Yes, trditional Chrismas fayre of Mince Pies, Sherry,Chrismas pudding and er er.........South Asian Food, yes lovely.

Like serving up Turkey, roasties, sprouts and gravy for Diwali no doubt?

I love curry and ethnic dishes but why on Earth can we not keep Christmas traditional? All PC poppycock again no doubt.

Where is the Night Shelter? That is news to me also. I think we should be told?

Some people like South Asian food.

Redbrfidge Night Shelter is in York Road, Ilford.

There are quite a lot of Christians in places covered by the vague phrase 'South Asia', particularly in the southern parts of India, where there were Christian communities many centuries before Christianity ever came to this part of the world.

Turkey is not very traditional by the way - Turkeys are believed to have first been brought to Britain in 1526 by Yorkshireman William Strickland either directly from America or via Spain. At that time Goose and Boar's Head were the kings of the Christmas meats.

It was not until Edward VII that turkey eating became fashionable at Christmas, with turkeys still not overtaking the goose until the widespread availability of domestic refrigeration the 1950s. This year I am thinking of having something else with a bit more flavour like roast Gammon.

I should add that I greatly support the idea of Night Shelters and feel that we do indeed need more of them so that the users of them can get the support, help, friendship and direction that they need.

It is no good leaving beggers and alcohlics left to fend for themselves in the cold winter days.

i prefer asian food over boring old turkey anyday of the week including xmas!

Technomist, all very interesting.

I am glad you have given your old Encyclopedia Brittania a dusting down.

The most relevant bit is where you get to the Edward V11 reign, as we are in England and traditionally celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ, the son of God.

It is tragic in my view that in this essentially Christian country, where over the years, people from various nations have been welcomed and embraced into our democratic ways and supported in a lifestyle that could only be dreamed of in their homeland, some have felt it right to attempt to change the very system of fairness equality and tradition that make this tiny island unique.

It is felt acceptable by some to ridicule Christians and Christianity in ways that would be unheard of these days by other faiths. Take the Jerry Spinger 'Opera' for example.

This is in contrast to the mass rioting and disturbances witnessed Worldwide in the case of 'Satantic Verses' and 'the Cartoon' matters.

A turkey is for life not just for Christmas.

Bootiful as Bernard Matthew once said.

There's only on Turkey around here and its name is Bert.

Oh come on! Honestly, everyone knows you have Roast Turkey for Christmas Day THEN Turkey Curry Boxing Day, and the day after, and the day after, and the day after till at least February!

i don't think the south-asian twist is 'unusual' anymore. It's a Christain holiday, but not everyone who wants to enjoy it is Christian, and not everyone likes turkey, mince pies, stuffing and christmas pud.
But it's just very typical that asian food is to be combined with a christmas roast, when there would no doubt be uproar if the council were to serve fish and chips or a cooked English breakfast at Eid another religion/country's festivities.

Here we go - a pleasant day in one of the more pleasant parts of the area turns into a Bert Smallmind half-clued borefest.