Yes it's that time of year again - the Dickens Christmas Festival is on this weekend. It's always fun when costumed characters come into the store - mostly it's to buy more bonnet ribbon! Two of my favourites were these 2 folk several years ago - the haberdasher had a wonderful tray full of lace trimmings and thread spools. And no, before you ask, I will not be bonneted and wearing a crinoline - otherwise, there's a high probability that I'd get my hoops tangled and would be wedged behind the counter, rather like a pin-tucked and calico-sprigged beached whale! Far better to be in modern dress and adorned by one of our jolly Christmas aprons as I race around the shop floor and rotary cut at the speed of light...