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 Mateship practiced is Christianity activated. The Christ justified, all the saints justified. All the Commandments including the Sermon on the Mount, fulfilled. The Aussie engine fueled by the Christ redeeming spirit and nature. The same quickener that is in the Anzac spirit, in what was played out in the floods in Queensland.

Jesus did say "I search the heart", obviously to find the true temple uin the hearts of enlightened humanity.It is what he paid the ransom price for. The greatest thing we can ever do to justify the Christ. It beats self Justification a defaulter's excuse.

I belive the Portuguese named this country "The Great Southland of the Holy Spirit".

The indigeneous people had a similar code to Mateship. The nature of the country makes it necessary, so it was here long before there was a black stump. It seems that was where Mateship in Australia began. Necessity was there, opportunity was there, the need was there, the need to bond was there-two together is better than three apart. The need to colonise the country was there, the invitation like the first Australian sunrise saying 'get moving 'and the kangaroo and emu could not back off. So someone would make the first move. No-one would need to give orders.In Melbourne in 1930 a policeman stood oat a street corner, traffic all around him. He was boxed in. He threw his hands up, looked Heavenwards as it to say  "you handle it"He extricated himself and walked to the footpath and turned to find the traffic had cleared! Someone made the first move.

Never under estimate The Christ, either his intrlligence or his abilities. They are inestimable.

I have learned that in evidence in my own experience by reflecting on the experience. Things happened because of the need for them to happen. Other people would not know that they were involved in anything unusual because God is unobtrusive. One only learns from relecting on the event because it seemed not to be unusual. It ifr for one's own benefit.

After the floods in Queensland when the clean up began a General was impressed by the co=ordination. No one seemed to be in charge!. It was the same Celestial Law that Heaven and the entire Universe is governed  by, humanity in step and in tune with it-The Christ's spirit in his true temple in enlightened human hearts. What  we know as the Lord's Prayer being fulfilled here on earth in Australia.

It has the potential to influenced all Humanity worldwide!

God did say "I will cleanse the earth with fire"! Could that possibly be Holy Fire? What we might call a regenerated spirit driven, exuberant, dynamic, enlightened  attitude.

During the floods in Queensland in January 2011 when the thirteen year old boy said to his rescuers "save my little brother first"what did he do? He gave a good example of brotherly love; he gave a good account of himself!

This is the true Aussie Psyche.

It was the true expression of Mateship! He had attained the ultimate- he become the ultimate being; he justified to Christ; he honoured his  Mother and Father. He had honoured his true self. He had fulfilled all the Commandments including the Sermon on the Mount. He had justified the Saints and was his own best friend and by his example he is our best friend and as an example of selflessness!

His Mother must have been smitten and so inspired by the son she gave birth to she loosed herself from her earthly life to go with him. 

Furthermore he had justified God for his origin conception of Creation he made anything before he made anything. The plan,its purpose and its' ultimate outcome when all is brought into fruition. Not only what has been but what is to come and could well be on the way.

THE Immaculate Conception

What is it really? It seems to me that it could be the Immaculate Conception that God had of creation before he made anything. Th e plan,its purpose and its ultimate outcome when all is brought to fruition. Not what has been but what is yet to come; when all those begotten of his word and the Holy Spirit are gathered together as a result of the resurrection to become, " The Bride of Christ"(His Church) so that the heart of mankind can be his temple. While there there will no such thing as war and no such thing as enmity of any kind, all for the fulfillment of the Lord's Prayer. The very reason for all things were made.

Our Lord Did Say:

"Who so ever believes in me though he was dead, yet shall live and who so ever lives and believes shall never die"What more of an assurance do we need than that?

