Each week I use this space to share my five thoughts – the good, the bad and the ugly.

But I’m not selfish, so I’m also very happy to donate the space to guest writers to have their say. Write to me using the details below.

1. Happy Christmas one and all. I pass on season’s tidings now because the festive season seems to directly follow summer. Personally, I do nothing about Christmas until December 24, but surely we should at least keep it within December. The one exception I am prepared to make is for Bexley police’s tree (like the helmet guys!) as this is in aid of a great cause – gifts for children in care.

2. While we are talking Christmas, no doubt unnecessary cards will start popping through the letterbox very shortly. Any idea how much a first class stamp costs now? I bet like me you do not. First class has risen by 16p in two years and second class by 17p. Strange, I haven’t noticed salaries rising by 25 to 30 per cent.

3. I do not experience racism very often. But this weekend, when I got served ahead of him at the bar, the black guy next to me asked the barmaid if this was because I was white? I said the reason was because I was ahead of him in the queue, bought him a pint and left it at that.

4. I make no apology for my incredibly partisan support for the England football team against the old enemy recently. But, what pleased me most was the way all the players when tackled, fairly or not, for once just got up and got on with the game.

5. Finally, tried making an appointment to see the doctor recently? I reckon it is easier to get a passport... probably even a Russian one.

Send in your 5THOUGHTS by email to aparkes@london.newsquest.co.uk, on Twitter to @parkestheeditor or through Facebook to facebook.com/newsshopper