The fire was lit, the Christmas tree lights were on and I was ready to settle down for the evening. The weather outside was indeed frightful, and I would’ve been happy to sit on my sofa all night and watch one of those Channel Five Christmas movies that include Americans with perfect teeth and hair. But, given that they always end up having one of those perfect yet unattainable Christmases, and not wanting to watch anything where I already knew the outcome, I headed off to Hexham to take part in the Stage Society and Hexham Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert.

Avoiding the film wasn’t the only reason I went, I have to say. I had been rehearsing the concert for the last six weeks so it wasn’t that difficult a decision.

In the driving rain, I walked down to the station to get a train to Hexham as I quite fancied a pint at the gathering after the concert. 45 minutes later, I arrived at the venue, bedraggled and steaming slightly in the warmth of St Mary’s RC Church. I must’ve looked like a right wally, as we southerners say.

But the old voice held out, which was the main thing, and I think I played my part in entertaining the audience who, like all of us, were missing the Channel Five film in an attempt to get seriously festive.

We performed some traditional carols and Christmas songs, including THAT one by Slade. The HMVC version of Holy City, with a vocal by Stuart Stokell and the accompanying chorus from the ladies of the stage society at the end, made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It was superb.

And just like that it was over. It doesn’t take much to persuade the members of the Stage Society to go out for a pint so many of us beetled off to the local curry house afterwards, to celebrate Christmas, the concert, and various members’ birthdays.

And despite the likes of Tescos and John Lewis trying their hardest since the end of September to get everyone feel Christmassy, it was only after my lamb madras and third pint of Cobra that I thought – “so THIS is Christmas….”