Summers in the UK have left a lot to be desired in recent years; we’ve had a few good days early on when it’s supposed to be cold, rainy and windy; then what should be the warmest, sunniest times have been reduced to sporadic sunshine with lots of cold and rainy days in between. Many of us thought that this year was going to be the same – although we didn’t get the sunny bit at the beginning this time and some people were still having to heat their homes throughout June. This long heatwave has really taken us by surprise, hasn’t it?

I was saddened to hear about Lincoln postie Graham Bennett, who died on Monday while delivering letters in temperatures reaching 27 degrees. The heat is difficult enough to be working in as it is – indoors or out - but walking about in the hot sunshine with a heavy load makes it virtually unbearable.

I do feel for the delivery people tasked with humping heaving washing machines and the like into people’s homes and even more so if the work involves lugging the things upstairs in flats and maisonettes. From my weekend hobby/job at the estate agents, I know how uncomfortable it can be keep getting back into a locked up car in this weather, with no time for it to really cool down again by the time you reach the next property and have to lock everything up again – and all I have to carry is a set of keys and some property details! Let’s hope the recipients of these heavy white goods give those that deliver them a bit of leeway if the weather has made them a little slower than normal, and that they offer them a cold drink before sending them on their way again – in these temperatures it really could turn out to be a lifesaver…

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Yours,

Jan Hobbs