CorpComms Magazine

I hear Thomas the Tank Engine has been the talk of the town. What's going on?

The quest for political correctness has been upsetting people again (especially The Daily Mail readers).

What's the story this time?

It appears that the people behind Thomas the Tank Engine have avoided mentioning Christmas in one of their episodes.

What have they called it?

Winter Holidays.

And let me guess, a Christmas tree is a winter holiday tree?

Almost. In another episode it is referred to as a 'decorated tree'. In another euphemistic reference a pile of brightly wrapped  presents get delivered to a 'holiday party'.

Deary me. Wasn't the original creator Christian?

Yes, the first creator of the Thomas characters was Reverend Wilbert Awdry no less!

What has the team behind the Thomas programmes said?

The team has defended their actions and said that they do plan to run future Christmas episodes. The makers said that the episode was 'not a seasonal release specifically aimed at Christmas'.

It all seems a bit mad to me. Children should know why they receive presents at Christmas!

And that is exactly the view of Hilary Fortnam, the daughter of Reverend Awdry. She has said that her father would be very upset that Christmas had been removed from her father's stories.

Too right! A vicar who avoided mentioning Christmas would be slightly odd.

Well in their defence, the programme makers do say that the DVDs are intended to be sold all year round, so that is another reason for not mentioning Christmas.

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