'Crazy Christmas Scrooges' start already

Each year we hear story after story about the festive cheer is being stamped out by secularism. Tales of how bosses at work become a modern day scrooge and how councils ban the very sense of identity that Christmas signifies are all too common. I must admit this year has been rather quiet so far and I was startng to believe that common sense was beginning to prevail. HOWEVER! Step forward the 'Neighbourhood Watch and the Safer Chorley and South Ribble Partnership' who have decided that carol singers are the new arch enemy of the area.

Households in the Penwortham area have already started to receive postcards through their letterboxes that they are advised to put up in their windows in order to deter carol singers. Oh yes those bad mannered, foul mouthed, offensive and dangerous people that knock on peoples doors to spread a bit of festive spirit. How dare they stand there and sing angelic carols that bring a smile and shiver to the majority of us at this beautiful time of year.



In their defence the people who have been distributing these postcards say that they are trying to protect the many vulnerable people who live in the area. I can understand that pensioners can feel particularly at risk during the dark, cold nights of winter but surely is this the way to protect the vulnerable people in our society? Is this the best plan that can be offered? Surely it's the hooded youths who terrorise people on street corners and by hanging outside our homes that we need to be protected from. It was only a couple of months back that we saw that dreadful story of the young lad and his gang who terrorised a mother and her disabled daughter to the point of them commiting suicide. The inquest concluded that the lack of response from the police and a weak criminal justice system was to blame for their eventual death.

Initiatives like this send out the message that the powers that be are actually afraid to challenge the real problems of anti-social behaviour and once again are taking the easy option by preying on those who have done no wrong! My age isn't on my side when it comes to such traditions as Carol Singers knocking on doors, I personally would love to see groups of them spreading the good news and joy of Christmas more. Those young people who do make the effort to wander the streets from door to door should not be discouraged AT ALL; instead, such proactive efforts by adults and children alike should be praised for trying to spread a bit of cheer!