To Homebase...

Hello.

My name is David Hall and I have recently passed a BTEC First in Marketting and Business Studies. As part of my course, I did a case study of a business and suggested strategies to improve it. I chose Homebase. I thought I'd send you my ideas to see if you like them. Maybe if you like them, you can hire me as a freelance consultant?

1. Branch out into stereoes and call yourselves Homebass. It will be a move that is down with the kids.

2. Call all the areas of your shop, something-base. i.e. Patiobase, Sharp sandbase, Weedkillerbase. People will enjoy saying -base after all your products. McDonalds do a similar thing with the prefix Mc-.

3. Get a mascot; call him Homie. It would work well if he was a bi-polar black American from the Bronx. On the surface, he's warm and cuddly and welcoming. But underneath, there's the dangerous edge of a man who could become very angry if you don't buy your drill bits from him.

4. Write a new slogan. It should say, 'A House is not a Home unless it's Based in Homebase.' because it rolls off the tongue, or 'Homebase Homes.' because of the 'huh' sounds.

And lastly, 5. Make sure you put the turning wheels on the front of your trollies. They're a nightmare to push.

I hope that advice helps. I'm always willing to chat, so get in touch if you want any more tips.

Thanks,

David Hall

To the Natural History Museum...

Hello.

I was recently out in my garden, erecting a swing set (swet) for my daughter, when I hit something a little odd feeling as I dug down to begin building the swing foundations (swoundations).

On further investigation, I discovered it to be the bones of what most certainly is an ancient, prehistoric beast. Immediately I stopped digging my swet's swoundations and eyed the skeletal being carefully. It did not look like anything I had seen on Jurassic Park. Or Walking with Dinosaurs. Or Land Before Time 4.

Can I send you a picture so you can confirm if it is a new species (necies)?

Also, can I name it if it is, as I believe, a new dinosaur?  It's definitely not my old guinea pig because that went over by the shed, so don't even try and tell me it's that.

Many thanks,

David Hall

To Munch Bunch...

Hello.

I have queery. It's ever so quick, so I'll hop straight to it like a bunny with a strong sense of duty.

How do you make a 'munch' - an onomatopoeic description of an act of eating - happen... using yoghurt?

I've tried very hard and the only way I can manage it is if I lace the yoghurt with Pom Bears. And I seriously doubt the Munch Bunch have to resort to such madness.

I look forward to hearing your explanation.

Love from,

David Hall

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Dear David

Thank you for getting in touch about Munch Bunch Yogurt.

Munch Bunch recognises the importance of its characters and the role it has to play in storytelling. The name of the product and the packs have been designed to reflect this with the character Munch the Cow.

On pack, Munch is designed to highlight the key ingredients of milk while the character’ spots highlight fruit in Munch Bunch Fromage Frais and yogurt products. Munch is designed as a fun and playful character to appeal to kids, while reassuring mums by giving them the nutritional information they need about the product. Munch Bunch is going back to its storytelling roots with characters to highlight key ingredients.

Thank you once again for taking the trouble to contact us. I hope this reply answers your questions and that you enjoy our products in the future.

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Hello.

Thank you for writing back to my email. It was very lovely of you.

I was unaware that the Munch Bunch was headed up by a bovine dictator. Does Munch have any leadership idols? Castro? Stalin? Gary Glitter? Are his proleteriat willing? Or do they their spend time in underground lairs, plotting a Munch revolution and drawing pictures of him in silly hats?

I think it is important that I know these things at this time. Or I may have to start allying myself with Yoplait... or Danone.

Love from,

David Hall

To Devon Bird News...

Hello.

I was walking my dog tonight, down the seafront in Ilfracombe when I saw, what must've been, a new species of bird.

It appeared to have the head of a sparrow and the body of a raven. Now, I'm not suggesting that an unsolicited poultry splicing gang are marauding the streets of West Devon, but that's certainly what it looked like.

Has anyone else reported such a thing?

It also appeared to have a very unique cry, sounding a little like the awestruck exhale of a young child who's just witnessed an elaborate card trick.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

David Hall

P.s. If it is a new species and I get to name it then it will be known as a Kevin.

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Many thanks for your email to Devon Bird News, it's an interesting description but I'm afraid you have not found a new species of bird! That will never happen in the UK, or Europe. Only in the deepest darkest rain forests may new species of birds be found now.  (That is not including DNA analysis of already known species though).

As for your bird, my best guess is that it was a Crow or Raven, which has lost all the feathering around its head. This does happen, and it looks very weird!  It really is amazing how much feathers make up the mass of any bird, their actual body is tiny compared with what we see.

Hope this helps,

Best wishes

Steve Waite
Devon Bird Recorder

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Steve,

Are you sure my Kevin wasn't a new bird? Now you mention it, he did look a bit South American. He certainly would have suited a pencil moustache and sombrero...
David Hall