Good eventide Beckworth. Just a reminder that tomorrow evenings ”virtual” switching on of Beckworth’s “online” Christmas lights has been postponed until we find a new celebrity to do the honours. We had lined up Betty “Pretty” Patel, (local home-secretary look-alike) to switch them on but due to unfounded allegations of bullying she’s had to pull out. If you know someone slightly well known who’s talented enough to pretend to flick a switch, let us know… Thanking you most warmly. Aashif Ackworth. Mayor

Hello my dear townsfolk. It’s your lockdown leader here with news about tonights bonfire celebrations… As you know lockdown and budget cuts mean that this year’s bonfire celebrations won’t be happening tonight. Sadly, not even online. We had hoped to create an amazing virtual event, with a video of a bonfire, an animated guy, and the local Peppa Pig tribute band playing songs online for you all to dance to sing and dance along to. We also hoped to have onscreen fireworks. But sadly as we don’t currently have an IT department we had to give up… For now. We do hope to have a bonfire celebration of sorts in the New Year once we’ve seen off Covid and can mix together without fear of death. So that’s something to look forward to. I have been told that Prof Brian Cox may tell the story of the gunpowder plot via zoom, but that’s not been confirmed as we can’t afford to pay him. Have a safe Bonfire night. Yours Aashif Ackworth. Mayo

Hello Beckworth. This is your “wartime” leader speaking. I use the term war because we are battling an invisible enemy, Covid, and we need to kill it once and for all. Last night our beloved leader Boris cautiously announced we should enter another period of lock down as he’s having a few issues with track and trace not working. I wanted to share with you my pearls of wisdom… It seems like only yesterday when, due to lockdown part one, I was ordering my PA to make me ermine trimmed mayoral face-masks… And here we are again. At least we are better prepared this time and can look forward to time relaxing with family watching netflix and posting about our wonderful lives on social media… I say to people, look at the month ahead as a holiday. Enjoy it. Fill it with (housebound) adventures, take up a hobby or learn a new skill (i’m going to start investing in bit coins myself. Now’s the time to be making money). It’s also a chance to reflect, and plan an expensive holiday for next year or what new car to buy… Lockdown is really just a state of mind. As my hero Churchill said, when like me he was leading and inspiring his people, “We will fight them (Covid) on the beaches, in the streets, in the pubs and car parks, on the late running trains and in the discos…” We must not let this pandemic defeat us, or interfere with our daily lives… Anyway, i’m off to get a hair cut followed by a slap up feast at my favourite expensive restaurant (its a big family get together) … Keep safe, keep well, Aashif Ackworth. Mayor