good cateress nesletter Dec '12 Beechcroft Christmas

In the early 1970’s when we lived at what I think of as the “Old Folly” it felt as though it had been unchanged for centuries, the front still had the haunted Bow window. Rather than the new Folly that we returned to in 1975 which was modernized, extended, repaired. Murray (mum’s brother) and Janette with Diana had been running it since the early 60’s. Dad left the army to join them in this venture. We all lived together as one big happy family! For mum it was returning home to her roots. I think I have mentioned before that Diana, became an archivist, traced our family tree back to the 16th Century, we were all born, married, died between four parishes along the River Medina; Cowes, East Cowes, Whippingham and Northwood. I do tell everyone that what saved us, was the men were seafarers, whalers etc and so bought new women to the Island. Needless to say we all considered the Island home, I have memories of many trips from Germany, and we all had a need to see, smell and hear the sea. The pub and river became our way of life. School was totally different, Simon and I had been at Boarding School in Germany, and now we were at the local schools. We had been used to moving regularly, our friends were as transient as we were, but now we were among people that had lived in the same place all their lives. It was hard to start with but we had this ready made community on the river. Pam and Allan Cundall with their family, Robert, Colin and Philip lived on the Rene Phillipe a wooden boat that could sleep 12 or so, from which they ran sailing holidays. We were all good friends, having regular Sunday lunches on the “Rene”. Simon, Diana and I got to go out on the day out trips,also Firework nights at the end of Cowes Week. I think Pam’s parents, Nan and Pop, moved to the Island in 1971, I know I will be corrected on this point. They bought a large Victorian house in Wootton called Beechcroft. I did a little research on google and it says it had been a women’s and children’s hospital until 1936 and during the war, I thought it had been a private residence for a wealthy industrialist of some sort. Anyway, a large red brick house with high ceilings, many fireplaces, five main bedrooms, a separate flat, and many large rooms downstairs

Nan and Pop ran a dolls hospital, so the side entrance and back rooms were the Dolls Hospital. It was always fascinating and eerie to see rows of dolls eyes and heads on shelves. Beechcroft, like the Rene, it became our home away from home, we were often there for dinners, parties, and it was always a lot of fun. Christmas Day! We got up early for Christmas Day Mass at 8am, we all went. Then home for Breakfast in front of the aga, The sausages and bacon had been put in the medium oven of the aga as we left for church and would be ready upon our return. Opening our presents and then opening the pub for 2 hours 12 - 2. Christmas opening was never like regular opening hours. We would all be wearing something new from our Christmas presents; me in a new jumper and maxi skirt; Mum a new piece of jewelry from Dad, Simon and Dad shirts and ties The locals all came, friends and family too. If the weather was good people sailed up the river from Cowes. The first drink was on the house, boxes of chocolates were on the counter. It usually got quite raucous but in a good way. Allan and my father enjoyed many a Whisky Mac that morning. We would eventually get rid of everyone, close the pub, bank up the fire upstairs so there would be some warmth when we got home - no central heating in those days. Finally, we would be in the car, up Folly Lane, cross the main road, and on through Whippingham and Brocks Copse to Wootton and Beechcroft. We drove the roads to and fro so often, I can see it all. Some years there would be a deep frost and the fields would all be white, sparkling in the sunshine. Entering Beechcroft into the Hallway, there would be the tallest Christmas tree, covered in lights and decorations, in the crook of the curved staircase. The dining room was straight ahead and the table would be set. Usually we were 14, some years Peter (Pam and Allan’s oldest son who lived off the Island with his family would come) and then we were 18, and any other people that were invited. So the table was large and beautifully laid. We all sat, Philip, Simon and I usually sat together as the youngest. We started by pulling our Christmas Crackers and of course, wore our silly hats and read the bad jokes out load. Allan carved the turkey and ham; bacon rolls filled with the turkey liver, stuffing. Vegetable dishes filled the center of the table: roast and mashed potatoes, roast parsnip, carrot and swede, brussel sprouts, peas, gravy, bread sauce. Conversation and laughter filled the room. Good wines flowed. Christmas Pudding was presented afire. We all wished on the first bite and my father quipped “Jane you are still here..” Warm mince pies, Brandy Butter was aplenty. Cheeses and Port followed. Simon, Philip and I would hope the After Eight tray would land and stay in front of our small group. Then if we had had crackers filed with indoor fireworks we would let these off. Sparklers sizzled. We all helped clear the table. Now the fun began. We would play games. One I barely remember that my Grandfather had invented called Family Coach, which involved different carriages: Phaetons, gigs etc. Charades and so on. In the evening very often more guests arrived, fellow members of the elite group, The Folly Squadron. And now we played Sardines; Murder in the dark, through the house. What made Beechcroft so great for these games were the number of rooms and that some of the windows were so deep we could hide on the sills behind the curtains, I always hoped to be partners with Colin and Robert for these, they had often thought out where to hide ahead of time. It would be so funny to hear people go past our hiding places, the trick was not to make a sound and give yourselves away, something I was not always so good at. And then there was Nan and Pop’s speciality game, that they would set up while we were all running around playing sardines. I do not remember it’s name but the game never left me. The premise was there was a serious accident outside your house, in the dark we tried assess the damages. You had to feel what was on the table, and guess what it was. Peeled grapes for eyes; plastic glove filled with warm water a decomposing hand, cold spaghetti for intestines, cold chiplata’s (thin sausages) for cut off digits and so on, I just don’t remember it all. Gruesome and fun at the same time Lot’s of squeals as each person was led in, and let out a different way so as not to spoil the shock for the others. This was how we spent Christmas for many years, mum, dad and Simon still went long after I came to America. Spouses and children were added as we all got older, nan and Pop passed, but their tradition continued with Pam. I do remember as I got older thinking we could do something else, but now I am much older I look back and think these were the best of days, filled with joy and goodness. . "Shall we liken Christmas to the web in a loom?  There are many weavers, who work into the pattern the experience of their lives. When one generation goes, another comes to take up the weft where it has been dropped. The pattern changes as the mind changes, yet never begins quite anew. At first, we are not sure that we discern the pattern, but at last we see that, unknown to the weavers themselves, something has taken shape before our eyes, and that they have made something very beautiful, something which compels our understanding."
-   Earl W. Count, 4,000 Years of Christmas "I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
 And wild and sweet the words repeat
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" 
-   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Pam on Noy