I USE The Press as my equivalent to ‘Twitter’ – giving my thoughts on theatre visits, comments on the council or to have a gentle dig at Dave Quarrie.

However, on this occasion I would like to thank a Good Samaritan through your paper – a lovely lady stopped while I lay on the icy footpath, having attempted unsuccessfully a version of Torvill and Dean’s Bolero. The kind lady was insisting on turning her car around on the ice rink but I was only three doors away from home.

Oh, my pride was hurt, my eggs broken and my sprouts scattered – the sherry was intact and I have a fashionable hole in the knee of my jeans. The day after, I had a bump on my head and lots of bruises, but I had learnt a lesson.

In future I am leaving home with an ice pick, shovel and a bag of sand – and that is as a pedestrian.

Anne Church, Severus Avenue, Acomb.