Pressing question of non-iron shirts

'NON-iron', like chocolate fudge cake for slimmers, is one of those fantasies suckers want to hear.In my bitter experience the only thing that makes non-iron garments non-ironable is if I get them creased out of the washing machine and don't iron them.

'NON-iron', like chocolate fudge cake for slimmers, is one of those fantasies suckers want to hear.

In my bitter experience the only thing that makes non-iron garments non-ironable is if I get them creased out of the washing machine and don't iron them.

Which is why I was not best pleased when my kids' north Norfolk high school changed its uniform policy this summer and decreed that pupils must wear long-sleeved white shirts all year round.

Previously I got a break this term when the children were allowed to wear short-sleeved, open-necked polo shirts which looked passably uncrumpled after line-drying.

But the new thinking is that the kids look, feel and act a lot smarter when dressed in collar and tie.

This photo represents two days-worth of my shirt ironing this week.

In a couple of weeks druids will be celebrating summer at Stonehenge, hugging boulders and blessing the rising of the sun on the longest day.

Meanwhile I'll be marking summer at home, gripping my Morphy Richards, and cursing the rising steam on an endless day of, not druidery, but drudgery.

So I appeal to all you governors of schools throughout north Norfolk - think a little more about the 'hard-pressed' working parents at the sharp end of your decisions.

Smart eh? Doesn't seem like such a smart idea to me.