Letter: Memories of Christmas past

Who needs the elaborate presents given at Christmas today?

All the bright lights to see houses lit up?

Christmases I will always remember and treasure are the ones of my childhood. People did not have much money.

People did not look down on you. We all felt equal.

My late parents, Jack and Dolly Hulse, my brother Raymond and I lived at Innage Crescent, Bridgnorth.

Dad was a postman. They worked long hours with the build up to Christmas, and even Christmas Day. All through the year postmen were noted to help the elderly and sick in country areas, often doing shopping after work. Community spirit was good. Everyone pulled together. Postmen were well respected.

On Christmas Eve, decorations were put up. Mum would put the tree up and call my brother and me in. She would light candles they had on the Christmas tree in those days for a few minutes and then blow them out.

My brother and I would go to pick sprouts on Christmas Day while mum was preparing Christmas lunch. Dad would get in from work in the afternoon. Our Christmas lunch done, we would be seated.

After lunch we opened our presents which we treasured. Christmas night we had a party. By then, Mum and Dad probably had a bit of home-made wine or sherry.

On New Year's Eve, we had a repeat of Christmas and a party. We would be sharing beds to let visitors stop over. Dad used to go round to let New Year in with a lump of coal to neighbours and our own home.

Memories are such wonderful things. My brother and I were very lucky to have those to treasure.

I tell my grandchildren of what life was like in those days.

My brother and I were so lucky to have our parents who gave us those memories.

My brother was a bit luckier than me. He went to Petton Hall boarding school and he broke up a few weeks before our local schools, so his Christmas holidays were longer than mine and he went back after I did.

December: waiting for Christmas, having to go to school. I was always so glad when I broke up from school waiting for Christmas to come.

Sally Welch (nee Hulse)

Shifnal