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.
Chez, Chortle.com
Chez, Chortle.com
Pnethor, pne-online.com
Pnethor, pne-online.com
Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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John Robins, Comedian
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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World Without End, Twitter
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Zoot Cadillac, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Brighton Argus
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Dan McCaid, Twitter
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Visualiser1, Twitter
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Idrie, Youtube
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Spursguy, Youtube
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Bosco239, youtube
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Stuart, Chortle
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Pudabaya, Twitter