Scrooge and the spirit of Christmas (From Thisisdorset)

Scrooge and the spirit of Christmas

8:30am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in News By Ed Perkins

IF Bethlehem were in the borough of Bournemouth, I fear there would have been few gifts left around the Nativity scene.

“I’m sorry Mr Shepherd it may be a very nice lamb but the council’s rules are clear.

“The Baby Jesus is not allowed to receive personal gifts.

“And the same applies to you three Wise Men. You may well have travelled afar, Mr King, but you’ll have to take your gold, frankincense and myrrh back to the Orient.”

Bournemouth council has been branded “Scrooge” for banning a woman from giving her carers Christmas presents to say thank-you. Is that a bit harsh? We all know that the well-intentioned policy is to avoid corruption, which is fair enough. And it could protect vulnerable people, too.

But the nice thing about Christmas is that it’s a time of giving. And surely giving a small present, with a maximum value of, say, £20 to a council carer or teacher is a kind and generous thing to do? Not a crime.

Does the council expect its refuse collectors to refuse to collect any Christmas tips left for them? The policy – no doubt common to other councils – would seem ridiculously rigid.

Let’s hope that when Santa comes down the Bournemouth Town Hall chimney on Christmas Eve he leaves a nice box of gift-wrapped common sense in their stocking.

He certainly shouldn’t count on finding by the municipal fireplace a glass of sherry and a carrot for the reindeer. Sorry Father Christmas. Rules are rules. No exceptions.