WELCOME to the latest edition of the camera club.

WE are now in December and the final stretch before Christmas and New Year.

Time is of course relative but it certainly seems this year has passed with the blink of an eye.

It does not seem like yesterday that we were heading into 2022 with some relief the worst of the pandemic over but with great trepidation as war clouds loomed over Ukraine as Russia plotted its invasion.

Of course we have all had to endure the cost of living crisis which will mean most of the country will be forced to scale back on their Christmas plans this year.

For many of us Christmas will be spent under a duvet to save money putting on the heating.

It is indeed a sad indictment of Britain in 2022 that we are contemplating a Christmas from a Dickens novel for the third year in a row.

However we must all endure for we have no other choice and that means making the most of things for the children.

For Christmas is all about the children and the current generation have had a tougher time than any since the end of World War Two with two years of education impacted by the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis literally taking food from their mouths.

As a society we must strive to ensure every child, regardless of background, enjoys the Christmas they deserve.

Whitchurch Herald: A fun day at Alderford Lake. Picture by Tim Dickenson.

A fun day at Alderford Lake. Picture by Tim Dickenson.

Whitchurch Herald: A foggy Shropshire afternoon. Picture by Caroline Barrett.

A foggy Shropshire afternoon. Picture by Caroline Barrett.

Whitchurch Herald: They call him Zappy. Picture by Gary Leroy Crawford.

They call him Zappy. Picture by Gary Leroy Crawford.

Whitchurch Herald: Cam extra.

A grey wagtail. Picture by Amy Williams.

Whitchurch Herald: Cam extra.

What a fabulous sheep. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Whitchurch Herald: Cam extra.

The canal in Colemere. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Whitchurch Herald: Cam extra.

A jackdaw. Picture by Mary Morgan.