Stories from the Store - A Dacorum Christmas

You might have noticed the elves in this picture – meet Ovaltiney and Dickinson (they prefer Tiney and Dicki). They’re helping the team here at the museum store this December and you can follow their work on Facebook and Instagram.

When I think of Christmas growing up, I think of time with friends and family, writing Christmas cards and letters, buying and giving gifts, music … the list is endless.

One thing I do remember is going into the stationers and buying Basildon Bond paper and envelopes – the pad with the sheet of lined paper that went underneath the sheaf you were writing on to make sure you wrote neatly. The thank you letters I was made to write between Christmas and New Year. Of course, as a child I never really connected the writing paper I was using to the paper factory nearby. So, working here in the store, it’s a delight to make that link and find out more about the John Dickinson & Co. Ltd.

Between the two elves – already seen on our social media – is a compendium that was sent to all employees serving in the armed forces for Christmas 1941. Not only was that a thoughtful gesture from the company, imagine the ripple effect of someone receiving a letter – that short connection to someone - from their father, husband, son …

I don’t know about any of you, however post-Christmas lunch is the perfect time to go for a stroll to burn off the calories.

Local artist, Harry Sheldon was commissioned by Berkhamsted Town Council to paint a series of winter watercolour images for a book to commemorate the new millennium.

This painting really captures that crisp wintery day, the family wrapped up warm walking alongside the canal, admiring the narrowboats and possibly feeding the ducks and geese.

Another of his paintings showcases Berkhamsted High Street – the bustle of Christmas shopping …

Has anyone finished their Christmas shopping yet? I know I haven’t – and the perennial questions are going around the family asking what the nieces and nephews are wanting this year.

Well Hertfordshire Gazette has some answers about what makes a good gift and where to get them … one of our go to collections for enquiries and research, these are just a few adverts from December 1936.

The gift problem is solved in Apsley End, with E. J. Groome’s good selection in stock … and I love their small print of ‘Any gift bought here we undertake to change after Xmas if unsuitable.’

We’ve all been there!

There’s also a strong theme here about shopping local, which resonates with the calls for this today.

The Co-operative Society have an even longer list of suggestions and those prizes for the draw would make any child smile.

Of course food is a staple of a good Christmas, and so getting your order into the local butcher was a vital step in preparing the festivities.

You may get a present from your employer, and here again is a gift from John Dickinson & Co Ltd. to their employees serving in the armed services during the First World War.

Dated Christmas 1916, this leather pouch contains a selection of photographs of soldiers in France. With no names, we don't know if any of the men pictured here were any of their employees.

Father Christmas may still visit your home, bringing presents.

At the outbreak of World War II, children were evacuated from London and other cities into the countryside. The residents of Dacorum welcomed hundred of evacuees into their homes. Here, in 1939, Father Christmas distributed presents to some of those children who had been evacuated to Tring.

You may not receive a gift, it may be a Christmas card alone – again from families, friends and your employers.

This second world war Christmas card from John Dickinson & Co. Ltd. is fronted by a cartoon of Chairman Sir Reginald Bonsor dressed in a Home Guard uniform putting out a fire.

The poem inside reads:

"We quench the fires throughout our land,

With stirrup pump and spade and sand,

And each man in his time plays many parts.

But Truth and Goodwill still prevail,

And all our foes’ endeavours fail,

To quench the flame which burns in loyal hearts."

John Dickinson & Co Ltd, didn’t just send Christmas cards, they produced them.

Within the store are some of the original artwork by Sheila Jessop, an artist who worked for the company and lived in Hemel Hempstead.

Held in small grey portfolios, you can see how the layers were built up to create the final design for ‘Bob Cratchits Christmas Dinner’

Further designs include a Noel and a traditional robin on a spring of holly.

Cards are written, addressed and stamped ... its time to ensure that we don't miss the last posting day before Christmas. And then we might enjoy a festive outing ... maybe head towards a community concert, like the Gaddesden Society’s 1946 one at Little Gaddesden School Hall.

Here the Women’s Institute Players perform an adaption of a folksong ‘A tale of old Armenia’ and then after a short interval – 7 minutes exactly! – they perform again with a scene from Pygmalion.

To be honest I’m intrigued by 16 on the evening’s agenda that’s entitled ‘Stuff and nonsense’.

So, we’ve gone Christmas shopping, bought, written and posted the Christmas cards, planned the food shopping, been out to Christmas events …

And now this Ovaltine Christmas add makes sense:

"I hate Christmas!

You’ve said it. Go on, admit it.

After staggering home, fully laden, from your local High Street assault course, nerves jangling like sleigh bells.

When you’ve mummified yourself with tinsel and paper chains or electrocuted yourself on the fairy lights.

In that thrilling moment as someone, who has just given you a calf-skin vanity case, eagerly unwraps your gift of bath-salts.

You’ve said it, alright. We all have. And whenever you feel like saying it, the answer is to make yourself a nice soothing mug of Ovaltine to help you relax.

Immediately all will be peace on earth. Goodwill towards men. And you can enter the true Christmas spirit.

After all, it isn’t often you can spend five whole days with your mother-in-law."

And as we conclude this highlight of some of our Christmas related objects, I leave you with this Ovaltine Christmas card and wish you all a wonderful Christmas season.