Victorian Father Christmas brings stories to Clifford's Tower

With the latest Disney Pixar movie, A Christmas Carol, riding high in the movie charts, visitors to Clifford’s Tower in York on 28 & 29 November will have a chance to learn more about Dickensian festivities when the Victorian Father Christmas drops in for two days of storytelling!

Based in the chapel at Clifford’s Tower, the Victorian Santa will call visitors to listen to his stories by ringing his Christmas bell, and then regale them with poems and stories about Christmas traditions, from the Viking’s version of Santa to St. Nicholas. Dressed in red robes with a fur-lined hood, actor Simon Corble of Found Theatre will entrance and captivate visitors with stories of Chrismases past!

“The man we now think of as Father Christmas has his roots in many different legends, from the actions of Bishop Nicholas in fifth century Greece, to the mid-winter visits by the Viking god, Odin, which has many similarities to the modern Santa,” explains Simon. “In Viking legend, Odin spent most of the year flying around the sky on an eight-legged horse, but once a year, a stranger calling himself ‘Yule’ would come down, disguised in a furry hood and with a long white beard, and share stories around the fire – a story which evolved over the years into the legend of Father Christmas riding his sleigh pulled by reindeer.”

Although Simon will be wearing traditional red robes, as a Victorian Father Christmas, he could have chosen any colour. “Father Christmas was depicted wearing many different colours – red, green, blue and sometimes just naturally-coloured furs. Red grew in popularity towards the end of the Victorian era, and when Coca Cola chose a red Santa – matching their corporate colours - for their festive marketing campaigns, the idea of a jolly man wearing red became ingrained in the public consciousness.”

Whilst Father Christmas is telling stories in the chapel, parents can enjoy a wander around the gift shop, which is participating in English Heritage’s national Christmas Shopping weekend – with 10% off all purchases! As well as the retail unit within the Tower itself, staff will be manning a retail outlet at the base of the steps, offering a wide selection of wines, liqueurs, meads and beers, including Rievaulx Abbey’s very own Brother Anthony Ale, as well as chutneys and other Christmas gifts.

The Victorian Father Christmas will be at Clifford’s Tower from 11.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 November 2009, with the doors to the tower and the retail stall open from 10.00am each day. Admission prices to the tower are £3.50 for adults, £3.00 for concessions and £1.80 for children, or £8.80 for a family (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members get in free.

For more information, please call Clifford’s Tower on 01904 646940 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffordstower
ENDS