Take a tip from June

This week, stretch your legs out and relax in the most helpful household anyone could wish for.

Welcome to June’s house

Hint and things is run by “a plump, old, grey wrinkly living in the south of England” (her words), called June Jackson. There’s a picture on the website showing June and her family, and it sets the tone for the whole edifice. June’s aim is to provide (I quote her again) “some of the information that used to be passed down from generation to generation… basic cooking, knitting, sewing, and gardening terms; advice on cutting costs etc. In fact the things you might ask your mum, dad, gran or grandad.”

The website’s contents are reached by way of a Cluedo-style ground plan of a house - baby toys and bullying in the nursery, bakeware and buying a turkey in the kitchen - but there is also a complete list in case you’re not sure where to find wedding venues (in the living room) or make-up tips (the bathroom).

Spot the wrinkles

I cannot begin to do justice to this site in a few brief paragraphs: it is a vast, sprawling collection of ideas, wrinkles (not just June’s!), opportunities and revelations. Sometimes there are links to shopping opportunities, but only (it seems) if June has decided that the product or service is worthwhile. She runs competitions, and cannily taps into other people’s competitions.

Take a peep through June’s front door - you’ll get a warm welcome, and come away with some useful (and a smattering of useless-but-fun) information.

(From the Gateway to Websites, select “Home & garden”. Hints and things is a Key Link)