During the last few weeks, I have noticed a bit of a ‘Granny’ bias in our media.

Under 30s, who are currently experiencing an increase in positive tests for COVID-19, have been asked ‘not to kill granny’ by unwittingly spreading the virus to elderly relatives. They are reminded that, whilst happily mixing with friends at school, college or university (or late in the evening in the parks if my village is anything to go by), they run the risk of contracting the virus and taking it home to those who could be much more vulnerable.

An excellent cartoon has been doing the rounds in the media.

And the BBC has been sharing Granny’s Top Tips to get through Lockdown.

But where is the concern for the grandads!? Particularly when males seem to face twice the risk of dying from the virus than females?

This absence made me think about what my own dad (sadly no longer with us) would have thought of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown. Such thoughts also suggested a possible reason for the lack of mention of grandads in the media, in that he would have been thoroughly grumpy about the whole thing, probably exploring every conspiracy theory and very, VERY grudgingly following the guidance (not sure how you control that in a clinical trial…).

However, when I discussed it with mum, we did think he would have been particularly interested in something close to his heart, that I feel is on the verge of a revolution.

Sales.

My dad had many roles his life, working in many sectors and running several businesses, but at his heart, he was a salesman. Not in the ‘hard sell’ kind of way, but what he did do was take a great deal of satisfaction in matching customers up with products that were utterly perfect for their particular needs.
He was skilled at quickly getting to know the customer and tailoring his approach to suit. Customers enjoyed the process, and when going through some old papers recently, we found some letters that he had received when he sold his book shop and then his shoe shop. (Yes, I was lucky enough to have a dad that was not only an expert in books and shoes, but did not grudge spending on either!)

So why, when restrictions have decreased footfall on the high streets and driven businesses away, do I think my dad would be excited about the future? Well, I think he would have seen the potential to properly connect with customers online.

I have recently subscribed to a local milk delivery, a Iocal veg box and a fish box, I get meat delivered from the local butcher and I have used the village shop more than ever before. So I was delighted to hear that The Rural Youth Project has plans underway to establish a ‘smart village’ which will encourage young people to build vibrant, creative, and sustainable rural economies in the places they call home. I am particularly excited about the marketplace where young people can sell products and services. As a buyer, I know that by purchasing products from the village ‘shops’, for every pound I spend, I will be supporting a Scottish young person who in turn will be investing back into the local rural community.

The smart village will be a ‘super-connected’ community that will function as a space for young people to connect, to build or expand their enterprise and leadership skills as well as their ‘sales pitch’! The online space will support networking among the young people, enabling mentoring relationships to grow – both among their peers and also older business and community leaders. My dad would have LOVED that opportunity, he was a keen supporter of ‘start ups’ and happy to share advice (whether sought or not!).
COVID-19 may have separated people, disrupted the markets and be leading to an uncertain future for many of us, but the forced ‘embrace’ of technology and online solut

ions also presents a great opportunity. My own experience suggests that it really is becoming easier to find local produce and to directly support new businesses.
We are also in the midst of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight (5 to 20 September). This annual celebration aims to shine a spotlight on the suppliers, products and people who contribute to Scotland’s £15 billion food and drink industry.  2020 focuses on the local legends who have kept our stomachs and fridges full throughout the Coronavirus lockdown and beyond, and who continue to make Scotland’s larder the envy of the world. Search for local producers here.

Personally, I think my dad would have been excited by opportunities on the horizon. I am sure that if he were still with us, once the conspiracies had been exhausted, he would use his terrifyingly effective Google skills to find intriguing businesses, new products and young entrepreneurs to get behind, whilst at the same time having a grump at the ongoing restrictions…