How many forms of conception are there? They are many and varied that it would take more than two men and a boy to work it out. No matter how phenomenal, how extraordinary, how stupendous,how significant it is. It does not stop me from being in awe of it, and one who conceived of the idea and how worthy of reverence. It all had to be conceived of before it was made. There had to be authority. The authority is about expressing himself and since he is what love is, then love is dependent on him and so must justify him. It becomes self perpetuating since we were made in his image and likeness so that we also could be an expression of what he is l.  LOVE BEINGS. GODLY BEINGS! wE MUST BE THAT TO BE ONE WITH HIM AND WITH OUR NEIGHBOUR. iF WE ARE NOT OF THAT ASPIRATION THEN WE ARE THE LOSERS. I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY SECOND PRIZES; ONLY THE EXTENT OF HIS MERCY.

Some years ago my son and I watched a movie on TV. A firl in france had reported to the local preacher that she saw a vision of a beautiful lady. He asked the girl, "did the lady say who she was?

"No she did not say who she was

W"Well.- if yo see her again , ask her".

When the gird did see her again and asked,the answer she was given by the ladt was "I am the Immaculate Conception".

When the girl reported what the lady had said the Preacher was puzzled-as was I. The Immaculaete Conception of the Holy Spirit by the Virgin Mary as the means by which the Word of God was made flesh was already known. So there must have been another Immaculate Conception.

I made many attempts to write something about it to no avail.It was as though I was being taunted.

One day I found something I had written. I took it and worked on it. When I had finished I sent a copy to my sister in Perth,WA not knowing it was not finished. Then one day a week or so later, I was walking from the kitchen to the lounge. Following me along a string line were the words  all for the fulfillment of the Lord's Prayer"So I wrote that down Then I rewrote the whole effort. I MIGHT ADD THE LETTERS OF THE WORDS WERE WOVEN WITH STRING.

it is written that the ways of God are strange ways. It seems to me that they are not so strange  if it gets the message across.

Early on the morning of 11 June 2011 I sat down to ponder. The thought that drifted in was what Jesus said to someone, "Before Abraham I am!. Suddenly I was looking down the corridor of time. There was nothing there- only space. God was somewhere over my left shoulder. At first it was a bit eerie- then a bit thrilling. Then doubt drift in.How could that ne possible? It was too reidiculous for words.

Then I realized that my mind was seeing it. I was there-we were all there, in the conception that God had of Creation before anything was made. Since nothing was before God was, there would be no impurity of any kind, and since He is supreme intelligence the first conception could not be other than Immaculate.

God's first thought was a creature to complement and be complemented by. When God said to his son ( the word)'Let us make man in our image and likeness". He knew that what he made would be less in nature to his own nature. He would need to raise him up to his nature-his image. A Love being. Imagine a mass of enlightened humanity of Love Brings of the same nature as God but still dependant on God as the sourceof their being and their needs. They would be humble wouldn't they? Meek and lowly!

Humility is a state of consciousness- a tranquil state of being aware of what is!

On the 6 Mach 1984 when my wife gave out with a five hour discourse, near the end of which I did not quite know what was happening, but whatever it was the distinct impression I got was that it was very important for not only our own country but the entire world.

Ï hope so"she said .

Ithink I understand what that was about. I belive that she had seen her own life in total, including the climax when she said "It is all so plain to me now". All this gas suddenly come to me- all this knowledge"as she waved her hand around as to indicate a mountain. "I don't blame anyone, I don't hate anyone, I don't have any ill will towards anyone and I don't seelk vengeance on any one. I know there are some we don't like, but we cannot be hypocritical about it .

 "i am so happy"she exclaimed. "I am so at peace with myself. Everything is so beautiful. We think that things are working against us, but they are actually working for us.

I belive now that resurrection had already taken place six days before her passing. That was what I was witness to. I am impressed with the timing of all the events until aafter her funeral. I am satisfied that Marj had a great Victory. A victory over her ego - and I knew it. She had attained or experienced or was begotten of what is known as the Glory of God. What Adamn had deprived himself of when he transgressed God's Law and fell short of the Glory of God as did we alll!

Is what Marj experienced what is available to us if we are worthy and willing to submit to God's Will ?

Having declared the title-Big-Bold - and Brassy, I trust I can live up to the expectation. I know I'm looking forward to the contents. I'll just have to take you all into my confidence and trust to a fair go.

