Forum Topic

What is your wish for Christmas?

Lets get some debate going....If you had a wish for Christmas what would it be?For BrentfordFor HounslowFor LondonFor the UKFor EuropeFor the WorldI have two, for affordable housing in London, end to nimbyism in planning and better design (I would say that as I work for a Housing Association)For the world, a recognition of, and action taken as a result of Global Warming. Stop debating the possibility, take action to reduce the potential disaster to our environment. Sorry folks but I may have to mention the 'T' word in this context.What do you think? Add your wishes to this post and lets see if we can outdo Chiswick W4 with something interesting....Iain Muir PS. This was originally posted on my local Acton W3 site but Gerry Tan who seems to visit all & sundry suggested I post it here as well, suitaby amended

Iain Muir ● 7437d31 Comments

Blimey, Gareth,You're getting too "technical" now! Still no explanation coming from you about how you escaped from the Cossacks.....you're too obsessed now with the lottery/the stables/and future travels with "Sable."

Ann S. Allridge ● 7430d

Ann Enough stallions shuttle between your homeland and Australasia to cover mares throughout the year so Sable will race in Australasia but be brought here for the breeding shed. ;-)

Gareth Evans ● 7430d

I hate flying, so will have to follow "Sable's" progress by 'phone - down under - but if and when she gets to Ascot, count me in!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7430d

GerryIt's a £15m Superdraw on Friday and by sheer coincidence, it's also the sales season in Australia and New Zealand. If I drop the lottery, I'll be in an altogether different time zone by New Years Day ;-)

Gareth Evans ● 7431d

Great GARETH, you're a man of taste and distinction. We're ready when you are, aren't we guys?  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7431d

GerryBut of course. As soon as I get the papers for Sable, I'll be straight onto Weatherbys to make the entries for her and onto Gieves and Hawkes for black top hot and tails for the rest of us, none of that nonsensical grey - they have to be black. The Ladies can pick from Posh Hats http://www.posh-hats.co.uk/default.asp Then again, who knows - there may be a nice hat lurking in the back of a well used wardrobe.

Gareth Evans ● 7431d

OK GARETH, as your fairy godmother I will wave my wand this Christmas and tomorrow, outside your house there will be a super horsebox containing your dream filly "SABLE"! Now this is the question: when you enter it for the Derby(or whatever) will you invite us posters to the racecourse as your guests, to witness your historic win?(Cor, I wonder what sort of hats the likes of ANN and SARAH and VANESSA are going to wear? JIM and I will of course be in our top hats and tails)!

Gerry Tan ● 7431d

No hidden agenda or obscure joke ANN - I'm just an old fashioned guy like Eartha Kitt's old fashioned girl!... but I do wish I were an old fashioned millionaire too!!;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7433d

Nice one, Gareth.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

AnnI'd be delighted if that were the case and if tomorrow a filly called Sable were to run I'd like to think that Sable would romp home, astounding everyone with her amazing turn of foot. She'd be at least 5-1, be owned by H H Aga Khan, trained by John Oxx and ridden by Johnny Murtagh. Then tomorrow night when I've won the lottery I'll make an offer and buy her as an early Christmas present.

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

GerryThe cost, well what's a couple of quid today for the fun and excitement of all our tomorrows? It’s only money after all and long after we’ve gone the bloodlines will live on for others to appreciate and enjoy. If you needed further justification try: Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, Friendship without envy, Or beauty without vanity? Here, where grace is served with muscle And strength by gentleness confined He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity. There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent. There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient. England's past has been borne on his back. All our history is in his industry. We are his heirs, he our inheritance. The Horse - by Ronald Duncan

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

Gareth,You do realise, don't you, that tomorrow all our posters will be checking the racing papers for a "Sable"!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

Gerry,I replied to your 'wish for me' but it has once again disappeared into the ether...I thanked you for the compliment, as I do like Eartha Kitt's recordings, and I hoped there wasn't a hidden agenda, i.e. a joke or a crack that I - in my dotage -  had missed?????My original posting is probably mixed up in some other thread.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

GerryAfter the Ertha Kitt posting the name would have to be Sable. Ideally a nice dark bay or brown filly from the Aga Khan line, possibly out of Behera http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/hors.asp?hcode=19860262Sired by Bold Fact http://www.tarastud.com/boldfact.htm

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

AnnWhen I left school I worked in racing, at Newmarket for Frankie Durr so I agree with you that the costs can be something else. Then again, very little could beat for me the thrill of seeing that dark bay or brown filly carrying a purple with red hoop jacket, red sleeves and purple and red quartered cap on the track - win, lose or draw. I'm not sure that I could cope with being a billionaire. I'd never be able to have a day away from Coolmore or Ballydoyle not to mention Goffs, Tattersalls, Keenland or Fasig Tipton. Oh and then there's the southern hemisphere scene to contend with too ;-)

