Bleak Christmas

I have come to the conclusion that the demographic imbalances in Leeds 6 will never be taken seriously by the powers that be. Why need not detain us now but the walk to the Nine and Lessons and Carols service at St Michael's was as ever sobering. Street after Street in complete darkness with not a Christmas decoration in sight. I've never really bought the "Ghost Town" view of Leeds 6 during University vacations but its true for about 7 days a year as the mid Winter pull of family ties seems to strong even for the most transient of Communities.

Not that I'm really complaining. I enjoy the peace and quiet wearing my residents hat. Leeds deserved reputation as a party City will see many students flock back for New Years Eve and normal service will be resumed very shortly.

Nine lessons and carols was very English. Combined Choir and Congregation came to about 100 with lots of posh new winter coats amongst the seasonally inflated congregation. Betjamen poetry readout with out irony and much Winter sniffling throughout the Choristers Songs. We must all have infected each other. The inflated numbers meant there was a queue at the votive stall to light candles. Who knows what was on every body's mind as they offered perhaps an annual prayer?

The walk home seemed equally dark despite a crystal clear sky and a Full Moon. I noticed a fresh rash of "For Sale" Signs on many of the flat developments along Cardigan Road and wondered if it was a harbinger of things to come in 2008. As if on Que for a modern Christmas fable i passed a Homeless person sitting alone and in complete silence outside the 24 hour Coop. The trading laws meant it was briefly shut but the security lighting made the scene much harsher than the Moon Light would have done.