Less than 10% of the Christmas and N/Y listings were new and original, the rest were the same old same old.

Having said that thank goodness for the time honoured classics, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without "Scrooge a Christmas carol" starring Alistair Sim and it's GOT to be the original black and white version, many have tried {and failed} to match this masterpiece.
Another {although not a Christmassy film} "Casablanca" with Humphrey Bogart I never tire of watching those two classics.

Never watched it.

They'll already be in the shops stock rooms ----- waiting -----

There seems to be petitions going round about bringing buses back into public ownership, one of these seems to be by "Better buses East Midlands".

The gist of it is people are so fed up with Stagecoach constantly letting them down they want the council to run buses like in the "good" old days.

Don't get me wrong, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see Stagecoach horsewhipped out of town, but would things ACTUALLY be any better.

Firstly Stagecoach would bu**er off and obviously take their buses with them, leaving the Council {us} with hefty bills to buy or lease new ones.
Secondly you would still have the same drivers you had before with the same staff shortages Stagecoach has/had.
Thirdly anyone thinking the timetables would change dramatically {for the better} obviously doesn't know the Chesterfield council.
They are not going to go into a venture like that with staff shortages, dwindling passenger numbers, and low fares, I know I wouldn't if I were on the council it's too risky as it stands at the moment.

Well I think there's only me and the missus not on it.

Once again they struggle to find enough "worthy candidates" to be given a gong.

O.B.E's...C.B.E's... B&Q's....D.F.S's the list goes on, of course there's a tiny minority that truly deserve a gong but the rest are just also ran's that get a reward for kicking a football. carrying a rugby ball, walking a lot and those that generally do their jobs {usually well paid one's}.

I worked my butt off for 50 years and what have I to show, on the day I retired not so much as a well done or even thank you. Yes I get a pension but that is now being taxed at 20% so thanks for that!!

If ever I was offered a N/Y honour I would say " Stuff your gong just give me a million quid" and be on the first plane out of here.