Heavy Snow Over night.

Wow!  The fresh fall of snow is beautiful it glistens in the weak sunlight of early morning, the only marks left in the snow are from a rabbit making it`s way home.

Santa thinks the snow must have been falling all night long as it is so deep he almost loses his boots as he trudges across the yard to the barn to feed his reindeer, they are nice and warm greeting him in their own familiar way, calling out to him as prepares their magical enriched breakfast. He talks to everyone and makes a special fuss of them as he pours out their food. He has to be sure his reindeer are all fit and well and ready for the long journey ahead of them in a few days time.

It will soon be time to gather together all the presents for the girls and boys and check his list to make sure he has`nt forgotten anyone but right now Santa thinks he will have some fun and make a snowman in the yard. Some coal for eyes and larger pieces for buttons and the new scarf and hat that have been waiting for just such an outing and the snowman is complete.  A pile of snowballs at the ready, Santa is hoping someone will come round the corner and have a snow ball fight with him.

The Lord Mayor

Arthur an albino hamster is very well thought of as The Lord Mayor of Huntington. He is seen here wearing his official chain of office and carrying the keys to the city, they go everywhere with him.

Arthur has lived all his life in Huntington and knows every inch of the city. He has been happily married a very long time and has six children, several quite grown up now. He has been voted Mayor at many elections over the years and won every time. He is devoted to the job always putting the welfare of his public before everything else. Often a family gathering has been cancelled when at the last minute a call for a judgement on some issue or other takes him back to his office, much to the dissappointing look of his wife.

Arthur is looking forward to Christmas when he will have at least two days holiday and time to spend with his family.

Cora

Cora is the eldest of `The Lord Mayors` children, she has lead a sheltered life, fussed over by Nanny and Mama but of course when her five other siblings arrived she had to learn to share which came hard to Cora.

Now Cora is eighteen and pleased to be the eldest as she is the first to go with Mama to the theatre and allowed to call on Mama`s friends for afternoon tea, and has her own dress allowance to use for all the fashionable items a young lady requires.

The Christmas Ball at Huntingdon Hall is causing great excitement in the house and Cora`s younger sister`s want to go but Mama has been firm with them and said when they are eighteen they may accompany them to such an event.

Today Cora is having a fitting for a new ball gown of gold satin trimmed with lace, it has gold shoulder straps and neck band which is so fashionable. Mama has treated herself and Cora to a new fan as it can get awfully hot on such occasions.

Mama `The Lord Mayor`s Wife`

Mama is a lady of much standing in Huntingdon she is married to `The Lord Mayor` and has six children, three girls and three boys. She lives in a beautiful Tudor Manor House on the outskirts of town. They employ a house keeper, two maids, a cook and a nursery maid for the youngest of her children.

Mama leads a very busy life, attending different functions and Gala Dinners with her husband, all of which she must be attired in the very latest fashion, so several days a week trades people come to the house to show Mama the latest fashionable clothes and accessories.

The Lord Mayor and Mama have been invited to `The Christmas Ball` at Huntingdon Hall along with their eldest daughter Cora.

Lady Esther and Mama have been the very best of friends since they were girls and her husband and Lord Edwin often go for a relaxing afternoons fishing together at the Halls well stocked river when work permits, while Lady Esther and Mama have tea together.

The Mayor and his wife have been talking about finding their eldest daughter a suitable husband and when the invite arrived for `The Christmas Ball` it occurred to them both that this might be the very opportunity they have been waiting for, as there will be many eligible bachelors there amongst the hundred or so guests.

 

Lord Edwin of Huntingdon Hall

Lord Edwin`s family have owned Huntingdon Hall for many generations and employ a great deal of staff in the hall and on the estate.

According to Lord Edwin the most important people employed at the Hall are `The Butler`,  `The Housekeeper`, `The Cook` and `The Game keeper`. There are numerous maids and footman and too many gardeners to keep count of but they all do a wonderful job and are paid accordingly.

The forthcoming `Christmas Ball` will need a lot of organising so numerous meetings with the butler cook and housekeeper are taking place at the moment.

Lord Edwin hires out some of his land to the local farmers and the gamekeeper has one of the estate cottages near the woods where he can look out for poachers.

Lord Edwin and Lady Esther are very friendly and appreciate their staff`s hard work and when they are too old to work, a cottage on the estate is made available for them and they are looked after very well, often a basket of fruit and vegetables are left on their doorstep to save them having to go into town.

Lord Edwin is having a fitting today for a new jacket of the finest material and a blue silk shirt in readiness for the Christmas Ball.

Lady Esther of Huntingdon Hall

Lady Esther has been married to Lord Edwin for many years and lives in Huntingdon Hall, her husbands family residence for generations.

The family crest is shown above the main entrance door that leads into the magnificent hall where all of Lord Edwin's descendants portraits are hung. The hall has many doors leading from it.

The first one goes into the library which is oak panelled and has row upon row of leather bound books and a superb reading area where Lord Edwin reads his correspondence and smokes a cigar.

Another door  leads into the drawing room which is lavishly decorated and has some beautiful pieces of antique furniture. Lady Esther entertains her friends that come calling here.





From another huge doorway with double oak doors the famous ballroom comes into view where countless generation have enjoyed musical evenings and parties and flamboyant balls.

