New Agenda on Sunday. is out! Edition of 18 December 2016

https://paper.li/f-1346065353

Good morning everyone.

More name to add to the list of "celebrity" obituaries during 2016.

Ian McCaskill (born John Robertson McCaskill; 28 July 1938 – 10 December 2016) was a BBC weatherman.

Zsa Zsa Gabor (February 6, 1917 – December 18, 2016) was a Hungarian-American actress and socialite. Quote: I am a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.

Michael Nicholson OBE (9 January 1937 – 11 December 2016) was an English journalist and former ITN Senior Foreign Correspondent.

I noticed an article in a BBC News magazine, asking the question "Have more famous people died in 2016?" It seems that it is not only me seeing something strange about this year.

Strictly Come Dancing has gone for another year! Ore Oduba (who?) and his dance partner Joanne Clifton (again, who?) won the "Glitter ball" trophy, and ended the evening with the usual tearful and emotional speeches. Saturday evenings will not be the same until Strictly returns next year. Even longer for Len Goodman of course who has now retired from the show for good. Smart move Len.

In another show which will not be seen again until next year, Andy Murray has been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time.

With more tearful and emotional speeches the sports "celebs" paraded in front of the camera's to collect their respective trophies for their place in the bookcase. Sport and award shows combined. Not a dry eye in the house.

Weymouth "lights"

There is a debate brewing as to whether Weymouth should appoint a "Town Centre Manager".

Weymouth certainly need something.
This years "Christmas Lights" for example, seems to be nothing more than a few coloured but predominately off white light bulbs, randomly draped across the pedestrian streets with very little though for the overall effect.The final result is a rather drab featureless display which does nothing for the town or for the visitors and residents.
The town would probably benefit from an "El Supremo" type figure to pull all the threads together (rather than having an interminable amount of committees, working groups and "meetings") and get things done, not only at Christmas but through out the rest of the year too.

Dr Michael Vincent

Meanwhile, back in Jersey it seems that mobile phone providers are much the same on the island as they are on the mainland.

Jersey Dr Michael Vincent, received his mobile phone bill for a staggering £32,000! (It should have been £320). A spokesman for Jersey Telecom said: ‘We would like to apologise to Dr Vincent and thank him for doing exactly the right thing, which is to contact JT straight away to highlight this clear mistake on a bill reminder letter, which we corrected immediately". Which is of course all very well until he receives Final demand letter and the threat of the heavy mob coming round to collect.

As next Sunday will be Christmas Day, today’s circular for New Agenda on Sunday will be the last one for 2016 (unless I can "slip in a quicky"on Boxing Day), so thank you for reading this weekly view of the world and for the comments some of you have sent over the past 12 months, all of which are greatly appreciated.

May I wish you, your family and friends a really Merry Christmas and a Happy festive season and all best wishes for the coming year.

John.

PS. There is still no sign of snow. In fact it is getting warmer and the forecasters are predicting heavy rain and high winds over the Christmas period. (Nothing to do with the Brussels sprouts either, I understand). You could not make this up.