Its Party Season (From Watford Observer)

Its Party Season

11:29am Friday 25th November 2011

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The year has flown by so fast (hopefully not as quickly as the turkey I am hoping to have for my lunch this year), but it does seem like only yesterday when I was sitting at home watching the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day.

The decorations are now glowing in the evening air with their twinkling lights, coloured baubles and so many decorations all around the town. There are Christmas songs playing in the shops and with so many gifts to choose from it can be a daunting task. The children are beginning to get excited asking for that favourite toy for Christmas. Their little faces looking eagerly in the shop windows, not to mention all the adverts on tv adding to all that extra pressure to make sure that the holiday season goes with a swing.

It’s a time to relax and have fun but it can also be very busy, stressful and a time to be extra vigilant when out and about. Whether it’s shopping for presents, going to parties or other social events do be aware. It’s a season when other people think that crime pays and the last thing you want is to become a victim.

At this time of the year I get invited to so many parties that my diary is always bursting at the seams. I always keep a close eye on my drink and food to ensure that nothing is added to them and never, ever leave my drink unattended. I am also really cautious where I park my car especially if I am returning to it after dark and always try to choose a well-lit space as close to the exit as possible.

At the end of the day, when I am tired and exhausted from socializing and bopping away on the dance floor and the party’s over and I need to get home, if I have had a drink I always try to pre-book a cab or taxi in advance and only ever use a licensed cab company and have them pick me up right outside the venue. One of my rules is never accept a lift from a minicab touting for trade. They are illegal and can be very dangerous. Or if I take the bus or train I always try and stay in a well-lit place near other people if possible and always sit on the lower deck as near as possible to the driver.

So the moral of this is, be safe, keep your wits about you and have fun.

To find out more information about anything happening at the Trust, please contact me on trusty.house@wcht.org.uk.

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