believe Would you it?

Got a question? Get in touch through e-mail wouldyoubelieveit@dctmedia.co.uk or *write to “The People’s Friend”, 2 Albert Square, Dundee DD1 1DD.

I’d Like To Know Q

My granddaughter couldn’t believe that we used to get our fish and chips wrapped up in old newspaper. Just out of curiousity, can you tell us when this stopped? Mrs C.E., Aberdeen.

A

As you know, it was common for this traditional British staple to be served in newspaper – despite the fact the press ink would stain your fingers! It’s for this reason, as well as hygiene, that saw the practice fall out of favour around the 1980s onwards.

Of course, nostalgia has ensured that chips are now often sold in special food wraps made to look like newspaper, such as paper cones.

One thing is for sure, our enduring love of this culinary treat goes back many decades. There’s even a nod to fried fish in Charles Dickens’s “Oliver Twist” (1837), though mention of chips in the UK isn’t until around 1860. It was also one of the few foods not to be rationed in the UK.

Q

I recently received earrings made from freshwater cultured pearls. What exactly are these? Mrs F.G., Cardiff.

A

Freshwater pearls are just one type of cultured pearl, of which there are five main types. Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels in rivers and have human intervention to thank for helping create them, as opposed to the pearl forming naturally.

Q

My friend says there was a spin off British sitcom similar to “The Golden Girls”, which I love. What was the name of the UK version? Mrs S.H., Berwick-upon-tweed.

A

With a cast list of Sheila Hancock, Jean Boht, Sheila Gish and Wendy Craig, it’s surprising that “Brighton Belles” didn’t have success. The concept was based on the US sitcom “The Golden Girls”, though the UK offering only lasted for 11 episodes, from 1993-94.