Of course I'm writing of the past. So as to the general time frame let's center on the forties and fifties-perhaps starting at the close of World War !!. Trust your comfortable with the time and place as there will no other in the story. But if your affections are with the Cockney folk and in no small matter with Christmas, then you've come to the right place. Perhaps just maybe, it might be a place to come home for you. Now that is a great sentiment.

During the period of interest-Christmas that is, I shall have to describe different views. These approaches to the subject have to take varying age groups into the composite effect, for during this time families and community still played a combining effect to your memo, so , for your roll modeled part was taken as expected and accepted each.other.

Now as we know, there is a long and recognized Christian tradition placed front and center at Christmas. Can't say there would not be a celebration without the Jesus focus. For without the "Peace on earth to all mankind"message, it would be just seen as a bloody piss-up. I trust you'll be on side with the sentiment. Not asking you to accept what don't fit your own beliefs. But Christmas to the Cockney's of this period was surrender-to being at cheer and merry, to the spirit of goodwill, when if on a temporary bases-some may have needed s0ome encouragement but the twelve days and as many more as were possible Christmas rule-OK.

Let's take view of the age groups. A Child's Christmas started a few weeks before the adults kicked in with their contribution. Daresay for a child, Christmas could have continued for many weeks after the event-many weeks if wishes could endure the ever advancing hands of time. For the aged the dependance to sustain was the balance of the wish set against the negation of lost loves and pressing lonriness. Thank God  for children.For it's from children and the living child in all of us that Love and that special Christmas time magic tries its hardest to endure.

The firmest date that Christmas awoke on children's anticipation was the day after Bonfire night. ( Guy Fox night in UK)Thecome-down from the confabulation of pyrotechnic mayhem needed the strong factual assurance that Christmas was but 7 weeks away. The weather may and most possibly was damp, cold and the ever shortening daylight hours casting a gloom over all- but be of cheer. Santa was back on the menu and the place to detect the awaking presence was the local street market.

Although there was no membership involved, nevertheless your local market was your community focus point. And as such the local market was your presence and place of being.

Hope that doesn't sound daft, its truly meant to be honest, factual and supportable by facts. There may have been a small convenient group of shops close by but your local market was the true heart of the matter. Yes-shopping was done ever weekday with Saturday for the larger items. Or Up-West. Up West being the location for the big department stores in the West End of London- Real posh like.

Now our principle market was Hoxton Market, pronounced for the Cockney folk without the "H", Cockney don't go in for "H"as a general rule...Plumb center in the London Borough of Shoreditch. About as pure Cockney as you get. The Bells of Bow Church in Eastcheap could be heard by all true Cockney;s with the wind in the right direction and about ten years sooner than our setting in time-they were blown down in the Blitz of 1940/1. Don't let the physicals spoil a good story- they rang believe me they rang

Let me explain what the markets and the shops looked like to the children in the lead -in time for Christmas.

The power hose of commercialism had yet to be released on the public. These were simpler times. Seen by many as trusted customs,  you might have been targeted by smart advertisement and slick promotions but there were limits and accepted standards. in short we were still British and knew the score.

As childrenwe were completely set to knowing the street layout. Knew thw absolute arrangement of the manor- even  with a blinrfold we could trace our locations.This knowledge was set in concrete in or minds. Although we owned none of it-itdid own us and  we were completely assured of belonging there.Wyj all the Housing loans and Credit Cards, how much are you assured of or your place today?

 Making our way through the closely packed streets, we sauntered with the assurance of princes yet with not a penny between us, The terraced rows of homes- London brick,grey and yellow in colour- Being the legacy from the former Victorian years, of cheap housing and plentiful deposits of soot. They certainly matched completely the appearance of the cockney sparrows, fluttering in and about the sky. They being our townie birds of renowned.

The stalls in the market were licensed by the local council for placement either side of the quite narrow thoroughfae. For which they paid a small amount at the time to council inspectors who partrolled the market. Street traders could be fined for infractions beyond their designated patch but it was cheaper to backhander the inspector for extended consideration. Life's like that don't you think. It was for Cockney folk that's for sure.

