Guth & Tuairim, Nollaig 1981

Litreacha \ While we are not featuring our "Consumer Spot" in ~ this issue we feel we should give some space to the Cope to answer criticism levelled at them in our last issue. Their letter reads:- - -- B Re Cope Stamps in your last issue; as I do not !mow the identity of your Sheskinarone reader who complained that we have not increased the £1 for each voucher since we started, perhaps you would enlighten her and the general. 1 'public who may have the same thoughts. \Vhen we introduced Cope Stamps in 1973 the Consumer Price Index read 156.8 (1968 scale). Today this reads 506.6. Therefore if someone spent £10 a week on shopping in 1973 the stamps she got would have been worth 33p (£17.33 at Christmas). Today she would spend £32.30 for these same goods and get stamps to the value of £1.07 (or £55.64 at Christmas). So while the vouchers did not change in value she not only gets an extra £38 in Stamps but particularly maintains the benefits we distinctively give · to our customers. The Cope Stamps areco-ne of the few things that have not lost their value due to inflation. Brfd Anna Nf Bhaoill as Rann nn Feirste a bhuaidh an comortas scealafochta To another ~ader who complai~s that ag Seer na nOg ar na mallaibh. * -lE- Maire 1 s books increased to £1 in the Cope "Sean Teach" was 10 shillings (50p) and the old price was stroked out and increased to £1. MLQhl:.W.lllalL' D.ul~ Each time I think of Christmas, I think of Bethlehem. I feel we should clear ourselves by saying that we did not do this and that this was done by AIS - the Government Book Distribution Centre. To prove this To where the infant Jesus, Was born to save all men. I enclose their invoice.~ Naturally, they too are caught up in inflation and find that the postage (apart My thoughts go back to the manger, from wages) was in excess of the orig_i:_:al value of the,_;;b.;.o.;.o;;;;k;;.s;..________ ~To the stable where he lay. I hope this clarifies the situation to the satis- ~oo~ And 11ary and Joseph full of Joy, faction of our readers. Incidentally, :we have 0 ~~ On that first Christmas day. nothing but praise for the Cope for being so open and willing to "meet the public 11 when so many ~ To see the bright star shining, other organisations shy away from criticism. 0 ~~ I"~ 0 o To guide the shepherd men. Our regular Consumer Spot will be back next month :..::Y'::' ~¥; To hear those angels singing so watch out for it. :..;. 0 ~~- "Peace to all good men". (• Invoice received by this paper). Oh come, let us adore him, a .._. of He is the King of Kings. ~ o. • - ~ Let• s gather 1 round His manger, ~ ~, . . 0 ~ ~o share the joy He brings. ~ Le Jose;ph Carr, Falcarrach, 0 Nolla~~ 19Bl~ __ _ / EARRAI COINCREID. Gaoth Dobhair Manufacturer of Pre-stressed Lintels Window sills Garden Edging Paving slabs Septic .Tank Lids Manhole covers Wall &: Chimney Coping Supplier of wrap around boilers ~--~~-----J APPROVED BY I.I.R.S. Phone BUNBEG 90 J&e fl A tired moon fought with a grey dawn as we wiped the steamed up window 8DP rubbed -ou~noses to the cold pane. It was a cold and -dark Christmas morning. We had waited long enough! Down to the Kitchen we scrambled, exc~ted with expectation. The kitchen was exactly as it was the night before. The paper streamers and bright~ coloured baloons moved gently on a draught. The Christmas turkey lay 11 in state 11 at the back of the kitchen table. There was a line of Christmas cards on a string across the mantlepiece. Otherwise nothing, not a bean~ No toys! No presents! Nothing! Our world shuddered to an instant stop. No Santa Claus • but wait! What about the cake? We had left a slice of cake and a glass of lemonade on the table the night before. More out of bribery than concern for the Old 11an, let it now be said. A mass of eyes stared in disbeli ef at the kitchen table. Oh no - the cake was gone and the glass was empty. It Has more than small hearts could bear and the first tears rolled down the cheeks of the tiniest one, then the next tiniest one and so on in an ever increasing crescendo of wailing which wole the father and brought him down to the kitchen without delay. After much explaining and a lot of complaining we were packed off to bed agsin. When we eventually got up at a later hour the toys had all arrived as expected and in the excitement everybody forgot about the cake and lemonade. Being of a suspicious mind I never had a lot of time for Santa Claus after that. So what is Christmas? Host people would agree it is time for the children, and if not, ~~hy not, for is it not the celebration of the birth of a child. Such thoughts were lost on us that morning. All we could thiru: of was what had we done to deserve such a f ate and years l ater it still chill:! me to the bone to think of what it would be like if it were true. I suppose we l-Iould get over it with time, or would we? It gives me a greater fright still to think that there are little children who won•t be experiencing that special joy this Christmas. That is why I dedicate this column to the 11 Guth 7 Tuairim 11 Toy 1 s Appeal. So get those boxes filled. Second-hand toys are better than no toys at all. Remember, 11 what you give in my name, you give also to me 11 • And finally Cyril, if you see a big fat hulk of a man with a yhite beard and a red suit who might be carrying a fat sack - jump on him you•ve hit the Jackpot. A happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone who hns 'put up with the Green ~'col in 1981.