Column from Voice Newspaper
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go! My office has turned into a winter wonderland full of drawings of reindeer, holly and elves from talented local children entering my Christmas card competition. There is a definite chill in the air. In our local high streets like beautiful shop window displays tempt us in while carols bring much needed cheer. And I keep thinking, as I do every single year, I really must get a move on with my Christmas shopping!
Christmas is a truly magical time for many. As a child I remember being so excited to find out what Father Christmas had left for me and my brother and sisters. My two best ever presents were when I was nearly four and got a red ride-on Tri-ang Puff Puff train. I had seen it in a shop window and instantly fell in love. But I also knew it was a too big an ask as it was far too expensive and I was told that it wouldn’t become mine. So when it was there under the tree on Christmas day it was the most exciting day of my life and it still is!
When I was a bit older it was still trains for me! Christmas was a waiting game to see what extra bits I might get for my Hornby train set. I loved the Brunswick green Great Western Railway engines and their chocolate and cream coaches. Sometimes I’d get some track and points in my stocking or tiny model passengers for the station and trackside. As you can tell, I was super keen on great public transport systems even back then!
Nowadays it’s my working cocker spaniel Angel that makes my Christmas special. She loves long walks, her toy pheasant, and best of all, sausages! Boxing Day is obviously a big deal too – I often go to Ashton Gate with my fellow Bristol City fans and winning hopefully means vital bragging rights over my Rovers mates!
For some, Christmas doesn’t mean time off and I’d like to thank our amazing NHS staff, our firefighters and police, those working in retail at their busiest time of the year, and our posties who sort and deliver all the mail. A sincere thank you goes to everyone who works over Christmas!
A special Christmas wish also goes to those who are spending the holiday alone – perhaps because of fate or circumstance or maybe because they have lost a cherished partner. If this is you, you will be particularly in my thoughts.
It’s also a time for New Year’s resolutions, but as I’ve got the best job ever, mine is simple. In 2022 I want to really put the brilliant West of England even more firmly on the national and global map and ensure our region thrives.
So from Angel and me, we wish you and your family the happiest of Christmases, and a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year. See you in 2022.