Mrs Emma Bearman is too cheeky...

I don't actually think that it's possible really, but let me share if you aren't registered on thearmleytouristboard.com (if not, why not please?) site for emails, and yet again I quote:

"Spread the word! You can now buy the Charming Armley Cake Calendar online via Paypal.

That's right; take the strain out of Christmas this year and instead of buying goats or trees through Oxfam, reward your nearest and dearest with this year's must have present! What's more you will be contributing to the well being of the older people of Armley.

If you happen to be up and about tomorrow morning you can catch 2 very key contributors to the Calendar and the Kitchen Story - live on air BBC RADIO LEEDS from 7.45am

All proceeds go straight to Armley Helping Hands - registered charity 1076692"

I would therefore like to state for the record...

Last year I bought only six Christmas cards for my family and best mate Lou - everyone else - friends, acquaintances, colleagues and clients got an email letting them know that I personally had bought 1000 tree saplings to be planted in Africa and Vital had bought the same, and paid for a young woman in Romania to set up her own sewing business. It was through World Vision, not Oxfam!

Quite a few got last year's Armley calendar too - I'm not that tight or miserable.

Judge all you like (am course not angry, bitter or cross - it was hilarious Em - Laila and I laughed a lot), but I am a long way off creating a 'Rainbow family' or stealing African 'orphans'!!!

Or am I just a faux do-gooder who 'means well'?!

I'll leave you to decide...!

I do have to admit it was a move inspired by some material on the Ricky Gervais show and the actual genius that is Karl Pilkington. "What if they didn't want a goat?". Stephen Merchant's response was "Karl are you actually imagining some African family coming down to find a goat-shaped present under the Christmas tree?". I'm now about to burst...


Clancy xxxx