Meeting Reports December 2025
Jim Burnett (President) introduced Derek Whitely, President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union in 2025 , who gave a talk on “The Natural History of Christmas.”
Derek explained that as President of the YNU, he undertook to visit as many of the affiliated Societies (37 in all) of the YNU as possible. This meeting was his 7th and final leg of that tour. Derek declared, that as an affiliated member of the YNU, then our members were entitled to some benefits.
1. The YNU Executive has decided to allow members of affiliated societies access to an online version of the current Naturalist. For a trial period of one year this will be free of charge
2. to receive a copy of the newsletter by Alistair Fitter, which are issued 6 times each year.
3. Members of Affiliated Societies can attend any of the YNU’s field meetings and indoor meetings.
Derek has dedicated his talk on ‘The Natural History of Christmas’ to the memory of the late Patrick Harding,
Patrick Harding wrote two books on the topic of Christmas,
“The Christmas Book: A Treasury of Festive Facts” and
” Christmas Unwrapped: True stories Behind the Myths and Magic of Christmas.”
Derek related how he had, attended in 2004, a Christmas lecture by Patric, which was to be followed by a similar lecture by Patrick to The Sorby Natural History Society, which, due to Covid, was cancelled. Patrick died the following year, and it was then that Derek decided to continue with these Christmas lecture in memory of Patrick.
Derek started his talk by referring to the gospels, in which there are no references to animals being present at the birth of Jesus. He went on to discuss the three gifts, Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. Frankincense is a resin collected from a tree found in Arabia and would be useful for covering up odours and smells. Myrrh, likewise, is a resin collected from a thorny tree that only grows locally.
Regarding St. Nichols, who gave away all his wealth, was very popular in European countries. Another version, St. Klaus, a popular figure amongst the Dutch was exported to North America by them, but by the early 1900s had been brought back to England.
Another book that Derek referred to as a useful source for explain some of the myths and legends, was “Dead of Winter” by Sarah Clegg.
A Christmas tradition Derek referred to was ‘Kalyady’ in Belarus, a mixture of pagan and Christian customs.
It was the early Christian Church that established the 25th December as Christmas day. Alfred the Great declared that there were 12 says of Christmas and William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas day are more facts related by Derek.
Food at Christmas was another topic covered in his talk. Wild boar was traditionally served with an Apple in its mouth; we now serve apple sauce with food. In Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” the goose is the centerpiece of the Christmas dinner. Sturgeon & Conger Eels have also been popular additions at Christmas. Roasted Peacock was another favourite.
The Turkey was brough to England in 1540 from Spain, but Charles II preferred roast beef and the protestant’s thought Christmas was too Popish and shunned it. Twelfth Night is an historic midwinter festival are several more facts Derek related to.
“A Visit from St. Nicholas” famously known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas” was written in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moor as a poem for his own children.
Mid-winter greenery has a long history in this country. Hence our Farther Christmas was always dressed in Green and carried toys for children. The Christmas tree as popular in Europe in the 16th century. Queen Charlotte, in 1800, set up a tree decorated with sweetmeats and almonds and decorated with candles. In 1841 Prince Albert brought over a tree from Germany which establish the cult of the Christmas tree with the Victorians. The traditional tree was a spruce from Norway, but this has given way to other trees that hold their needles for longer periods.
The Holly and the Ivy, were used in pagan festivals, now the holly is more likely found as a wreath. The Ivy, as we all know, is good for our wildlife. Mistletoe was also used in pre-Christian festivals – it never falls to the ground. It was a symbol of love, hence the kissing under the mistletoe. Derek recommended one reads the Pickwick Papers for a hilarious passage.
The Robin, a true Christmas character in the UK. Robin Goodfellow was one of Santa’s helpers. However, in Wales the Robin is considered as a spy upon children, and is not allowed in the house. The Wren is associated with treason and was traditionally hunted on boxing day. (St. Steven’s day also known as Wren’s day)
The Red Santa outfit was brought over from America
Derek mentioned a few Christmas flowers; Christmas rose, which is not a rose, Poinsettia, a flower of the holy Night, grows as a weed in Mexico. The Yellow star of Bethlehem is not associated with Christmas.
Brussel Sprouts was popular in 17th century Britain, possibly as it grows quite well in winter; it is also full of vitamins. Cranberry features in the first thanksgiving feast. The American version, which is larger, is now more popular. Orange became a stocking filler after the war when other fruits were scarce.
Christmas baubles have now replaced the tradition of hanging fruit on the Christmas tree. Fig puddings that have no figs in them, was a tradition Christmas fare.
Derek referenced the Fly agaric and its hallucinogenic properties and its association with flying Reindeers. He also noted how the fungus was now beginning to appear in Christmas cards and on Christmas trees.
Derek ends his talk, noting that Christmas is continually evolving, and some of the old traditions are creeping back in.
Joyce thanked Derek for his excellent, interesting and informative talk.
Applause.
Derek announced that he had brought with him some copies of the ‘Naturalist’, which were free to anyone; he also has a couple of Patrick Harding’s books for sale.
At the close, we were able to donate to the Barnsley Naturalists’ Society a very old manuscript of a lecture that was read before their Society by W. Robinson in 1892. This had been recovered from Colin’s old office within the museum and did not form part of our Societies archives.
https://www.doncasternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/notes-on-british-spiders-by-w-robinson-1892/
Les