My college did not put up a Christmas tree this year. This followed a one-day student, management, and local community symposium on cultural diversity. The tree was deemed too “Christian” although in reality it is no more than an icon under which to put gifts. Instead a large and rather muddled tapestry was produced representing festivals including Guru Nanak Day and Eid, both of which incidentally the college makes no holiday provision for. The Blessed Virgin’s coy smile apparently directed towards the Prophet Mohammed has already caused controversy and threatens to undo the whole project. I am all for cultural recognition but must we lose our own cultural identity as we seek to integrate others?

Colleges, I suppose, feel they should recognise that not everyone celebrates Christmas but I doubt this is the way forward. Sounds like a bit of sham and one that may blow up in their faces.