Local expert gives talk on the history of Christmas

By Dherran Titherington 12th Dec 2024

om Hudson giving his history of Christmas talk at the West Cheshire Heritage Forum (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester)
om Hudson giving his history of Christmas talk at the West Cheshire Heritage Forum (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester)

Local historian and city animator, Tom Hudson, recently gave a presentation on the history of Christmas and its traditions, hosted by West Cheshire heritage forum

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, to stimulate more sales in winter.

He then touched on the origins of the poem, 'Twas the night before Christmas', which was written by Clement Clark Moore in 1823 and was originally called, 'A visit from St Nicholas'.

The local historian then discussed the development of Santa and his reindeer, including Rudolph who only appeared in 1949.

Later, 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.

This included Charles Dickens' first visit to 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, Cllr 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.

West Cheshire heritage Forum welcomes representatives of local history groups and societies for further information please contact: [email protected].

     

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