THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR
WELL it’s almost time to say goodbye to another year.
But what has 2007 brought to you?
Has it been a joyful 12 months, which you will reflect on fondly, thanks to a happy event such as the arrival of a new baby, a wedding in the family or a fun-packed holiday?
Or is the festive season a time tinged with sadness because you have suffered illness or lost a loved one in the last year.
While many of us will have had a great time at Christmas and are looking forward to welcoming in 2008, take a moment to think of those who are perhaps less fortunate than yourself.
Many people find Christmas and New Year a difficult time because of the memories it conjures up. And there are those who find it an extremely lonely time.
So, while we gear up for the next 12 months with the anticipation of what they will bring, take a moment to think about those who are not necessarily celebrating.
Published Date:
28/12/2007
Modified Date:
28/12/2007
DOG FOULING - THE SCOURGE OF OUR STREETS!
I WAS delighted to read last week that community wardens are to be given greater powers.
The part that interested me in particular was that they will be able to hand out fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.
As the father of a two-year-old, dog fouling is a problem that concerns me greatly. It is the scourge of our streets.
It doesn’t matter where you walk these days, you seem to be encountered by dog faeces. And the dog mess is a real danger to young kids and can lead to blindness.
Now, this is not an attack on dogs or their owners as I see plenty of responsible people when I’m out and about cleaning up after their dogs. It is, as always, the minority who seem to think it is acceptable to let their dogs foul the streets that taint the majority of decent dog owners.
So, my message to irresponsible dog owners is to get your act together and help rid our streets of this mess, ensuring that the wardens don’t have to hand out fixed penalties.
Published Date:
03/12/2007
Modified Date:
03/12/2007
I can't bear the thought of it!
I WAS distressed to read last week that it is estimated there will be a 25 per cent reduction in this year's crop of Brussels sprouts, mainly due to the wet summer we endured.
And because of this, the price of sprouts will rise. Indeed, there may well be a shortage as Christmas approaches.
Now, I know this will be music to many (mainly youngsters) people's ears, but not mine.
I love Brussels sprouts and the mere thought of my Yuletide feast without these beautiful green delicacies fills me with dread.
Turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, chipolatas wrapped in bacon, but no sprouts. It just wouldn't be the same. Brussels sprouts with your Christmas dinner is like bread and butter, strawberries and cream, fish and chips, I could go on!
But being a sprout lover, my indulgence is not an annual event. In fact, as an example, I had them twice last week.
I will be enjoying Christmas dinner at my mother-in-law's this year, so, hopefully, she will read this column and leave no stone unturned in her search for the perfect vegetable accompaniment if any crisis arises.
Published Date:
01/11/2007
Modified Date:
01/11/2007
Living in a democracy
THE TERRIBLE events in Burma got me thinking.
Here in the UK it is our democratic right to protest.
However, the brutal military regime in Burma comes down with an iron fist on any anti-government protests.
Their hardline tactics have brought widespread condemnation from around the world. They make no apology for their actions.
Internet and telephone access has been cut and radio stations switched off in an effort to keep the truth from the outside world.
This is a country where 70 per cent of people's wages is spent travelling to and from work, following a decision to raise fuel prices by five times. Food, which accounts for the remainder of their income, is expensive. Inflation has risen by almost 50 per cent recently and electricity can go off for five or six hours without warning!
No wonder the people are protesting. But, if it happened here, we could take to the streets without fear of retribution.
Almost 90 per cent of the Burmese population are Buddhists. Their religion is one of peace built on philosophies of non-hostility towards fellow man. The 'zero-tolerance' reaction to the Monks' protest leaves you in utter disbelief that in the 21st Century a regime such as Burma's can exist.
Published Date:
18/10/2007
Modified Date:
18/10/2007
Using My Loaf!
IS IT just me or is bread not as fresh as it used to be?
Opening a loaf of one of the more expensive brands last week - OK, it was Kingsmill, but other brands of bread are available – I didn’t think it was particularly soft.
A glance at the best before date didn’t offer any help – it was August 16, a full week after opening the bread that was purchased that day.
It got me thinking about when I was younger – not that long ago!
