Christmas 1972. My mother and I lived at my grandparents’, and my grandad had had a stroke.
I wanted Father Christmas to bring me a castle for Christmas.
I did not realise this was essentially asking my cash-strapped mother for an extra and expensive gift. But Father Christmas delivered the castle, and it was waiting in the morning. Working portcullis. Raised ramparts. Perfect. We lived next door to an old Scottish carpenter with bad eyesight, and budgies. “Go next door and thank Mr Archer for making your castle,” said my grandad. “I thought Father Christmas made it?” I said.
My grandad hastily concocted a cover. “He did. But Mr Archer helped him with it.” I was only four, but I realised that if there was a Father Christmas, he wouldn’t be subcontracting castles to Scottish carpenters. He had elves for that. Ever since, I’ve been an atheist sceptic, but I never lacked a sense of wonder.
What is more inspiring, the flying sled gift man and the barn-born baby, or the retired carpenter, knocking together a handmade castle for the boy of the divorcee next door?
Last Christmas I unboxed it, and gave it to my son.
Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Z-factor, Twitter.
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Stuart, Chortle
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Idrie, Youtube
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Brighton Argus
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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John Robins, Comedian
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Sam Rooney, Youtube