ARE you looking forward to Christmas? I am: eating, drinking to excess, showing goodwill.

Is it a shallow example to set in these days?

I am over 80 years of age and have a long memory. As children, we were fascinated at what a dead chicken looked like, never having seen one before. We saw plenty of Spam and offal, tripe etc. But the majority of folks went to church at midnight on Christmas Eve, and there were few presents to open next morning – but we did have the Christmas spirit to share round.

Surely at a time of plenty, we can manage to struggle through the holiday with seeing our kinfolk – or seeing them only on something like Skype. It will be unfortunate, but as long as we have our bubbles, a lot of families will be together.

A lot of older folks would be alone, especially if lockdown is still in force, but, come on, things will not be life changing. Let’s man up, stick out our noble chins and get on with it.

Don’t for God’s sake let things slip and allow Covid to spread further. If that happens, the thought of January with no physical contact would be too much to bear.

Face it, it is not a big deal not having all the things we normally have. Use your ingenuity to fill in the time. If you must, turn on your laptop, but build up the Christmas spirit, ring your friends up ,wish them all the best and have a chat. What a boost that would give to a lonely friend.

Or if you have a neighbour, knock on the door and have a chat – at a distance! Better still, give them a little prezzie.

I wish all readers a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Allan Wilkinson, Houghton le Spring.