Made in ...

Ggggggggggggrumpy old man time, folks.

I try to buy local and generally support the local/UK economy but it is getting increasingly difficult to buy British. There are plenty of examples I know but some of the odder ones I've noticed lately:

Birthday Card - China
Yoghurt - Germany
Red Peppers Jar - Poland
Pair of Slippers - Bangladesh
Moisturiser - Ireland
Apples - Brazil
Savoury crackers - Belgium
Carnations (supermarket) - Kenya

We don't seem to make anything anymore.

(Don't even think of the transport and environment negatives).

About time for a glass of rioja - doing my bit to support the ailing Spanish economy!

 

Lunch : Spuds & Spinage from the garden, with Linda Mc Sausages (made in Britain)

But thats mainly because I can't afford to buy much at the moment.

 

I sometimes feel that it would be better under many points of view for the country itself and the world to produce and consume the goods within locally.
I read many times that it is healthier to eat local fruit and vegetables rather than out of season fruits coming from far away.

 

Mind you, I remember a report many years ago as to why there was a higher rate of Bowel Cancer in the Mezzogiorno.

They looked at the diet & concluded that it wasn't what they were eating, but what they were not eating.

The diet was good, but they were not eating fresh fruit and veg out of season, rather they were using dried and salted ingredients.

 

It bugs me too. We're not the only ones. Someone felt strongly enough to make a website to help us buy British:

STILL MADE IN BRITAIN - Home

I found this one too while looking for the one I already knew existed (above):

The online guide to all things beautiful and British made - From Britain With Love

 

Is the Isle of Man in Britain or is it an anarcho-syndicalist commune?

 

I think the buy fresh and buy in season is sensible and what I try to do, but I must admit I do like salad year round. Ziggy that's an interesting piece of research that I'd not heard of. Food for thought, har har...

What annoys me is, especially living where I do where it's almost totally agricultural, you see fresh flowers in supermarkets which are imported from abroad as well as foreign grown apples/potatoes when you can buy locally grown ones cheaper in local shops. I was surprised myself when I heard that tulips and daffs are grown under glass here in the winter.

 

A high concentration of salt is not good for anybody anywhere.

 

What if you are in a car with typical summer tyres on, stick in the bottom of a dip on a very icy night, on your own, with no mobile phone with you, and 100 miles from the nearest civilisation?

 

Just had to go outside to laugh, so I didn't disturb Sis. :D I'm still giggling

 

I can understand importing fruit and veg to create a bit more choice but why for example grow french beans in ethiopia for us when we could just eat them when available.Instead we are trading with ethiopia which could be seen as good until you look into the facts that the families are still short of food and the draught is increasing.Better for the few worse for the majority.

 

Had to look up what you've said Ziggy,the answers no. We have a couple of trade unions on the island, but they're English anyway.

You are aware the island is semi-independant no doubt, but we have our own government (Tynwald) that makes all of the decisions on how the island functions. We have reciprocal arrangements with the HMRC in England making us far more open and above board regarding tax.

The island isn't part of the United Kingdom and I reiterate that, but we are addressed as British Isles and not Great Britain. The island has an appointed Governor by the Queen in residence, who serves a term of five years.

 

I Know what you mean Fen. Last week Transport Scotland Announced the new £1.6 BLN bridge would be supplied with 37.000 tons of steel from Chinese ,Polish, and Spanish steel companies..
A Transport Scotland Spokesman said "The reality is that Scottish firms simply did Not bid for the fabrication of steel for the Forth Replacement Crossing".
I Don't Believe It !!!.We will wait with Bated Breath to hear what Alexander Secundus says about this situation !!!.:fingerdrum:.

 

I remember a few years ago when Middlesbrough FC got their brand new Riverside Stadium. Its maybe 3 miles by road from Redcar steelworks. There was hell on, because the steel for the stadium came from Germany.