One of my favourite things when I got in from school was a piece and jam. The bread was so much softer those days or am I just imagining it?
There was nothing better than Mum saying: ‘I just bought that loaf today’. This was music to your ears as you knew you were getting a beautiful piece.
The bread I was using to make my sandwiches last Thursday certainly wasn’t as soft as my childhood memories.
So, as I say, is it me? Perhaps someone could shed some light on the situation.
Published Date:
17/08/2007
Modified Date:
17/08/2007
Where is my good fortune?
THAT'S meant to be lucky you know!
But there was absolutely nothing fortunate about what had just happened to me as I strolled into work last week.
Yes, I had just been 'pooped' on by, examining the evidence, rather a large seagull that had clearly been gorging itself on a large feast.
Of course, things like that always happen at the wrong time.
There were five people around at the time, rolling about laughing, while I hurried inside to make an attempt at getting cleaned up.
Now, I had never actually been 'pooped' on before, so this was a new experience for me.
However, I have a couple of questions. Why do things like that happen when you're dressed for work in a good suit? Why did it occur when I was wearing black? Why do I now keep looking up at the sky when venturing outside when it would be impossible to shield myself from another unprovoked attack? Why me?
And, most importantly, when do I get my piece of good fortune?
Published Date:
10/08/2007
Modified Date:
10/08/2007
NO VEGGIES, BUT ENJOYED THE OPEN
SORRY it’s been a while since my last update, but been on holiday and then had to get my pencil out again to report on The Open.
Hard life indeed.
I did promise to keep you up to date on my plants. And I’m sorry to report that it’s not good news.
Apart from a couple of lettuces and some neeps everything else appears to be slowly dying. I’m not surprised bearing in mind the amount of rain we have had recently. They have definitely been over-watered.
I notice that farmers are predicting a poor vegetable harvest because of the incessant rain, so my small veg plot is insignificant when you consider that’s people’s livelihoods are being affected.
Wasn’t The Open fantastic! I really thought Sergio had it in the bag on Saturday night and predicted that a 71 would clinch it for him. Ultimately, it would have, but, all the same, it was great to see Padraig win as he is one of golf’s nice guys and deserves a Major.
Alastair Robson and myself were down at The Open reporting. Alastair was there Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I joined him at the weekend.
Unfortunately, the timing of the first day’s play clashed with our deadline, so we couldn’t get much in the paper about it. However, we hope everyone was pleased with our coverage thereafter.
I sat in the press tent and followed the action there, taking in the interviews with the players as they came off the course, while Alastair went round with Sergio and Steve Stricker. I’m not quite sure who got the better deal there!!!
However, he has written a really good account of his round with Sergio, some of which is on the website here: http://www.guideandgazette.co.uk/sport?articleid=3062949 and a fuller report appears in this week’s Guide & Gazette.
We also have a slideshow of pictures from The Open on the same page.
Happy viewing!
Published Date:
27/07/2007
Modified Date:
27/07/2007
Carnoustie has moved!
I WAS interested to watch ‘The Woman Who Ate Scotland’ on STV last night (Thursday, June 21).
Interested because I found out that, despite having thought I lived in Carnoustie, I actually live in Dundee!
Nell duly comes over the Tay Bridge extolling her excitement and enthusiasm for a fantastic cycle.
Next, she arrives at Mackay’s Jam Factory, exclaiming something like ‘Where better to enjoy marmalade and jam, than the home of jam, Dundee’.
Carnoustie folk have got news for you Nell. Mackay’s, well the as they were when the programme was recorded, were in Thistle Street in Carnoustie.
For goodness sake, we’re part of Angus, we’re not even administered by Dundee City Council.
Apart from my obvious disappointment that we Carnoustie didn’t even get a mention, we had carried a story the previous week telling our readers that she was to be visiting Carnoustie.
The initial press release came from the programme makers, who obviously knew that they’d been to Carnoustie.
Shame someone forgot to tell Nell, the person who writes the scripts, the editor or the producer.
STV are a Scottish company, so you would imagine that they should have got it right. We’ll hand over to the BBC for coverage of the Open Championship. I am confident that they will know where Carnoustie is.
Published Date:
22/06/2007
Modified Date:
22/06/2007