Audlem shoppers survive Black Friday

Unlike all too many British cities suffering supermarket riots and less than Festive cheer as urban shoppers fought over discounted TVs in Tescos and ASDAs across the land, Audlem's shopping scene yesterday was benign, welcoming and peaceful.

A fine example had been set the previous night at The Big Switch On as local children queued peacefully and orderly to meet Santa in his grotto – despite all knowing sweets were on offer as they passed on their Christmas wish list. Whether any were after a discounted giant flat-screen TV is unknown.

Today, there may be a pause in the shopping onslaught at 12.30pm as people focus on the mass singing on the Church mound for Mend our Mum.

After seeing the disturbing scenes on TV as shoppers came to blows as they fought fiercely for a bargain, the message is clear – shop locally for Christmas. It's so much more peaceful.

'Black Friday' is an American phenomenon where the traditional Thursday Thanksgiving over the last week of November is followed by a retail frenzy on the Friday, seen in the States as the first day of Christmas shopping.

But here in Britain we just get the shopping but not the Thanksgiving Turkey.

To the delight of all in Britain, national retailers have been ensuring Black Friday succeeds like other imports from across the Atlantic, such as 'Trick or Treat', that much loved Halloween joy enjoyed by victim and perpetrator alike.

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