Well, back to my days in The Arbo, we were not very rich, in fact poor But I could safely play in the street outside, And we rarely locked our front door.

I took my cap off, when I went in a house, And stood up when adults came in; And not asking to leave the table, My Gran would think a great sin.

I had a bath almost every fortnight or so, Which I thought much too often, and dire, In a proper bath, at my Auntie's house, No more than a tin tub by the fire All because my nan got embarrassed, As a young lad I wasn't that shy, But she got worried when I sat in the tub When a neighbour or two would call by.

With Christmas approaching we'd make decorations, Coloured paper, cardboard and glue.

By the glow from gas mantles we'd stick them together, Links of garlands and lanterns too.

And at my school, St Martin's Boys', we'd present a nativity play, With a stage complete with manger, and a couple of bales of hay And when the cast list came around I cried myself to sleep, I wasn't Joseph, Wise Man, Angel, but just a lowly sheep.

My best mate's dad was a bookies runner, For Len Woods, down in Queens Street He collected illegal betting slips, and was very fast on his feet.

He knew when Fat Taffy Herbert, the Bobby, patrolled each day, Then he'd use his wife's Sit Up and Beg bike, To make a fast getaway.

He was the first in the street with a telly, A 12" Black and White set, he bought it on the black market With money he won on a bet.

It had a magnifying glass in front, made it 20" wide But you could hardly see the picture, if you sat down on the side.

Muffin The Mule, with Annette Mills, we'd watch, sat in the wings, Anne Hogarth made him clump around by pulling on the strings, Then came the Grove Family, the Soap that was the first, Granny Grove fading from the lack of nourishment, And always dying from a thirst.

Another Granny, Clampit, from a TV show of old, Where the Beverly Hillbillies found Texas Tea (Black Gold).

We'd watch long intermissions with ploughs going left to right, And at 7 O' Clock, a voice said, "We're closing for the night".

No violence, swearing, nudity not like it is today, Our highlight was the Queen's Speech, we'd ALL watch on Christmas Day.

At 6 O Clock, on Christmas Eve, "Up the wooden hill" Gran said, "Be fast asleep when Santa comes, so snuggle down in bed".

But I was so excited, and sleep would come so slow, I glanced out of the window, and then I saw the snow.

The gas lamp in the street outside shone on the flakes, so white, I gazed in awe and wonder - there's magic here tonight.

Then I knelt down with hands clasped tight and silently did pray, And thought about that manger, long ago - and far away.

I woke at 6 on Christmas Day, and what did Santa bring ?

A puzzle - with all the pieces, in a box tied up with string.

An apple, orange, liquorice stick and hankies, three or four, I was so happy and contented what child could ask for more ?

We look forward to this Christmas as a time of joy and cheer, But we remember friends and loved ones, who are no longer here.

So would you like to raise a glass and join me in a toast To those that we have loved and lost, and those that we love most.

Dave Thompson December 2006