I’m quite disappointed that Britain seems to be rushing out of recession (it isn’t, obviously, but certain players in the financial sector want us to believe it so the bonus culture can return, and the housing sector are very keen for us all to believe our houses are soaring in value again).
Obviously I’m feeling the pinch as much as everyone else and will be delighted to see clients feeling confident enough to start spending again (and re hiring their staff again). But what has been nice is the return to simpler values. Make do and mend, women buying new lipsticks rather than new dresses (so L’Oreal said in the press this weekend), rediscovering ways to have fun without actually having to spend (much) money. Staycations (Britain is a great country to holiday in) I think all this has added up to a sense of “we’re all in this together”.
And as you can see from this enormous crop, grow your own is big. And just at the time that the supermarkets are predicting the death of organic fruit and veg because of the cost it’s ironic that a lot of households are discovering for themselves just how good it tastes. And all for a packet of seeds.