Christmas begins for me with the opening chords at the Loddon Valley Carol concert. It is a pleasure to hear the massed choirs of our local primary schools, and a joy to listen to the fine musicians of the Berkshire Maestros youth orchestra. The songs, carols and music they provide reminds us of the joy of giving at the heart of the Christmas message. Christmas is a time for wonder, for the warmth of hearth and home, for the magic of Santa. It is a time for children, whose excitement is infectious. Their enthusiasm makes the work in shopping, decorating, cooking and preparing so worthwhile.
Nor is Christmas limited to the young. All of us who remain young at heart still get a thrill from the sounds, smells, tastes and delights of the festive season.
It is also a time for all of us to say thank you to those who do so much to provide the services which help our community thrive, to thank those who work for charity, who help those in need, who ensure the lonely and the elderly are not neglected. The Christian message behind our festival embraces a wider feeling for everyone. It rests on the simple idea that love and community, giving and helping others, enriches the giver as well as the receiver.
I wish you and yours every happiness at Christmas. I hope you all have a great break and enjoy the comfort of your homes, friends and families. I also know that many of you will make sure our relatives and neighbours do not end up lonely over the holiday period
December 23, 2016
Happy Christmas to all, and thanks For all your work in trying to put the Tory party back on a sensible path.
There is little sign it is working so far. Let’s hope the new year and the March budget finally brings some sensible fiscal policies, a bonfire of red tape and some cheap energy. Start by killing the absurd stamp duty levels and the absurd attacks on landlords and thus tenants.
Hammond so far seems as dire and wrong headed as IHT ratter Osborne, let us hope he comes to his senses or goes.
December 23, 2016
Happy Christmas to you and your family JR. This medium is the way forward to reach the public.
December 23, 2016
I see that Prince Charles, in thought for the day, has been lamenting all the appalling religious persecution. What he failed to mention was that this nearly all dreadful persecution comes from certain religions indeed as a direct result of religion in general.
Get religion out of schools as much as we possible can please.
At least he was not lecturing us on global warming and climate alarmism, this while spending over £1 million a year on his personal travel arrangements helicopters, flights and Aston Martins.
.
December 23, 2016
Lifelogic – He went on to use the ‘P’ word – populism, which he must know is a pejorative term. It’s us he’s getting annoyed with. You know, the people who used peaceful democratic means to make their feelings known and who have yet to receive credit for having NOT directed their ire at migrants ? In fact migration has hit record levels this Brexit year gives lie to the claims that we are unpleasant to migrants.
December 23, 2016
Charlie seems not to realise that populism is synonymous to democracy.
December 23, 2016
We did religion very much where I went to school. However the religion that was imposed upon us did not promote the death sentence on none believers.
December 23, 2016
Agreed.
Time to celebrate with family and with friendship to others, indeed this should be the theme during the rest of the year as well, not just at Christmas.
Seasons greetings to you and your family JR, and to all contributors to this site.
December 23, 2016
As someone not too fussed over Christmas. 9 years at sea and 20 years in the Middle East I would like to wish you and yours all the best.
Let’s hope we are free men and women this time next year.
December 23, 2016
Were you in Qatar Ian?
December 23, 2016
Merry Christmas to you JR and your family. Also to all who comment here, Happy Christmas!
December 23, 2016
I wish you a merry Christmas and offer my thanks for your continuing endeavours to keep the Conservative party true to its values.
December 23, 2016
John , to you and all of your responders , ” A Happy Christmas “. Your blogs have been a real stir to my instincts and I appreciate them very much indeed ( note Lifelogic ). Please keep them coming ! .
December 23, 2016
Thank you John … I’ve much enjoyed your diary throughout the year. Always gets the day off to a good start.
December 23, 2016
Merry Christmas and thank you for all of your hard work this year.
Your mention of young people takes me back to the referendum and how uplifting it was to work in my local campaign with – and be outnumbered by – young people in their twenties with some very highly developed views on the nature of democracy. A far cry from the simple generalisation we often heard in the media that ‘young people wish to remain’!
I hope you have a relaxing break and return energised and ready to continue securing our democracy in 2017.
December 23, 2016
Happy Christmas to all . A special thanks to the Salvation Army who will be feeding hundreds of homeless and rough sleepers over the season.
Freedom is also a psychological centred attitude . Whilst we need laws and trade deals to suit our style of governance we need the freedom of mind and spirit to appreciate the good in people and not put down everyone who comes on the scene. A happy and a prosperous new year to all.
December 23, 2016
We no longer have small children in our family, though we do have a very cute dog that gets excited by it all.
Merry Christmas everyone.
December 23, 2016
Thank you John for fitting in your strong blog with so many other things to do.
Have a great family Christmas and look forward to your contributions next year
Graham
December 23, 2016
You can be very proud of the contribution you have made to the effort to achieve Brexit, particularly on challenging the narrative of economic doom portrayed by political leaders, central bankers and economists.
Thank you.
December 23, 2016
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours, John,
Many thanks for all your work which I appreciate very much.
December 24, 2016
Dear Mr Redwood,
A happy Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your thoughts through your diary.
Yours sincerely
Will Williams