Autumn in edging in and it seems that rain, drizzle and damp have become the norm these days.

As the warm, sunny days of summer fade into memory there is nothing we can do but accept that winter is on the way.

Time is flying by so quickly indeed worryingly there are just fifteen Saturday’s to go until Christmas. Along the way we will have to endure Halloween and Bonfire night. What a joy to look forward to.

Even though we are well into September so far the shops have refrained from displaying festive fare which, in my opinion, is a good thing.

No doubt the same tired and dreadful Christmas lights will once again blight Wycombe High Street casting the spectre of stagnation on all who pass by as they have done for too many years.

You know nothing seems to change in Wycombe, the same old drab lights, a few token days for free parking allowing Christmas shopping and the traditional ceremony for switching on the festive lights.

Only today an article appeared in the news section of this site announcing that in Marlow this year there will be two major festive events to whip up excitement rather than just one.

Once again Marlow has show that it’s a go ahead town and a role model for what Wycombe should aspire to be.

Wycombe has such great opportunity yet it always seems to misfire hence we are gripped by empty shops, stagnation and decline.

Maybe I will be surprised and this year Wycombe will actually use Christmas as a time to promote itself but I fear the greed for parking revenue and a general laid back attitude will once again be with us.

Instead of Father Christmas here in Wycombe the shoppers will no doubt be visited by over zealous parking attendants who deliver Penalty Charge Notices to the drivers instead of presents.

The Christmas I think Wycombe should have a whole week where parking is free in the afternoon with at least two weekends of free parking too.

Why not create some ‘Wycombe Ambassadors’ to help shoppers back to their car with large purchases and generally help newcomers to the town with directions.

It would also be nice to have a Santa’s Grotto in the town centre and perhaps have a choir singing in various locations moving around the town day by day. I’m sure it would be nice to have a choir perform under the Guild Hall.

The town needs to get rid of the tired old Christmas lights that have come to ridicule our High Street and buy some proper ones that give a spectacular and dazzling display. The manky Christmas in the Library Gardens needs axing too.

For those who can’t walk too well why not use some golf carts to provide free transport around the streets of the sprawling town.

Wycombe should be leading the way driving ahead the festive celebrations for the District instead we appear to be in the back seat with our eyes closed facing the wrong way.

What do you think?

*Don't forget to read my regular column in this Friday's edition of the printed version of the Bucks Free Press!