OLD-TIME XMAS ATMOSPHERE - "Christmas this year should be an extremely happy one. It is the first peaceful festival since 1938. For weeks the stores have been crowded and, although there was not a great choice of presents, shoppers managed to find something, and cards and calendars, though expensive, seemed to be more plentiful.

"Christmas decorations are almost non-existent but holly and mistletoe seem to have found their way into every home. The joys of this first peacetime Christmas are that far more families are re-united, travel is no longer impossible, no siren will disturb the festivities, and no A.R.P or Home Guard duties will interfere."

WORCESTER'S FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS

"The city's streets were mostly deserted on Christmas Day except for a few people carrying parcels on their way to family re-unions. Lighted windows and decorated Christmas trees in homes conveyed the warmth and comfort of the first peacetime Christmas. Carol singers were heard everywhere after dark."

BANANAS AND ORANGES ARRIVING

"Bananas are coming to Worcester from the Avonmouth Docks and will be on sale to under-18s in a week's time.

"Several visitors to the docks today claimed to be the first to slip on banana skins for five years! Seven trains with 350 wagon loads of bananas will soon be on their way to the Midlands.

"Note too that the first supply of oranges for a very long time will be on sale in Worcester shops from tomorrow."

THEATRE ROYAL

"For three evenings up to Christmas Eve, the Stars in Battledress will present the All-Army Forces Show Red Feathers in aid of Army Welfare. This is the show that brought laughter and gaiety to the troops. From Boxing Day, Frank Fortescue presents Mother Goose.