I’m gonna party like it’s 1989

Here in Dorset the Credit Crunch is tightening its grip. Everyone has different strategies for dealing with it, some less successful than others (sacking the man who mowed – and has always mown - the lawn for example has not proved altogether politically shrewd).

Rather than ruffling feathers, people round here seem to favour displacement tactics and are avoiding the Crunch by immersing themselves in the past. In a couple of weeks we've got a weekend of Medieval Jousting to look forward to. Every Monday night we're offered the chance to return to the Fifties and 'jive' in the village hall. And this weekend saw the entire village at war: tanks, evacuations, Germans, bunting and spirit-rousing get-togethers.

Alternatives to this seem thin on the ground. And as for Gordon's suggestion that we can beat the Crunch with a 'Good Work Ethic' and by 'Aiming Higher', well, I mean, look at him! No one could have worked harder or aimed higher. And yes it landed him the top job, but has it made him a) younger b) wiser or c) happy?

Other options include stumbling upon a cache of an environmentally sound alternative to oil. Until that happens, perhaps dodging the present is the best option. If it's a choice between that, working harder and staying in and sobbing on the bed, then I say we should go all out. Let's do the Eighties. A couple of months of living it large like we did back then - when everyone drove everywhere, drank champagne, did cocaine off each other and Dallas was on every Wednesday - will do no one any harm. Particularly when teamed with a spot of Medieval Jousting. ·