LOWTON adventurer Jackie Greaves, who six years ago survived a three day ordeal on a Scottish mountain, was featured in the fascinating TV programme "Storm Force".

The nation tuned in as mountaineer and school secretary Jackie told of the worst three days in her life when she became separated from fellow climbers by a freak storm in the Cairngorms.

She had fallen hundreds of feet onto a ledge and survived -30 degree temperatures through her knowledge, carrying survival gear, building a snow cave - and sheer guts.

Rescue teams eventually found her on the third day as she stumbled starving and exhausted down the slopes and was sniffed out by a dog named Solo.

The programme was fascinating, but I object to the way she was referred to as Greaves. I thought they only did that in boys' schools.

Surely Jackie would have been just as easy. Hunting out the bargains FANS of antiques might be interested to know that I visited one of the country's biggest fairs, Newark, the other week.

And who should be filming there but the trade's dishiest OTT dealer, David Dickinson.

He was making the popular programme, Bargain Hunt, with the blue and red teams and their experts.

After witnessing filming I can't for one minute believe the contestants only have one hour to search out the goodies from the thousands of stalls.

They spent ages around a not-so-old one-arm bandit.

It must take them nearly all day and it's still the best show of its kind. I can't wait for the new series. Becks is over the top tidy I PITY Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, living with a tidy freak.

I read that hubby, David, likes everything just so and lays his clothes out in preparation for the next day.

Years ago I existed in such a regimented house. It drove me mad.

The 50 or so herbs and spices had to be in alphabetical order on the shelf and everything put back in the cupboard in the same place, or there was hell to pay.

We had to have two of everything so we would never run out.

It's either a sign of insecurity or a seige mentality.

I like to be reasonably tidy at home but I can do without going over the top. There's being methodical and being ridiculous. Who does she think she is? TWO new quizzes have appeared on TV schedules 'The People Versus' and 'The Weakest Link'.

I didn't think the producers could do it, but the first is even more annoying than it's predecessor 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

I switched off after the first week after only seven questions were asked in half an hour.

'The Weakest Link' is more watchable. The teatime BBC2 quiz finds contestants answering a series of questions and then voting off the worst.

It's mad. They're supposed to get rid of the duffer in each round, but if they had any sense they'd vote off the best - then they'd put themselves in line for the prize money.

And who does snot box host Anne Robinson think she is? She's like a headmistress telling off naughty pupils who are not allowed to laugh.

It's certainly not a show for the faint hearted. £10 worth it to see doctor THE suggestion that people should pay £10 for consultations with their doctor has had a mixed reception.

It would certainly stop the moidering patients who turn up regularly with the slightest ailment.

But it could also put off those who desperately need some treatment.

I might consider paying if it meant I could get in on the day I'm ill. Single sex THE exam results published recently showed that girls have outshone the lads this year.

The powers that be have blamed laddism for the poorer show and called for split classes in some subjects.

Why not go the whole hog, back to single sex schools?

When we had the segregated grammar schools pupils had no distractions and no-one to impress - except the teachers. Why it's better to be a man

I SPOTTED an item in the Wigan Advanced Motorists' September newsletter which amused me.

Entitled "30 reasons why it's better to be a man" I'd like to share just a few of them with readers. And how true they are.

You never have to clean the toilet

You can open all your own jars

You don't need a second opinion to know your bum looks big in what you're wearing

You can go to the toilet without a support group

Throwing and catching objects is possible

You can wear a white shirt in the rain

You don't have to shave below the neck

Whoever complied the list has omitted the following:

You can whinge and moan that you're dying when you have a cold

You can only cook beans on toast

You don't know how to make the bed when you get out of it

You're incapable of putting dirty clothes in a linen basket

You're in charge of the hoofer doofer and irritate everyone by keep swapping channels

Etc etc ...