IT SEEMS that everyone is jumping on the Band Aid wagon this Christmas - whether they can sing or not.

I hear that those PR sweeties at Atlas Media Group have committed their crooning to CD disc to raise cash for charity.

Atlas, who provide the media relations service for York Hospital, forfeited sending the usual company greeting card in favour of a charity Christmas CD - recorded by their staff.

"It's Christmas, Let the Christmas Spirit Flow!" was written by a former member of staff and features the vocal talents of many of Atlas's 50-strong staff, to the sounds of bells and a Christmas band.

For every CD sent out, Atlas donate £2 to Martin House Hospice for Children and Young People in Boston Spa. The single is also being sold to members of the public as a charity record.

A colleague who's heard the rendition grudgingly admits that al though it will not knock Band Aid off the No1 spot in the charts, it is "quite catchy."

We tried to get a comment from the group - but they were all out letting the Christmas spirit flow at their Yuletide knees-up.

THE riddle is solved. Anne Walshe is an ex-Yorkie.

You will recall she's the woman from Friday's Diary, who sent email Christmas greetings to the city from Down Under, smugly - we thought at first - about Christmas in the sun. But all is not as it seems. Poor Anne is homesick.

We sent a plea into the ether seeking more information about her.

She has kindly responded as follows: "I'm one of the thousands of ex-York folk who would prefer rheumatism and frozen taps to lying in bed staring at the ceiling with sweat dripping down my neck because it's too darn hot to sleep. Not all beer and skittles let me tell you.

"We lived in York when I was a child, been here for years. Yes, I do miss the traditional British Christmas. Haven't had a chestnut in years - yum!

"The fake snow painted on shop windows here looks ridiculous, and all those Santas wandering about in hot red suits with sweaty red faces must be on the point of passing out. Sand in your turkey sandwiches ain't fun, believe me.

"Enjoy being in the best country in the world (mine) and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

When I get home, I'll come and dump a bag of Bondi sand on your desk. You'll see that all that glitters ain't gold. Cheers, and God's blessing on you all."

IS SHE or isn't she? Wearing knickers, that is.

Oh no she isn't, according to the lady herself at a recent photo-call to launch York Theatre Royal's panto.

When panto writer and star Berwick Kaler picked up fellow performer Suzy Cooper for the cameras, above, she was anxious to preserve her dignity. "Be careful, I'm not wearing any knickers," Suzy warned Berwick.

We don't know if the other dame was wearing any or not. He never said!

Updated: 11:23 Monday, December 20, 2004