TRADITIONS - AT ANY TIME

By Bob

See By Alan

It is assumed that grandad and granny Smith loved to have their family around them, as did many Victorian families. So it was another excuse to have a party. Our link is via Lillian who married our grandad. Grandad Smith was quite a craftsman. He made a sturdy dolls house which was well finished and looked really colourful. Every little girl's desire. It was presented to the latest girl of tender age at a where? At a paaaarty!! do not know how it migrated to our family. So with frequent birth of girls the tradition of a presentation party began. need someone to research its current whereabouts, if it exists now and some history of it please.

There was also a twenty first (or age of majority) birthday key about three feet long that was also presented. Where? At a paaaarty!! It has not been seen for some long time. However we now have a photo. Another tradition to a person of a slightly older age but sadly no more.

Before Piking family parties and get togethers were the norm organised and run by the elder Pikes' parents. The thumb in door started a new direction. The, "Hand," later to become the loved and treasured Pikehand in the course of time was to be presented each year to an, "unfortunate," (for the rest of the family to laugh at and possibly ridicule), all in good natured fun though. There were some early years when it was not awarded but since 1982 not a year has been missed. Continuing family tradition the, "Hand" is awarded at (Where? A Family paaaarty.) to the nominee, who among others, is judged to be the most amusingly deserving. He/she also gets a scroll.

There are other accidental traditions that have become legendary.