joan boakes

I have sent 53 Christmas Cards this year. Some of my friends I only see occasionally and we always share our news at Christmas. It is expensive but I love the written word. Means so much more than just a message on Facebook or other social media

No. I won't be stocking up for Brexit. I don't believe we will be short of anything that I need. It is just more scaremongering. I was around before we joined the common market. I don't remember being short of anything. I am sure the rest of the world will be keen to sell us their products but I would welcome the chance to buy lots of British products and produce. I lead a vegan lifestyle and am sure I have everything I want right here.

In my opinion obesity is a lifestyle choice. I accept that genetics may give people a predisposition to become obese. I think this probably applies to me as I weighed about 8 1/2 stone from the age of 17 until I was 33 and had a fourth child. My metabolism seemed to change then in common with many of my family members and whereas previously I could eat pretty much anything I liked I can't do that now without gaining weight. I also have cravings for food. I am 66 years old and last year had reached the weight of 13 st 10 pounds. I have put myself on a diet and joined a Pilates group and the weight is dropping off. I find it quite hard with all the temptations of easy ready meals and snack type food that is so readily available in the shops. Also I live a very busy life and it is tempting to buy ready made food. It is a fact that if you eat less calories than you burn you will lose weight. I think it would be a big mistake for obesity to be classified as a disease. The government would do better to address the food products being sold but not do the same as they have with sugary drinks which is to raise the price but allow manufacturers to fill the drinks with sweeteners which I think in tbemselved are more harmful than sugar. Also they should look at subsidising exercise for example swimming and Pilates and gym.

I would like to see a bridge over the channel. I would also like to see a bridge over to the Isle of Wight.

I don't believe national service should be forced on our youngsters mainly because I believe in piece and would hate to think my gentle grandchildren would be forced to be put in a position where they may have to kill another human being. Don't get me wrong, my mum chose to join the army just before world war two and was on active duty throughout the war and of course my Dad was in the army during the war years and I am proud of the part they played in gaining freedom for me and future generations.. my grandmother lost two brothers in the war one aged 18 and one aged nineteen. I also know people who have been discharged from the army with mental health issues caused by their time in service and it is very sad to see. With regards to young people I am in favour of some sort of compulsive training to give them discipline and a good framework for life including how to respect all other living beings and creatures but I also think this is something that should be taught and encouraged from day one and throughout there school life. My children were brought up this way as was I..

I live out in the countryside and always have. We have foxes and badgers around. They pose no threat to the farmed animals around here. There natural diet of small rodents, berries and rabbits etc. are plentiful. The mothers and cubs play around in my donkey field with rabbits and pheasants nearby. They sometimes lay on top of my chicken run in the sun. The hens aren't bothered. The reason foxes have become a nuisance in towns is because humans encourage them by leaving so much food waste laying around.

I love wildlife and try to encourage as much as possible both in my garden and my donkey meadow. Any ideas on how to increase the visitors would be very welcome so winning this book would be great.

I feel sure that there are no worse side effects from canabis than from a lot of the prescription drugs designed to alleviate pain. Anything that helps should be legally available.As for addiction many prescription drugs are addictive and very difficult to come off.

Tequila Sunrise is one of my favourites

In my life

I am not happy to pay for plastic bags.I reuse mine for black bin rubbish.It didn't matter in the old days when rubbish went directly into the bin and was then emptied into the cart. If the plastic bags sre biodegradable it shouldn't cause a polution problem.I know the Tesco ones are as I have stored things in them before and they have disintegrated. I think this scheme is just another government racket to collect money from us and I doubt that sny charities will see much of it.

Would love to have a short break away from my hectic responsibilities