route to Middleton and Rochdale was used by merchants to transport their goods to and from Smithfield Market,

Manchester. There are many court cases where young men in charge of their horse drawn carts would have a wager in a head to head race down the brow, but the police were keen to put a stop to this dangerous practice. In 1882 two butchers carts laden with meat were caught racing at high speed down the hill which resulted in both carter’s being brought before the court and each were given a fine of a shilling. This was a hefty fine for a young man to pay out of his wages. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 139