At the end of September 1914, the Beeston Gazette & Echo was warning children that there would not be any imported toys for Christmas. (Tin plate toys were imported from Germany.)
So, once they had ‘kicked the Kaiser’s Ass’ at the Wakes on Markham’s Field (Roundhill) and perhaps, as also suggested by the Gazette, burnt an effigy of the Kaiser on their bonfires instead of Guy Fawkes on 5th November, Beestonians prepared for Christmas.
They bought Christmas cards from Oliver Titcombe in Mill Yard, or Hudston’s stationers.
Most of the parties, concerts, dances and Christmas meals happened as normal. The home front was not yet affected, other than by worry about loved ones at The Front. There were neither food shortages nor blackout.
Money was tight for families whose breadwinners were fighting and many sought relief from the Soldiers and Sailors Families’ Association.
On 8th January 1915, the Beeston sub-committee of this association held a party for servicemen’s children in the Station Road Sunday School rooms. They provided tea and entertainment.
The gifts were from Beeston’s share of the Santa Claus ship’s cargo, from New York.
The USN ship ‘Jason’ had set sail on 14th November bearing 1,200 tons of toys, food and clothes for European children. Americans had donated so much that 90 soldiers and 60 sailors packed the goods.
The children at Beeston’s party were disappointed, though… they only received second hand clothes. The toys went home to younger brothers and sisters too young to attend the party.