I HOPE that all ex-Bevin Boys from the Second World War have heard that there is now a Veterans Badge to recognise the importance of the part they played during the war and the period of post-war reconstruction.

Application forms are available from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency helpline on 0800 169 2277 or 01253 866043 or by visiting www.veteransagency.co.uk Kidderminster has now joined Stourport and Bewdley as another Fairtrade town.

The success of the hard work by many was marked last Friday by a celebration at the Fairtrade stall in Kidderminster.

This means that all our Wyre Forest towns are included in this excellent, painless way of encouraging us all to purchase Fairtrade goods to help people in countries less fortunate than ours.

Christmas is with us again and I have enjoyed several festive occasions. The highlights of the chairman of the district council's Carol Service in St Mary's Church were items performed by King Charles I High School Choir and particularly the prize-winning duets to which we were treated by their two talented sopranos.

It was a full house for the Stourport Choral and Operatic Society's Carol Concert and here the climax was the visit of Father Christmas.

This followed enthusiastic contributions from Wilden All Saints C of E Primary School Choir which was a tribute to the musical director, Mr Julian Manchee.

Their palpable excitement at the expectation of Father Christmas' arrival and their fortissimo welcome were a joy to witness and filled us all with the spirit and anticipation of Christmas.

All the children, singers and those in the audience, received a present to their great delight.

On Sunday I faced one of the most difficult judging tasks I have been given since being an MP.

This was to judge the Christmas trees at St Bartholomew's Church in Areley Kings.

There were over 20 trees ranging from real, conventionally decorated ones to ingenious trees of artificial and home made materials.

I compared them on the grounds of effort, appearance and ingenuity. I gave a special prize to Rachel Turner for a beautiful, themed tree in memory of her late sister, Victoria. I could not compare this with the others as it was decorated with such love.

Otherwise the first prize went to Areley Kings Scouts because every decoration on their tree was hand- made even to the minute scarves on the suspended figures.

To me Christmas is still the best holiday and festivity of the year when Christians can celebrate the marvellous Christmas message and everyone, whatever their beliefs, can enjoy with their families the traditions that go with it.

I hope we can remember those who have to work over Christmas and those who are homeless and without friends or family at a time when loneliness is felt most.

I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a restful holiday hopefully with family and friends.

If readers wish to write to Dr Taylor, they should address correspondence to his constituency office at 137 Franche Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5AP.

The next Viewpoint will be on January 10, 2008

11:37am Tuesday 18th December 2007

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