Our loft was a mess, hardly surprising as it is old, rather like me, but moving on quickly. There was old fibre glass insulation, some remnants of spray foam sort of removed, but much more we couldn’t see with all our packages, abandoned furniture, etc. etc. So, after casting around we arranged a free survey from H&J Energy Solutions who explained what they would do and how much it would cost. The reviews said they would do a good job. So off we went and a day was chosen, well three days to be strictly accurate, as bungalows tend to have big lofts.

We explained to the dogs that there were be ‘strangers in the house’ and their noise would outbid the dogs’ so very there. We emptied the loft – well – Dick emptied the loft, I ferried stuff to the garage, or the end of the sitting room, or the bedrooms, or any free space, and glory be, some went to the tip. ‘We really must get rid of more of it,’ we said. Will we? Time will tell. It is then we saw what our loft actually really truly looked like. Thank heavens H&J Energy Solutions had rooted around as they put the survey together.

On the day the dogs watched aliens arrive, in white suits and face masks. No, not the Covid masks, the really McCoy. ‘Don’t panic. Bark bark.’ ‘Aliens invading.’ ‘Help, help.’

Heavens, there were seven in all. Then in bustled the bosses, James and Harry. They were all coming from the other side of the country, so we expected them at about 10. They caught us on the hop at 8.0 am having risen at 4 am. They would be staying in the area until the job was finished. ‘No, no tea, no coffee, thanks. Work to do.’ ‘Morning.’ ‘Morning.’ ‘Morning.’ said all nine as they streamed past us.

First all the hall runners carpets were lifted. Oh the shame at what lay beneath. ‘To stop it being spoiled, and not to worry, all will be spotless before we leave each day,’ Harry said. I wanted him to stay forever. Really? Spotless? Meanwhile, the rest of the team were pounding up the loft ladder and starting work.

Thump as boards were laid so no-one came through the ceiling, but only once the old floor level foam and fibre glass rubbish was out. Grind, as the sanding machines cleaned up the rafters. Full bin bags were taken to the garden full of unwanted foam insulation and old insulation. A mountain grew between two rose beds. The dogs guarded their home, loudly, so were enticed away for a walk. A long walk. On and on it went. Hard work was the order of the day.

Before they left they cleaned wherever they’d been. Heavens, the lavatory was spotless. The tiles on the floor spotless. The wooden hall floor spotless. Live with us …

The next day was all bustle too, but this time, it was the eco wool insulation being laid. This sustainable material is crafted from natural and renewable materials. It is derived from recycled fibres, and natural sheep wool, which minimizes environmental impact while maximizing performance. It also traps pockets of air, providing exceptional thermal resistance and minimizing heat transfer. It is also excellent for protection against moisture related issues , and absorbs sound and dampens sound waves, minimizing external noise pollution. So very there, dogs.

Again not a moment was lost. The mountain of bags was removed, a porous lining was installed between the rafters, the porous insulation was laid at the required depth. Suddenly it was over, all done. Whaat? But you have only been here two days?

Yes, they had been such beavers it was all over. Harry and James decided a price reduction was in order. The house was clean, the loft fully insulated. The dogs were bereft as they had no aliens to guard against and therefore no excuse for barking. We were ecstatic at the job which had been done.

‘Goodbye.’ ‘Goodbye.’ ‘Goodbye.’ They called as they trooped off. They would be heading for their new job first thing in the morning. H&J Energy Solutions are phenominally busy, which says all you need to know, but we are such fans, that honestly, if you need a team that knows what it’s doing, and does it, (see the images) while in addition keeping you up to date with where they are, what they are doing, what they have uncovered, – give them a ring, or drop an email through their website. Do remember, your dogs will want a medal for protecting you so valiantly and… and … here’s the icing on the cake… your house will be spotless wherever they have been. H&J Energy Solutions

Our little market town, Thirsk, is the best place in the whole wide world, and as it is Christmas it is all lit up and spirits are high. So as per usual I will get the 9.40 bus into town and have a whizz around – have I really enough for the grands? After five minutes, yes, I have, so quick, into The Golden Fleece Hotel which overlooks the Market Place and is, at this time of day, the meeting place for many of us.

