At Christmas, those who received several parcels of toys had to give some to those who were not so fortunate. Writing at Christmas time in 1930 one old orphan said, 'I expect the times are just as exciting as when I was there. I imagine the decorations being got ready, and the secrecy of it all, and then learning the lovely carols, and the Christmas Shop! I would love to peep in, to see if it is really like it used to be. I don't think it could possibly be better.' The 'Christmas Shop' refers to the little sweet shops which were opened in each wing of the Orphan Houses, in the earlier years at Christmas only, but later at other seasons as well' Early 1900s Original deposited by Mrs Pat Vaughan