Am I the only person who is absolutely fed up with that wretched importation from the USA, 'Trick or Treat'?

Thank goodness Halloween has now passed for this year, but the past few weeks have been plagued by a rash of children of various ages (some depressingly young) in small or large bands knocking at your door and demanding 'trick or treat'.

Refuse and you may be subjected to some less than diplomatic language before the band grudgingly moves on.

It always seems to happen when you have just dished up a meal, which is annoying enough, but what worries me far more is the potential for danger to the young children who are knocking on the doors of total strangers.

A few years ago, I might have been annoyed but it would have been a passing sentiment. These days, it is not so easy to simply brush it off. I know that cases of attacks on young children are not that frequent and in a suburban area it is not a likely scenario.

None the less, I would not allow a child of mine out at night knocking on stranger's doors. When I suggested to one group they might be better off at home, I was told that 'my mum knows I'm doing this and she doesn't mind'.

For their sakes I hope the day never dawns when mum wishes she had minded.

When you are not being tricked or treated you may well have met the 'penny for the guy' brigade who have been haunting a few corners in the run up to Guy Fawkes night, now thankfully also behind us. Ask the young people who Guy Fawkes was and what he did, and you are likely to be met with a wall of ignorance.

Generally speaking they knew he tried to blow up something, but what and why is a closed book, unless you live in Lewes where the bonfire societies still reign supreme.

It is a tribute to those societies that this year, the enthusiasm is still there in spite of the terrible damage to the town from the recent floods.

The planning and effort that goes into the bonfire celebrations is huge and Lewes could do with something to cheer it up after its recent battering. Enough traditions are taking a knock these days without any more joining the list.

I wonder if there will be any fireworks in the Autumn Budget statement, due shortly. The Chancellor apparently has a significant war chest from which it is hoped he may dole out a few goodies.

Pensioners will be watching very closely to see what might be coming their way to make their lives a little easier.

A friend told of a man who had worked for the Post Office for many years and had to retire at 60 because that was the rule.

At that age he is unlikely to get another job but he can't draw his state pension until he is 65 and she said: "What is he supposed to live on - fresh air?".

It does seem a stupid rule, especially if he is fit enough to continue in his job. We are always hearing about staff shortages in many areas and it is often given as an excuse for poor service.

Why not make the rule more flexible so that those who want, or can afford to retire, can do so and those who want to carry on can also do so without sacrificing any pension.

As the retirement age for women goes up and that for men is lowered, it may happen anyway. Why not now?