Now with Christmas not far off and closing daily, small items started to show out, so to speak in and around the market. Take tangerines not you're exotic fruit to the much materialized present day but to the survivors of bombing and rationing -still much evident for several years after the secession of hosilities was a rare treat-I put my point, a tangerine wrapped in silver foil was a princely gift to the kids of the manor. And it was at Christmas that we enjoyed the pleasure, I have no idea how we got Vitamin C for the remaining part of the year- Definite not from the British summer for sure.

Christmas was an up time, when a larger canvas was provided for the missing variants sonoticeable by their absence, say in February and March. It would be true to say that without Christmas the British winter weather would have been unberable. I think that God must be an Englisshman placing baby Jesus right at the center of the winter's yesr. If not an accurate desciption then it lacks not for sebtiment.

Better start with the description and facts, for those of you inclined for such... OK here we go then.

Still with the younger generation. I'll introduce the manors free Christmas parties for the kids. Now the Christian groups like the Methodists, Salvation Army, Scouts, Cubs and Boys Brigade  not much presents of the Catholics though, gave out an annual Christmas party and very welcome they were indeed. Shame we could'nt have them throughout the year, still we did have Christmas.

An invitation was not without qualification, just to keep the status-quo in balance. After all the piper must be paid even at Christmas. For the religious organizations , they well understand the shortcomings of their flock. None of us would be in the East End if we had no shortcomings. Not saying that was a qualification, yet they were most concerned for our spiritual wellbeing and as suchat least a minimum attendance at Sunday school or Scripture classes was the entry ticket for the respective Christmas party. Personally I liked the religious groups as they gave out Swop Cards on the subject of the Bible. Like amongst ourselves we would swop say my St John the Bapist for your parting the rEd Sea...trying to make up a collector set you understand..and the pictures were nicely drawn and coloured too.

The parties by modern expectation of culinary chessy thing and finger food were more back then the substance of stogy doorsteps of white bread layered with the filler of the period=Hundreds and thousands. You can feed the five thousand on that menu and have enough left over for seconds. The selected vintage for soft drinks was bladder bursting volume of Cream Soda plus the ever acceptable Tizer- A rather heavy gaseous drink of doubtful orange content, definitely not purchased for its health tonic qualities.

Singing and party games like-Pass the Parcel and Musical Chairs was very much enjoyed. At times a very strong competitive spirit arose from the heavy mass of revelers no doubt made hyper by the sugar in the Tizer. As a rule the Police were on call as well as the Fire Brigade for excessive childhood pranks..after all we are dealing with East End cockney kids, a few short years from teenage delinquency.

The Christian goodly souls gave of their best and against their creed and dogma did allow Santa to make a Pagan appearance. Even as I float these images throughmy mind I feel the Love and Sadness of their absent company-yet the memories are golden and cherished for the heaven they were.

Moving along we meet the School Pantomime, this was also a riot- Please let me explain. Our teachers were not top draw educationist, more inclined towards the secure time served employment and for our school no extended hour marking our home work-we saved on paper by never given any. As we were destined to work in dead-end jobs with only  the reading skill to check our football coupon requires- there was no point. Our relationship with them was very limited-they were middle class and we were never allowed to forget we were at the bottom of the pile.Still when you're at the bottom there's only one direction..UP.

Yet for that, Christmas worked its magic and these Miss and Mister's transformed for the lead-in to the season. When we returned after the two weeks school holiday, it was back to normal-but everything has a due by date, dont youthink.

The school building was very old, dating from the Middle Ages>(it's still there today and with a building presevation order will no doubt make thw Late Ages). That's  one advantage to being raised so close if not in Old London Town-you got to eat and breathe the presents of all those centuries and that my friend is Real Education. When I left school at 15 I could barely read or write- I was not alone-but then it was all inside me and time mended to cracks in my skills and makes it all worthwhile after all- but back to the pre-school activities leading up to Christmas.

