"This is the TV 9 evening news, good evening I am Ceola Wilson. Leading our headlines tonight this the 23rd day of December is the continuing battering of the Island by storms with winds reaching 60 miles an hour.

Once again for the second day running ferry services were completely cancelled and weather forecasters at the Naval Air Station see no end to it for at least another day.'' Richard and Jane Dixon sitting in their cottage on Hinson's Island looked at each other with a look of disbelief, on the carpet in front of them were playing their two children Anna 7 and Max 5. They would have to be told, but how do you tell a child Christmas is not going to be the same this year. No tree, no decorations and most of all no presents.

Ceola Wilson carried on to other news associated with the storms, wind damage to City Hall, Santa Parade cancelled, but the Dixons were not really listening any more as they both realised they were completely trapped on the Island and they hadn't even started to go shopping for the usual festive goods.

"I can't believe it, we are only a half mile from Darrell's Wharf but in this weather it might as well be a hundred,'' said Richard in despair. "Not now dear,'' interrupted Jane indicating with her eyes to the children who had continued playing oblivious to the news, "we'll talk about it later.'' The Dixon family had been away vacationing in the States, it was a family decision to have a winter holiday this year with a couple of days in New York watching the hustle and bustle of New Yorkers getting prepared for Christmas.

There seemed to be a Santa Claus on every street corner which somewhat confused Max as he firmly believed there could only be one Father Christmas, and they all enjoyed watching the ice-skating at the Rockefeller Plaza. Then it was on to Vermont for the children's first taste of snow and skiing.

They had taken to it remarkably well Richard had thought and at the end they had all agreed, even Ann who was the world's biggest Mickey Mouse fan, that they had had a much better time than standing in long queues in 90 degree heat at Disney Land.

The Dixons had decided to take Dr. Saul's advice totally and buy all their presents in Bermuda this year, but it seemed to have badly backfired as within hours of them arriving back exhausted from their journey the storm had started giving them no time to go to the Hamilton shops. At first they did not panic, thankfully for a large deep freeze they were not going to starve but who would have thought the storm would have lasted four days. Nothing could be said until after the children were in bed.

Anna and Max were very excite, "we will get the tree tomorrow, Dad won't we?'' pleaded Anna, "you did promise we could put up the decorations,'' added Max, Richard did not have the heart to give them reasons to doubt anything and of course, the weather report could be wrong. The children made Richard read them a story about Father Christmas coming down a chimney and meeting a little girl who wouldn't go to sleep.

As Richard gave the children a kiss goodnight and tucked them into bed Max said, "Is it true that Father Christmas only brings presents to children who have been good?'' "That's right son,'' said Richard. A few seconds passed, "Daddy,'' "Yes Max?'' "Would you say Ann and I have been good?'' Richard could honestly say they had been. The answer seemed to assure Max as he turned over and went straight to sleep. Richard could imagine the magical dreams that his son would have that night anticipating Christmas day, he felt slightly sick in his stomach knowing that he was almost helpless to make these dreams come true.

Depressed he went back to their living room where Jane had turned of the TV and poured them both a glass of egg nog. he was surprised to notice she wasn't as down as himself and was in fact quite jovial humming a well known carol to herself. He slumped down into his favourite chair, "Well what are we going to do Jane? It's going to break the kids' hearts.'' Her answer surprised him, "Well I think it's not such a bad thing really.'' "Not bad, I really can't see how it could get a lot worse and unless, of course, the electricity went off.'' As if to answer his worst fears there was an extra strong gust of wind and the lights momentarily flickered, they both burst out laughing relieving the tension. "No,'' continued Jane, "I don't think it's that bad, we have been saying for years that Christmas has become too commercialised, with too much emphasis on money, shopping and presents and maybe this will give us the chance to get back to a more traditional Christmas, as George Bush might say, "family values''.'' Richard smiled, "I know we say it every year but don't forget we also say that each year we must go and see a Reggae concert and we never do.'' It was Jane's turn to laugh. "Come on Mr. Negative you will be surprised how good we can make it if we all get in the Christmas spirit.'' "Good idea, pour me a class of that scotch will you, that's the kind of spirit I need right now.'' The phone rang and Richard reached across to answer.

BAD WEATHER FORCED THE DIXONS TO STAY ON HINSON'S ISLAND The conversation went on for about five minutes before he replaced the receiver and looked across to Jane who was sipping her second glass of egg nog patiently waiting for the news. "That was Charles.'' "Who, the Chairman of the Hinson's Island Residents' Committee?'' inquired Jane. Richard nodded.

"Firstly, he kindly asked if we had enough food and drink as he knew that we had been away and secondly, he is organising a Christmas day party for all and anybody who wants to come where we can join resources and have a proper Christmas meal.'' "His wife will ring you tomorrow to see what we can contribute.'' "I explained to him our situation about no presents for the children and he seemed sympathetic and then he said a very strange thing.'' "What was that?'' asked Jane. "He told me not to worry and to believe in Father Christmas.'' "Yes, that is a bit weird, well anyway the party should take the children's minds off things and give them something to look forward to.'' Christmas Even morning duly arrived and unfortunately the weather man had been right. There was little or no let-up in the wind strength and without even listening to the local radio Richard knew that the ferries would once again be cancelled. Therefore, the plans that he and Jane had talked about long into the night would have to be put into action.

