Speaker: Robin Burton

Topic: The History of Christmas & Wassailing

This talk looks at what Christmas used to be like before the
Victorians messed it up for all of us. Find out why the Puritans banned it. And find out the history of many of the elements of Christmas which we think of as "traditional" today. In particular hear about what is probably the most traditional Christmas custom that is still practiced today… the door to door wassailing tradition. This talk
is illustrated with pictures and songs.

Robin is a Trustee of Gloucestershire Traditions, Committee
Member of Stroud Folk Weekend, and Chairman of Stroud Wassail. He has put together a website of 1500 Gloucestershire songs and tunes and re-started a Wassailing tradition. He sings and plays a Melodeon and is the lead singer of the Swing Rioters.