Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
Excellent.
And here is an account of Christmas Day in EASTRY WORKHOUSE
Dover Standard 31 Dec 1887 p.8 col.5: Christmas Day in Eastry Workhouse
The advent of Father Christmas is always looked forward to with keen interest by the inmates of the "big house on the hill", the majority of whom know from past experience that there it is a time of peace on earth, goodwill to all, no matter how it fares or how the storms may loom in the busy world outside. Christmas Day was ushered in by the delivery of letters and handsome Christmas Cards to each one of the inmates, followed by morning and afternoon services at which the Reverends BLAXLAND and SHAW respectively officiated.
The church was very tastefully decorated, as were also the several wards throughout the house. Monday was set apart for feasting and punctually at 12.30 the 298 inmates simultaneously commenced in their several wards to vigorously ply their knives and forks, gradually diminishing the huge joints of smoking roast beef, sufficient however of which remained after the feast for the following day's dinner. A pint of porter was served out to each adult and then followed plum pudding. Thorough appreciation of the good things was everywhere manifest - dinner was in every instance served smoking hot despite the bitterly cold weather and thanks to the energetic and deservedly popular Master and Matron, the able staff, and the bevy of ladies and gentlemen who assisted as carvers and waiters in each ward.
Dessert - oranges, figs, nuts, etc. followed in abundance and in the afternoon a liberal tea was served and a package of tobacco given to each of the men, provided by some generous ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood.
The day's festivities closed with three cheers from the inmates for the generous contributors to their comforts and a like mark of acknowledgment followed for the officers for their unremitting attention to the happiness of all under their charge - a well deserved compliment and heartily responded to.
Amongst the busy assistants, to Mr and Mrs AYLING, master and matron, we noticed Mrs and Misses SHAW, Mrs RAE, Miss HASWELL, Miss AYLING, Miss DEVESON, Revd B. BLAXLAND, Messrs BARTON, S. BAYLY, W.BAILEY, JULL, etc. The Hon. W.H. JAMES, MP, W.V.LISTER Esq., JP, Dr LEGGETT, etc. were amongst the visitors to the house during the day.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 756- Registered: 6 Jun 2012
- Posts: 727
I notice some of the name are still local to Eastry, I wonder if they are relatives?
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
No doubt they are, Lesley!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
must have been humiliating enough to work all year for a bowl of gruel each day and to add insult to injury raising three cheers for a decent meal on christmas day.
that was all before ian duncan smith was invented too, can't blame them for vigorously plying their knives and forks.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
they also had meat to eat, and, if you were ill or very inform you were given 'extra meat' ! I dont know what amount that was!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
I should have said INFIRM (not inform!)
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,938
Snowflakes were falling to the children's delight,
As they gazed out of the window on this magical night,
They're excited, "it's the season of joy, It will be grand,"
Said the little boy's sister gently squeezing his hand.
Their parents were preparing the treats they had bought,
Christmas would be happy, the one that they sought,
With their house warm and cosy, the festive lights glowing,
Everything was perfect and as a bonus, 'twas snowing.
As they stood there happily watching the snow thicken,
Sweet voices carol singing made their little hearts quicken,
Where did it come from, there was no one in sight,
Where were the singers who were brightening this night?
The singing got louder the carollers trudged into view,
"There is something unusual," said John's sister Sue,
"The words are so different although the tunes are the same,"
The singers were all happy as they sang their refrain.
There were nationalities various, all singing together,
Happy to be here despite the cold weather,
They were singing their carols as a sign of their thanks,
For the sanctuary given to them when all hope had sank.
"Why can't all the World be happy throughout all the year",
Said the young boy to his sister, as she shed a tear,
"Perhaps it's because we tend not to trust strangers,
But at Christmas are united by the baby born in a Manger."
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,879
Good one Bob.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940