‘Hi Jim, (or Louise, or Holly)’ I call having pushed open the doors, not sure who is behind the Christmas tree. ‘How are you,’ they call back.Then into the lounge heading for Table 23, to the right of the picture below. This table is MINE. I like the armchair, you see and from here I can check through the window, which opens onto the hall, just who is coming into the Fleece. I bagsy my table with my hessian bag. Sometimes I am a bit late and Sue grabs it as it is fine for dogs under the table and she has Tilly.

‘Whaat?’ say I, horror stricken (but not really for I can head instead for the other lounge). We hiss at one another, then laugh and laugh:

‘Hello, hello,’ to everyone and into the bar to order coffee and have the loyalty card stamped. There is no looking at the cake stall, especially today, for Maltesers have been changed to little mince pies – it is Christmas month after all. Oh yes it is.

Our lounge has been decorated with foliage and lights. Oh lovely. Yesterday Dick and the dogs came. Polly and Rosie know that Meghan, Kim, Izzy, Jordan or Holly, will bring them a treat along with our coffee. The lounge has comfortable chairs, lovely jubbly carpets, a sense of people sitting here, like all of us, for decades and decades, and there are pictures of sheeps on the wall, because sheeps have Fleeces. The food is pretty fabulous too. Try the Brunch, or… Oh okey doke – have a look at everything.

Yesterday when Dick came, I took a photo of our coffees and mince pies. Then Carol came and gave the dogs extra treats. Carol comes for coffee and loves dogs, and they love her. Anyway, back to me… I drink my coffee, eat my mince pie, chat to others, the time flies, then it is time for the bus. So off I head: ‘Bye, bye.’ Lots of goodbyes back, and as it is a hotel there are strangers who have chatted too, and have needed to be told to have a nice day, once one of us has told them where to walk their dogs, and perhaps nip to the Herriot Museum, or Thirsk Museum, or a toddle to the beck… Safe journey home, too.

Quick quick to the bus, not a lot of shopping done, there never seems to be time… Too much shopping does get in the way of chat chat in the Fleece, and there is, you see, only an hour before the bus comes to take me, well us, back home. I know, I know, I am talking too much. On the way to the Market Place bus stop I pass the Christmas Yarn Bombers’ offerings in the market place. Wonderful wondeful.

Tomorrow I might be strong and not go for a coffee, and mince pie, but instead do a bit more shopping, but I know I won’t be strong, because life is short, and a trip to Thirsk and The Golden Fleece is just a moment of sheer pleasure, so calm, and – well – all right,,, chatty. All that remains is to wish you all a Merry Merry Christmas from all of us in Thirsk. If you are staying at The Golden Fleece for Christmas, or any time we might see you there. Best not to sit at Table 23 – just saying. https://goldenfleecehotel.com/

Every so often a little gem lands on a reviewer’s desk, and here it is – roll of drums – my 2024 little gem: Flying Poets & Other Storytellers – F.L. Ying, in which we have a range of authors, from nine year old twins through to published authors, including F. L. Ying who is author of the fascinating The Ancestral Quest (writing as F.G. Kwong – yes do read it, it’s riveting) and a YA novel ‘A Dangerous Riddle of Chance‘ ( you will note that some of F. L Ying’s poems in the anthology relate to this novel).

In Flying Poets and other Storytellers as F. L. Ying tells Frost Magazine, the topics covered are Love Lost, Love Regained, Grief, Regret, Despair and Hope Restored. I found it unputdownable, and, cat lovers or not, you will all enjoy the odes to the family cat.

And then, oh lord, so many, but tell me, did you know there is the correct way of ordering in a Chinese takeaway? No? Read he Ultimate Takeaway. And then The Mad Hatter’s Tea Rooms both by F. L. Ying.

