The Wargrave Local History Society's December meeting took the form of a Christmas Party. With the meeting room decorated in festive style, members were warmed by the sight of a log fire and enjoyed traditional mulled wine, apple and blackberry pies and mince pies, all home-made by member Wendy Smith.The members were also entertained and informed by a presentation by Society Chairman, Peter Halman, on 'Old Fashioned Christmases'. From very early time, people have been aware of the changing seasons, as evidenced by Stonehenge, and would mark the winter solstice. By the Roman era, the celebrations were based on Saturnalia a major event of feasting and enjoyment. The Christians adopted this festival for their own. Peter then showed how a wide variety of Christmas traditions - from holly and mistletoe, mince pies and plum pudding, pantomime and mumming, to Christmas trees and cards - that had become adopted over time, ending with a reading from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol