Dear Fellow Residents, During the festive season I shall probably settle down to watch the movie, ‘ It ’ s a Wonderful Life ’ for the umpteenth time. Made in the 1940’ s, in black and white it has become an iconic film. Yet when it was first released it was not a great success. That came later once television acquired the rights to show it. Consequently, it has been shown on television year on year and also in cinemas throughout the country. I can remember the first time I saw it on television. A wet Sunday afternoon in December when I was about ten years old. Since then, I have viewed the movie more times than I am prepared to admit. What ’ s its appeal? It is part fantasy and some refer to it as a 20 th century fairy tale. The plot centres on George Bailey who heads up the Bailey and Loan Society in Bedford Falls. One Christmas Eve he finds himself in a terrible dilemma. A large sum of money has gone missing. By accident the money ends up in the hands of Potter, the most unscrupulous citizen in town. He has been wanting to close the Bailey and Loan Society for years and suddenly finds himself with the means to do just that. Everything is going his way until the appearance of Clarence the Angel. Well – I did say it was part fantasy! From this point forward the movie reveals its dark side. George can see no way out of his dilemma but to end it all. He even says to Clarence that he wished he had never been born. Clarence then shows him what life would have been like in Bedford Falls had he never lived. Suddenly we find ourselves in a different Bedford Falls where greed and selfishness and exploitation flourish. I suppose that there are aspects of Christmas that reveal a dark side. Perhaps, as many suggest, the commercial aspects of the season have taken over. As I write this, the weekend when we change the clocks approaches. We have yet to celebrate Halloween and wear our poppies. That said it is all too evident that the festive season is waiting in the wings. Garden centres, shops and shopping malls, main streets and side streets are already putting their Christmas displays in place. Yet there are many who will never encounter even that aspect of Christmas. Their shopping will take place on the internet, where there is an abundance of choice and competitive prices. Theirs will be a solitary shopping experience but some would say one that displays another aspect of commercialisation. As the festive season approaches we will have Black Friday, which seems to go on for days, during which we will be tempted to buy more than we may be able to afford. Then the Boxing Day sales. Thankfully there are aspects of Christmas of a lighter and happier nature. Parties and pantomimes, carol concerts and ceilidhs. Time to relax with family, to settle down to watch that movie … again! Days to visit friends and take long walks. Some of these activities will take place in and around the hall this festive season, as they have before. Details can be found in this newsletter. Hopefully there will be something to attract your support. With every good wish to you and yours for the festive season. Alistair McRobb— (Midmar Hall Chairman)
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