Done and dusted, the old year is put to bed and the new one begun but a few scraps need saving before we forge on through January.

The Christmas cards taken down and hopefully recycled, it’s worth the telling of how the giving of cards began because, amazingly, there is a local connection.

Orestone Manor, on the coast road to Torquay, was the home of artist John Callcott Horsley RA in the mid-19th century and, thanks to a commission, he has the singular claim to having created the first Christmas card in this country, writes Viv Wilson.

Sir Henry Cole who provided the commission was a man of many parts and was instrumental in the structure of the postal system and directly involved with the development of the penny black.

So broad were Henry’s capabilities that his successes appeared regularly in the press which often referred to him as Old King Cole – Queen Victoria knighting him in 1875.

John C Horsley’s design resonates today: a well-to-do family is seen enjoying a full table and wine yet on either side, the feeding and clothing of the poor is depicted. Once his design met with approval, 1,000 cards were printed to sell at one shilling each. Today, they are said to be worth £20,000 each.

READ THE FULL STORY IN THE TEIGNMOUTH POST (FRIDAY, JANUARY 5)