I CANNOT believe that I am penning this annual column, but it is that time of year again. Children are preparing to head back to school and this heralds the approach of autumn.

It won’t be long until the leaves are turning gold, knitwear and jackets will be back on the agenda (did they ever go away this summer?) and you suddenly have the need for hot drinks. It’s the best time of year for some, but not for all.