What's with all this about January being such a dreary month? Indeed a crap, or even the crappest, as a couple of newspaper commentators have sneered. Ok, it's cold and the nights are long and dark, but it's got a lot going for it. Sharp, clear daytime skies, bracing air (cold has an upside if you see what I mean), can't beat toasting your buns in front of an open fire (who's going to do that in August?), and it's my Birthday coming up as well. See, lot going for it.

Today I launch the campaign to rehabilitate January. Time to bring this orphan month out of the cold in a manner of speaking.