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

"Sorry to be so negative!"ANN, just to stop you from being so negative, I dedicate this wish for you - sung by Eartha KITT: Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for meI've been an awful good girlSanta baby, and hurry down the chimney tonightSanta baby, an out-of-space convertible too, light blueI'll wait up for you dearSanta baby, and hurry down the chimney tonightThink of all the fun I've missedThink of all the fellas that I haven't kissedNext year I could be oh so goodIf you'd check off my Christmas listBoo doo bee dooSanta honey, I wanna yacht and really that'sNot a lotI've been an angel all yearSanta baby, and hurry down the chimney tonightSanta cutie, there's one thing I really do need, the deedTo a platinum mineSanta cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonightSanta baby, I'm filling my stocking with a duplex, and checksSign your 'X' on the lineSanta baby, and hurry down the chimney tonightCome and trim my Christmas treeWith some decorations bought at Tiffany'sI really do believe in youLet's see if you believe in meBoo doo bee dooSanta baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ringI don't mean a phoneSanta baby, and hurry down the chimney tonightHurry down the chimney tonightHurry down the chimney tonightANN, that's my wish for you this Christmas!

Gerry Tan ● 7434d

Gareth and Gerry,Getting the racehorse is the easy part:  afterwards - stable, grooms, trainers, insurance, travel expenses, veterinary costs, feeding, etc., etc., so, Gareth, rephrase the wish to include all of these and more!Sorry to be so negative!Wish instead to become a billionaire who could afford a racehorse.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

GARETH, and also, how much would such a dream racehorse cost please?  ;-o

Gerry Tan ● 7434d

"For myself - a racehorse (Please Santa)"GARETH, what a lovely novel request for Christmas! If I were sunny Brentford's Super Fairy Godmother and I waved my magic wand for you to have the racehorse of your dreams, what name would you give the horse? And what kind of horse would it be(I know nothing about horses). ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7434d

For myself - a racehorse (Please Santa)

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

Neil,Couldn't agree more!Childhood memory coming up...Boxing Days at Griffin Park with my Dad, watching football while Mum relaxed at home after the Christmas, and that wasn't yesterday!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7435d

For Brentford all I would want is that the football club is saved. End of May next year is crunch time.

Neil Chippendale ● 7435d

NATHALIE & IAIN, you're right, I ain't got nuttin much against the French, in particular. They're OK, so are most continentals. Just a couple of little things though...French waiters and I don't mix; I find them usually rather rude and unprofessional. There's a definition of a gentleman which I like, because there's a lot of truth in it:"You can always tell a true gentleman, by the way he addresses a waiter"My experience of French waiters is that they often ignore my pleasant and reasonable approach and behave in a rude, arrogant and dismissive way in return. One other thing... drivers in rural France are a life threatening lot, especially tractor drivers in those lovely French country lanes...they have no concern of other drivers(locals and visitors alike); they're a menace to all other road users and so are those drivers in the their cities, especially in Paris! That said, they're a lovely lot and I do like their attitudes to eating and food and the way they have about their occasional adulterous liaisons.  Oh I forgot, I love their bread and their wine!  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 7435d

plant many more trees - but please plant some coniferous trees - think of the savings by not having to sweep up tonnes of leaves each year.

Gareth Evans ● 7436d

The French are very very nice people as I am sure Gerry will agree. I drove under/by the amazing new bridge in July on the way back from Spain (in a jam cos it was not open) Great to see it was a british architect, seem to remember some dissent on environmental grounds in the past.The motorway through the Massif Central (A65?) which now includes the bridge, is a great road with big climbs and sceneary. Drive it if you canIain Muir

Iain Muir ● 7436d

Actually - we could really learn a thing or two from them there French people, across the Channel.  I would wish we take some real notice of them in the next year.  For a start - why isn't their new bridge wobbling?

Sarah Felstead ● 7436d

It's okay Natalie - they can't help it...

Sarah Felstead ● 7436d

Gerry, I agree with most of your wishes except maybe for the one about the French.  Could you change my mind by explaining / sharing the bad experience you've obviously had with the French? :-)

Nathalie Taylor ● 7436d

For Brentford - plant many more trees and expand and enhance all existing green areas and public spaces.For Hounslow - stop ugly development in the Borough and consider keeping as many older buildings as possible for future enhancement.For London - expand the excellent congestion charge areas to include all London postal districts. Ban all 4x4s from the streets of London.For the UK - stop any expansion of regional government.For Europe - tell the French to accept that English is the universal language of the world. Make it clear that Britain will never again come to rescue them from tyranny.For the World - the wish is for peace and reconciliation in all countries experiencing conflict and tyranny. And for God's sake free all those unfortunate prisoners from Guantanamo Bay immediately.  :-)

Gerry Tan ● 7436d