An Afternoon of Carols 10th December 2015

Had a lovely Christmassy afternoon yesterday at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright.

It is an 18^th Century Georgian house and the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel, one of the Glasgow Boys. It is a living museum of his life and work, full of his paintings and those of his contemporaries. There is a library, which includes one of the world’s biggest collections of works by Robert Burns.  Behind the house is Hornel’s garden, which is a mixture of Eastern and Western horticulture and is a delight to explore. The National Trust look after the house and had organised an afternoon of carols.

We began the afternoon with mulled wine and mince pies and then went into the Gallery for the carols. The staff had organised a terrific programme of carols and readings, which they presented with great aplomb.
The readings for the afternoon were all related to Christmas in one form or another - from "The birth o Jesus" from the Glasgow Gospel by Jamie Stuart, where the story is told in a Glaswegian accent - to "I keep my Snowman in the Freezer" by Ian McMillan.

I KEEP MY SNOWMAN IN THE FREEZER

by Ian McMillan

I keep my snowman in the freezer

Just behind the  pies

He likes it there, he  told me so

I can see it in his eyes.

I made him on a cold, cold  morning

When the snow was fresh and deep

Now he sits in the freezer

Near the fish that we got cheap.

I keep my snowman in the freezer

And look at him each day.

If I’d left him in the garden

He’d simply have melted away.

But now he’s like my Grandma

Living somewhere safe and nice;

He’s in a frosty, snowy palace

On a throne of coldest ice.

I keep my snowman in the freezer

Near a lump of frozen beef

And I’ve got a treat for him in August:

I’m taking him to Tenerife!

Do you think this poem by Paul Curtis would ring any bells with modern mothers too?

A MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS TALE

By Paul Curtis

 I have worked for Ebenezer Scrooge all year

A man devoid of any sign of Christmas cheer

I’ve avoided being kissed by the office Romeo

By navigating the office avoiding mistletoe

As the time is ticking towards Christmas day

I could have done with a little help along the way

I’ve dealt with shoppers impatient and rude

But I tried to stay cheerful while I queued

I’ve bought all the presents the paper and bows

I’ve put up with all the countless ho ho ho’s

I’ve got all the groceries and gallons of booze

While you sat in front of the telly and snoozed

I’ve decked the halls I’ve trimmed the tree

I’ve wrapped all the presents from you and me

I’ve written all the Christmas cards to everyone

Which I hand delivered though I posted some

I’ve cleaned the whole house from bottom to top

I’ve washed and ironed till I’m ready to drop

I’ve prepared the veg, I’ve stuffed the bird

I’ve hung the stockings and you’ve not stirred

And the very second I take a minute for me

The first thing I hear is “Mum, what’s for tea”

So to Santa Claus I make my annual plea

For a special present just for me

Next year I want to escape this stress

So that I too can have a merry Christmas

One of the final readings was another poem by Paul Curtis...

Happy Christmas Auntie Peggy

By Paul Curtis

For Christmas I bought my auntie

A brand new wooden leg

I didn't have it specially made

I bought it off the peg

You may say it's not a nice gift

You might think that it's a killer

It wasn't her main present though

It was just a stocking filler.

The carols included all the old favourites like Once in Royal David's City and O Come All Ye Faithful. The 12 days of Christmas was very amusing with participants waving or standing up every time the number on their programme was mentioned in the singing. The partridge in a pear tree - number 1 - was up and down like a yo-yo!
Two volunteers were requested for our rendition of Deck the Halls - to accompany us on kazoos! We were given party poppers and given permission to set them off!
A fantastic afternoon that really made it feel like Christmas. From the conversations afterwards everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We look forward to next year.