Guest speaker, Barbara Corti, gave the members of the Southend Anglo Italian Circle a festive treat at their meeting on 14th December. While members enjoyed seasonal eats & drinks, Barbara gave an amusing and very interesting insight into how the Italians celebrate Christmas, their traditions and superstitions – such as never giving a handkerchief as a gift because it symbolizes tears. Illustrating her talk with delightful Italian Christmas scenes and pictures such as the wonderful illuminated Christmas tree on the hillside of Gubbio and the presepi (nativity scenes) made and displayed in towns and villages throughout Italy, Barbara rounded off the evening with a delightful and light-hearted Christmas Quiz.