Bring Saturday into the festivities

Christmas Day – as every good Churchman, careful housewife, happy schoolboy, and weary worker has long ago discovered – falls in the present year of grace upon a Friday. At first sight there is nothing very suggestive in the fact; and our readers will ask why we mention it.

So long as Christmas doesn’t happen upon a Sunday, which forces the family circle either to defer their merry-making, or mingles it awkwardly with the graver duties and restrictions of the Sabbath, it scarcely seems to matter what working day of the six the joyous occasion transforms into a festival.

But we think that a good deal may depend upon the fact in the way of making a real holiday of Christmas this year, if it be looked at in a right and liberal spirit.

Between Friday and Sunday intervenes Saturday, which is at best a broken day for business; and, coming between two off-days, as does this particular Saturday, it must in any case be as good as a dies non. Well, then, why not at once and generally regard it as a part of the Christmas rest? Why not, with plenty of time to make all necessary arrangements, throw the half-day in, and render the occasion a three days’ thorough holiday? This is the idea which has been suggested to us by the fact that Christmas falls on Friday; and we recommend it strongly to all good and generous employers who have hearts to be opened by the festal season, and who know that kind masters make willing workmen.

From this newspaper 100 years ago –

The usual preparations have been made in Yarm to attract shoppers, and several of the windows have been tastefully decorated. Mr W Elliff probably takes the premier position, his provisions and fruit being displayed in an artistic style. Mr R Gamble also attracts attention with his stock of sweets, cards and presents.

Mr W Metcalf shows an exceptionally large assortment of fancy and useful presents and heaps of Christmas and New Year cards. Messrs Strickland and Holt display a profusion of high-class chocolates, scents suitable for presents. Messrs G Reed & Sons have an abundance of provisions of every description, and their window is nicely dressed.

Mr J G Hedley’s and Mr A W Atkinson’s displays in the drapery line are, as usual, specially attractive, and both establishments show many very useful presents.

Messrs Hills and Maston’s millinery emporium is most tastefully set out, and here too are to be found toys in abundance.

BLESS YOU: Advertisement from this newspaper 100 years ago

The confectionery shops are well stocked, and the butchers again make a fine show.

Mr J Elcoate is to the front with a large and interesting assortment of mechanical toys, and Mrs Dyke has a nice show for children. Mr J Rose has a fine assortment of jewellery. Mr George Danby is exhibiting a large and choice collection of English and foreign fruit.

From this newspaper 50 years ago –

This week it was announced the last of Darlington’s prefabricated houses are to be demolished before long. What a lot of memories are conjured up by the word “prefab,” which was on so many lips at the end of the war! Whatever drawbacks they might have had, these little, box-like bungalows were for many homeless folk in those days the answer to a prayer, and if they had begun now to look a little battered and to develop defects, it must be remembered that they were designed to last for only ten years. Many have been up for 17.

The prefab rapidly took its place in the national scene, and became the basis of many a music-hall joke. The little, usually monotonous, groups of structures like dolls’ houses sprang up in every town in the country.

Old people, the newly married, men from the Services and those whose homes had been shattered by bombs moved in and set up house again in buildings that, in spite of their shortcomings, had much to recommend them at the time.

DOG IN A CAN: Advertisement from this newspaper 50 years ago

What is surprising is the very small effect these thousands of temporary, rapidly built homes have had on the more substantial permanent houses built since.

In the ordinary house there is very little more use made of pre-fabricated units than there was before the war.

If the much-talked of industrial building ever comes to anything, it will surely owe much to the humble prefabs, which helped to solve the nation’s most desperate need.