The Third Leader: Barking stories

Given the fierce focus on Westminster, Paris and Brussels as the Liberal Democrats, the England Rugby Union team, and its newest supporter, the Prime Minister, limber up for their big contests, we thought it might be useful to dwell on some other areas of national life.

First things first: and, judging by our Letters Page, readers will be most anxious for the latest on preparations for Christmas. Happily, we have it: following the traditional toy shortage warning, there is now the other one about health, safety and insurance forcing a Christmas street lights blackout.

We understand your misgivings about this prematurity; nevertheless, the indeterminacy of our seasons, caused by climate change, makes such pointers invaluable (one thinks also of the nightly reminders that Bonfire Night is but weeks away). Those with an ironic taste in decoration should know that artificial upside-down Christmas trees are available online.

Elsewhere, there are celebrations in Ipswich after the five corgis who starred with Helen Mirren in The Queen were nominated for the Fido Awards, the first British dog Oscars. This should be applauded. Thespians of other species have received scant recognition. I should like to make a posthumous plea for Trigger, Roy Rogers' horse, who got his start playing Maid Marion's mount in Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, stoically endured Roy's songs, was stuffed for his pains, and is now an exhibit in the Roy Rogers Museum in Missouri.

Finally, two other celebrity items you might have overlooked: Les Dennis is to be a father again and Paul Daniels has opened his son's magic shop in Wigan.