A Victorian Christmas

I spent all day yesterday with the Year 6s at Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary in Castleford, on the theme of 'A Victorian Christmas.' I've learned lots from researching this particular topic. For example, in the mid 1800s, the smell from the Thames was so overpowering and so grim, that the Members of Parliament upped and left, in the middle of their working day. It became known as 'The Great Stink.' I'd say that over the last few years there have been quite a lot of 'Great Stinks' when it comes to MPs! Also discovered that Sainsbury's and Boots started at this time from very humble beginnings in London. Not to mention that the phrase 'Mad as a Hatter' came from the Victorians as hat makers used mercury in their hat making, which in turn got into their blood and gave a number of them brain damage, turning them insane. Watching 'Alice in Wonderland' will never be the same again!

One of my favourite parts of the days was the poetry that the class came up with. I read them some Edward Lear, Hilaire Beloc, (and some of mine), and then got them to come up with their own nonsense limericks. Mrs Stott with a face full of snot was one of the best.

It will take me a good number of return visits before I get my head round the layout of the school. It was explained to me that it was essentially a figure of eight with a bulge at one side. Well, without frequent staff assistance I think I'd have been lost in the bulge a number of times!

Now it's Christmas full steam ahead for me. No more schools til Jan 3rd. Merry Christmas every one!