Young People Spend Xmas at Picturesque Hostel

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 11

Young People Spend Xmas at Picturesque Hostel

(By John Groves) The idea of spending Christmas in an old castle or an historic mansion has a romantic appeal which from time to time most of us must have experienced. The Youth Hostels Association now makes this a reality for the youth of Britain and, indeed, extends its hospitality to members of every other national youth hostel organisation. The association has hostels in all parts of the country, each one under the control of a warden, who generally lives on the premises with his wife. The accommodation is simple, the object being to provide cheap and comfortable facilities and a friendly community life in the evenings for young men and women who, during the day, travel on foot, by cycle or canoe. The hostels are generally situated in—or are close to —the loveliest parts of the countryside, or the most interesting historic towns and cities, and are often of considerable architectural or historic interest. Altogether there are 300 of them in England and Wales alone, nearly all of which are open at Christmas, though the main festivities usually take place in two or three particular hostels, previously agreed upon, in each region. ( HAU ACT ERISTIC DECORATIONS

from the high vaulted roof and hung with ancient lanterns, bunting and paper chains. A Christmas tree is usually the centre of the festivities, while many special surprises of one sort or another are planned by the warden for his guests. He and his wife apply all the cunning and ingenuity of many years’ experience to secret treasure hunts or “lucky-dip” barrels (filled with small gifts packed in with sawdust). The Christmas dinner fits the surroundings and all lhe traditional dishes like roast turkey and Christmas pudding are brought in amid cheers. Waking up on Christmas morning in the great hall of an ancient castle, surrounded by the portraits of a famous family’s romantic ancestors, old armour and other historical relics, is p. rare pleasure and exciting enough; slipping from sleep into wakeful consciousness of the interior of a picturesque old mill that existed before Dickens was born and maybe figured in one of his novels, is a thrill in itself, but it is usually only the beginning of a memorable day. A special breakfast, which probably brought the warden’s wife out of bed at 4 or 5 o’clock, fortifies the young people before they all go out together for a country walk. If it is a white Christmas, there is toboganning and a friendly snow fight. The hostel, which normally closes for a few hours during the day, is open on Christmas Day from morning until night. The warden’s wife, working hard but happily in the kitchen, is given a helping hand with the vegetables, while the warden himself puts some finishing touches to the decorations for the evening festivities, or gathers some holly or mistletoe. PARTY GAMES In the afternoon there are party games, and perhaps a service in the village church. Then, in the evening, some sort, of show is put on. Much of the entertainment, is usually in character with the countryside. For in-

stance, in Northumberland. England's northernmost county, bordering on Scotland, a kilted minstrel will play with Northumbrian pipes. There is probably some folk dancing, while in Wales every village has its male voice choir fully booked for carol-singing and the old folk songs for which the country is famous. Many young people will have booked three nights at the so as to stay from Christmas Eve until the morning of the 27th. Others will be staying only on Christmas night and will travel on to enjoy Boxing Day at another hostel in new surroundings and among fresh faces. If, however, Boxing Day morning or the morning of the 27th finds a group of guests still in bed after the first bell, missing their breakfast and setting off later than ever to their next port of call, no one will deplore it or begrudge it. They will come along next Christmas and do it all over again!