A hundred years ago we were just getting over WW1. Times were hard for those who had been fighting at the front and also for those waiting at home.

 

Families were torn apart at the time of year when fathers, mothers and their little ones should be spending a special time together.

 

Families at home missing their loved ones were catered for, if only in a small way, as the following extract in the Radnor Express dated December 1914 shows:-

 

A GOOD SUGGESTION.

 

Mr Hamar asked the council to take the first step towards providing a treat, in Christmas week, for the wives and children of the men who had left Knighton to serve their country. After several members had expressed their approval of the scheme, it was decided that the council would give full consideration to the matter at a special meeting to be held on the following Monday evening.

 

KNIGHTON SOLDIERS' FAMILIES.  CHRISTMAS TREAT.

 

A tea organised by the Knighton Urban Council, with the assistance of a committee of ladies and gentlemen, was given in the Drill Hall, to the wives and children of the men who have left Knighton to join the Army. The ladies who assisted were, Mrs Probert, Miss Morris, Mrs J. A. K. Griffiths, Miss Edwards (Hereford), Mrs Allcock, Miss Dove, Mrs Blower, Mrs Boote, Miss Jones and Miss Claxton (The Cottage.) Music was supplied by Mrs Harold Matthews, Miss Blower and Miss Ruth Medlicott, and was much enjoyed. Mr Blower (chairman of the Council) expressed the pleasure it gave the committee to meet so many of the families of the brave men who had gone to serve their country. They were proud of the men, and in years to come, these children would look back with pride and joy on the noble self-sacrificing conduct of their fathers. Mrs Boote distributed a quantity of toys among the children, and Mr Fred Hamer gave to all a cordial invitation to his picture-show.

 

Christmas 1914, the City of Birmingham asked for donations of money, this was to be used to buy gifts for all soldiers at the front. It was also reported that they had also received a box of toys, books, etc., from the boys of the Church of England School in Knighton (Radnorshire), for distribution among poor children.

 

In November 1916 the members and friends of the Wesley Sewing Guild were invited to a tea in the Schoolroom, Knighton, by Miss Baskerville, Wesley House, and Miss Jones, The Cafe. A committee was formed to make arrangements for sending Christmas presents to the young men belonging to the Church, who were then on active service.  

 

Many of the towns folk decided that it was only right and proper to send gifts to those serving on the front line. This was discussed at a meeting of  the town council in October 1917

 

KNIGHTON SOLDIERS X'MAS PRESENTS.

 

A public meeting was held in the Magistrate Room, Knighton, on Friday evening, for the purpose of making arrangements to send Christmas presents to the men now serving with the colours from this district, the proposition of Sir Francis Edwards. M.P. Mr J. Blower was voted to the chair. Mr M. James was also re-elected secretary. The chairman said that it seemed to be a wish of most people that the practice of sending a small parcel to the men serving with the colours, should be repeated again this year. Christmas presents had been sent from Knighton every year since the outbreak of war, and letters of appreciation and thanks had been received by the committee from men in all parts of the war area. 172 parcels, each containing a pair of socks, a writing pad, and a packet of cigarettes were sent last year. There would probably be a few more to provide this time and the cost might be a little more. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts last year (including subscriptions, and a balance of £10 1s  6d from the previous year) amounted to £42 12s 6d, while the total expenditure had been £31 9s 7d, leaving a balance in hand of £11 2s 11d. The meeting decided to send presents again this year and a committee was appointed, consisting of the members of the Urban Council with Miss Gwillim, Mrs Boote, Mrs C. C. Rogers, Sir Francis Edwards, Messers. J. Beaumont, W. G. Bowen, J. Cartwright, H. J. Clee, A. Hamar, L. A. Jones, W. Jordan, G. M. Perkins, W. E. Prince (junior), R. Tench, and Rev. A. D. Baskerville. A sub-committee was formed to deal immediately with parcels for Mesopotamia, and collectors were also appointed.

 

Not all inhabitants of Knighton abided by the rules of economy, as was shown in an article dated November 1917.

 

KNIGHTON AND THE TROOPS. BAPTIST CHURCH AND CHRISTMAS PARCELS.

