Review of 2018

Here's a review of 2018 as seen through my columns:

January saw me share these wise words - 'When you're an octogenarian you have to live for every day, so I'm going to learn to love January and February as much as April and May'.

In February, we learned Plume Plotter charts and shares where emissions from proposed Corby waste plants in Shelton Road and Gretton Brook Road will likely travel. 

I also encouraged all women to attend smear tests, urging them not to die of embarrassment.

March saw the #NotYou campaign, highlighting groups who would no longer be able to use Corby's Urgent Care Centre under the CCG's then proposals, and the 'Beast From The East' - or proper winter as it was once known.

In April I confessed that in other people's houses I turn loo rolls round, so the paper is hanging over the top (the right way).

May saw me discussing dementia as Dame Barbara Windsor's diagnosis had just been made public.  By being more open and discussing dementia it will reduce any stigma that still exists.

In June, we got the sad news that M&Ss in Kettering and Northampton were closing, and I didn't want to make a 'pants pilgrimage' to Rushden Lakes.

We were also faced with the plans to disband Northamptonshire County Council and create two new unitary authorities. 

In July, the World Cup and I confessed in poetry that I'm a little bit in love with Gareth Southgate. 

August saw the first Grow festival in Corby, and there was the gormless giant garden gnome grappler of Kettering who made headlines worldwide.

I discussed scroll-free September, and that I miss proper travel programmes presented by people like Judith Chalmers.

In October, I broached the possibility that some of the county council's woes could be caused by unfair funding as well as incompetence.

November and I'd enjoyed this year's Bake Off, and mused whether it was time to stop burning effigies on bonfires and selling fireworks to the public, but allow organised displays.

In December, we had the Brexit 'field trip' and I'm A Celeb.  What will 2019 bring?

Shop on the High Street

You may remember me saying in previous columns I stopped all online shopping about six years ago.  I didn't like the way certain large web-based companies were starting to dominate retail and smaller traders were going out of business as a result.

Fast forward to this year, and we've lost our M&Ss from Kettering and Northampton.  Yes, I'm still grieving for their demise as I was in Kettering's Marks nearly every week while my daughter was at her music lesson.

Before M&S shut in August, I was chatting to one of the ladies on the till. I asked her how long she'd worked there, as I knew it had been quite some time.

It turns out, at the end of August she would have celebrated her 40th year with the company, having worked in the Kettering store all her life.  I'm hoping that she was redeployed to a nearby store, although I've yet to see her in M&S Food Hall in Corby.

The reason I'm sharing this is to highlight the human face of shop closures.

We of course see the shut shop on Kettering High Street, the black-covered windows looking distinctly funereal and, in a way, the town centre is in mourning for its passing.  If a national institution like M&S is struggling, things must be tough.

We can do something about it though.  We can choose not to buy all our goods online, but physically go into our town centres and shop there, if we are able.

Yes, it would help if car parking prices were cheaper, as this would perhaps encourage more people to head into town, and this year's roadworks in Kettering haven't helped.

But if you haven't got all your presents yet, please head into your local town centre.

Go and shop in independent stores, like those in The Yards or Corby Old Village, and spend in some of the larger shops too, as they all need our support.

As the saying goes, use it or lose it - and we don't want to see any more job losses in our towns.  Let's make sure everyone has a Merry Christmas.

I'm A Celebrity 2018 - congrats King Harry!

Is it just me, or has 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here' been at its best this year?

I've previously only dipped in and out of the programme, but this time I was hooked from the start.

Yes, it wasn't quite the same having Holly instead of Ant, but she worked well with Dec and having a female perspective on the camp and the trials and tribulations I felt was a welcome addition.

In fact, the show seemed kinder all-round somehow.  There's been less drama, less tension, and the campmates gelled and actually cared for each other, which was lovely to see.

I know in some quarters people will think that this made it duller, but with all the hideousness that goes on in the world, and people being constantly bullied and trolled on social media, I found it a welcome relief to see that humans can just get on with each other.

I particularly liked the way they all looked after Anne Hegerty, who was very open about having Asperger's and struggling with some aspects of life.  This condition is under-diagnosed in women and girls, and hopefully her honesty will give encouragement to others who feel that they too are a bit different and sometimes misunderstood.

Harry Redknapp was a revelation - absolutely hilarious, probably unintentionally, completely devoted to his wife Sandra, but I'm still waiting to discover the full story of how he accidentally ran her over, was it in his 'peng ting' Range Rover?!

I knew Noel Edmonds would be good value, having watched him compete in 'Eight Go Rallying: The Road To Saigon' earlier in the year.  No, I couldn't believe he was nearly 70 either, obviously hanging out with Mr Blobby is the secret to eternal youth - who knew?

I have to say that I liked all of the campmates, and thought it was good how the different generations worked well together, were tolerant of each other and cared for the older contestants and those with special needs.

Perhaps society needs to become a bit more 'I'm a celeb' - but without the cockroaches and gross eating challenges, thank you!

Brexit field trip

Think back to when you were at school, going on Geography field trips or similar.

Imagine there were two teachers accompanying your trip - one, an experienced leader, mature, sensible; the other, less experienced, a bit gung-ho, reckless even.

You reach a rickety looking rope bridge, stretching across a very deep canyon.  No-one's sure what's on the other side - this is before thorough risk assessments, the internet, detailed maps even.

You all stop and survey the scene.  The canyon is seemingly bottomless, the bridge looks decidedly unsafe, you're all a little bit scared.

The sensible teacher says that we'll all stay this side of the bridge.  She doesn't know what's on the other side, the route looks unsafe, and she's thinking of the good of the whole party.

The other teacher says that a glittering future and endless riches could be on the other side, and that we should risk it all, whatever the consequences.

What would you do?  Would you listen to the experienced leader, the one who seems to have everyone's best interests at heart?  Or would you follow the promise of something which may or may not be true?

I know I'd be firmly on this side of the canyon, trusting what I can see with my own eyes and putting my faith in a person who wouldn't lead us all into disaster for the sake of their own personal glory or ambition.

That's how I feel about Theresa May and the current Brexit situation. 

Whether you like her or not, I'd put more trust in a conviction politician like her not to lead us to disaster, which is what a no-deal Brexit would be by all accounts.

Politicians from all parties need to remember that they are there to serve us, the people, not gamble the country's future while keeping an eye on furthering their own careers. 

For the good of the whole United Kingdom, the time has surely come to put aside personal ambition and party differences, work together and find a Brexit solution that's right for everyone?