Don't go too mad on the Christmas cheer, then. In 1860, a new shaft was being sunk at Vobster colliery. The entry for Christmas day (in the engineer's jpurnal) runs: "Pit stood 12 hours, all hands off. Sinkers went into bottom at midnight." Note in the context of these operations, this means they worked through until noon! Tinsel is a product of affluence. Ian On 15/12/2010 13:53, Joni Saunders wrote: > ... Since my ancestors did not pass on traditions to me, maybe I can > borrow some from your ancestors...