Notes from the Riverside

In the bleak mid-winter, with the days short, interminable rain and drizzle, cold nights and dreary days, since prehistoric days man has tried to cheer themselves up with various forms of winter festivals. Also to celebrate the start of the lengthening of the days and the hope that the sun which had disappeared from their lives might one day return. After two bleak years of Covid restrictions we are into yet another winter when the need to be cheered up is paramount and that is when the Arts can do so much. In December at Riverside, we start with one of the happiest films of recent times, “Love Actually” with Hugh Grant as the best Prime Minister we never had. Happiness is very much in the music provided by firstly Riverside Jazz in their Christmas special, then the troubadour songs of Alistair Sherwood and finally, the colour and razzmatazz of Zodiac’s song and dance in Christmas Bells. Victor Hugo wrote that “laughter is sunshine that chases winter from the human face” so apart from our usual Laughing Chili events, the youngsters of Riverside Youth Theatre will be staging “Clue”. This is a comedy thriller adaption of the board game Cluedo. Combine the laughter, the music, the colour, the dance and the feel-good feeling and you have the recipe for panto, which will be served up to you in January in “Cinderella - the other slipper". A pantomime is associated with happiness but if you delve into the history of panto you will find a much darker side. Quintessentially British, the origins date right back to the middle ages, drawing inspiration from the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell'Arte" comedy shows and Greek morality plays, where the whole story was of good fighting against evil. The baddie always enters from the right side of the stage as you view it from the audience, or the left side from the actors' point of view. (Incidentally the Italian word for left is “sinister’’). A battle which, of course, good had to win and is reflected in the modern tales of seemingly dark days of despair and defeat, love conquers all, the villain is defeated, and everyone lives happily ever after. And that is what we wish for you; a joyous Christmas with those you love and “to live happy ever after” throughout 2023.

Your doorway to Arts & Entertainment

Drama, poetry, literature, dance, pottery, ballet, jazz, keep-fit, flower arranging, Pilates, yoga, cinema, children’s dance Quiz nights, classical concerts, comedy, youth drama, painting, musical tuition, licensed bar, meeting rooms, air-conditioned performance areas

Riverside Arts Centre

57/59 Thames Street Sunbury TW16 5QF www.riversidearts.co.uk 07796 531427 info@riversidearts.co.uk registered charity 272929

The last few months have been a very unsettling and stressful time for many with the rising cost of living, the many changes within our country and events across the world. So, let’s all take time to enjoy the Christmas period with our families and friends. For some light relief, here are some after dinner brain teasers to test your general knowledge, combined with a few festive facts.

Q1. Where did the tradition of the Christmas stocking come from?

Hanging stockings out comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes packed with food for St Nicholas’s donkeys. He would leave small gifts in return.

Fact: According to tradition, you should eat one mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas to bring good luck.

Q2. Where did the tradition of putting tangerines in stockings come from?

The tradition came from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor.

Fact: It’s technically illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day in England. In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas pudding, mince pies and anything to do with gluttony. The law has never been rescinded. Q3. When did Shepperton Studios first open for business?

The studio facility opened for business in 1932 as the base of Flicker Productions, which produced popular ‘flick’ books of photographs. Mr Loudon had his sights set on full feature film production.

Fact: Christmas pudding was originally a soup made with raisins and wine.

Q4. Which estate agent sold more houses in Shepperton this year than any other agent?

According to data on Rightmove.com between 1/1/22 to 11/11/22, out of 14 estate agents that have sold 201 properties within TW17, Curchods have sold 47.8% making them the market leader.

Fact: For a Christmas to be officially classified as “white” a single snowflake needs to be observed falling in the 24 hours of 25th December on the rooftop of the Met Office HQ in London.

Q5. A log burner creates a cheery festive focal point to a room. What certification is required?

A HETAS certificate is required under Building Regulations for the installation of a log burner/multi fuel stove.

Q6. How did Boxing Day get its name?

Boxing Day gets its name from all the

A Little Light Relief In Time For Christmas

money collected in church alms boxes for the poor.

Q7. Who invented the Christmas cracker?

The Christmas cracker was invented by a London sweet shop owner called Tom Smith. In 1847, after spotting French bonbons wrapped in paper with a twist at each end, he sold similar sweets with a “love motto” inside. He then included a little trinket and a “bang”. His “Bangs of Expectation” included gifts such as jewellery and miniature dolls. By 1900, he was selling 13 million a year.

Q8. How many offices do Curchods and their sister company Burns & Webber have?

Curchods and Burns & Webber are a privately owned family business with 24 offices, stretching from south west London to the Surrey/Hampshire border.

Fact: Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads through bird droppings.

Q9. A steel beam, known as an RSJ is used to provide structural support in a building. What does RSJ stand for?

Rolled Steel Joist. Q10. Where does the word pantomime come from?

The word pantomime derives from the ancient Greek where a pantomimus, the ‘imitator of all’ was a dancer who played multiple roles within the same production, expressing himself only through movement to the music and telling classic tales from mythology or the ancient writers.

Q11. Did The Queen ever miss a Christmas speech?

In 1969 there was no Christmas Speech as a special documentary The Royal Family had been made during the summer in connection with the Investiture of the Prince of Wales.

Q12. Have any Christmas films been made at Shepperton Studios?

1970 Scrooge; 1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol; 2003 Love Actually.

My team and I wish you a very merry Christmas, a prosperous new year and look forward to helping you with your move in 2023.

For friendly professional advice on all property matters please contact Owen Miles, Partner and his team at Curchods.

OWEN MILES MNAEA

PARTNER