Mytholmroyd Historical Society met on Friday evening the 8th December 2023 at St Michael’ s Church, New Road, Mytholmroyd. As usual the Christmas meeting consisted of a short AGM followed by coffee and refreshments including of course, a traditional mince pie and then members Tony Wilson and Pam Jordan gave short talks about their Christmas memories as young people.
The Chairman Mr Rodney Collinge welcomed everybody to the meeting particularly as the weather was bad. He made it clear that all members of the Committee had agreed to stand again. The Treasurer was thanked for his efforts which showed a healthy balance sheet and the Secretary’s report was read out by the Chairman as due to a serious cold she could not attend.
The AGM lasted only half an hour and there was nothing contentious about last year’s AGM minutes or this year’s current proposals except some new to the area at the meeting did suggest that the Society should advertise the monthly meetings more extensively around the village, The Chairman replied that this issue should be discussed more extensively at the next Committee meeting.
Mr David Ball was thanked for his efforts on the Mytholmroyd Historical Society’s website and its continued accessibility via Facebook
Mrs Pauline Brook was again thanked for being in charge of the refreshments
All the Honorary official and Committee members were prepared to stand again and were elected without opposition .The 2024 membership card should again print the names of all Committee members
In regard to the two short talks of memories of Christmas Mr Tony Wilson spoke as being first a Butcher’s Delivery Boy at Lightcliffe and some of the wealthy people he delivered meat to and then later as a butcher and slaughterman the preparation required to ensure various meats were available for Christmas. For example, certain Christmas meats would be bought in August and stored in ice boxes and nearer Christmas would then be soaked in brine before being cut up and prepared for sale or delivery or pigs would be slaughtered and prepared as pork . It was a very interesting insight into a side of Christmas the consumer is not always aware of.
Ms Pam Jordon spoke of her memories of Christmas as a child and teenager and most of us could associate with them such as the kind of things we received in our Christmas stocking in times of wartime and post – war austerity and then as we became more affluent how we advanced to pillow cases and bigger presents. We remember leaving out a glass of sherry and mince pies for Santa and a thank you from him and his reindeer and a few crumbs on the plate etc. Christmas Day and playing with new toys and Boxing Day and going round to friends’ houses etc.
Before Christmas making and hanging up streamers & balloons, decorating the Christmas tree, hanging up upside down outside greengrocers shops like Holts in Hebden Bridge, rabbits or even pheasants. Singings carols on Christmas Eve around a Christmas tree.
Yes, the memories she recalled took the audience back in time.
The next meeting of the Society is on Friday 12th January ( second Friday of each month ) and the Speaker is David Cant who will talk on this earlier postponed “The Magic OF Castle Carr”
All members and non members (£5.00) are welcome at the usual time of 7.30pm. at St Michaels Church Hall and for existing members or new members it is reminded that the annual subscription of £15.00 is due.
