Good morning lovely people,
My family is super excited about Christmas this year. We’ve not been together in the same country for many many months. It’s not about the latest electronic device or the new Lego model (although I know that would still cause excitement for one person in particular) it’s about spending time together. Magical moments.
Watching the Farmer protest, this sense of family may have been missed. The front man Clarkson; love him or hate him, is not a third-generation farmer whose cultural and economic existence will be adversely affected by any change to inheritance tax. Those affected are the 365 days a year grandfather/mother, father/mother and children who do live and breathe every day, 24 hours a day, up to their knees in mud with sweat on their brows, whatever the season; providing us our food, on their family farm. These families will be spending all their time together, work and rest. There is no alternative. I don’t have a problem with inheritance tax. Maybe because we’ve never had to pay it. Ideology dictates each generation should pay a share of amassed wealth back to the wider community but when your livelihood and existence have to be sold to fit the bill I don’t agree
Victor has been on his own tiny farm journey. His love of growing and our need for olive oil, our most expensive ingredient, has led him to buy 700 olive trees next to my brother, 1 kilometre from where my father was born. This will help supplement the oil we are able to get from ICiacca, the rest comeing direct from farms in Tuscany all the way to Calabria. It’s worth noting the only reason our family left our farm in 1919 was because of a change to inheritance tax rules in Italy. The model for living off the land that had been sustainable for over 500 years was forced to change, resulting in poverty and mass migration. Anyone see a pattern emerging?
This connection with the land for some is fundamental. If you’re a city slicker with a ponchon for an avocado you probably won’t get it. Equally, if you’re seeing your local city centre library being forced to close due to council cuts you may rightly feel it’s justified or worse can’t get a hospital appointment for vital treatment. The point is we’re in a mess but will these changes and the other budget proposals get us out of the mess or will we end up creating different problems and even deeper in the mud.
I’ve gone off Martin Lewis (just a little). His Christmas Special suggested buying a gift voucher from Amazon was a safer bet than your local restaurant on the high street. HELLO! Christmas gifting shouldn’t be about placing bets. Funding the big boys at the expense of the little independents isn’t aligned to community growth. Last week the lovely team of volunteers at the Penicuik Foodbank (Foodstore@PNK) won’t have Amazon delivering donations, we’ll be making our Christmas card donation to this charity again this year. Small choices can make a huge difference.
There is no doubt in my mind we need to look local, not global to get out of this mess.
Keep well and thank you as always, I’ve shared a list of some of my favourite locals if you need any inspiration for special gifts that will create magic moments guaranteed.
Carina
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Christmas Gift Ideas
Dates: Rift Valley produce the most beautiful and delicious Medjoul dates grown on a family farm alongside the banks of the holy Jordan River in Palestine. The family lives not far from us in Dalkeith. [email protected]
My favourite antique shop for browsing: Unicorn Antiques will give you everything TK Macs kitchen department will provide, at the same prices. 65 Dundas Street, Edinburgh.
ALC 61 Thistle Street, www.alceshop.com Beautiful clothes and accessories for some lovely small gift ideas.
My brother and my husband’s favourite drink shop; Drinkmonger. For all those essential bar bottles that any budding home mixologist requires. www.drinkmonger.com
How about an organic veg box. That will keep Rudolf happy too. www.phantassie.co.uk
Christmas wont be Christmas without a St Brides turkey or better goose. Grown on a farm not in a factory. It’s not too late if you’ve not got your turkey yet. www.stbridespoultry.co.uk
Can’t forget to mention my nephew Laurence and his hand made incredibly talented and cosy comfy knitwear. www.woolkind.com
A little more extravagant but my favourite chocolate treats; www.williamcurley.co.uk
A book (hint hint) is never a bad idea for a gift:
Sir Chris Hoy “All that matters” – anyone who’s got the courage to read one of the most courageous life stories
Rory Cellan-Jones “Sophie from Romania” If you love a happy pet story
Sue Lawrence “New Scottish Baking” Who doesn’t love to bake
Sara Sheridan “The Secrets of Blythswood Square” as we love Glasgow too
Sir Ian Rankin “Midnight and Blue” Not the number 1 for nothing
Al Pacino “Sonny Boy” Who can resist a little Italian American