Lord Edwin and Lady Esther are very busy at the moment getting ready to hold a Christmas Ball, it will be a spectacular affair with the butler announcing every ones arrival and staff to take the ladies wraps, and bring them drinks.

On a raised area the musicians will play while games and dancing takes place on the wonderful dance floor.

A banquet is planned with the most adventurous dishes to please everyone, it will be held at the other end of the ballroom where the waiting staff can attend.

Most of the towns nobility and well known folk will be attending.  They have been told they can bring their small children with them if they so wish as they will be present for Father Christmas`s arrival and after playing a game or two and receiving a gift they will be sent up the enormous sweeping staircase to the nursery for a nap. The adults can then enjoy the evenings entertainment.

The Wedding

           Timothy and Rose`s Wedding Day has finally arrived.

 

 

 

 

A beautiful bright and sunny day, not a cloud in the sky.

 

Rose is looking radiant in her cream embroidered satin and lace wedding dress and wearing the 

pearl necklace that Timothy bought her especially for the wedding, and carrying a bouquet of roses.

 

Timothy is a little bit nervous but looks resplendent in his grey morning suit and top hat, the red bow tie sets off his outfit perfectly.

 

Great Uncle Horace and Aunt Maisie were invited to the church and of course had to have their picture taken with the bridal party.

 

Mr Proctor the photographer was very busy getting everyone in the right position for a wonderful set of photographs of the special day.

 

Daisy and Benjamin were very good and walked nicely up the aisle behind Rose but Benjamin had a few tricks to play on the happy couple before they left the reception.

 

 Rose and Timothy pose for a picture with the very

                 important wedding ring.

                                                                                   Benjamin and Daisy looking as though butter

                                                                                               would`nt melt in their mouths.



`The Flower girl` & `Page Boy`

Young Daisy is to be `Flower girl` at her sister Rose`s forthcoming wedding, and Benjamin
`The Page Boy`

Daisy is so excited at being a flower girl, she truly looks the part in her pale pink lace dress with rosebuds. Her pearl necklace is a copy of The Bride`s a special treat for the day. and of course she will be carrying a single rose.

Benjamin is Daisy`s cousin, he was not very happy at the idea of being a page boy and having to dress up in a sailors outfit. He has mischief in his eyes I hope he behaves himself on the day.

Rose `The Bride`

Rose works in the village milliners shop where she sells hats, gloves and veils to the discerning ladies of Huntingdon.

She is highly thought of by the ladies and often asked to bring samples to their homes where they can view them in private and sometimes match them to their favourite outfits.

Rose is trying on her bridal outfit today in readiness for the big day.

Timothy The Bank Clerk

Timothy works in Huntingdons largest Bank as a Clerk.

His Great Uncle Horace is the Bank Manager, so he has someone to look up to and he tries very hard to progress in the Bank by going to special classes after work to advance his accounting skills.

Timothy wants to do well for another reason, he is marrying his sweetheart Rose and needs a good job so he can afford a nice home for his bride.

Today Timothy has gone to the tailors to try on his wedding suit and hat just incase any alterations are needed but everthing is alright so he can relax as the Wedding Day draws close.

Clarence The Harpist

Clarence has just returned from London where he performed with `The London Hamster Orchestra`
he is a very talented Harpist and travels all over the country with the Orchestra.

He is home for a brief holiday and looking forward to catching up with old friends and the latest news.

The local public house is the best place to hear every thing that is going on so Clarence works behind the bar to help his Landlord friend for a few evenings while he is home.

Mr Proctor `The Photographer`

Mr Proctor is a professional photographer.

He opened his shop in the busy High Street in Huntingdon five years ago,
his black and white photographs are wonderful. Folk say it is difficult to stay still
for the required amount of time for the exposure of the photographic plate to take place
but the results are worth it.

Many soldiers going away to war are having their pictures taken to give to
love ones before they leave.

Mr Proctor takes bookings for Portraits. Family Groups, Armed Services and Weddings.

The Knitting Grannies

Martha and Minnie are the only twins in the village. They live together on the High Street in a lovely old house next to the Coaching Inn.

They talk incessantly during the day but as evening falls they settle down with their knitting and love to listen to the gramophone.

Martha on the left is wearing a pink and white summer dress with a lace collar but in the evening she likes to have a light shawl, she is knitting a warm wrap for the autumn.

Minnie is the eldest by 1 minute and shares the knitting pattern, their wraps will be identical when finnished.  Minnie needs her spectacles to read the knitting pattern, she keeps dropping stitches, think she needs new spectacles.

Master Jamie

This is Master Jamie, he is starting High School today so a smart school uniform is called for, a yellow blazer and cap with a blue checked shirt and of course a new school bag.

The Star Gazer

Johnathan`s main hobby is star gazing he is totally engrossed by the planets and constellations. He is also a little absent minded about time even though he has a pocket watch, he sleeps through the day and stays awake all night studying the stars through his telescope. Here he is on his way back from the observatory, tired and weary but so happy, to have seen a shooting star for the first time ever. He is awfully keen.

Johnathan often dresses in the dark so always wears brightly coloured clothes so he can find them, today he has an orange waistcoat and hat with a yellow shirt which is set off beautifully by his beige fur.