The Radstock Mayor, Cllr Rupert Bevan writes:

In these indeterminate times when the most basic needs of civilisation seem to be scarce, the effects are felt even amongst the richest nations of the world.

By that, of course, I mean the United Kingdom. Spurred on by a largely anti-government press, it seems that people are complaining about not being able to by a turkey for Christmas and pig farmers are complaining that they can't sell their pigs within the acceptable time-frame.

What it tells us is that these stream-lined national abattoirs are as sensitive to press statements as any other industry. How can it suddenly be the case that there is a shortage of licensed butchers, so much so that there is none available to process these pigs for the retail market. Instead we see empty shelves and much hand-wringing by wholesalers and retailers alike.

When I was a teenager, I used to help run the family smallholding. Sheep, pigs, geese, goats, fantail pigeons, rabbits and pigs, we had all of them. The enterprise was run on a permacultural basis, with the pigs fed on potato peelings and the hens allowed to peck at bolted cabbages suspended from the rafters, whilst fat plums and rosy apples added the third dimension. My mother was very enterprising, her inspiration being Willian Cobbett's Cottage Economy. I was taught how to slaughter the smaller creatures and to butcher a pig's carcass. It meant the family had lovely fresh meat and vegetables all the year round and the larder groaned with hams, jams, pickles and other delights.

As a nation, we seem to have moved away from these primary sources of food and are now over-dependant on the polythene-clad offerings of the supermarket.

Let's have those superannuated pigs. Still excellent eating and, has no-one heard of salami?

Rupert Bevan