Christmas spenders
BRITISH consumers are expected to put Brexit uncertainty aside this Christmas and increase their spending over last year, a survey suggests.
British families will spend an average £821.25 on gifts, food, drink and decorations, up 1.3% on last year and 54% more than the European average of £532 (612.90 euro), according to figures.
Adults will spend an average £244 each on gifts, up 1.3% on last year and 51.5% more than the European average of £160.82 (185.28 euro). THE Duchess of Cornwall has demonstrated her talent for painting as she championed a healthy lifestyle for older people during a meeting with Singapore pensioners.
Camilla drew praise from a teacher when she showed off her artistic skills during a visit to the Tiong Bahru community centre yesterday in the city state. Under the watchful eye of class leader Ang Cheng Chye, the Duchess sketched out the animal with a brush and black ink – and joked with the press telling them: “This is a horse – I’m very happy to say.”
The artist said afterwards: “She was a very good painter. It looks like she may have had lessons. We’re going to frame this and put it on display.”
The Duchess is on an 11-day tour of south-east Asia and India with the Prince of Wales, and they began their day in the nearby market of Tiong Bahru where they surprised morning shoppers by buying fruit and vegetables, fish and household goods.
During her tour of the centre the Duchess also visited a range of classes aimed at “active ageing”, including Japanese flower arranging, yoga and cookery.
In a yoga class for the elderly, the 70-year-old Duchess advocated the benefits of stretching in later life.