Put your clocks back

DON’T forget to wind your clocks back next weekend.

British Summer Time officially ends next Sunday and it is the ninth before the Christmas period.

On the downside it gets darker much earlier at night, but I quite like the feel of the season in the run up to Christmas and the sense of excitement.

The lights in the shops twinkle at night and the Christmas lights start appearing from the end of November.

Although the clocks may go back next Sunday, winter does not officially start until Monday, December 21.

Meanwhile Colin Montgomerie has pledged to do better than Nick Faldo at next year’s Ryder Cup, which will be held at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Nick Faldo was criticised when he was captain. When Faldo played he kept himself to himself and he failed to gel the team together and also had difficulty communicating with the press.

Monty is more of a team player and, although he has not been as successful as Faldo, he is very highly respected by the top players on the European tour.

He also has a very intense character and I hope he does not get too carried away.

Montgomerie will be pitting his wits against the American Corey Pavin – another strong character.

Interview with golfing great Seve

Seeing the pictures of Seve Ballesteros in the papers over the weekend was upsetting, but it was good to read that his willpower was unaltered.

The golfer – who won three opens, two Masters and 91 tournaments – has remained positive since being diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

The Spaniard is fighting for his life and wants to play in The Open next year at St Andrews, which is where he won the event in 1984. He says this was his greatest win.

It was also Seve’s determination that brought about Europe’s success in The Ryder Cup in the 1980s. I am sure his passion rubbed off on the other players.

Seve Ballesteros and His Fight for Life, an Inside Sport Special will be shown on Wednesday, October 14 at 10.45pm on BBC 1.

Meanwhile do Premium Bonds ever pay out?

Mine never seem to, but I haven’t given up hope - yet.

Luckily the interest rate now on Premium Bonds, which determines how much money you can win, has been increased from 1% to 1.5%.

Apparently many people with £1,000 of Premium Bonds won’t win anything over a year.

I suppose you have more chance of winning on them though than on The National Lottery.

Watching the Red Arrows

It was amazing to watch the Red Arrows at Southport again this year.

I have lost count of the amount of times I have seen their display over the years, but they are just as good every time.

There is always a sense of anticipation before they arrive and they never disappoint.

My 21^st birthday, 10 years ago now, coincided with the Southport Airshow and I will always remember the Red Arrows flying past during my party.

My favourite manoeuvre of theirs, is when they almost fly towards each other and then turn away at the last moment.

Their display is on for about 20 minutes, but you are transfixed throughout.

All of the Red Arrows team are fast jet pilots from frontline Royal Air Force squadrons.

Meanwhile, there is nothing worse than having to wait for ages in a queue in a supermarket while nearby there are lots of empty check outs.

I am not saying it is the fault of the sales assistants, but the managers – who should be making better use of their staff.

Finally The X Factor is as addictive as ever, but do we have to be subject to the programme over two nights.

On Saturday we had to wait till after the first advert for any of the hopefuls to sing. And Sunday’s programme was solely dedicated to the judges’ decisions.

I wonder what will be Christmas number one this year.