‘Invited to the Procters’ this evening to see what is called a Christmas tree,’ wrote Edward Pease, 86, in his diary. ‘I did not feel inclined to go. About 70 were present.’ In turning down the invitation from Misses Jane, Barbara and Elizabeth Procter, grumpy Edward missed out on a seasonal piece of local history: the first recorded Christmas tree in Darlington.
The trees only became fashionable in 1848 when the Illustrated London News pictured Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children beside a candle-covered fir.
The first Darlington tree was in the Procters’ boarding school for girls at No. 11, Houndgate. The following year, the sisters moved their school to Polam Hall, where it remains. The Polam Hall Christmas Tree Party became the highlight of Darlington’s festive calendar, with the pupils covering it in numbered gifts. Their guests drew numbers in a raffle and found their presents on the tree. Great fun ensued as everyone swapped gifts until they had something suitable.
Edward was never reconciled to such hilarity. His diary of 28 December 1855, found him at his son Joseph’s home. He wrote: ‘The evening spent less to my comfort than usually, the levity etc of what is termed a Christmas tree was below that which belongs to those who have attained to maturer years.’
(The Diaries of Edward Pease)