The children had woken up as excited as they were when they had gone to bed and were clearly expecting a very special day ahead whatever the weather. Both Jane and Richard had decided the best way was to be truthful with the children despite their young years. The setting for this difficult conversation was the breakfast table. They tried to explain how the storm would stop them going to Hamilton that day and then Jane started telling a story.

"When I was a little girl my Grandmother told me how she spent Christmas many years ago and it sounded kind of fun and I wonder if we should try it and do the same this year.'' Richard looked at the children's faces for a reaction.

Anna looked slightly interested but Max was more occupied in a baseball card he had found in his cereal packet. "What happened in those days, Mum?'' asked Anna. "Well,'' continued Jane, "they didn't have decorations like we know them now, they made everything themselves and even used things from nature such as flowers and trees to add colour and smell.'' Richard interrupted at his allotted spot. "That gives me an idea, why don't we walk around the island and pick up some casuarina branches, the storm must have blown down lots, then we could give them a touch of white spray paint to look like snow and put them up around the house.'' Max looked up interested from the baseball card as he could see it would mean getting outside and also the possibility of getting dirty, two of his main pleasures in life. Jane continued, "We can also make decorations by cutting up paper into shapes.'' Richard could tell the children thought it was going to be a good game and were keen to start immediately, but then Anna remembered the Christmas tree she was so looking forward to decorate, luckily her parents were ready for that question.

"Well,'' Jane said, "in my Grandma's day they didn't have fir trees brought in from Canada but instead decorated a small cedar which can look just as nice.'' Once again Richard interrupted, "I have just remembered we have a small cedar potted ready for planting in the green house, we could use that.'' "It's not very big'' said a slightly disappointed Anna, "but I suppose if we are going to have a Christmas like in the past then we will have to use the cedar tree.'' Richard and Jane gave each other a smile of relief. "OK team,'' said Richard rising from the table, it seems if we have a lot to do we had better get going.'' The day passed quickly, with the children getting involved eagerly in all the suggestions their parents made. Anna especially enjoyed decorating the cedar tree with its small size allowing it totally to be covered by their home-made decorations which looked just as effective as the tinsel and balls that are usually draped on a much larger tree.

That evening the house was finished and everyone complemented themselves on their efforts. They all had enjoyed themselves immensely and there had been a lot of laughter which really pleased Richard. It had gone so well but of course there was still the problem of presents for the children, if only there was a Father Christmas wished Richard.

The children were put to bed exhausted but happy from their busy day. Once again Richard and Jane sat in the lounge with only the sound of the wind rattling the windows. "It doesn't look at all bad does it?'' said Jane as she looked admiringly around the room at the tree and home made decorations.

"No, your grandmother would be impressed,'' laughed Richard. "A good story wasn't it?'' replied Jane, "and completely true or not it made us all have a great family day.'' "Yes, but the presents, what about the presents, how can the story help us there?'' "I really don't know,'' said Jane, "maybe we can say that the presents came on New Year's Day so then we could get to the shops on the 27th.'' "They might understand, but what will they think when they see the other children on the Island playing with their new toys at the party tomorrow?'' They were silent not knowing the answer to their questions when suddenly Jane sat up straight. "Did you hear that Richard?'' "No, what?'' "Listen.'' Faintly in the midst of the hailing wind they could hear bells, they looked at each other.

"If I didn't know better I would say it sounds like sleigh bells,'' said Jane. They got up quickly and opened the front door. The sound of the bells had died away but on the ground in front of them there was a sack.

DARK AND STORMY "Help me bring it inside out of this wind,'' said Richard. They took it into the lounge and looked inside. It was full of presents, all neatly wrapped and addressed to either Anna or Max.

Richard opening the curtains this Christmas morning was greeted to clear skies and calm seas. The storm had finally subsided. He turned around to see Max and Anna jumping up and down on their parents' bed excitedly waiting for the moment when they could open the presents they had found around the cedar tree that morning.

That afternoon at the party it seemed as if the whole island was there, Richard thought it was nice to see everyone get together but a bit of a shame that it was only because of the storm. He wandered around chatting to people and was pleased to meet Charles. "Merry Christmas and thanks so much for organising this party.'' "It was my pleasure,'' replied Charles. "It's so nice to see you all, and the children look like they are having fun.'' At that point Max ran past was a water gun, one of the presents he had found under the tree, chased by a boy in a Batman outfit.

"That reminds me,'' said Richard, "the other night on the telephone you asked me if I believe in Father Christmas. Well, do you know what, I really do.'' "I never doubted it old boy,'' replied Charles grinning broadly, "Christmas must always be a time of magic for children and no storm can be allowed to change that.'' That night in bed Richard thought back to the difficult few days that had been Christmas that year. "Well Jane I think we know who Santa is on Hinson's Island, don't you?'' "Yes,'' she said, "but one thing is wrong.'' "What darling?'' said a surprised Richard. "Well I haven't had my present from Father Christmas.'' "But the question is,'' replied Richard, trying to keep a straight face, "have you been a good girl this year? and anyway I thought you were against the commercialisation of Christmas.'' "True, but I think I deserve a little something.'' NO FERRY TODAY -- The ferry services were completely cancelled and weather forecasters at the Naval Air Station could see no end to the bad weather least another day. The Dixons realised they were completely trapped on Hinson's Island and they hadn't even started to go shopping in Hamilton for the usual festive goods.