I HOPE the following will cheer up those who believe that the spirit of Christmas is no longer with us, for I can assure them that, in the St James' Road area of Blackburn at any rate, it is alive and kicking.

A few days before Christmas a lady, widowed and living alone in that area, heard the doorbell ring and, with the usual irritation one feels, thought: "Another lot of carol singers on the scounge." This time it was different. Instead of the usual two lines of Away in a Manger, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas, plus outstretched hands, she was faced with two very young girls who politely asked if they could sing some carols for her.

Pleasantly surprised, she stood and listened while they sang a few carols - tunefully and with them knowing all the words.

When they had finished, the lady said: "That was beautiful - I will go and get my purse to give you some money."

To her astonishment the elder of the two said: "No, we don't want any money. We just wanted to make you happy."

The lady, with great difficulty, saw them off and unashamedly admitted she cried most of the evening, to think that two young people should go to such trouble to make her, a complete stranger, happy.

The reason for my writing is to let the parents of those children know what a credit they are to them, and to let the children know that they demonstrated to us all what Christmas is still all about - and which much of the world has forgotten.

JAMES SAUL (Mr), Deganwy Avenue, Blackburn.

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