Compliments of the season was the title of a talk and slide show given to the society by Mr Frank Townsend, of Malvern, on the November 28.

Mr Townsend's presentation was centred on the history of the Christmas Greetings card but in fact encompassed the origin of the British Postal system and the significance, at Christmas, of Evergreen trees and the Holly and the Ivy.

The story started in the early 17th century with the distribution of official correspondence by horsemen known as Kings Messengers and progressed on through the introduction of the Mail Coach in the 1750's and finally to the Victorian era of the railways in the 1840's.

It was during this latter period that Sir Rowland Hill, who was born in Kidderminster, conceived the postal system that we know today.

The origin of the Christmas Greeting card was in fact attributed to SirHenry Cole, a gentleman who, in 1843 was so busy that he had little time to correspond with friends and so devised a greetings card which bore a short message and which could be easily sent to all of his friends.

The first card was designed and produced by the artist John Horsley. In recent times an original Horsley card was sold at auction for £20,000!

Facts and figures flowed freely throughout the evening all present having learned something new and interesting about our postal system, Pagan customs, Christmas trees, Christmas Puddings, turkeys and of course the Christmas Card.

The next meeting is on January 30 at Wythall Baptist Church hall, the subject being The History of Broadcasting.