Weinachtserwartungsbeleuchtungswunderland
SOON be Christmas, then. (If anyone can think of what I can get for Mrs Latimer that she doesn’t already have – aside from a better husband – please let me know).
I love Christmas, me, especially the build-up to it. There seems to be an overgrown kid in a lot of us that enjoys the mounting excitement, especially if there are children involved.
Recent years have seen the phenomenal growth in a new bit of seasonal excitement: the night-time Christmas lights and lasers at stately homes and gardens. There’s probably some entertainment/heritage industry word for it, but I don’t know it.
There’s probably one of those big German compound nouns for it, too. If there isn’t, let me make one up now: Weinachtserwartungsbeleuchtungswunderland. (Christmas anticipation lit-up wonderland.)
Oh yes, I am fluent in German, you know. Ahem.
(In the olden days of newspapers that word would probably be part of some competition among hacks and sub-editors to get the biggest and/or stupidest word of the week into the paper. The prize pool would be 37p and a half-packet of Players No. 6. Happy days.)
The Christmas lights at heritage sites are a marvellous thing. Take the kiddies along, they get to stay up late and they see all sorts of magical effects. And then they get hot dogs and hot chocolate while all the grown-ups, aside from the designated driver, get mulled wine.
They can be horribly expensive, but provided you don’t have to choose between Christmas Wonderland and Christmas Dinner, they’ll provide some lovely memories for the youngsters.
So in no particular order of preference, here are some that’ll be going on round these parts:
» Westonbirt Arboretum. This might well be the grandaddy of them all round these parts as they’ve been doing it for around 20 years or more now. Their ‘Enchanted Christmas’ is always popular and this year they’re also doing ‘relaxed sessions’ where some of the effects (eg loud noises, strong flashing lights) will be turned off for visitors with particular sensitivities. See https://tinyurl. com/5j7zrfvy
» Stourhead. The National Trust’s vast 18th century estate promises ‘a star constellation and a 24-metrelong Christmas cathedral’ on its ‘family-friendly festive trail,’ along with Christmas music, 150 flame candles and multiple works by various artists. See https://tinyurl. com/32k73xec
» The American Museum & Gardens in Bath is hosting its ‘Enchanted Garden of Light,’ promising a ‘magical after-dark adventure through light displays which will emblazon the entire house, garden and woodland in glorious magical colour’ along with a ‘popup Christmas shopping experience.’ See americanmuseum.org
» Longleat has too many treats to mention, but including things like the Santa Train, festive tours of Longleat House, a trail of Roald Dahl characters and Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree. As well as all the usual Longleat attractions. See www.longleat.co.uk
Send us a card
I don’t do too many Christmas cards as I think the money would be better spent on donations to the food bank or other good causes.
(By the way, the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal will be holding its annual carol concert at St George’s Brandon Hill on Tuesday December 6, so you can get into the festive spirit and help raise a few quid to help give local children a happy Christmas. Music will be from the Bristol Show Choir, Blackbird Children’s Choir and Bold Brass. Details and booking at https://tinyurl.com/5n6stdsy)
Christmas cards are going out of fashion anyway. Most people under the age of 40 don’t seem to send any. This year many of us might send a few more than usual if we have old postage stamps left over in one and twos in various drawers, and which need to be used by next summer when they cease to be valid, but one suspects that by next Christmas the only people left sending cards through the post will all be pensioners.
This does not of course rule out the possibility that in a few years’ time, it will become fashionable among younger people to send them once more, although these will doubtless be artisan-crafted cards made of cannabis leaves or old bicycles or something.
Meanwhile, back in the olden days … There must be a fair few BT readers who in their youth found seasonal work helping to sort and deliver the Christmas post.
There will be even more or you who’ll remember how many local firms prided themselves on producing their own cards to send out.
Occasional BT contributor Dave Stephenson very kindly sent me a few produced for DRG back in the day. Though I’m not sure what day it was – the 1970s, maybe?
We’ll show you some more as the festive season gets closer. But in the meantime, I’m wondering if any BT readers have any old Christmas cards produced by local organisations and featuring local scenes? I know the Port of Bristol Authority used to commission its own cards, but what about other firms? Were there ever any from the likes of Wills/Imperial Tobacco? Mardons? Fry’s? Harvey’s?
If you happen to have any such things and feel like scanning one or two to share with BT readers, you know where we are. Email them to Bristol.Times@b-mn.co.uk
Anyone know Roma Jones?
Exiled Bristolian John Britton, who now lives in Fareham, Hants, mails to ask for any information anyone might have about a near-neighbour of his back in the 1950s. Roma Jones lived in Salisbury Gardens, Downend and attended Clark’s College, but they lost touch when she left the area. Anyone with any information can mail John at britton252.j@gmail.com
Cranes listed
The cranes outside M Shed – and the rails they’re mounted on – have been listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
The cranes were built in 1951 by Stothert & Pitt of Bath to serve the newly-built L and M transit sheds, themselves built on the site of the granary that was destroyed in the Blitz. This was the last cargo wharf in use, and the last cargo to land here was timber from the Baltic, unloaded in November 1974.
Many readers will remember the campaign to save the cranes from being scrapped, and how they have been restored and maintained in working order by volunteers. They are now part of the Museums collection, and the only group of Stothert and Pitt travelling cranes known to be in working order.
The listing means that the cranes are recognised as having particular historic and/or cultural significance and that they have a lot of legal protection for the future.
Cheers then!