A peer through the rose-tinted spectacles of nostalgia, by Jeff Dunn.

Here we are in between celebrations, too late for "Good King Bent-his-lance" and too soon for "Old Lands End".

So why don't you get a hammer, crack another of those rock hard mince pies, pour yourself yet one more Bill Bailey's, and join me in the last TRM for 2006.

Who knows, it may turn out to be the last TRM ever. I haven't heard the squeak of the rusty guillotine yet, but with changes afoot in the Merc world, there's no guarantee that I won't be culled, swept under the carpet like a pile of last year's fag ash by a prickly new broom.

So, just in case it's a last farewell, let's get on with it.

Following my recent bit about those unusual catches' down the Docks, I had a few nice comments, including one from George Roach, the Man of the Mount, who rang to say that the date shown for the lobster-pull was wrong, it wasn't the 30's, but the 50's.

George, of course, was quite right, and he ought to know cos his brother Norman was a big mate of Mike (Baldy) Allen, both being apprentice fitters down the Docks at the time, and in fact, tho it wasn't mentioned in the news story, the two of them were together when the mega lobster was hooked.

Both of them finished the final six months of their five year apprenticeship in the Merchant Navy as Junior Engineers.

Stevo, the snap magician, conjured up this one of ex Pill boy Mike, showing off the crabby crustacean in all its glory, as well as one of that hideous giant squid mentioned in the same piece.

Now it's time to declare this year's winner of the TRM trivia quiz. I'm playing a big fanfare on my paper and comb. During last year I had over 100 correct answers, which were all thrown into the hat and with roughly 50% of them coming from the terrific trio of Jean Jenkins (2005 winner), Mel (Mellors) Horn, and Diane Tozer, they were obviously strong favourites.

And so it proved, the first name out was DIANE TOZER. To be honest Di's been giving me so much stick lately I was tempted to put it back in the hat, but the adjudicators, overseeing the solemn ceremony, would've turned nasty if they'd suspected any hanky panky.

So, the third photo this week, is of yours truly presenting the certificate, and a special bottle, to a worthy 2006 TRM champion. Commiserations to all the many others who took part, and thanks for trying.

I see proposed Post Office closures are making news once again, just like it did 50 years ago, when on 1/1/56, the Fish Market Post Office on the Docks closed. The little red building at the bottom of the Nelson steps was, at one time, a hive of industry, being one of the busiest telegraph centres in the country, but when more and more business was transacted by telephone, the telegram boys had less and less to do.

I also read that millions of postal items go missing every Christmas. It reminded me of one of my grandad's (Pop Edwards) tales about when he and one of his mates, a postman, bumped into one other one Christmas and, despite the fact he was working, embarked on an impromptu pub crawl, starting in The Whetham, which ended up with a bagful (oh no, not that old chestnut again) of mail being thrown off Blackbridge into the muddy waters of the Pill.

I'm still not sure if all his yarns were true, but I can definitely hear him chuckling as he told them.

Right, that's definitely it. If I've forgotten anything, it's too bad . For all those who enjoy New Year's Eve celebrations, have a fantastic time. For those less keen, don't worry, it's only one day on the calendar. There's lots to look forward to. Spring'll soon be sprung.

But to TRM readers everywhere . . . happy new year!