Baked beans for Brexit

The lady from Bradford being interviewed for BBC Breakfast was adamant - she was stockpiling baked beans for Brexit because, she said, you can live on them if you have to.

I'm not sure that's been scientifically proven, and Doctors probably wouldn't agree that this is a long term dietary solution, but I could relate to what she meant.

They're tinned with a reasonably long shelf-life, you can stack them in the pantry/cupboard/spare bedroom/garage/shed (depending on numbers requiring storage and availability of room), and they are pretty tasty. 

I also hear that they can be consumed cold, but despite the number of years I've walked this planet, I've yet to try this so can't really comment.  My personal recommendation is hot, on buttered toast, perhaps with a side serving of cheese, if you're feeling fancy.

But although I'm quite a fan, I do think that to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner over a period of several days would get a little repetitive, and would probably lead to some unfortunate side effects which might add to the climate change crisis if the whole nation followed suit.

It did make me wonder though if we should perhaps be putting a few extra items in the trolley each week, just in case?

I'm not talking about going 'wild in the aisles' Supermarket Sweep-style, but it's probably sensible to make sure that you're not going to run out of loo rolls, particularly if you are planning on partaking in the Brexit baked bean diet, as detailed above.

And tea - never mind the numerous coffee shops and the low-fat, one-shot cappuccino with chocolate sprinkled on the top - we all know that this nation runs on tea, so it might be worth buying another box of your favourite brew to tide you over.

So onto my list goes extra baked beans, loo rolls and tea.  Oh, and cheese - you can never have too much cheese.  Again, this is my own personal opinion, I'm not a Doctor: a medical professional would probably say you could have too much cheese...

World Book Day 2019

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of World Book Day.

Anything that encourages children to read books is something to be applauded, and I think it's fantastic that so many schools get involved with this event.

But I'm sure I'm not the only parent who breathes a sigh of relief once their child reaches secondary school age so no longer has to, or has any desire to, dress up as their favourite book character.

I know, the kids love it, but it's just another thing we parents have to worry about, ensuring a suitable costume is ready, sometimes with short notice because we didn't see it on the newsletter/didn't get the letter/missed it because the dog and/or cat was being sick on the carpet at the time and we were distracted with more pressing matters, and then we just forgot.

Yes, I also appreciate that a lot of people just buy a costume, or let their children wear their favourite superhero outfit on the day - that's ok too.  Life's complicated enough, and trying to shoehorn a reluctant child into an outfit they don't want to wear only ends in tears for all parties concerned.

Speaking from personal experience, if you're not particularly crafty in any sense of the word, creating outfits for dress-up days or school plays is a nightmare.

I remember the time mine announced she had to go to school dressed as a mini-beast, as they were studying bugs for their topic.

Rather unusually for me, I somehow managed to handcraft a spider costume, using one of husband's old black t-shirts and four pairs of my M&S black opaque tights, stuffed with copies of the Northants Telegraph.

This, however, is my one and only triumph at creating a costume for such an occasion.  And yes, I'm pretty sure I disassembled it and gave himself back his t-shirt and continued wearing the tights once the newspaper was removed - 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as Bob the Builder would say, hopefully in a book somewhere!

Dr Martens

I was so pleased to read in the Northants Telegraph about the £2 million expansion of the Dr Martens' site in Wollaston.

At last, some good news for the county, and indeed the whole country.

I'm going to admit to also being very excited about the new heritage centre and factory tour too - please sign me up!

You see, I love DMs, always have.  I've been working it out, and I've been a proud wearer for over 30 years now.

My DMs have evolved as I've aged though:  my ten-hole black boots, customised with Guinness laces from my tour of St James's Gate Brewery in Dublin - I love a good brewery/factory tour, you see - have long since been replaced by a slightly more demure pair of heeled Doc shoes, still with the proudly distinctive chunky bouncing soles.

I had a 'proud parent' moment too when I bought my daughter her first DM boots - a purple pair from the factory shop in Wollaston, naturally. 

Everywhere she went in them she received compliments.  Sadly now outgrown, I can't bear to part with them.  Not sure I can find her first pair of baby shoes, but I know where her first pair of Docs are!

The new heritage centre will be a boon to the local tourist economy, as visitors are sure to flock to see an iconic brand being produced and learn more about its history to boot (pardon the pun!).

I also found it extremely heartening to read about the success of Dr Martens' 'Made In England' range. 

As somebody who always tries to buy British and support our economy whenever I can, it's good to know that this part of the business is thriving.

Truthfully, we really have so much to be proud of in this county, let's celebrate a great Northamptonshire success story and focus on some good news for a change.

Well done Dr Martens!