Speaker: Tim Healey
Subject: A Victorian Christmas
Tim Healey is a freelance writer and broadcaster who has presented many programs on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.
The author of over 60 books he is also a frequent contributor to The Oxford Times on issues relating to popular culture and local heritage. Tim directs the 17th-century costume band The Oxford Waits, with whom he performs in period attire.
With a wealth of innovations such as Christmas trees, cards and crackers, it is fair to that the Victorian era in Britain shaped all our Christmas festivities. It is generally accepted that the royal family’s influence was significant, especially in the figure of Prince Albert.
In 1848, a published illustration showed Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children gathered around a decorated Christmas tree. This image captured the public’s imagination, and the tradition of the Christmas tree quickly spread throughout Britain. The idea of decorating a tree became a fashionable and widely adopted practice.
But with Tim we learned a great deal more about the existing strands of influence already present in these islands and the loosening of the influence of some of the more extreme Puritan values of the previous two centuries.
His entertaining talk described for example how Santa Claus’ appearance and style was shaped by the Dutch “Santeclaus”, and challenged the received wisdom that Prince Albert was the first to introduce the idea of the decorated Christmas tree.
Alongside the Christmas tree, other traditions began to take hold. Christmas cards became popular, starting with the first commercial Christmas card designed by Sir Henry Cole in 1843. The development of improved colour printing methods, and of course the arrival of the Penny Post were instumental in creating the fashion of Christmas card exchange. Meantime also, Christmas crackers, invented by Tom Smith in 1847, became a festive staple.
The plight of the poor and the influence of Dickens, as well as exploration of bygone customs such as Goose Clubs , London costermongers, “Wassailing” and the development of Christmas Carols from earlier popular songs – these were all part of the mix explored by Tim. In the mix also, he showed us some occasionally bizarre images of subject-matter for Christmas cards and gave some fun recitals of humourous verse.
Over 5o members and guests enjoyed a festive evening with a perfect mix of social history and Christmas goodwill, and we are grateful to Tim for perfect educational entertainment.
