For my weekly writing spot on this site, see the One-Minute Mystic, with a new meditation posted every Monday. Also see The Village, the story of Misty Longings, England's most beautiful village, posted episode by episode earlier this year.       It was the "Keep calm and carry on" alternative Christmas fayre – and we did, Captain Mainwaring, we did! Don't panic! In the spring of 1939, with war against Germany looming, the British Government's Ministry of Information commissioned a series of posters to be distributed throughout the country, at the outset of hostilities. With gas attacks and heavy bombing anticipated, they were to be a message from the King – to reassure and embolden flagging spirits. The design was simple: beneath the king's crown, against a plain backdrop, were words in a "special and handsome" type face. In all, five million were printed, and in September 1939, they appeared across the land on railway platforms, in shop windows, and on advertising hoardings. The first was an emboldening call: "Your courage, your cheerfulness, your resolution, will bring us victory." The second was more of a warning: "Freedom is in peril." The third poster was held back, however; to be used only in the face of deep crisis or invasion itself. And this poster read: "Keep calm and carry on." Although 2.5 million were printed, none of this particular poster was ever used in a public place. And they probably would have been forgotten, but for the fact that a copy turned up over 50 years later in a box of dusty books, bought at an auction. They have since become a great best seller – as posters, tea towels, mugs, cuff links, T-shirts et al. There's something enduring in the sentiment; and in present times, something most topical. So what an inspired name for a Christmas Fayre last week in North London! Hard times, perhaps, but we'll not panic. Run by the excellent Breathing Space, it was both a celebration of local creativity, and a fund raiser for Amnesty International. Not on the publicity, however, was a mid-morning visit by the fire brigade, after desperate 999 calls. Here at the fayre was the crisis the poster was made for! Fire! Everyone out of the building! Fire. Fire! Acrid smoke was pouring through the floor boards. For half an hour, it wasn't so much Breathing Space as Choking Space. It was the electrics round the boiler – sparking into flame, whooshing through the cupboard, setting brooms alight, and melting foam insulation. "Keep calm and carry on" says the poster. But would we – when tested by fire? The fire crew were excellent. They dowsed the flames with minimum fuss; and it wasn't just their work which was appreciated. As a female stall holder said: "How is it the fire service attracts such good looking men?" And when one of the hunks came out of the smoke carrying the dog in his big strong arms – well, it was pure Hollywood. Neither did they rush away – though that may have been down to the marvellous food. "Who do I pay?" asked one of them, on his third mince pie. Keep calm and carry on. We did. And we shall. And amid the smoke of fear, we'll put a damp cloth over our eyes – and laugh! More writings © Simon Parke