Archives in Action: Jingling All the Way Back!

Step into Chester’s festive past and unwrap the stories behind its Christmas traditions, told by those who were celebrating.

At Cheshire Archives, our collections stretch for miles, filled with parchment, maps, photographs, and books. But beyond the paper lies something even more personal: oral histories.

These recordings capture the everyday details often missing from written records, as well as the feelings and laughter that make history human.

Listening to these voices can transport you back in time, evoking the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the past.

Christmas is the perfect time to explore these stories. It’s a season steeped in traditions, some familiar, others long forgotten, as well as special memories that linger long after the decorations are packed away.

We invite you to join us on a talking tour of Christmases past, guiding you through Chester’s festivities in the early 1900s. Discover stories of enchanting shop window displays, seasonal treats, first magical encounters with Father Christmas, and the treasured gifts children once found in their Christmas stockings.

Before the festive rush sweeps you away, pause your preparations and share in a little heartwarming Christmas magic with us!

Listen to the audio tour on Soundcloud:

Visit YouTube for an accessible version with subtitles:

Christmas Talking Tour

All clips in this tour were recorded by the Chester Archaeological Society and digitised as part of the British Library’s Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project. We extend our thanks to Foden’s Band for granting us permission to feature their music in this Talking Tour. The audio forms part of the wider Foden’s collection, which is preserved by Cheshire Archives.