CHRISTMAS is a time for giving and a time to remember others less fortunate than ourselves.

When we look back into Bicester’s past we find that it was also the case in days gone by, particularly for one rather philanthropic Victorian gentleman.

One of the largest local acts of generosity in the late Victorian and early Edwardian period was the gift of coal to the poor people of the town every winter.

Funded largely by Mr Henry Tubb, the last owner of Tubb’s Bank, this took place at Christmas time for many years.

In 1886, the Bicester Advertiser reported that on Thursday December 23, Henry Tubb distributed amongst the poor of the town between 12 and 13 tons of coal, in quantities of 100 weight each.

This kindness, owing to the severity of the weather, was much appreciated.

The severe weather was due to a heavy frost on the previous Friday and Saturday which had converted into ice all the water on the flooded lands around Bicester, and the consequence was that there was plenty of sliding and skating on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

On the former day, one or two slight accidents occurred through the ice being rather weak, but the ladies and gentlemen who 'went in' received no further hurt than a wetting.

On Monday, thanks to the temperature dropping further, the ice was much stronger and skating became very general.

Then, in 1896, the Advertiser reported that on the December 23 more than 17 tons of coal, the gift of H. Tubb and Mrs Johnson, were distributed free to the poor of the town in lots of 1.5cwts. Messrs S. and J. Harris supplied the coal and the distribution was superintended by Mr R. J. Goble.

Then again, in 1905, the Advertiser reported that 'with his usual generosity, Mr H. Tubb caused to be delivered on Saturday 23rd December about eleven tons of coal free in one-hundredweight lots to the poor of Bicester. The distribution took place on the Market Place, being superintended by Mr R. Goble, whilst the coal was supplied by Mr Jonas Harris.'

Mr Tubb’s generosity wasn’t just restricted to coal either.

On December 22, 1893, the Mr H. Tubb had given 'the usual quantity of beef' to the poor in Bicester, and money was distributed to the cottages in Water Lane through the generosity of this gentleman.

Clothing had also been distributed in certain of the surrounding villages by Mrs Tubb and Mr C. T. Hoare, of Bignell House, has very kindly sent a quantity of toys for the amusement of the Workhouse children.

The coal charity had originally been started by Henry’s uncle, but it was just one of many charitable things that Henry was involved with.

In February 1924 the Advertiser described Henry’s recent death as a 'staggering blow to the neighbourhood' and stressed 'his unbounded generosity, his liberal support of every deserving cause, and his practical interest in everything leading to the welfare of the town and district.'

Bicester Local History Society meets at 7:30pm on the third Monday of each month at the Clifton Centre, Ashdene Road, and all are welcome.

This month's talk will be "Canal People - Past & Present" by Martin Buckland. For more details blhs.org.uk