The Christmas (sorry, festive) season is well upon us, Obiter is pleased to report. The first sign came as early as last month, when one leading after-the-event insurer sent out invites for its Christmas (sorry, festive season) party, which is being held indecently early - before the end of November. This has been followed by our first 2008 calendar, courtesy of national trade union firm Thompsons. The firm has sponsored the quite excellent calendar produced by leading anti-fascist and anti-racist publication Searchlight, featuring 'a year of protest pictures with a large dash of hope'. The photos are very striking and it is thought that this one, 'The Writing's on the Wall' by Searchlight photographer Mike Cohen, was taken in the late 70s or early 80s. The firm said it hoped to get in first by sending the calendar through so early, and given that we will in time be bombarded by twee calendars from other firms filled with pictures drawn by local schoolchildren, we are rather glad it did. To buy the calendar, go to www.searchlightmagazine.com.