Jim has been writing Christmas Newsletters for nearly 10 years now.  Originally he started doing it because his hands ached after about ten minutes hand-writing messages on individual Christmas cards.  He thought time would be saved by writing a short, witty summary of the year's news which could be included with the card.  After a couple of years the creation of the annual newsletter became a major undertaking, often commencing as early as April, and taking far longer than just writing personalised messages on cards.  Hey ho.

Jim has a particular and frankly peculiar talent for overcomplicating simple stories, and  using several paragraphs to describe a situation which the average person would  manage to cover with a couple of sentences.  

Nevertheless he is an intriguing individual, committed to seeing the funny side of any situation, and his warm personality ensures that his many readers regard him rather like a doddery old uncle who has to be tolerated with sympathy every Christmas.

When Jim isn't bashing away at the keyboard, you can often find him doing work on his CNC machine, generating vast quantities of wood dust and very little of practical use.  And don't get him started on 3D Printing!

Gill has been the powerhouse behind the scenes for many years.  When Jim is thinking of putting his feet up, Gill gives him the encouragement he needs to keep going.  

And then he puts his feet up anyway.

At this time of year Gill's thoughts turn to the Christmas dinner and what new dishes she can prepare for the big day.  Considerable research is being undertaken as this goes to print, and this inevitably involves an extended period of tasting by Jim, to establish the dishes that will go forward to the menu for lunch on 25 December.  It's a bit like Masterchef.  On second thoughts, it's nothing like Masterchef..

Gill always sees the good side of a person (even some Masterchef presenters).  She has put up with Jim for thirty years after all, and that would try the patience of a saint.

Her friends and family think she is a delightful, person with a wicked sense of humour, as Jim knows only too well.