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My biographies mention a particular interest in cooking.

As a child in Salisbury Close in the lean years after the Second World War, and with food rationing imposed until 1953, our family lived on basic, wholesome food, taking full advantage of our own chickens, fish from the river Avon and traditional English cooking. Farming communities were largely self-sufficient. Our family summer holidays took us to the West Coast of Scotland - where industrial fishing had still not wiped out inshore shoals. We caught and cooked plentiful supplies of crabs, lobsters and fish.

We had farming relatives in Northumberland and Dorset and discovered the delights of home-produced milk, butter and cream as well as meat. We learnt about the meaning of the food chain. I acquired a deep respect for nature - the final arbiter. What we now call organic farming was the order of the day. It is not new. It means accepting imperfections in quality and supply as the price of natural food. This is a price most people won't now pay - or cannot afford.

We should count our blessings that we enjoy plenty and variety in food and drink - and take practical steps to improve the lot of others around the world (and at home). I started to learn how to cook before I was 10 - by watching and "helping" at home. Now I enjoy TV chefs and authors, but I'd still prefer to keep on the kitchen shelf by the great food writers such as Jane Grigson and Elizabeth David.

We are so fortunate in Salisbury, Amesbury and Wilton to have fresh food markets. Supermarkets are clearly a very good thing - but can be no substitute for local fruit and vegetables, and local butchers. Sue and I also believe in food in season - not strawberries at Christmas!

Cheddar cheese, Stilton and dry cider take a lot of beating. French cheese is wonderful - but quite different from English cheese and not strictly comparable.

Good food is not about price - but about quality of ingredients and care and skill in preparation. Cooking is about good company, too, and there can be no excuses for men staying out of the kitchen!

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