WELCOME to December, 1929, when the spirit of ‘Christmastide’ was in full swing in Southend’s elementary schools.

These vintage photos, uncovered from our archives, show how pupils across Southend were getting in the mood for the festive season some 89 years ago.

Economically, things weren’t great across the pond. It was just two months since the the Wall Street Crash in America but the full effects of the Great Depression would not be felt in the UK for some time.

Labour MP Ramsay MacDonald was the Prime Minister. and movie-goers had been flocking to see Mary Pickford and Clara Bow on the big screen. Music-wise Noel Coward’s ‘Dear Little Cafe’ was big news and literary lovers were reaching for a copy of ‘A Room of One’s Own’ by Virginia Wolf.

This year also saw the births of Grace Kelly, Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn.

In December, Father Christmas was doing the rounds in Southend, visiting schools and dishing out presents.

The Southend and County Pictorial reported on the seasonal goings-on:

“The little tots at the Hamlet Court Infants School spent a wonderful afternoon on Wednesday,” reported one article.

“Whilst they were gazing in rapture at a big Christmas tree laden with gifts and singing a song about Father Christmas, a knocking was heard on the top of the classroom wall.

“There was a tiny pause then frantic cheering broke out and lo and behold, there was their beloved Father Christmas gazing down upon them and hugging a huge sack.”

At the London Road School carols were sung and end-of-year presentations were handed out - the boys voted for the ‘most popular’ school member while the girls presented a trophy to the ‘nicest’ pupil.

At Hamstel Junior School there were no traditional nativities, instead they perform ed a scene from their festive play ‘Knavish Tricks’.

At the Brewery Road School a ventriloquist was the star of the show as he performed a Christmas skit for the children. A large cake was sent from local businessman and entrepreneur Cecil Jones. The generous benefactor even donned a Santa suit himself and went into Southchurch Hall school dressed as Father Christmas and spent time giving out presents.

At Bournemouth Park Road school yet again Cecil Jones showed his generous side. The Pictorial reported: “A large Christmas tree had been given to them by Mr Cecil Jones which looked beautiful when lit by fairy lights and set in the well decorated hall.”

Many of the children pictured would have been hoping to unwrap Tinker Toys, Raggedy Ann dolls and yo-yos on Christmas morning.

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