Some thoughts on Christmas Day.

A crazy parade of tinsel and fairy-light decorated tractors went past our house early yesterday evening, indeed they seemed to go round and round the village, judging by the sound of their music and hooting. Christmas eve festivities, probably coordinated by the Wake Up Delph committee. 

I was reminded of the advertisement for Coca-Cola which has been on television this month. To the singing of “Holidays are coming! Holidays are coming!“ we see a young boy excitedly joining crowds lining the streets to watch a fleet of brightly-lit Coca-Cola lorries go past. I find myself thinking of the recipe for diabetes and tooth decay represented by these lorries! It doesn’t appeal to my Christmas spirit at all. The tractors, however, were a different matter altogether.

According to the One o’ Clock news on the radio some people camped out over night in order to be able to watch the royal family got to church on Christmas Morning. “It’s something I always wanted to do and this year I decided to do it. They give up so much for us and so I feel I can give up something for them!” Hmmm! Each to their own, I suppose!

Here’s a selection of letters from yesterday’s newspaper: 

Are carol singers now extinct? Some years ago, early evenings in December were regularly punctuated with a knocked door or rung bell.

Immediately after, the melodic, or more often cacophonous, rendition of Oh Come, All Ye Faithful could be heard. When the exuberant caterwauling could no longer be tolerated, the door was opened.

The little cherubs would then immediately refrain from murdering another carol and hit you with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. This was always (thankfully) the finale, with the expectation of a cash prize.

Depending on the decade, the 3d, 6d, 10p or, more recently, 50p (for each vocalist), was either greeted with a cheery smile or the sombre look of disappointment – depending on whether your reward fell below the evening’s market average.

Maybe children no longer know any carols, or they’re at home still eating the sweets you gave them at Halloween.
Gary Freestone
Leicester

Talking to my neighbours, I found that many of them have been too afraid to adorn the outsides of their flats or houses with Christmas lights this year as they have done in previous years, because they have soaring electricity bills. So the Tories have even dampened that Christmas spirit.
Alan Lafferty
London

Meanwhile, police are looking for a gunman who went and shot people in a pub in Wallasey last night. And a  man has been charged over comments made during a proclamation ceremony for the king. Thames Valley police said on Friday that Symon Hill, 45, of Oxford, had been charged with using threatening or abusive words, or disorderly behaviour. I seem to remember he shouted something about Charles not being his king! Hill is due to appear at Oxford magistrates court on 31 January. So much for freedom of speech! 

Hey! ho! It’s Christmas Day! None of this is going to spoil the fun. I’m planning on having a good time with my family. Santa has left parcels under the tree. 

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!