Cakes, snowflakes and Andy Murray magic

It has become one of the common sights of working in an office: colleagues arranging a “surprise” party and celebrating birthdays with cake.

But now, there are fears that might become a thing of the past after Food Standards Agency chairwoman Professor Susan Jebb compared being around a few slabs of cake in the office to the impact of passive smoking.

Speaking personally, she said workers should stop testing the willpower of colleagues and added: “If nobody brought cakes into the office, I would not eat cakes.”

Unsurprisingly, her comments went down like a soggy bottom.

NIPPY DIPS

A four-time cancer survivor raised funds for charity by diving into the waters of the UK.

Tim Crossin, a 59-yearold former Royal Marine Commando from Poole, was on a tour of Scotland.

Having already braved the chill on the Isle of Skye, Ullapool and Spean Bridge, Mr Crossin and three fellow commandos took a dip alongside Nessie on Wednesday.

UP HELLY AA

One of the world’s most famous fire festivals returns to Lerwick for the first time in two years this month with organisers promising spectacular pyrotechnics.

On Tuesday January 31, the Jarl squad will march through Lerwick with the galley before going round care homes and schools. Then, in the evening, they will lead a torch-lit procession, prior to the ceremonial burning of the boat, pictured inset top.

Committee secretary Robert Geddes said: “We all grow up with it, so for it to be postponed for the first time, it’s been unusual. But people will definitely recognise the

festival as it was.”

LONG LIFE

Sister Andre, a French nun and the world’s oldest known person, who lived through two world wars, 18 presidents of her country, the 1918 influenza pandemic and who survived Covid-19, died at the grand old age of 118. She was known to be a gourmet. For her 117th birthday, she ate a hearty dish of roasted capon, cheese and a dessert similar to a baked Alaska. She also enjoyed a daily diet of wine and chocolate.

BRUCE FAREWELL

Veteran radio presenter Ken Bruce stepped back from his Radio 2 morning show after 31 years to join Greatest Hits Radio.

He has hosted his show since 1992, presiding over popular features such as PopMaster and Tracks of My Years.

COLD SNAP

Heavy snow fell in Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands and Islands and caused treacherous driving and walking conditions.

Many Highland, Aberdeenshire and Shetland schools were closed as a result of the weather which led to several weather warnings. Aberdeen City’s primary routes – around 50% of the city’s roads – were gritted twice overnight in preparation for the forecast weather.

Yet many were in a dreadful condition on Wednesday and Thursday.

NO 10 VISIT

A young Ukrainian woman called Lena, pictured inset above, and her host, Councillor John

Stuart, were invited to Number 10 Downing Street by UK Government minister Michael Gove.

The invitation was sparked after the Conservative politician read a Press and Journal article in which she spoke about Buckie being her safe haven.

Lena said: “It was surreal and strange. We couldn’t believe it until we got there.”

GRACELAND LEGACY

Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland mansion will stay in the family after the death of his only child, Lisa Marie Presley.

The 54-year-old singer died earlier this month after suffering a cardiac arrest and her three daughters, Riley, Harper and Finley, will inherit the Tennessee estate.

MURRAY A MARVEL

Andy Murray, pictured inset left, produced a thrilling reminder of his talents when he beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini – the 2021 Wimbledon finalist – in the first round of the Australian Open.

The Scot was pushed all the way during an epic five-set tussle which had the Melbourne crowd in raptures before he sealed victory at the end of a marathon match.

Not bad for somebody who announced his retirement at the same venue in 2019!

GOODBYE TO GINA

Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian actor who was once called “the most beautiful woman in the world”, died at the age of 95.

Through the 1950s and 60s, she was one of the world’s most desired performers and starred in a number of European and American films opposite many of Hollywood’s leading men of the day, including Humphrey Bogart, who said: “She makes Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple.”