These are just a few of my finds in the Billinghay and Anwick areas of Lincolnshire reported in the local papers over Christmas and New Year in past times.

First, we’ll start with a seasonal sermon from the Rev Charles Girdlestone, 1797-1881.

This wonderful poetic advertisement is wonderful don’t you think? A seasonal invitation from Mr F Hipkins to his friends and patrons. With a right Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To be given away! To be given away! I love the advertising of some of the retailers in the past, anything to catch the eye of the reader. This advert was included in the news of the day for Billinghay, not on the advertising pages, a bit like we get now among our social media posts, showing that times haven’t changed that much in this respect.

Another great advert. Will be delivered before Christmas! The first printing machine adapted for paper hangings/wallpaper was in 1839, they first came in large sheets, then later were glued together to make a roll.

A resident of Billinghay, Mr Mugliston, was very generous in the winter of 1876/77, and it was very gratefully received. Was Mr Mugliston an ancestor of yours?

A public tea was held in The Ship Inn in 1879 with several tenants being treated to a ticket for a free tea. The evening, New Year’s Eve, was spent dancing etc. I bet they all had a good time seeing in the new year.

Over a hundred years ago among other Christmas news, the Bee Keepers of Billinghay knew how important it was to look after our Bees.

🎄Christmas 1914

Of course, the first Christmas after the beginning of World War I on 4 August 1914, was a time when lots of places in the United Kingdom raised money for their local lads who had gone to war, Lincolnshire was no different, and it was interesting to read some of the small and larger ways in which people remembered the troops at Christmas.

This is a long list of local people who contributed either money or mittens to make up gift tins for Soldiers and Sailors, organised by the War Office.

Do you recognise any names among these lists? Are any your ancestors?

This report shows that 32 shillings were collected to provide local lads on active service with suitable Christmas presents.

Plum Puddings for the Lincolnshire Regiment. Mrs Helen Mary Foster Frazer’s fund.

Ending with this last “whip round” below, which occurred in the Ship Inn/Hotel at the Annual Supper of the Billinghay “One and All” Club, they raised 13s 6d to be forwarded in cigarettes for the Billinghay lads who were serving with the colours at home and abroad.