Mr William Wonka Esq.

Talpid III came home the other day with the news that his school class were to be dressed up as favourite characters from a Roald Dahl story. He has chosen to appear as Willy Wonka the major character in Dahl's 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Needless to say the task of creating the outfit was passed to Grandma Talpa. After a whirlwind tour of the local charity shops and some late night stitching she has managed to produce something appropriate.

Don't let it be said that I didn't help, the cane is all my own work, carefully cut from a length of dowel, complete with a silver handle lovingly crafted from kitchen foil, and the whole hand-finished with a burnished layer of blue Hammerite.

I think hope that the Talpid quite likes the result of our labours.