CRAYFORD WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

December started with a talk A Victorian Xmas'. Jean Radford told us the Christmas Tree originated in Germany, the tree lights were introduced by Martin Luther and the Yule Log was stripped of bark and burned for 12 days.

Holly grew outside the stable and it is told that it budded and bloomed in one night. Mistletoe was originally used by Druids and so was banned from the church because it was considere to be Pagan.

Tinsel is a symbol of light and the sending of Christmas cards really took of in 1943. Christmas crackers were invented by a Victorian called Tom Smith who got the idea from wrapped sweets, his factory, which is still in existence sends our 50 million crackers a year.

This indeed was a very entertaining and informative talk.

New members are always welcome to join us, we meet on the first Thursday of every month at Baker's Trust Hall, Maxim Road, Crayford at 1.30pm - there is plenty of parking space for those wishing to drive.