Christmases Past : Fare thee well

Child standing at Geffrye Court
with Geffrye Museum in the background
divided by Kingsland Road

As a child, on many weekends and randomly, throughout school holidays, I would queue outside Geffrye Museum to take part in its children's activities.  As the clock struck 10am and 2pm, the entrance doors would be opened by the security guard who would beckon us inside to the silent magical world where time was suspended, my very own Dr Who Tardis in which to travel in time and space.

The Collection of eleven period rooms that span 400 years from around 1600 to the present day were on display.  Children were given question sheets that required answers as well as sketches of objects from the various collections ~ this tested knowledge together with drawing skills.  Sets of completed questionnaires enabled children to apply for Museum membership and eligibility for trips around England ~ brilliant motivational technique that concentrated young minds.

Weaving baskets and tea trays was a treat for me and I found it so easy.  I still have a scar on my left hand where I accidentally stabbed myself whilst lino cutting ~ some TCP and a plaster soon sorted it out.

Behind  '...the Geffrye' via a small staircase was a play park with swings, sandpits and curiuosly, a transit van to sit in ~ boys would pretend to drive it whilst we sat in the back chatting and waiting for the Geffrye's 2pm afternoon session.

In those days, parks had Attendents who would keep an eye on all children who were rarely, if ever, accompanied by adults.

What a blessing the Geffrye was to me and my friends, its beautiful lawns came alive each Spring when daffodils would appear beneath the tall trees where sparrows busily tweeted, it seemed they were chatting to each other as my friends and I sat on the garden benches, safe in the bosom of the Geffrye.

Thesedays, there are period gardens and a walled herb garden to reflect the period room displays.  Virtual online tours can be taken too.  How innovative.

No surprise that I shall be eagerly returning to the Geffrye's Christmas Past Exhibition which offers a fascinating insight into how Christmas has been celebrated in middle-class homes from 1600 to the present day.  The rooms provide the perfect settings to explore the origins of some of the rich and colourful traditions of Christmases Past, from feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games, hanging-up stockings, sending cards, decorating the tree and throwing cocktail parties.  Get there before Sunday, 2nd January 2011 when the Exhibition will end.

I may also say Farewell to Christmas at the Geffrye's own traditional burning of the holly and the ivy, celebrated with carol singing, stories about Epiphany and a taste of mulled wine and Twelfth Night cake.  Wrap up as this event takes place in The Gardens.

4-5pm,Thursday, 6th January.  Epiphany at St. Paul's

With Season's Greetings and

With every good wish for the coming New Year