Here we are with the Christmas and New Year edition of The Marlpit already. There won’t be another edition before the end of January so you will find many notices and advertisements relating to January 2003 events in this magazine. The trouble with the double editions is that so much happens in between the end of November when the Editors have their meeting until the end of January when we meet again. In the meantime we will have the Council discussions on the Sand and Gravel extraction applications which have been worrying so many of us for a long time now. I notice that it will be before the Council again on the 20th December so I can only hope that we have good news for Christmas. Please remember to write to the Council and let them know your views if you have not done so already. The most recent delay on the decision was because of a survey on the B1150 which hopefully will have shown the council how busy the road has become.

Last month the Editors suggested that homes and businesses should be decorated outside this year to bring some festive cheer to the villages over Christmas and the New Year. We do hope that you will take up the challenge to make our streets look bright and cheerful at this time and have a picture on the Web Site. The illumination of the Church in Coltishall is especially important at Christmas and it is heartening to see that this venture is really so well subscribed. I have a sneaking suspicion that already at least one Editor is up in the loft looking for last year’s lights to see how many bulbs need replacing before he can put them up.

I would just like to mention the dedication of our printers who despite major surgery and broken bones have still managed to get The Marlpit out to you all without a delay throughout the year. If anyone deserves a medal they do. Thank you Daphne and Pauline from all of us. May I also ask if there is anyone with a car or bicycle who could deliver to a rural route for a few months whilst one deliverer is unable to deliver. Please contact Hilary Oliver for details. Thank you.

Have you looked at the Web Site. If not and you have access to a computer you simply must have a look at www.themarlpit.com. I was amazed at the brilliant home page and how the site is developing. I am not alone either as there have been an incredible number of visits to the site from far and wide.

Finally with talk of wars and strikes the immediate future looks far from promising but may we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, and prosperous New Year