Here we are then - trudging towards the end of the year, shoulders down and brows furrowed with frowns. What a year it's been on the national and international scene! Not to mention here in Bradford, where we have our own special issues to grapple with (see below).

Globally, this was another year in which the world demonstrated its determination to go mad - not in a happy, inanely grinning, gently gibbering sort of way but wickedly, violently, terrifyingly, warringly.

It doesn't do to dwell too much on the ever-present threat of terrorism. But it's there, and ignoring it gets harder and harder as the ideological divisions between nations, and between communities and factions within nations, grow ever more entrenched.

Add to that the fragile condition of the economies not just of Britain but of many of the western states, which seem to be set for a bumpy downhill ride as the economic baton passes to fast-rising nations like China and India.

Then there's the financial mess this country is in over and above that, as it fails to balance its books. Not only are millions of individuals owing huge amounts of money but the national budget is running at a huge loss and, because we are now a country which makes and exports very little, depends much too heavily on the health of the financial sector.

There's the cost of running the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; of footing an ever-increasing bill for the 2012 Olympics; of funding the droves of people who keep arriving in this country, uninvited; of under-writing to the tune of £60 billion of public money the incompetence of the management team who allowed Northern Rock to get into such a mess.

Meanwhile, just try being old and/or infirm and getting a local authority home-care worker to come and empty your commode!

Add to that lot the changing weather patterns which seem to be making more parts of the country prone to flooding; the threat of identity theft which has grown greatly thanks to the stupidity of government departments which keep losing vital, confidential details; the growth in lawlessness as more and more anti-social and criminal people realise that they can get away with it because the police and courts let them The fact that the present Government under brooding Brown is floundering so hopelessly does nothing to lighten the gloom. After all, it isn't as if there's a splendid alternative just waiting in the wings for voters to give it a chance to take over.

David Cameron hardly inspires confidence. Like Blair before him, he's all smooth talk and little substance. And now in Nick Clegg the Lib-Dems have saddled themselves with a Cameron-clone leader who comes across as the over-cocky chairman of a sixth-form debating society. Terrific!

So as 2007 lurches into 2008 there doesn't seem to be a lot to celebrate. ExceptWell, we do live in what is physically one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There are huge tracts of glorious countryside and coast to gladden the spirits, and our more stately cities contain some fine and uplifting architecture. Spring's just around the corner and there's a new series of Doctor Who in the offing!

These are the things we must cling to as we head into the 2008. Let's enjoy what we can as much as we can - but one day at a time. And remember the song from the end of the Monty Python film Life of Brian: "Always look on the bright side of life"

One more year to put voice to my vexation

We're on the threshold of what will be my last full year at the T&A. At the end of January, 2009, I shall frolic off into retirement. So much to do and so little time! There are countless wrongs to rage about, follies galore to fume over.

It doesn't do much to put things right, of course. I've long ago learned that. But it does make me feel better, and hopefully does the same for others who share my views.

So let's get started on upsetting the Establishment to round off the old year. First the decision to take the Park at the Heart plans to the detailed design stage, with Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships contributing £500,000 each to the cost. This, remember, is without any guarantee that funding can be found to enable this scheme to go ahead, with or without the mirror pool that so many people seem to have concerns about.

Doesn't this seem to be a back-to-front way of going about things? Surely you wait until the project is a nailed-on certainty before investing in the detailed design rather than loading £1 million-plus on to a gravy train which might turn out to be going nowhere.

And then there's the Bishop of Bradford, criticised for saying what most Bradfordians are thinking: that having a big hole in the middle of the city for such a long time is disappointing, to say the least, and rather depressing. He should know better than most. His home overlooks it.

One of those doing the criticising, Councillor Andrew Mallinson (executive member for regeneration), cited the Christmas tree donated by Westfield as a measure of the company's commitment to the Broadway scheme.

Have you seen it, on the plot of waste land between the Midland Hotel and the Post Office sorting office? It's the size of tree you might have in your front room, if your front room was much smaller than average, with a short string of lights haphazardly draped over it. Very reassuring!

So there you are. That's a couple of matters off my chest. I promise you there'll be more in the months to come. Meanwhile, thanks for your letters, phone calls and e-mails over the last year in response to items in this column and Past Times.

And, perhaps against the odds, have a Happy New Year!