Glasgow City Centre at Christmas Time During the Second World War

Take a walk through Glasgow city centre streets this Christmas and allow yourself to be transported back in time to Christmas during the Second World War in Glasgow. For 90 minutes relive blacked out shop windows and diffused lighting, shortages, mock turkey, pantomimes, evacuated children, wartime Christmas parties and much more. Find out why was it doubly important to shop early for Christmas presents for children and loved ones in the forces during wartime? How did shops and department stores such as Pettigrew and Stephens in Sauchiehall Street deliver a service in wartime at Christmas? What were Polyfotos? The Polish doll sent to Princess Margaret Rose from Glasgow. Hear about the best ever Christmas present delivered to a family December 1942. What unusual commodity did Glasgow run out off during Christmas 1944? Find out about Christmas toys gifted from America and special Christmas overseas radio messages from evacuated Glasgow children. Hear about the shortage of mistletoe in Glasgow shops in 1942. Throughout the walk you will hear how Glaswegian Ruth Carruthers Henderson, who had just left school and started work experienced wartime Christmases, she observed December 10th 1939 ‘I wish it was Christmas but we only get 1 day then and 1 at New Year only. Think of schooldays, 10 whole days, Ye Gods!’. Finally, in this 80th Anniversary year of the ending of the Second World War find out what it was like to celebrate the first post-war Christmas in 1945. Come along and let the bumper array of stories and facts gathered for you about Christmas in Glasgow city centre in wartime take you back in time to witness seven extraordinary Christmases.

* Meeting Point outside the Beresford Hotel, Sauchiehall Street, ends at George Square

** Bring your dog along sporting a fabulous Christmas coat! (optional)

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Host or Publisher Dr. Kevin Morrison