(This post was originally posted by Clinkers (David) on the Coronation Street Blog December 2012, reposted to this blog with permission.)Do the baubles on your tree look as garish as Bet Lynch on a Bank Holiday outing? Are your sprouts already on a low boil? If you're Kirsty Soames, are the only chestnuts being roasted on an open fire those belonging to Tyrone?
There's no escaping the holiday season - well, I suppose there is but who would want to with the festive wonder of Weatherfield to be enjoyed.
About 400 years ago, I wrote a piece which ambled through the many Yuletide storylines used on Corrie. As we now live in 'Austerity Britain' (although, dear fans in Canada, we've nicked the governor of your national bank to help straighten things out), here's the same article again. Well, it's the thought that counts.
As Julie Andrews once droned on, let's start at the very beginning and celebrate the Corrie Christmases from the decade that brought us Twiggy, the Beatles and the threat of nuclear obliteration. The Sixties! Let's join the Ghost of Weathefield Christmas past.
1960 - a less than jolly holiday for Ena Sharples. She collapses after being caught boozing in the Rovers by Leonard Swindley. Did the hair-netted one go teetotal afterwards? Did she 'eck as like, by crikey.
There was more misery for Ena in 1961 when she choked on sixpences hidden in Minnie Caldwell's Christmas pudding. Simple times when you could happily gag on pre-decimal currency in the comfort of your own midden.
It's 1962 and, in what one can only hope is a long-forgotten storyline, Emily is plied with tranquilisers and whisky. Well, it was the swinging sixties.
Residents gather in the Mission Hall for a special Christmas 1963 staging of "This is Your Life" with Annie Walker as the guest. There are rare appearances from Joan and Billy Walker, played by Vivien Leigh and Richard Burton. OK, maybe not.1964 - and it's pantomime time! Oh no it isn't! Yes it is actually, and Len Fairclough gets a custard pie in the face. The whole cast sing the Beatles hit "She loves you" at the close of proceedings. What, even Ena?
The highlight of Christmas 1965 is David Barlow's torn knee ligament. I kid you not. It must have been like Casualty with cloth caps.
Ooh heck! With a storyline worthy of Walford, Ena Sharples looks on as her daughter dies. Merry Christmas 1966. Meanwhile there are laughs a-plenty at the fancy dress party where Dennis appears as Batman, David is an Old Time Butcher and Irma is a flapper. At least I think it says flapper.
1967 brings the warm glow of nostalgia and a Rovers sing-song. That's more like it! Ena gave a spirited performance of the Rolling Stones hit Let's spend the night togetherFree from her early tranquiliser hell, Emily throws herself at the vicar. Everyone else gets drunk in the Rovers and the usual sing-song ensues, 1968 style.
It's the end of the decade and there is a concert in the Rovers Select. Ena and Emily sing "Cockles and Mussels", Minnie recites "The Owl and the Pussycat" and Val strips down to her bra. That last one wasn't true.
Coming soon - Coronation Street Christmas - The Seventies!
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