Tom’s talk on the history of Christmas and its traditions

West Cheshire Heritage Forum recently enjoyed an entertaining presentation on the history of Christmas and its traditions by local historian and city animator Tom Hudson.

The Cheshire West and Chester Council sponsored group brings together experts and local history groups.

Tom started with the appearance of Santa in Coca Cola advertising in the 1920s, their objective was to stimulate more sales in winter, and then toured back through history touching on the origins of the poem “Twas the night before Christmas” which was written by a Clement Clark Moore in 1823 and was originally called “A visit from St Nicholas” and the development of the legend of Santa and his reindeer – including Rudolph who only appeared in 1949.

For the more serious historians he explained why Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan government was accused of cancelling Christmas, why Viking legends have created the idea of a sleigh in the sky and how the original St Nicholas provided dowries in the form of gold coins for three girls one of who received hers down the chimney.

He also provided plenty of Chester Christmas tales including when Charles Dickens first visited Chester on 13 August 1858, where he gave a reading from his festive book 'A Christmas Carol' at the music hall (formerly St Nicholas' Chapel) on St Werburgh Street, now Superdrug.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health, Mental Health, Libraries and Culture), Councillor Lisa Denson said:

“A big thank you to Tom for his fantastic talk, with so many entertaining Christmas facts and stories.  

“Members of the Forum were able to add a few more Chester Christmas stories to his repertoire which included Handel’s stay when he was trying to get to Dublin to perform the Messiah.”

Tom is also appearing at Stanley Palace, Watergate Street, in a Dickensian Grotto until 22 December. 

Throughout the year Tom’s company Live History creates amazing history animations celebrating the history of Chester:

 https://livehistory.co.uk/ 

West Cheshire heritage Forum welcomes representatives of local history groups and societies for further information please contact: 

Cathryn.Eales@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Pictured - Tom Hudson giving his History of Christmas talk at the West Cheshire Heritage Forum.