Tracing your family tree is all the rage at present.

The TV programme Who Do You Think You Are? is fascinating and must-see because its journey and conclusions take everyone by surprise. Not least the celebrity involved who finds his or her ancestors are often the most unlikely people to have as relatives.

I have, until recently, never shown much interest in this as I have felt we spend too much time in this country looking back to the past instead of looking to the future.

Recently, I have begun to take an interest in my cousin once removed who was a Bishop in South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.

I knew his widow and his daughter, my cousin, who are often in touch.

A family friend has recently written a short biography of Bishop Tom and my interest in him has become infectious. I never knew that he resisted Apartheid in South Africa and stubbornly refused to allow separate race congregations.

Tom was also a friend and colleague of the famous Tubby Clayton, “Woodbine Willy”, the padre who used to give cigarettes to the troops in the trenches during the First World War.

I find myself thinking: “Wow! Fancy being connected, related to such a hero!” Family trees help us to become more aware about our identity and about who we are. And our identity is not just about how we relate to our natural family. It is also about how we relate to our family at work, our family in our local community.

As we wish our friends, family and those we meet a Happy New Year, let’s not do that in a mindless way which is about saying that greeting because everyone else does at this time of year. Let us say it with a view to the future.

How do we want our identity to be shaped this year?

Would it not be wonderful, and not impossible, if our politicians at this year’s general election could shape a positive vision of who we can strive to be instead of playing point scoring against opponents?

Positive thoughts lead to positive actions.

Happy New Year!

Chris Savage