In a remarkable discovery, a diary from 1935 has surfaced, providing an invaluable glimpse into England’s Christmas past. The Dorset History Centre recently acquired the manuscript at auction, which documents the festive road trip of a woman nicknamed “Mouse” and her husband, “Jumbo,” as they searched for the quintessential English Christmas experience.
Mouse, believed to be 45-year-old Doris Perry from Cheshire, set off from London on December 23, 1935, with a romantic vision in mind. “In some remote corner of this island there must be a shining blazing hearth, beams laden with holly and mistletoe, and bustling happiness when the turkey and the plum pudding are cooking away in the big, old fashioned oven,” she wrote.
A Humorous Quest Through Dorset and Hampshire
As Mouse and Jumbo journeyed through Dorset and Hampshire, the diary humorously recounts their encounters with lackluster dining rooms “innocent of Christmas decoration,” subpar port, and “the usual devastating English salads” of soggy lettuce, beetroot, tomato, and bottled mayonnaise.
Their quest reached its peak on December 27 at The Antelope coaching inn in Dorchester. Here, the intrepid gourmands reveled in “fresh hot toast and jam” and wine that “warmed Jumbo’s marrow” by a bright fire in a “simply furnished, beautifully kept lounge.” The diary is adorned with collected postcards and a hand-drawn map of their route.
Insights Into 1930s English Society
Professor Diane Purkiss of Oxford University, an expert on English food history, emphasizes the diary’s value to social historians. Unlike marketing or polemical sources, Mouse’s honest account offers a rare view of the then-emerging trend of upper-middle-class motor tourism and perceptions of regional authenticity.
“This era was rather vested in ye olde ways without fully comprehending how hard life was in the past,” says historian Annie Gray.
While the diary praises picturesque villages like Milton Abbas and Studland, Mouse’s sometimes classist disdain for locals, such as the “bright young things” of Swanage and a homesick Irish barmaid, jars modern sensibilities. Her entitled dismay at ordinary fare like cold ham, mashed potatoes, and mince pies further underscores the class divide.
The Enduring Appeal of Ye Olde English Christmas
Despite never finding her ideal vision of plum pudding, a rubicund coachman, and hearths bedecked with holly, Mouse resolved to continue her sentimental search. “Perhaps… I was born too late,” she mused, but concluded, “After all, it’s what makes life worthwhile.”
This charming tale, now preserved by the Dorset History Centre, captures the eternal allure of the traditional English Christmas – an enduring fantasy that still captivates nearly a century later. As we navigate our modern festivities, Mouse’s quest reminds us of the nostalgia and hope that forever imbue this magical season.
