11th December 2025 • The HERALD • Page 81 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Poets Corner The School Nativity by Dorothy Lockyer© e children line up and excitement spills, e Shepherds are out on the makeshi hills With their sheep, although confused, staying close by. O’er the stable a bright star in the sky. Mary and Joseph arrive on the scene Mary turns, waves to her Mum she’s just seen! A tug from Joseph, she’s back in the play ey trudge along seeking a place to stay. e Inn keeper tells them to go away! No! No! Teacher signals; ask them to stay. e Inn keeper hu s, and lets them come in Not hiding his feelings full of chagrin. In the stable baby Jesus is born With donkey and cow looking quite forlorn. Angels appear! Scare the shepherds and sheep, Well a er all, they were fast asleep! Angels are singing with their wings spread wide Gabriel’s halo has slipped to one side. One of the sheep has decided to ee He is o to the loo to have a wee! e kings enter in wearing regal crowns Dressed in magni cent bright coloured gowns. As they kneel in homage, slightly adri ey reluctantly hand over their gi s! A gallant performance can’t be denied As parents and friends applaud with great pride. Forget the tinsel and decking the hall is nativity expresses it all! VACANT SEAT IN THE STAND by Jim Dolbear© Daddy is not coming home for Christmas, he went and fought a war. Daddy is not coming home for Christmas, I won’t see him no more. Mummy says he’s a shining star, to guide me along the way. But I wish he was still with us, so we could laugh and play. Mummy says I am her little man, though I am only seven. And we both must be brave, now Daddy lives in heaven. When I was eight he promised, We’d go to watch his team. And sit together in the stand, alas it’s now a dream. So I put on his hat and scarf, when his team is on TV. I will support them ever more, to make him proud of me. At night before I go to sleep, I’ll look up to the sky. en wave my hand and say goodnight, and promise not to cry. My heart goes out to everyone who will have an empty seat at the table this Christmas especially the little ones who have had a loss. May 2026 be the start of a new beginning. A Baby At Christmas by David K Wilson© One more child due Christmas day Another baby on the way Arriving late as babies do Mum exhausted feeling torn in two But maternity is warm and clean Everywhere so neat pristine Midwife helping all the way A gi unwrapped for Christmas day She checks on baby, all’s ok Excited dad is on his way She sits mum up hands baby down Feeding time has come around Nothing le to chance or fate Sometimes early o en late But the midwife always will be there With her knowledge help and tender care Mum relaxes in sheets so clean Imagining how it would have been No maternity or attended room Just a stable lled with rubbish strewn No so bed just bales of hay Animals o en in the way e only light a starry sky Seen through a roof where pigeons y We complain about the world today Forgetting how things were yesterday We’re lucky we’re a privileged race Ignoring history that once took place Like the baby boy born here today Just like Jesus but years away Changes vast between now and then But the miracle still took place again! HERALD RECRUITMENT JOIN OUR GROWING WASTE & RECYCLING TEAM – 10 POSITIONS AVAILABLE We’re expanding our waste services and looking for dedicated Waste and Recycling Operatives to help us deliver this vital service to our communities. If you’re passionate about the environment and want to be part of a transformative moment in local waste collection, we’d love to hear from you! Love the Outdoors? Care About the Planet? Our operatives are the frontline heroes in protecting both our local and global environment. Without them, over 1,000 tonnes of waste could pile up in just one week across our beautiful district. You’ll be the first to handle residents’ recycling and waste, identifying contamination and ensuring materials are properly sorted for recycling or energy recovery. It’s physical, sometimes messy work—but it’s meaningful, active, and outdoors. If you’re looking for a role that offers work-life balance, keeps you fit, and makes a real difference, this could be the perfect fit. Important Information - This role is subject to pre-employment health screening and a basic DBS check. What’s in it for you: • Up to a maximum of £25,404 including bank holiday payments • 23 day’s leave plus an additional 5 days for 5 years local authority continuous service. • Local Government Pension scheme and AVC provision For full staff benefits, please visit our website. If, after reading what the role will involve, you feel you would like an informal chat, please contact Dave Wheeler-Osman (Waste and Recycling Senior Supervisor) 023 8028 5408 or Ian Nunn (Waste and Recycling Supervisor) on 023 8028 5923. Closing date:11pm on Sunday 4th January 2026 For more information and to apply for this role, please visit our website newforest.gov.uk/jobs
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