I wonder if anyone has ever conducted a survey of the psychological damage inflicted on children at this time of the year by those signs. For children it means the end of freedom - how traumatic is that?

"I don't care. I hate you, I hate you. Whatever, etc." all seem a quite rational response to the re-imposition of discipline: being forced to get up in the morning, to dress in unfashionable and ill-fitting school uniforms and bending to will of the educational establishment when parents were just soooooo easy to manage and manipulate.

For the smallest children it means the terrors of a first day at school, meeting new friends in unfamiliar environments and, in a sense, basically it's the end of childhood.

The stick "skoolmaster" is of course directed at equally parents as to the children. They remind parents on the one hand of the relief of being able to dispatch their bored and fractious offspring to the care of their teachers. On the other it is a reminder of the costs that will be incurred in forking out for school uniforms. And, with children's ever-growing feet, the time has come for the annual fight over which school shoes constitute "school shoe" that comply with the school's uniform code.

But it is not just children who are returning to a routine. The tan will last for a while longer, but the Greek tavernas, Spanish beaches and Florida's fantasy world are rapidly becoming distant memories. Happily digital photos don't fade.

For us, like many in the footwear trade, summer was not all holiday. While others were sunning themselves, we were dashing around the UK attending trade fairs in London and Birmingham. We were meeting and greeting the designers and makers of shoes trying to absorb the new styles and fashions that will hit the shops in the coming seasons. Over the next few months we will be doing our best to keep you informed about what's in and what's out so keep you abreast of the finest the fairs can offer.

When we talk about "Back to Work" for most of us it's heading for the office but for some it is "real work", physical work for which protective clothing has to be worn which is why in this edition we look at safety footwear.

Regardless of the layers of "Health & Safety" bureaucracy that are increasingly imposed on us we all want to be safe at work. For those working in construction, forestry and agriculture the choice of a pair of boots can mean the difference between life and death.

In this issue we have road tested one of the world's top brands of working boots made by Redwing. Redwing are the boot of choice in the dangerous professions of lumber jacking, roustabout on oil rigs and linesmen hanging and repairing electrical wires where slipping, slicing or electrocution are real considerations.

At work all of us are considering the challenges ahead: sales have been difficult as consumers pull in their belts because of the reality or perception that things are tough or getting tough. Will footwear be a victim of cuts in household spending or will fashion flourish as people seek relief in footwear from the fears and gloom of an uncertain world of work?

Meanwhile, we continue our informative (and hopefully entertaining) series on trainers that come with ‘a gym built-in'. This month we road test FitFlops, a sandal which the manufacturers claim is clinically proven to work your bum muscles more, has a significant effect on toning your thighs and helps reduce joint strain and absorb shock. Look out for Chung Shi's, the latest brand of exercise footwear to hit the market, coming soon, along with a pack of running shoes!

Best Regards

Cheryl Taylor

Editor

DL: 01622 862962

E: cheryltayloreditor@googlemail.com

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