 

A lecture and coffee-supper were held at the Victoria Road Baptist Church, Knighton, on Friday evening, and were well attended, the proceeds being for the purpose of providing X'mas parcels for the men belonging to the Church and congregation who had joined the forces. Mr J. L. Allcock presided at the lecture, and, in a brief address, referred to the question of economy. They had been asked to economise, he said, and the matter was of very serious importance. Yet, the Lord Mayor had recently given a banquet which had cost £25 per head. They were asked to eat less bread, but he wished he could see some bills asking people to drink less beer. People were not going to deny themselves very much until this waste was stopped, because, they did not believe their leaders were serious in their request for economy. They were inclined to say to their leaders, "You put your house in order and I will do the same." The situation reminded him of the man who presided at a temperance meeting. He was not a teetotaller, but signed the pledge whenever his doing so would induce someone else to sign, but, of course, he never kept it. What influence could he have? The speaker said he would like to see something done that would bring these matters to the minds of our leaders.

 

THE WORKHOUSE

 

The poor in the workhouse were not forgotten over Christmas. Mr J. R. Bache was recorded at the fortnightly meeting of the Knighton Guardians, in December 1916, that Mrs Macfie, Midlothian, had sent Christmas letters and cards for the inmates, as had been her custom for several years past. The master reported that there were 11 inmates. Buns, scones and chocolates had been given by the Rev. J. Harrison (chaplain) and Rev. W. Williams (religious instructor). Also, Mr H. J. Bishop, Ystrad House, had sent a donation of £l to be used for the purchase of X'mas extras, for the inmates.

 

Also in the papers, dated December 1916, a request to the Board of Guardians to sanction the usual Christmas rations for the inmates. A guardian asked what were the usual Christmas rations? The Master: Pork and pudding, sir. They only have pork about once a year. Mr B. Wilding suggested that fruit should be added to the master's request too.

 

NO PLUM PUDDING !!!

 

In 1917 The Master of the workhouse applied for the usual Christmas fare for the inmates (11 in number). It was suggested that jam or apple pudding should be given instead of plum puddings, as it would be impossible to obtain plum puddings that year. The application was granted.

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THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

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Over the length of a lifetime Christmas means different things to different people. It may be down to the situation you find yourself in, bereavement or just plain apathy. The best guide is to ask a child what Christmas means to them and  what are their expectations of Christmas:

 

Two children were asked these questions in 1918

 

Master Leslie Phillips, of 21, the Narrows, Knighton, aged 9 years, said "My best thought is, looking at my toys, but I do not get many now: they are too expensive, but I had a gun which I often play with and enjoy myself. I often think what mother would like, because it would be selfish not to buy mother anything, also, father. To decorate the house with holly and flowers and make everything look pretty is our X'mas thought. To go to church and sing carols and say prayers is another right practice. I look forward to a snowfall, to have some fun snowballing, and toboganning. I also go to wish my aunties and uncles a jolly Christmas."

 

Miss Beatrice Meyrick, 15, Mill Green, Knighton, aged 14 years, said "My first thought is that Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. The wise men came from the East to worship Christ at Jerusalem. There was a King born at Jerusalem. Mary brought costly offerings when she lavished that ointment of spikenard upon the feet of Jesus. At Christmas Jesus Christ came down from heaven to earth to heal the sick and help the tempted. The people delivered unto him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

 

The following are replies from children in 2015

 

Mia, aged 10 years.

What does Christmas mean to you: Giving to others.

What is your expectations of Christmas: Being with family.

 

Joel, aged 7 years.

What does Christmas mean to you: Family.

What is your expectations of Christmas: Having fun with family.

 

Their Grandma's response: about Joel said, "I know what Joel means here, he just adores being with his two uncles". "These are the very first things that came out of their mouths with no mention of what they wanted." No one was more surprised than me." "Well aren't I just the proudest Grandma."

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CHRISTMAS FAYRE

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We think we have it hard with the austerity cuts imposed on us. We know nothing of the real struggle to buy food 100 years ago. At least we have money to buy food, or have food banks. Back in 1918 the food just wasn't there to buy. It was a case of  'make do with what you have'. Here are two Christmas Pudding Recipes