There it was again the yearly palarver of the contractors putting the finishing touches to Stafford’s Christmas lights display in the town centre – near as damn it a full two months before the festive season decends on us with all the jingle tills and commercial bonhomie that big business can summon.

It’s so easy to seem like a grumpy old man.

I like Christmas, I like giving and receiving presents, I love the food and good company.

But I love celebrating it at the correct time – whicj I think you will fin d is at the end of December.

Why on earth do we do it? We don’t start celebrating our birthdays or wedding anniversaries two months before they come around. I really do despair.

Right I’ve had my yearly rant. Happy Christmas everybody – but not until it finally arrives.

J. Matthews, Stafford.