At the Christmas ending the Coronation year-1953 the annual school pantomime was cast by the teachers themselves. We were very much at the time awash with the New Elizabeth Age so we had the teaching staff onside-unprecedented event. It only happened once in my school days-but once sealed a great memory.

Now the Pantomime was crafted into an Anglo-Saxon form from I believe an Italian theatrical tradition. We added vulgarity, audience participation and leading boys being played by shapely legged females. ( Our Miss Kay achieved a lifelong memory in the steamy testosterone minds of drooling young schoolboys and possibly heavenly sent prayers from the girls for legs likes Miss Kay to die for.

Goo and evil, they play out their eternal dance on the wold stage but the world as Shakespeare wrote can be a stage so it was for the Pantomime. During the time described for this story-Good always triumphed over Evil- but it was not without the twist and turns which held our minds spellbound. We were completely enchanted, raised to a surreal place of pure magic and it was all played out by our teachers- who of us would imagined it.

Perhaps I need to name the cast. The Pantomime was Dick Whittington and his Cat-Must not foget the Cat. The story line ran alon vclearly defined guidelines and had vague bases of history. The record of histor ythat we as Anglo-saxons felt comfortable with, so we didn't let actuality get in the way.

The leading player as I have previously indicated was our Miss Kay playing the part of Dick. The part of the Cat, I never knew who played him or was it her. As it was a non-speaking part with just a few meows now and again I'll pass over that detail. The Headmaster Mr (Jumbo) James was type-cast for the Alderman. An authorative character part with plenty pf bottle ( forceful bravado). I will not say a Bad part but very full on and expects respect...that's the part of the Alderman- not far from staying in character for Headmaster for that matter.

Jumo James was a large man, perhaps large for two men actually and as Headmaster was very firm on Morals which perhaps balanced up the lack of those of the rst of the school. When casting for a later nativity play the selection for the Virgin Mary had to start in the previous summer.They were a little on the Fallen side for virgins perhaps ideal for Mary Magedalene though. Anyway Jumbo was just great, his role was to thwart Dick Whittington .( Our Miss kay of the legs) attempts improve his/her self for advancement to high office, to become the Lord Mayor of Old London Town. Very nice don't you think and not wishing to give the game away he did and historically THREE times at that.

The science teacher, Me Everhard, a Don like master hoping to work his ticket to a Grammar School( never did though) played the part of Widow Twanky,,a female hag part, very much an enduring character role in the Pantomime circuit. She or He was Dick's mother...quite a strange genre reversal for them both.The inclusion of a counseling psychiartrist might have resolved the dilemma but the scrip writer never wrote one in ..a bit of a shame when you come to think of it.

Always a great Hamming part the Hag role. In West end production the part was invariably played by a leading contempory comic.. Our Mr Everhaqrf missed hi calling, at university he should have switched from his Diploma in Education and read for a PHD in comedy..he was a natural.

All productions of pantnmimes attempted to place local content in the show...sort of identifying with the great unwashed audience at the local level. This was injected into the show by our School Caretaker.A man who showed aside of his personally which completely floored us..I explain.

Our school caretaker was a complete world leader, one of a kind,which I will point out our English race was excelled to gold medal standard. In short he was a born moaner and amateur , "You can't do that here merchant".. to school kids that is.Yet for the first and only time he must have pre-discovered Valium ,twenty years ahead of his time and for the performance taken the entire bottle in one gallop. Acting certainly bring out the hidden characters of mankind. He was the hit of the show and it was he who injected the local content-The Arsenal Football Team ' and stole the Oscar Award for Best Actor or Actress in Pantomime .( You have to combine the genera in this case for Pantomime)

Mr Dickens, the School Caretaker that was his name, was cast in the part of the Town Crier, all the six o;clock and all's well crying. I think yhey always said this phase, after all why cause trouble when it's not needed. He was costumed in the very locally recognized colors of the ArRsenal...we were very close to the ground and after all where you were born became the indeliby stamped support on the birth certificate. Today you can lice in Patagania and still support Manchester United-Come to think of it doesn't everybody outside the country support Manchester United?

