by Preb John Rawlings, of Tavistock?s St Eustachius Church IN the run-up to Christmas I spend a lot of time at the church door as people leave carol services, wishing them a ?Happy Christmas?. They often respond with a similar greeting and say, ?Are you going away?? Then they say, ?Oh, of course not, you?ll be working?. Yes, like all priests, ministers and pastors I will be doing what I do daily. Our work is not so much a job as a way of life. But those remarks make me aware that there are many others also who will be at their tasks over the Christmas period. Our lives depend on so many other people to supply our needs and be available when misfortune strikes. For many Christmas will have someone missing from their celebrations. Families who have members of the armed services trying to bring stability to far away places; people working in the health and social services; others supplying the power we take for granted at the flick of a switch; agricultural producers and processors who keep the shelves of shops stocked; garages which enable people to move from place to place; and a whole lot more. People working to keep life going in the way we have come to expect. So let?s spare a thought for them this Christmas as we celebrate a moment in history when a baby was born in far from ideal circumstances. Yet that baby is the reason why so many people have hope that the world in all its frailty and what seems like determination to self- destruction, can become a better place where peace, justice, truth, freedom and love are the key features. Christmas is about God being at work, doing something to change things. That is worth celebrating in whatever way we can, whether we are alone or with family and friends or at work. I wish you all joy and peace this Christmas-tide.
by Cllr Jenny Metcalf, Mayor of Tavistock CHRISTMAS is a wonderful time, but also a hard time for some people ? it?s a matter of perspective. Spike Milligan wrote a four-line poem about the little girl who is pleased with her ?lovely presents?, whilst the little girl in Biafra is thrilled with her ?lovely slice of bread?. That?s food for thought. We in Tavistock have had a sparkling year. Our town was chosen as the best market town in the British Isles for 2004. Today, our pannier market and shops are thriving and full of Christmas cheer. Our Christmas lights are brilliant ? and it?s fun to shop in Tavistock. Our voluntary organisations have worked so hard in their fundraising efforts for charity. We all thank the Lions, the Round Table, Rotary Club, Inner Wheel and the many other smaller organisations who fundraise so successfully. An exciting year lies ahead of us. 2005 will see celebrations throughout the year for the market and stannary charter anniversaries. There?s never a dull moment in Tavistock. I wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.