Remembering Christmases At The Four Pillars Hotel
Guests were asked to arrive after 2.00 p.m. on the 23 December, where everyone was greeted with a welcome drink, followed by Christmas carols in the lounge; we were shown to our rooms, and there was always plenty of time to unpack, and get ready for dinner.
After breakfast on Christmas Eve, we either drove into Witney to look round the shops - I bought a lovely pair of shoes there, and I remember Mum enjoyed going into all the little boutiques and chatting away to the owners and staff. There was also a specialist teddy bear shop, with Steiff bears - at this distance, I can't remember if we bought one or not, but it was such an interesting emporium for bear lovers! - or else we would have a go in the swimming pool at the hotel.
Oh, yes - Wendy and I are great swimmers - holding on to the foam rubber long float all the while! We never did seem to get the hang of it. I would always stay in the shallow end, where I could still put my feet down on the bottom of the pool, and then try to launch myself full length on the water and start using my arms and legs to try to swim. Just when I thought I was going forward with a few strokes, I'd lose confidence and put my feet down again. Oh dear.
Never mind - I was always a better decoration poolside than potential Olympic medallist. Wendy persevered more determinedly, but she, too, never managed to really get going.
In the evening, there was a lovely dinner and a disco; and, later still, we could attend the Midnight Holy Communion Service at St. Bartholomew's Church in the village.
Come Christmas morning, we discovered that during the night, the staff had been busy; a filled Christmas stocking for every guest was looped over the handle of each room - this started the day off beautifully.
After breakfast, our little family gathered in our room and opened all our presents, and relaxed until it was time for Christmas dinner
This was a special occasion, with the traditional English Christmas meal of turkey and roast potatoes and parsnips, carrots, peas - the "whole nine yards!" Father Christmas came to every table, presenting each guest with a gift - it was all done so sweetly, and you really were made to feel special.
On Christmas night, the management set up a "Casino," providing "chips" for guests to play roulette, blackjack, and a couple of other games - my fun was not to win, but to see how long I could make my chips last! I reckoned if, after half an hour, I still had a few left, I was doing well.
On Boxing Day, breakfast was scheduled a little later than normal, with Bucks Fizz on offer; it was a quieter day, to allow any guests who had perhaps enjoyed the Christmas Spirit a little too much, time to recover! Of course we also had lunch and dinner, and there was another dance in the evening, with a singer, and sometimes the manager would also arrange a Fancy-Dress competition. One year, Bob went as Blofeld from the James Bond film - I had great fun drawing a menacing scar down his cheek (did Blofeld have a scar? If he didn't, I plead theatrical licence!) - and as we didn't have a white cat, we bought a large soft toy dog instead, reckoning that would have to do.
Either way, I think we totally confused the judges, because they awarded Bob first prize! Luckily, they didn't ask us to elaborate on what his character was meant to be...
As I said, the staff worked incredibly hard to entertain us, and we couldn't forget that many also had families with whom they would have liked to spend their Christmas. At various times during our stay, they organised a bingo afternoon, and horse racing in the lounge - not, of course, that we had full-sized steeds prancing around indoors, but long sticks with painted wooden horses' heads nailed to the top! I remember when we were in East Africa, and used d to come back home to England by sea on the Union Castle ships, the passengers were also entertained with "Housey Housey" evenings and similar horse racing events!
Thinking back to these happy Christmas holidays, I'm also reminded of the Dining Room Manager, Lillien - he was from Paris, and very charming. Because he saw Mum was not good at walking, at mealtimes he went to collect her from our room, and escorted her to the dining room. Mum held on to his arm, walking straighter than she usually did, and looking as thrilled as a teenager; she loved the attention!
If the weather was not too cold, we'd drive to Ducklington Village and park the car, walk round the duck pond, and Mum would feed the ducks.
Ducklington Village, with the duck pond on the right
One year, we walked to a pub not far from the hotel, where a group of Mummers were performing a mediaeval play - what great traditions are kept up, and how much we enjoyed seeing them!
On the 27th December, it was time to pack up all our lovely presents and all the happy memories we made, and say farewell to new friends we'd made. We really felt we had been away not just 4 nights, but for much longer, and that was the reason we made our next booking before we set off for home!