 Well M.Dickins I truly trust your whirling that rattle and encouging those heavenly teams with Üp the Gunners". God bless you me old son. I'll vote for you anytime.Being at times myself a miserable bastard, I do now understand.

Now before we leave the younger age and risk exposure to the adult Christmas world- A point of order, there may be some sad bits at the grown -ups desciptions. Toleave them out because of theirsadness would be incomplete; anyway we are not there yet,let's go back to the kids. I'll describe theseasonal visit to Santa- You'lllike this.

The three ages of Santa.

1.Firstly as a child you belive in Santa.

2 Next when you feel you are beyond sentiment in early adult life. You don't believe in Santa.

3. And should you become a Father you become Santa.

The first part of your life you try leaving your roots and in the remaining part of life you try to return there.Maybe not everyone but I think a few.

Once a year...had to be only once a year, what with the expense of t all,the Cockney folk had a big spend up. I'm not saying the better-offs were not spending big ( the better-offs were anyone who did not live in the East End) but the amount spent by the families in our manor was far bigger than others when set against earning (Cockney's had earnings, your betters had salaries) Now you might say....we hope your still with me...Where did that earning come from then and before you start putting 2 and 2 together and making 5. No it wasn't off the back of a lorry. Well where then? From the Christmas club.

What's it got to do with Clubs you might say...I'll tell you.

There were no Bank Cards (credit cards) back then; some might say Bloody Good Job. Credit for your working classes was made to suit their circumstances. And this is where the term Club fits. The joined together as friends or family, sometimes the local small department store ran a Club. So that is what happened, starting early in the new year you would place in savings...with hopefully someone of a proven honesty track record and accrue throughout the year a nest egg which financed the Christmas tide festivities. On or about the end of November they would receive their Club Money plus a small amount of interest and now for the short but Merry few weeks they were as rich as Kings...well kings of a small kingdom that is...But Kings and Queens none the less. I was for a short time the pretender to the throne with a greedy eye...possibly two eyes at that...focused on my present from Santa... A rather strange convoluted mind act for the young to swallow that the family bought the item from Santa with his ever active elf's slaved the whole year to make and deliver the said present. Brought I must say down a chimney qw never had...Very odd arrangement don't you think? Well the Great Old Guy never let me down so I'm not being pedantic on the details. I may have let Santa down from time to time by not being a Good Boy...well it was aq long year in passing between Christmases when I was young to get in to trouble. Funny thing now in my retirement Christmases seem to come around every Tuesday fortnight by the racing of the clock.

Albert Einstein said that nothing can out run time...I think he should have studied the ever recurring Christmas day putting an appearance yet again.

OK let's remember the golden times of yore when life was so sweet and obtainable...and what was that then...simple, the annual visit to Santa- pure unashamed greed for Christmas presents and getting what you WANT for Christmas- Lovely stuff, bring it on Son.

London has its street (or did so, before Mega Super Markets that is ) markets as I have previously mentioned but for the Classy shopping the Cockney Folk went Up-West. That means traveling over to the West end of London where the ritzy department stores were situated.. That was great for the parents and adults but a complete bore for the youngster trailing after Mum through seemly miles of fashion departments and alike. For the visit I shall describe we shall travel to the only store worth a mention to gratify  children and that was "Gamages". .Although the store was stocked with the dull and uninteresting adult merchandize they more than compensated by having an extensive toy department with a full electric train layout. I may have not given the effect in the wrd extensive.No, this layout was so large and all encompassing it was perhaps housed in Hyper-space no less. The electric train set lay-out exceeded the rolling stock of some medium sized European countries entire rolling stock. Your eyes revolved and your jaw could reach the floor. Believe me it was BIG.

Due honors were given upon entering the store. To keep within the tradition dating back beyond ken, we join a queue, so long, that only children with the determination of Abrams Tankes advancing over battle scared terrain can expect to make head way . There was no question of missing Santa. Time would have to stop so that numbers could pass in mute order under the steely glare of the venerable sage of the north and muster that "Yes"we were good and always did what our parents said...What bloody liars the lot of us.

