We had a great business meeting the other week entitled "The 'R' word – Recession or Recovery?”

I MCed the event, where there were 30 or 40 of us from across Lancashire.

The main speaker was a pal of mine, Steve Broomhead, Chief Exec of the North West Development Agency, who did his usual 10/10 job of explaining and encouraging us all.

I then introduced Eddie Coupe, who’s now a pal of mine - well he kisses the wife when he meets her! Eddie told the Huntley’s story.

It’s brilliant - From almost failure - not a word in Eddie’s vocabulary - to raging success. It’s taken 7 or more years and a lot of blood sweat and tears. All Eddie’s 100 key staff have posh business cards with prestigious titles. His states “Tea Boy and Toilet Cleaner”!

I go to Huntley's most weeks for business meeting. It’s handy for off the M6/61 and for most folk around Lancashire. And it’s quality!

Good parking, great welcome, good range of products from bacon butties through to evening dinners. There’s a florist, food hall, wine, fish, bread, antiques, clothes.

It’s always busy. The old and young, small groups, coaches, eating, shopping. It’s just excellent.

I have a friend, Martin, ex-services. He can’t stand whingers. He tells folk he’s never heard a platoon of fighters say: “Excuse me Sergeant, it’s quite cold today, the enemy out-number us, they’re better trained and equipped and have the high ground.

"We’re hungry and many of us quite ill. Would it be okay if we didn’t try and win today?”

There is a recession. Banks have let us all down. But what are we going to do?