Pryce-Darlings of Alderley Edge 2010

Christmas newsletter.

Times have been hard at the P D household. Back in Spring when the recession started to bite we had to take drastic measures to balance the books. Firstly the helicopter had to go. It was so useful for nipping over the Channel but I'm surprised how well we've managed without it.

Second on the list was the gardener, Albert. Candida implored me not to sack him as in his spare time he had being teaching her all sorts of things in his 'shed'. However, drastic times call for drastic measures. I still see him around the place so he must be finding some way of keeping body and soul together.Instead of a

gardener I occasionally use a company called 'Fork It'. This is run by a remarkable lady who is not to be tangled with! If I was a weed, which I'm not, I would admit defeat at first sight. If her gardening is as good as her talking then we will be up at Chelsea next year.

We've also got rid of several cars and the yacht is up for sale . I used the train the other week and it was quite an experience! I thought it would be like taking a plane but they allow all sorts onto trains who wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting through customs.

I told the twins, Grace and Favour, that they could not rely on their father for everlasting support and they immediately upped sticks and left for the Med. They threatened to barricade themselves in the family flat in Monte. So much for loyal family support but if anyone can live on their wits it's those two. I'm sure Candida would have gone as well if it were not for our new grandchild. Fleur gave birth to Saville in May. I'm not sure about the name but the child seems OK. Artemis says he was named after the place of conception but to me Seville is a place in Spain whereas the only Saville I know owns a garden centre near Leeds. I did ask how to pronounce his name but never got a proper answer. It's best not to ask too many questions sometimes.Much to Candida's annoyance, Fleur's marriage to Artemis has been postponed for the time being. This was the third of my money saving measures. Candida had already booked the marquees and flowers so she rented them out to the WI for a charity Spring flower show which turned out to be quite profitable for us!

The young couple themselves seemed to be very relieved. Maybe they will nip round the Registry Office when no ones looking. Candida would be so appalled.

Work has been a constant worry. There are too many lawyers in the City these days and there's not enough work to go round especially after all the American Banks left. They were always good for business – sue first ask questions after – that was their slogan. Trouble is that in many cases we've done the suing and then been left with the question as to when we are going to get paid!

I had hoped Artemis would follow me into the firm but what with Fleur becoming a mother he dropped out of University to earn some money and went into the property market. This sounded a dreadful move but he has got together with this firm that buys houses - at the right price - from people in financial trouble. He then rents part or all of the house back to them and gives them the option to buy it back at the market price at some time in the future. It's really been the saving of our Conveyancing Department. I am sure Mr Cameron would be proud of his entrepreneurial spirit. If the property market does ever recover then my son is in for a big windfall. Takes me back to how I started in the 60's.

I was going to retire this year but at present there's no chance. Not that I'm doing anything much but there is no way the other partners can afford to buy me out in the present climate. This has given me time to consider my legacy to the City. I do feel everyone should try to give something back – no matter how small. I have decided to start a library. You may not think this is very original but this will be a library with a difference. This will be a library of real paper copies of anything that is only currently stored on the internet. When this systems collapses, as I am sure it will, we can charge a really good fee to anyone wanting access to documents they have relied on in the virtual world for years!

It’s a bit like the houses Artemis is buying. Patience is a virtue - just build up stock and wait! In the meantime all our staff who are twiddling their thumbs most of the day can get busy with their computers and printers.

It was not until November that I heard from the twins. Grace has evidently joined a nunnery – I didn't even know she was religious but it always looks goo

d on your C.V.. Favour is also into the business of offering people utopia, albeit temporarily. She has become a bespoke travel agent for British expats. She is currently in North Korea so there is no wonder that country is in turmoil. It will take more than a nuclear explosion to stop her in her tracks.Candida said she had applied to Waitrose for a part time Christmas job. She wanted to do her bit. I told her that a month’s wages working on their tills would pay our mortgage for just about one day! Her face sank; She never was good with money - at least not the earning of it! However in her own way she seems happy enough and spends a lot of time in the 'shed' so I am pleased she has become less materialistic and looks for other pleasures in life. 2011 looks like being another difficult year and if there is any way I can retire then that's it for me. Not sure what I will do with myself as I never really had any hobbies. Perhaps I'll get a dog. Best wishes to all for 2011 – whatever it may bring,

Henry, Candida, Artemis, Fleur and Saville

Plus, of course, Grace & Favour in distant lands.