A sad farewell to an old Google search rival

Writers are more prone than most to search for themselves on Google, if only to keep an eye out for reviews. For many years I've had a friendly rivalry with Brian Clegg art supplies as to who comes out on top in those searches - but now, I'm sad to learn that the company has gone into receivership.

The firm dates back to 1973, and for years has been a leading supplier of art materials to British primary schools and beyond. What's more, it was established in the town where I lived for my first 22 years, Rochdale in Lancashire - a town that has suffered more than most in a post-industrial world, and will be hit hard by the redundancies.

Inevitably we sometimes get confused with each other. I occasionally get emails about paint, and an old work colleague just the other day emailed to say he was impressed to see my paint-based sideline. I might have sometimes moaned in the past when they beat me to that top spot (when I looked just now they were still there)... but it's really sad to see them go.

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