HERE we go again. Endless queues, frayed tempers, rising pollution. No it's not the traffic situation at Bridge Street but the start of the Christmas rush.

Already we are seeing Christmas trees being propped up in hotel foyers and party frocks adorn town centre windows.

Christmas meal menus are being passed around gleefully and once again traders are gearing up for their busiest time of the year ... and yes it's only October.

What on earth is happening!

At the Parr Hall the finishing touches are being put to a pantomine, Peter Pan.

I always thought pantos came after Christmas ... 'Oh no they don't,' say show organisers.

Personally it's left me reeling. The years seem to go quickly enough these days without being caught up in this ever increasing rush to prepare for the next anniversary.

Does anyone out there agree?

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.