I always enjoy exhibitions but generally only attend the large national (or international) ones, so I'm rather looking forward to visiting the more compact Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show just up the road from me at Sandown Park Racecourse over the weekend (www.surrey.homebuildingshow.co.uk). As it's a consumer show rather than a trade event, I should be able to see what today's families are really being drawn to - and it will give me a break from all the football and tennis too!

And as I keep being let down by the various tradesmen that I pay to sort out my rather rundown Victorian semi, I'm planning to take in some of the seminars. The 'Tricks of the trade demonstrations' sound like a really good idea... and rather than attending the 'How to avoid cowboy builders' session I'm opting for 'How to skim plaster your walls' and 'How to tile your bathroom'.

That way, I won't need to worry about being fleeced by so many cowboy builders in the future, will I? For even if I don't plan to tackle these jobs myself, at least I'll be able to ask the right questions!

Jan Hobbs