What about Computers by Simon Holder, which made me laugh. Ian Stuart’s Sculpting with Words which resonated, oh yes it did. Then to the twins: Sweet Music from Saskia, then Aleskia’s Diary – Samson. Oh but what happened? I so want to know. Did Samson really go to a breeder, or was he saved at the last moment?

Emotions were explored with, on the one hand delicacy and on the other robustly, but it was the addition of the illustrations that in my view makes this book especially memorable, they are glorious in their vibrancy, and the photography is ethereal – oh, the image of the magnolia. These illustrations and images are by Tanya Ying, Alexia Young, Saskia Young and Caroline Stuart.

F. L. Ying explained: ‘Alexia and Saskia Young, aged nine, not only illustrated their own work, but also that of the other contributors in this anthology, such as on pages 12, “Roses”: 69, “Temptress”: 83, “Butterfly Whisperers”: 103 -104, “A New Beginning”: 249, “Galapagos”. Alexia (then aged eight) also contributed copies of her paintings of the “Bouquet of Flowers” to welcome potential readers and the abstract, “ The Magical Art of Words” as well as the logo, “Boodles the Flying Cat”.

He also touched on the children’s inspirational teachers at their State School, Hampton Junior School. Now, that’s really wonderful as is the collection – one to keep, to dip into again and again. Flying Poets & Other storytellers – £10.99 ISBN

I admit to a serious coffee addiction and the coffee must be good. A cup of instant just won’t cut it and the more I learn the more I yearn for that perfect coffee experience.

It’s undisputed that for optimal flavour you need freshly ground beans. Simply, flavour begins to fade from within half an hour of grinding, so a home grinder is a must.

There are whole theses on coffee grinder attributes and if you’re regularly grinding coffee for a large family, then perhaps an electric burr grinder would make a good investment, but for one or two coffees at a time, and for travelling, the Peugeot Presto Coffee Mill is hard to beat. It’s neat, attractive and compact, with a removable handle and lid, making it very easy to store or pack. Despite its small size, the bean reservoir can accommodate 30-35g of beans – enough for 0.5 litre of coffee. It’s very simple to use – once the beans are added and the lid firmly attached, just turn the adjustable grind setting ring to whatever you require, whether for espresso machine, cafetière, moka, ibrik, filter or cold brew infusion. To make life easy for the novice, or myopic users such as myself, there are pictures on the grind setting ring which denote the correct setting for each preparation method, and, for experts, the grind sizes in microns are also marked. After that just turn the handle and grind. You’ll see the grounds as they appear in the detachable transparent base. After that, well, make your coffee, sit back and enjoy.

At £84.99 from Peugeot it’s a quality gift and Christmas is indeed coming. I love it and I can’t wait to take it on my next trip. And if you’re looking for more great, quality gifts, do check out the Peugeot website.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu won the ultimate accolade of Museums & Collections of the Year in the 2024 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards. The trophy was presented to Dr Jon Murden, the Museum’s Chief Executive at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London.  The awards are an annual celebration of excellence in the UK’s historic motoring & motorsport worlds.

The award category nominees are assessed by an independent panels of specialist judges, handpicked for their expertise. The judges commended the Museum on the renewed focus on the social and cultural history of the motor vehicle. This has been evident with the Museum’s new gallery, Streets Ahead, and other exhibitions and events throughout the year. The “We had one of those” experience outside the Museum at Beaulieu, which enabled visitors to renew memories by sitting in the cars of their youth, was also commended. Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum was a finalist alongside the Tyrrell Shed at Goodwood and the British Motor Museum.

Accepting the award Dr Jon Murden, National Motor Museum Chief Executive said, “We are honoured and thrilled to have won this museums and collections of the year award. It has been a very busy year for us at the National Motor Museum. A year of re-identifying our purpose, telling the story of motoring, channelling the spirit of motoring’s past into a new range of social and cultural stories. It is really gratifying to see that appreciated. This award is a recognition of an amazing team of knowledgeable staff and volunteers who have contributed to our new displays and events throughout 2024.”

