POOR Brian Beacom, having his brains turned to slush by Christmas songs ("The sound of sleigh bells is turning our brains to slush", The Herald, December 20). I have to admit that I found it most enjoyable many years ago – as we returned from the Christmas Eve dance in the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton on The Wirral, through the Liverpool Docks, where we would park for a hot drink and sandwiches – to sit in the dark and belt out carols and Christmas songs.

One of them was “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”. I can’t believe that we knew all the verses but the bit I do remember now was “then I could say sister Susie sitting on a thistle”. Great stuff to which to do one’s courting. Incidentally we had danced to Diana sung by Paul Anka; and of course the last dance was to Bing Crosby, Dreaming of a White Christmas”.

To counteract the effect of such a diet of “sleigh bells” on Mr Beacom’s brains can I recommend the JS Bach Christmas Oratorio or Gerald Finzi’s Dies Natalis – they are stunners.

Have a good Christmas everyone.

Thelma Edwards,

Old Comrades Hall,

Hume, Kelso.