'Please send me Rupert annual, pencils and slippers': Builder discovers delightful 60-year-old Christmas list in chimney

Humble: David's letter to Father Christmas
Lewis Shaw/PA
Tom Marshall11 December 2015

A builder who discovered a little boy’s 60-year-old Christmas list in a chimney has succeeded in tracking down the author.

The well-preserved letter to Father Christmas was found at a house in Reading by Lewis Shaw as he demolished the fireplace.

In the note, a young boy named David sweetly asks for old-fashioned presents that would be unlikely to thrill today’s youngsters.

He wrote: “Dear Father Christmas, Please can you send me a Rupert annual, and a drum box of chalks, soldiers and Indians, slippers, silk tie, pencil box and any little toys you have to spare, Love David."

It is then signed off with lots of kisses.

Discovery: The full letter found in a chimney
Lewis Shaw/PA

Mr Shaw, 24, said he was “taken aback” by the boy’s humble requests.

He said: “I didn't even realise what a Rupert annual was or that they still make them today.

“It was apparently the best thing at the time.

“Kids today wouldn't ask for things like that, they are so ungrateful and just ask for an Xbox, Playstation or those Segway things.

“Back then it would have been expensive stuff but the smallest things obviously made him happy.”

The discovery has now led to a successful campaign to track down the author.

Mr Shaw, 24, launched a Facebook campaign but eventually found the man by speaking to his former neighbours.

He is now due to meet the grown-up David, who lived in the semi-detached house after his parents bought it in 1945, to return the letter on Friday.

He added: “I think it might bring back a lot of memories - it was his mother and father's house and with us doing the work it can't be that nice for him seeing us knocking walls down and building an extension.

“It will hopefully be special for him.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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