Jon Murden says, “The National Motor Museum is embarking on a masterplan that will transform the ways we look after, use, display and interpret our collections, and the stories we tell, all with the goal of making us attractive to successive generations of visitors, making us more sustainable and ensuring our continued economic viability.“

Read more about the awards on the Royal Automobile Club website: https://royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk/2024-winners and read more about the Museum’s vision at https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/motoring-into-the-future/

A full calendar of events and exhibitions is held at Beaulieu by the National Motor Museum, including Collection Centre Open Days, Classic Grille Evenings, Meet the Curator events and Transport Torques. Details are available at https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/events

The largest and longest-running writer development programme in England is now open for entries, deadline 6 February 2025. Founded and produced by New Writing North with support from Northumbria University and Arts Council England, the Northern Writers’ Awards are now in their 26^th year. The awards cover a range of genres including poetry, fiction, narrative non-fiction, young adult, middle-grade fiction and short stories. The submission window for the awards varies but all winners will be announced in June 2025.

The Northern Writers’ Awards deliver crucial support for writers at an earlier stage than most literary awards, usually before an agent or publisher is involved. As such, they have an enviable track record for identifying some of the country’s best unpublished writing, providing a pipeline of new talent to the publishing and broadcast industries.

Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development) and Programme Leader (MA in Publishing), said: “Launching the Northern Writers’ Awards is always a highlight of the year for New Writing North. We continue to build the reputation of this flagship programme and could not be more proud of the impact of our Awards. We identify talented writers, create opportunities and guide writers towards their individual goals. We act as a bridge between industry and the exceptional artistic talent in the North. This work is made possible through the support of our lead partners, Arts Council England, Northumbria University, Hachette Children’s Group, Channel 4 and a wide range of industry partners and individual donors. I am also grateful for the expertise of our amazing judges and the continued dedication of the highly skilled team at New Writing North.’

Judges for 2025 include the Scottish poet and essayist Kathleen Jamie for the Northern Writers’ Awards for Poetry and the Northern Debut Awards for Poetry.

Kathleen Jamie’s poetry collections include The Overhaul, which won the 2012 Costa Poetry Prize, and The Tree House, which won the Forward prize. From 2021-24, Kathleen served as Scotland’s Makar, or National Poet.

The novelist and poet Kit Fan and interdisciplinary artist Tice Cin will judge the Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction, the Northern Debut Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction and the Northumbria Student and Alumni Award. Tice Cin is a music journalist, DJ, music producer, filmmaker, and author of Keeping the House, named as one of the Guardian’s Best Books of 2021. Kit Fan’s first novel is Diamond Hill, and his poetry collection The Ink Cloud Reader was shortlisted for the Forward Prize and T.S. Eliot Prize.

Agent Sandra Sawicka has been announced as a judge of the Northern Debut Award for Young Adult Fiction and the Young Northern Writers’ Awards. Sandra joined the Marjacq literary agency in 2014, with an interest is genre fiction, including horror, gothic, crime, and Young Adult fiction.

Just a reminder that the Hachette Children’s Novel Awards, for debut writers of middle-grade children’s fiction and early teen fiction, is already open for entries. Submission deadline is 13 January 2025, with two winners receiving £3000 cash prize and a programme of mentoring opportunities within Hachette Children’s Group and New Writing North.

The full suite of awards is made possible by a range of vital partnerships with Arvon, Bonafide Films, Channel 4, Hachette Children’s Group, Rollem Productions, Red Production Company, The Literary Consultancy, Newcastle University, The North Literary Agency, Oneworld Publications, The Society of Authors, ALCS, the Michael Marks Charitable Trust as well as generous donations from individual donors including the Hale family, Andrew McMillan and Benjamin Myers. 

Further award categories open in February 2025, including the Tempest Prize for LGBTQ+ writers based in the North, The Finchale Award for Short Fiction, the Arvon Award, the Northern Promise TLC Read Awards and the Sid Chaplin Award for writers from working-class backgrounds.

You’ll want to know more, and, of course, to enter, (good luck!) so go to the New Writing North website: https://newwritingnorth.com/northern-writers-awards