By Judith Phillips, reporter
WITH Christmas less than 48 hours away it seems there is very little joy and goodwill on the high street.
Believe it or not, as journalists we really do hate having to report doom and gloom, but during these past few weeks there has been little alternative, as the economy dives into recession, and the threat of redundancy hovers on many doorsteps, including our own (eight journalists are to be made redundant at our group of newspapers here in North Wales).
This week alone we've had to report how the Woolworth stores in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Conwy are to close with the loss of 100 jobs, and the Jaguar dealership in Llandudno Junction has become the latest victim of the dramatic plunge in car sales as people rein in their spending.
Our hearts go out to those with mortgages and families to support who must now look for alternative employment in a very restricted job market.
On a personal note, a ray of light was cast by the work done in Llandudno town centre over the Christmas and New Year period by so called "street angels", members of three local churches who are giving up their Friday and Saturday nights and Christmas and New Year's Eves to try to ensure revellers get home safely.
They embody the true Christian spirit of the festival as do the members of the Gloddaeth United Reformed Church who are sacrificing spending Christmas Day with their families to cook and prepare a slap-up turkey lunch for the town's homeless and lonely people.
Our heartfelt thanks should go out to them for reminding us what Christmas is really about and that among all the worry and stress caused by the financial crisis there are people who genuinely care about others.
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