CHRISTMAS IS NIGH
As Christmas approaches I love looking back at seasonal celebrations in my Blue Mountains village of Blackheath. The following is from The Lithgow Mercury in 1909;
There was very little stir here during Christmas, and everything passed off quietly. On Boxing Night a concert was held at the mission hall and was fairly well attended……Large numbers visited various sights, many coming from neighbouring towns. On Christmas Eve the local band paraded the streets after eleven o’clock, the music being much appreciated.
But there was something else on the editor’s mind, something causing great angst;
GIVE BLACKHEATH A BREAK!
A great injustice has been done to this town, and such as is likely to be misleading to tourists. Some firm has issued postcards of mountain scenery with the heading ‘GOVETT’S LEAP, LEURA’
Oh the injustice! Apparently the cards were printed in Germany and the Australian company involved denied any responsibility for the gaffe.
SANTA COMES TO TOWN
Father Christmas visited Sutton Brothers general store and bakery in 1923. Thank goodness someone was on hand to record what was clearly a great occasion. Some little kids were barefoot, but others were all done up in hats and little jackets. You can even spot a bow tie. I am in awe of that Santa.
In the arcade last year I spotted what I think was the very same old chap, albeit without his hood.
Ho, ho, ho! My associate Editor Des was delighted to be able to post his letter to Santa at the post office, and to receive a reply.
Here’s hoping.
In it goes.
Did you know that we grow our own Christmas trees here? Yes, complete with ‘candles’. It’s the prehistoric plant, lycopodium, which has some amazing properties. It can provide the raw material for all manner of party tricks and games and can also be used to create a spectacular New Year’s Eve event. Click HERE to find out more.
A tree of our very own.
Decorated from the garden.
MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎄🎄
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE IN THE BOX BELOW.
Great photo of the children and Santa. They must have been told to stand still as most of them are standing to attention!
Haha, he is very unique Santa. I think this is the most famous photo we have of Blackheath.