Christmas With The Wedgwoods

Saturday 4th December found the Friends of the Wedgwood Museum exchanging early Christmas greetings with a difference.

Friends, P David Smith, Chris Bell and his daughter, Amy, kindly ‘volunteered ‘ to take the parts of  Charles Darwin, Norman Wilson (standing in for Josiah V and Tom Wedgwood ) at the first Christmas festivities at Barlaston in 1940, and Amy, great grand-daughter of Josiah l. Gaye Blake Roberts, Sharon Gater and Lynn Miller also contributed towards the readings.

It was interesting to see how Christmas has developed since Josiah first wished his friend and partner, Thomas Bentley the compliments of the Season. However, it was most poignant to be gathered in the same staff canteen where, over 60 years ago, workers were not only wished a “Merry Christmas”, but also spurred on to fight against Fascism.

Friends were quite literally given a taste of the past with authentic war-time recipes. Like the first Barlastonians, a draw was held for a Christmas pudding which, as in 1940, came from Etruria.

Please click on underlined names to see photographs of 'Christmas With The Wedgwoods'.