To think the Duchess of Cambridge has no place in sports personality of the year

[Nishky]

Martina Navratilova made a moving speech about female role models so who do they roll out to present it?

Cat, I do charity work (real hands-on, not gala dinners) I was a 'big sister' mentor, teaching maths to girls and minorities, volunteered in a soup kitchen two weekends a month, while living in the US, and now because of our frequent work travel, do emergency dog fostering and sponsor a rural school for girls in a third world country.

Regarding the royal charitable work, you might find this worthy of a read. It is from the non-profit Republican group. The monarchy has a huge PR machine to help brainwash the public into thinking that we should have a monarchy. There are £200 million at stake for them, personally.

www.republic.org.uk/blog/?p=226

www.republic.org.uk/blog/?p=226

Cat - the royals are rewarded am

Sorry sent too soon.

The royals are rewarded amply for their 'volunteer' work. Take prince Andrew for example! I'm sure many ordinary folk would be able to manage 100 days voluntary work a year if they were paid millions and ferried back and forth on private jets and helicopters.

And to the poster earlier on, I wasn't talking about you, necessarily. The thread has been moving fast and so my post might appear after yours, but wasn't directed at you. Or at anyone in particular, but more of a general observation

Anyway, I have a really important decision to make, so am off to post in chat. I am invited for Christmas lunch and want to take something typically UK-ey (this is in continental Europe). Thinking of mince pies and cannot decide between Heston what's-his name's Waitrose ones or trusted M&S ones (these are the only two supermarkets closeby). I have no idea which are nice, as I don't have a sweet tooth, and need to make a decision today, before we leave. Any help, ladies?

M & S with lashings of Brandy Butter. Have a nice time.

Thanks, Eve Think it will be M&S ones.

Oh no, that's shite. Can you get a refund?

I haven't got the Amazon Voucher yet, although they've had the return for almost a week. I'm getting impatient!

I am going to try to get a refund, but I have worn them quite a bit. Hope you get your voucher soon!

Tough, it seems M&S ones are the most recommended. I am not particularly fond of mince pies myself. Prefer a nice seed cake with a cup of coffee.

Amazon exchanged five pairs of Hunters for me, before finally giving me a refund.

Aigle are much better quality. Hunter are now made in China and include lots of plastic which is what fails.

Make your own mince pies!

She's a royal. They seem to have the right to be anywhere they like.

I had Aigle before, and it is true, they never leaked. It is just the pup chewed the top of one so it started looking a bit tatty! Love the looks of the Hunter, such a shame that they have moved manufacturing to China

I am in awe of anyone who makes their own mince pies . Aren't they seriously complicated with weeks of advance planning?

Vivienne, thanks for bringing us back to topic

The Duchess wears Le Chameau. I tried some on but was very disappointed.

Did I. I usually get told off for not reading the thread!

Flatbread - mince pies are v easy to make. If you have ashop bought jar of mincemeat!

Don't think duchess eats mince pies. Or any pies for that matter. Back on topic.

Baking, lol, never thought of that!

FYI Flatbread Co-Op luxury mincemeat is the best.

Oh, good, thanks Eldritch. We have a Co-Op here as well, and it is really close by.

You might even want to use shop bought pastry. Then they take minutes to put together!

Add some rum or brandy to the mincemeat, egg and sugar on the tops of the pies so they are golden and yum.

Loving the feelgood factor breaking out now we're discussing mince pies!