A light hearted review of the social history of Christmas followed by a nostalgic look at the minutia of Christmas at home in Britain in the mid 20^th century. ‘We had one of those’ comments’ distinctly possible.

Speaker : Mike Hurst

Mike and his wife Janet trained as microbiologists, but they both love history. Mike is particularly keen on transport and industrial history, whereas Janet enjoys social history and researching people. They help to run Goring Gap Local History Society and since moving to Goring in 2004 have carried out original research on various aspects of the local area and its past inhabitants. Their talks were first put together for delivery to Society members, but are not parochial and place local events in a broader context.

Mike is Education Officer, Museum Steward and Guard at Didcot Railway Centre, runs the Goring Gap Local History Society’s Transport History Group and is a volunteer at the late Sir William McAlpine’s private railway at Fawley Hill near Henley.

Together Janet and Mike have a house full of books, models and a collection of Torquay Pottery which is still growing.