The Frumplingtons

Author Bill Bryson has been made an honorary OBE for his contribution to literature. We think this shows excellent judgement on the part of those who hand out these honours. We can’t think of anyone who deserves an OBE more.

I myself have read almost everything the great Bill Bryson has ever written, with the notable exception of his latest opus The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. However, a glance at the calendar reveals that it is almost that time in the Judaeo-Christian calendar known in the vernacular as ‘Chrimbo’. And there just happens to be a book-sized space available in my rather generously proportioned Christmas stocking. (In fact, as my Christmas stocking is in fact one half of a pair of fishnet long-johns, there might be room for a Blue Peter annual in there as well.)

Keen Frumplingtons fans who would like to donate either of these books to us had better get their purchases sorted out soon. We will stand under the clock at Lincoln railway station at midnight on Christmas Eve; a suitably anonymous time and place for the covert handover of said books. (Donors to provide own appropriately festive wrapping paper, bows, gift tags etc. Please carry also a copy of that day’s Times newspaper as indication that you are a bona fide Frumplingtons reader.)

Oh, hang on though: midnight’s far too late. We’ll be tucked up in bed with a pint of cocoa by eleven. Looks like you’re off the hook then.

Chris