Getting in the mood

It's the last missive of the year and by rights I should be looking back on the key events of 2006 and forecasting the state of things to come in 2007.

There's been loads of things going on in the industry and like as not there'll be heaps of activity on the corporate side of things in the next 12 months. But c'mon, this is the Christmas edition of The Publican. I'm blowed if I'm going to drone on about sector consolidation, underlying sales and the impact of the smoking ban on pub company profits in the financial year ending June 2008 just yet.

So with the jingle bells ringing in my ears - I really must remember to use earplugs when riding my Triumph - I considered whistling up a Christmas short story, and I even thought about re-printing the lyrics to 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' by Sesame Street's Elmo - but the editor vetoed that particular brainwave.

So instead I thought I'd try and get you all into the Christmas spirit by taking a light-hearted - and I mean light-hearted - look at what leading industry figures might hope to find in their stocking on Christmas morning.

John Grogan: a safe Labour seat (with access to a decent brewery)

Ted Tuppen: a 1956 Maserati A6 G54 Allemano

Ralph Findlay: 10,000 high-quality cotton white t-shirts on which to print the word 'Marston's' in big gold letters

Robert Tchenguiz: Mitchells & Butlers

Tim Martin: a good barrister

Karen Jones: a new concept

Rooney Anand: any family brewer you care to mention

Giles Thorley: another house in the country. And a new boat

Alan Bowes: an alternative career

Merry Christmas to you all!