On SUNDAY (December 20) I made my way into Salisbury for some late Christmas shopping and with the purpose of purchasing a pack of Christmas cards. Wandering around the city centre and seeing all the citizens with their face masks reminded me that there are certain points in our history we will always remember. 2020 and Covid-19 is certainly one of them.

Being a traditionalist, I still prefer the old style Christmas cards and they seemed to be selling well in Salisbury – especially the ones from the numerous organisations who sell cards for good causes.

Over the years the traditional messages sent with the cards have remained much the same, but the pictorial side has changed greatly.

The robin though retains its popularity. As it is an all season’s bird in Britain it is appropriate that it is chosen above all birds to go on cards. Somehow the cheery red of the breast seems to fit in well with the festive season.

There is an interesting legend about the robin’s red breast. It is said the bird got this colour in the Bethlehem stable when he scorched himself fanning the flames of a dying fire which was started to keep the baby Jesus warm.

Another reason for the robin’s association with Christmas goes back to Victorian times. The Victorian postmen wore red coats and these “red breasted robins” could be seen going about the streets delivering festive well-wishes. Robins soon came to be featured on the Christmas cards themselves, often with a letter in their mouths, as a representation of the postmen who delivered them.

Confirmed now as a symbol of Christmas, robins first appeared on Yule cards in 1862.

I would like to wish the readers of Bygone Salisbury and the Salisbury Journal a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.