Monday, 22 December 2003

Personal

The first noël

[Carols on the Market Hill]

And so the season begins. This morning, the snow; this evening, carols on the Market Hill.

The service began well. The town band played as the townsfolk sang, loud voices expelling warm breath that took the edge off the chill. It made a great start to the Christmas season for me.

But I'm ever the cynic and I can't help but laugh. Half-way through, we were collectively chastised for allowing the square's Christmas tree lights to be vandalised; and at the end of the service, Father Christmas put in an appearance from the top of the church tower.

This is Christmas in all its English eccentricity, dressed up like the town mayor presiding over this evening's Noël.

Posted by pab at 20:50