Welcome to a new monthly post, Fizzing on Friday, where I'll feature a beauty update and other news and updates. In this first post, I'm praising a beauty box - after saying I wasn't going to buy any more - and the return of an old favourite, Epicure Piccalilli. Plus some other random thoughts.
My John Lewis x Hannah Martin Beauty Box
Graham Norton Leaving BBC Radio 2
I've always enjoyed Graham Norton's Saturday morning show; it's relaxed with interesting guests (he attracts a higher calibre than the usual Z listers) and I enjoy the "Grill Graham" slot and his banter with co-presenter Maria McErlane. Unfortunately it was announced this week that after 10- years, Graham is giving up his show.
The BBC said it was his own choice, but we later learned that the BBC wants its presenters to talk less and to play more music.
Back in the day when I worked in BBC local radio, there was a high cost for royalties called "needle time", so they would substitute free-of-charge music called "radioplay" (I would describe it as muzak or not by the original artists).
I had hoped the BBC was going to regain some common sense now it has a new Director General who overturned a couple of daft decisions. But no. They pay Graham Norton a lot of money to be Graham, which means a lot of chat and laughter. I can't understand why they'd want to play more music, unless it's another futile attempt to make Radio 2 attractive to younger listeners, who already have Radios 1 and 6.
A welcome return for Epicure Piccalilli
Back in 2008 on my old blog, I wrote a post "It's thick and yellow" about my passion for piccalilli and my search for a replacement to Epicure's distinguished product, which had been discontinued a long time before 2008.
I was recently contacted by Jason Beaumont, managing director of a company which has revived the Epicure brand. Epicure Piccalilli is back on the market!
I was quick to purchase a jar of piccalilli from Ocado. The verdict? The color is a deep gold, perhaps a little more lurid than I remembered, and there were fewer silverskin onions. But the balance is exactly right.
Jason told me: "We researched brand archives in a bid to find out what set Epicure Piccalilli apart from the rest. With piccalilli it’s all about getting the right balance of the key ingredients - chunky and crunchy veg and gherkin - not too much, but then again absolutely not too little and thin. Pack a tangy punch with the mustard dressing - again not overpowering and definitely not too acidic to strip the back of your throat."
The piccalilli is a harmonious blend which will be perfect with the Christmas cold meats, pork pie and cheese board.
Those who remember Epicure will be pleased to know that a wide range of products is now available and you can see them on the Epicure website, including a Christmas pudding and mince pies, honey, tinned vegetables (artichokes, asparagus spears and so on), ingredients and home baking. Buy the products at Ocado and in farm shops, delis, and supermarkets, not just in the UK but also in Ireland.
More good news: Cummings is leaving
We'e been spoiled this week with good news: the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines for Covid are on their way; we're getting a bank holiday in 2022 for the Queen's Platinum anniversary, and now the loathsome Dominic Cummings, Machiavellian advisor to Johnson, is said to be quitting after Christmas.
You may remember he ruined lockdown by flouting the rules, "testing his eyesight" in a trip to a castle, and then lying about it on TV. Johnson should have sacked him but was too cowardly and selfish.
Instead, the government did everything it could to "move the debate on", ie, close it down. Historians will remember that period as the moment the public saw this government for what it is - contemptuous of us, with different rules for them - and a turning point in the public's good will in upholding lockdown situations.
Ironically Cummings is quitting now after some petty spat involving the firing of the PR chief. Shows their priorities doesn't it?
Prince Harry got it right this time
FOR MORE MUTTON
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