Nottinghamshire Live asked members of Old Nottingham Pictures to share their favourite Christmas memories from yesteryear. From magical visits to Santa at the Nottingham Co-op to festive parties filled with joy and laughter, their stories transport us back in time.
Remember the days when Christmas meant ringing all the toys you wanted in the Argos catalogue, a trip to see Santa at the Nottingham Co-op and Quality Street came in a tin rather than a plastic tub? When Nottingham shire Live asked members of Old Nottingham Pictures for their festive memories of yesteryear, they turned the clock back to recall some of their favourite tales.
Sandie Maitland-Hills said her most magical Christmas experience was in the 1940s when she visited Father Christmas at the Co-op in Upper Parliament Street. 'We went into the lift which was heavily disguised as Santa’s Grotto. The lift attendant was dressed as an elf. 'When the lift stopped and the door opened, the whole toy floor was set out with snow and icicles, elves walking around and Santa sitting on a magnificent chair, giving a gift to each child he was talking to. Totally magical for an under five-year-old. I think now that much of this description is more imagination than reality, such was the wonder created by the Co-op.' Christmas parties at schools, workplaces and social groups hold many fond memories. Jax Thornewill recalled: 'We used to go to the YMCA amateur dramatic group’s Christmas party every year and Les did magic tricks and we did the Conga and wore our best party frocks. It was great fun and an amazing party tea. 'We used to get the Barton’s bus from Lambley to Huntingdon Street bus station then cross through the Victoria Railway Station to the venue and hope a train wasn’t pulling up as mum didn’t want us to get smutty from the smoke. Happy days. There was also a chap called Uncle Bob - Santa always came as Uncle Bob left - wonder why?' Ann Mawer loved the Christmas parties at Bonington Infant and Junior Schools in Bulwell. She said: 'Our mums were asked if they could make sandwiches, sausage rolls, mince pies, trifles, jellies and a couple of Christmas cakes. But the highlight was Santa Claus arriving in the hall with his sack and every child having a little gift
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