It’s just before Christmas as I write this Editor’s Note and I’m reflecting not just on this last year but also on years long gone by. Family history or the more official version of genealogy is becoming more and more a part of our lives. One of my daughters has traced one line of her ancestry, through her father, right back until the time of Charlemagne. A South African lady now living in England said to me that her roots are in England. Remembering the large map of the world we saw in junior school almost a quarter of it was coloured pink showing the countries colonised by Britain and bearing in mind that the USA’s official language is English we can see how far someone’s roots would go.

Looking at the selection of restaurants we have in Aylesbury we can now taste and experience delicacies from far and wide. This freedom we have is part of what our ancestors fought over the centuries and may be one of the ways we can celebrate it is by welcoming refugees who come here to contribute their skill, knowledge and experience. After all, if Ludwig Guttmann hadn’t come as a refugee we probably wouldn’t have the Paralympic Games. Yes, there is a difference in culture but that is to be expected and welcomed so that our children learn the reality of humanity rather than the hatred and separation of political division. Did you know there are children living in local hotels, B&Bs etc who we hope will feel a little Christmas Cheer when they open gifts donated by local churches.

I also love all the Christmas music (unlike my Bah Humbug husband) the carols I learned as a child and still remember most of the words. Singing with the I Have A Voice Too! group I realised the words did not come as easily as they once did so I took my lead from them and enjoyed their enthusiasm and love of the Christmas music.