Having received a nondescript lump of Plastic as a bequeathed gift from Santa, I was dually registered on the "Things to DoList"on the annual Christmas visitation down a chimney we didn't posses but the sentiment was there. Not I should state the sentiment would now interfere with the very important procedure. "Selecting a possible present displayed in the vast volume's of the toy department.

My Mother was keenly aware of previous Christmas presents appeal now laying neglected or broken back home. Mum would vet the chosen article for more sensible considerations, like how much was it and do I really want it. I'd sulk, tantrum and if driven to extremes, scream for my choice and she would pay the greatly inflated price. Which I now recall was very much like the non-descript lump of plastic I'd just received free from visiting Santa's grotto downstairs.

OK, the story now moves to the Adult world. Where at times they would do all the spoilt brats methods as for my previous blackmail effect with Mum but adults as a rule learnt some far greater skills for navigating this world at large.

Adults come in two broad types-Males and Females- it's wellto quickly learn they are not from the same Planet, as well you know.

Now thw Males need some encouragement to enter the spirit of Christmas, they are not natural party animals-Really you say, you could have fooled me! The word of significance is "Natural". What they are as a general rule is  "Ünnatural"party animals and what is the spell turning pixie dust that moves them. Well to state it plain and simple- Drink and I'm not talking cups of tea. For those who are non-vibers they have to reach the Christmas plateau by way of a good old fashioned film like "James Stewart in Ïts a Wonderful Life' or perhaps "Bambie"without James Stewart. But these Guys work as singles and loners. No! the real males need Drink with a small amount of company and not a small amount of drink that transform at the tinkle of a Christmas bell into a invariable Male of good cheer ( the timing is important, as the cheer has a use by date, so changes down the tracks can and do take place.

Now this can't happen just when the mood takes them but requires the traditional setting to get things going and that setting for us is the fine old East end Boozer. Well it wast he time I'm talking about. Pre-breathalyzer days and cheerful coppers to wish you the compliments of the season-well it did happen sometimes but I think you get the idea.

Of course the Christmas club money helped out with h standing your round or more correctly rounds. The guys almost become human - being loveable might be going to far but certainly human that's for sure. Recalled stories growing ever longer in the telling,mustered the conversation for a while everybody was your Mate-well until the hangover started at a later stage. It was well to get and understanding with the wife for this holiday commencement starting about lunch time on the last working day of the two day bank holiday. She'd be waiting a home about to receive a none too sober husband, two parts to being legless  with the wife expecting some support on the Christmas eve evening scramble to get things done . Still for the times all  the men were the same and after all divorce was so expensive, protracted and leading to poverty and then there were the kids to think of. It's not all a bed of roses this Christmas thing, don't you think.

Now the moment of the evening of Christmas Eve the East End drew breath and the air was trying to still your concerns, your fears, your unlooked for loses or bereavements over the past with a hope for Peace on Earth and Good Will to All Mankind. It was a big breathe don't you think but then it's an even bigger sentiment. At times it is better to believe , a hope then face the facts of life. Facts are just tallied in books=hope enter our hearts. For it's in our hearts that the true meaning of Christmas resides. I've a sentimental person and perhaps some others may feel that expressing oneself like I have shown in the short reflection of my childhood is neither here or there but I'm pleased I very much do.

As the eve of Christmas passes and the very dawn of Christmas  day arrived a very special thing which is felt rather than seen, entered the being of all the age groups. For a short period it seems that the human race and all creation are one, centered on the moment. We may not have been Saints but for a brief moment we are Sinners either-Now if that's not worth considering , what is.

Bill Stamford (English ex -pat, Melbourne Australia)

 PS> I trust I managed to reflect the fine memories that you have with these of my own. The details may differ but if there in your heartthey are one and the same.

So it only7 remains for me to add the very well known greeting,- well worn but never sulliede or denied.

A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year