In his latest column for Radstock Nub News, the Mayor Rupert Bevan writes:

As the twinkling Christmas lights are revealed between banks of November fog, Christmas is definitely on the way in Radstock, as with every other settlement in the country.

Traditional preparations include stocking the freezer, accumulating presents and, at this particular time, preparing Christmas cake and puddings. In the old days people took the words of the Collect for the last Sunday before Advent literally. 'Stir-up the will of your faithful,' goes the old prayer. This gave rise to Stir-up Sunday when mincemeat and cake mixes were prepared and children made wishes.

There's a lot to be said for observing traditions such as these. At one time the whole year could be measured by the activities and preparations of the great feasts. Over time many have become blurred. The giving of presents on 06 December, Saint Nicholas's Day - Santa Claus - has morphed into the Jolly Bearded One who hovers around chimneys on Christmas Eve. In Scandinavian countries St Nicholas is given pride of place and honoured with the eating of duck and rice pudding.

Our American friends have only just got over harvest with Thanksgiving on Saturday. You have to admire their respect for the pumpkin, out of which they make the traditional Thanksgiving pie. All we can do is hollow it out for a ghoulish mask, consigning the delectable flesh to the food waste bin.

Tier Two restrictions allowing, I hope we'll be able to get out and make our own preparations, in joyful anticipation of Christmas.

Rupert Bevan