Must-have christmas presents

What’s going to be one of the most must-haves of Christmas presents this year? I’ll bet you it’ll be the boxed set of the latest Downton Abbey series! 

I was invited to a wonderful VIP event at Highclere Castle, where Downton is filmed, and it was just like walking into a Downton scene and taking part in the drama myself.

Highclere Castle is a magnificent pile in the heart of the gorgeous Hampshire countryside just outside Newbury, and it is owned by Lord and Lady Carnarvon. They decided, as a brilliant way of raising funds for Help for Heroes and other armed forces charities, to throw open the house and grounds for a Downton themed, costumed and celebrity studded Open Day. 

It turned out to be a massive success and a quintessentially English country day out what with the wonderful “Indian summer” weather, the fantastic turnout and bright blue skies buzzing with Hurricanes and Spitfires! 

But best of all, the entire staff at Highclere dressed up in WW1 style costumes and, at various times throughout the day, lined up outside the famous front door to welcome in the visitors, just as they would for the Master and Mistress of Downton. 

They did it just as me, my mum and sister walked up the graveled driveway (without the famous golden Labrador) and entered the illustrious portal. 

It made my mum’s day, though my son was more impressed with the fact that Top Gear’s Richard Hammond had parked next to us in the car park! 

If you fancy buying that boxed set for Christmas, how about doing it “for free”, and using money which would otherwise be languishing in the bottom of a bedroom drawer? Why don’t you try and sell gold for cash?

Remember the price of gold is still high, so bung your unwanted or broken jewelry in a Post Gold for Cash bag and get it costed. 

Simply get hold of a Postgoldforcash.com envelope, send off your old, unwanted or scrap gold or silver jewelry and you’ll be given a quote you won’t want to refuse.

Another fantastic week on "The Wright Stuff"

Just had another fantastic week on The Wright Stuff. It was a week of first meetings for me. 

Never met Scott Capurro before – my goodness – what a character! Nor did I know the prolific author, the Queen of Crime Fiction, Martina Cole. Her book, “Dangerous Lady” made her famous at 21, and since then she’s sold millions. 

Her tales are the most requested books in prison libraries – and the most stolen! Her own background is a real rags-to-riches story – she’s lived a hand-to-mouth existence as a single mother, slept on floors and in hostels, and seen crime from the street-view, which is perhaps why her stories are so gutsy. 

Now, she’s a multi-millionaire, and you cannot begrudge her that success. She’s done it all herself, through sheer determination and self-belief and, of course, a huge talent for story-telling. 

Not so for another new acquaintance made at the end of the week – a young lady who’s been given her own “fly on the wall” reality show, and I couldn’t help wondering why on earth she’d want it. She’s Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of Bernie, the F1 magnate; and a very rich young lady indeed. In fact, she’s known for little else. That and her taste for bling and what they now call “haut-chav” which I think means Paris Hilton-style fashion sense. 

If I had that much money, I just don’t think I’d want to flaunt it on TV, especially when the majority of viewers are losing their jobs, their pensions, or both. But that’s perhaps what makes entertaining TV nowadays. If her show succeeds, will it be because viewers feel envy or pity? 

On the subject of bling - just in case you’re tired of your past glitter, and you’d prefer to make it work for you – don’t forget that gold prices are still very high – so pop your old or broken jewellery in a Postgoldforcash.com gold selling pack, and wait for a quote. 

It’s an unbelievably simple process, you’re likely to get the best quote from PGFC, and doesn’t it make sense to have some cash for gold in hand rather than outdated bling in your jewellery box?