A WARM, MERRY AND SAFE CHRISTMAS

A wintery scene, ice on the Rushall canal near the home of Derek Bennett in Walsall.

Surprising as it is, considering the weather conditions, this morning my journey in the snow from my home in Walsall to the office in Birmingham was quicker than normal. Now the schools are closed for Christmas and, no doubt, some people are staying off the roads during this wintery weather, the traffic was much easier and the M6 clear of ice and snow which made the drive in a doddle.

As everyone begins to wind down for the Christmas break we all begin to think about what we are planning for the festive season. There can be little doubt that this Christmas we really are in for a white Christmas, and for me it will be my first Christmas in 23 years spent at home in Walsall rather than the village of Dolwyddelan in North Wales where my parents retired to, which is going to make it a strange Christmas.

Although we are all looking forward to relaxing over the holiday period, we are not quite there yet and there are still things to do, also for some there is no respite over Christmas as many in our essential services will still have to be on duty. So we should all give a thought to our brave lads and lasses serving in dangerous parts of the world such as Afghanistan – there is no Christmas for the Taliban. Our police, ambulance drivers, firemen, doctors, nurses and many ancillary staff will all have to report for duty on Christmas day while we are opening our presents, eating turkey, mince pies and generally having a good time – so give them a thought.

The one body of people who will not be working over Christmas will be our politicians both here in the UK and those in the European Parliament – which is, without doubt, a real blessing.

I have not yet finished for Christmas and hope to be putting some more postings on this blog before Christmas eve, but in advance I wish you a warm, merry and safe Christmas.