| |
 |
|
WELCOME
With the media reporting the green shoots of recovery in our economy, there’s a feeling of anticipation in the air and, hopefully, you’ve not been badly affected by the credit crunch. Also reported are many people are buying early for Christmas, the belief being that if you plan your spend, you’ll spend less.
I usually start to panic around 23rd December, run myself ragged around the shops and, yes, spend way too much. Hopefully the ideas in this our winter and Christmas issue will help you plan your spend more wisely.
Whilst I find it hard to believe that the shops are starting to decorate for Christmas and the Christmas carols are starting to be played, the shops have had a hammering this spring and summer with the recession so you can’t blame them for starting early. This issue is a bit of an homage to the festive season, with ideas for presents for family and friends, gorgeous winter clothes in sumptuous fabrics and daring colours and my own wish list of lovely things I’ve seen on my travels around the shops in the Vale.
There’s lots of ideas on where to eat and what to eat these coming months. I’ve never paid much attention to organic, thinking that cost would be prohibitive but, after eating a chicken from local organic farmers Oaklands Organics, I’ll never go back to my old ways! It’s a hard life being a farmer, made even harder when you’ve been affected by a life threatening illness. Rebecca and John of Oaklands share their story with us.
There were many events over the summer which weren’t hampered by the typical British summer weather and Vale Life managed to get to a few. The Vale Show attracted a huge crowd and we were there with our own Land Girls inspired marquee.
|
|
