From us to you: Merry Christmas

Four decades since Paul McCartney and Wings’ Mull of Kintyre became the biggest Christmas number one of all time, The Big Issue has travelled the long and winding road in search of the humble and heartwarming true story behind the song – and received a special message from the Beatle himself along the way.

We also reunited members of the Campbeltown Pipe Band on Kintyre’s Saddell Bay Beach for the first time in 40 years to play their pipes again on the same sands where the iconic Mull of Kintyre video was made, as well as chatting to the song’s co-author Denny Laine.

Also this week…

• A purrrfect end to the year. A Christmas message from James Bowen and Street Cat Bob.
• The Pope’s astronomer is always asked the same infuriating question: What was the Star of Bethlehem? We got in on the act too…
• Our vendors’ amazing year. Whether it’s making a splash as a paintron saint, hitting the back of the net with Southampton FC or marrying the love of their life, it’s been a big year for our vendors. We share some of their amazing stories.
• From Shania Twain (she’s still the one…) to veteran newsman John Simpson, we look back at some of this year’s best Letter to My Younger Self entries.
• No one should be alone on Christmas Day. We round up some of Britain’s outstandingly generous people throwing open their doors on the big day to ensure the homeless, the lonely and the vulnerable get to feel the warmth of the festive season.

And lots, lots more..!