Shirley Tart: This will be my year to learn some new skills

Nevertheless, the turn of the year does have something about it suggesting new beginnings, new hopes and, despite the threat of still challenging weather, the promise of springtime.

So the start of January is as good a time as any to pledge a new lifestyle.

And apart from longing to emerge like a butterfly from a chrysalis as a nicer, more sensible and better balanced person, perhaps the secret is to try and do something you really want to but never quite get round to.

Well, this could be your getting round to it moment.

I have two specific intentions. But if I tell you, keep it quiet until I've succeeded.

My number one resolution, if we must call it that, is to book guitar lessons. Yup. Amazing though that may sound, you did just read it here.

I used to play the guitar in my golden youth many new moons ago and a while back decided I was going to have a go again.

So I bought myself a rather handsome-looking, mellow instrument. It currently languishes inside a wardrobe with its plectrums, but this is the moment it's going to reappear. But having forgotten pretty much all I ever knew about actually playing it, I need lessons again. So listen to this space.

Secondly, I am determined to learn the rules of cricket. Properly, that is.

Though you may wonder why I'm bothering, after our performance in the Ashes in Australia. The answer is that I understand enough to follow a match but I want to get to grips with the game in depth.

Leaving the national team out of it, there are thousands of local cricketers who play year after year for the sheer joy of it. Neighbourhoods, villages, towns get involved, youngsters are weaned on quaint language such as 'silly mid off' and cricket unites whole communities over cups of tea.

Oh, and did I mention that I rather like seeing athletic-looking chaps all in white as well?

So, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year from an unlikely guitar-playing, cricket-rules buff.