ONE of the great Wirral institutions is back this year and it is something to write home about.

Since 1982 the Scout Post has raised more than £500K for a vast array of local charities.

I feel an 'award nomination' coming on. It is a real enviable community success story.

Wirral Council should honour them with a civic stamp of approval.

Everyone involved in this seasonal service - which starts on Saturday - is part of an operation run with military, clockwork precision.

This fund-raising concept created 36 years ago has many extra spin-off benefits for the well-being of all residents.

It really is teamwork and always makes me feel optimistic seeing people of all ages - from families to committed young and old individuals working together for a common, co-operative goal.

I have met and chatted to the organisers and many dedicated volunteers who make this project special - without taking anything away from our under-pressure Royal Mail.

Not only is the Scout Post something to sing about for value-for-money, it also gets people sending cards again.

I have never been a fan of electric Christmas cards – no emoji will ever replace a hand-written message featuring the three wise men, robins, snow-coated cottages or skating vicars.

The Scout Post is, for me, the start of Christmas and also sees the shops across the borough playing their part in their communities by stocking these unique stamps.

By gum ... you cannot lick this outstanding Wirral wonder service.

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I WAS chilled to read of the American millionaire who has created a ten-minute hologram to appear at his own funeral.

Florida-based Carl Minaro believes his company will be making such 3D departures for many like-minded people in the years ahead.

These creepy farewells from this Florida businessman might be an unsettling undertaking for mourners and loved ones.

Carl's own eulogy sees him with a Martini-in-hand.

This brief encounter would leave me shaken and stirred.

I am all for pre-recorded video messages on screen made with love before someone had passed on.

They can be comforting and sensitive and, in cases, ease the grief.

Holograms are making major headway in pop music concerts as a recent Roy Orbison show featured the legend in a form reminiscent of the 'beam me down, Scottie' moments in Star Trek.

In his Californian memorial Library there is a Ronald Reagan hologram which sees the US President chatting away and waving in spine-tingling uncanny, futuristic form.

And Abba's forthcoming tour will feature the super troupers in a real out-of-body experience.

Back to more down-to-earth, so to speak, sensitive send-offs.

I will light a candle for a much-loved lady, Jean Hedley in Darlington, who wrote her very own obituary which was published in her local paper after her departure to that great community centre in the sky.

She declared she had "popped her clogs."

This dearly-departed 91-year-old wanted everyone not to be sad because she believed she was going to a better place.

Heavenly!

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AS we get all flushed for World Toilet Day on Monday, Shropshire Council is introducing 'contactless cards' to (coin a phrase) 'spend a penny ... (20p actually)'.

I hope it doesn't catch on.

There are more pressing matters.

Local authorities simply don't cater enough for our collective needs.

Each year the Inferno calls for more public toilets especially in Wirral.

People are living longer.

There is nothing worse and frustrating than being caught short while out and about and why should pubs and shops suffer as non- customers use their premises.

And with so many festivals and events increasing each year - isn't it time we saw the end of ugly Portaloos and more permanent conveniences?

Let's start a chain-reaction now.

No time to loos, let's beat the cistern.

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TAKE note ... who would you like to see on our £50 notes?

It seems Stephen Hawking is the favourite to grace this monetary unit.

Or war-time Enigma code-breaker Alan Turing.

I would have liked to have seen Ken Dodd's face smiling at me or Sir David Attenborough.

Alas, it has to be a deceased scientist on these 'polymer' banknotes.

The Bank of England is currently looking for nominations.

My own choice is Barnes Wallis - the engineer behind the Dambusters.

Or the inspirational Marie Curie.

That said, my financial interest is fleeting.

I can't recall the last time I even held a £50 note.

By Jove!

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And finally ...

Oh Boy!

Radio Merseyside broadcaster Spencer Leigh is a pop historian who has written many readable biographies from The Beatles to Elvis.

Now comes his latest, on Buddy Holly.

Spencer's Facebook posting promoting his book did cause one reader to raise an eyebrow.

He wanted to check if the foreword was really written by one ... Frank Field? That'll be the day ...

It is actually from the yodel-singing crooner who gave us the hit I Remember You ... a certain Frank Ifield.

Peter Grant