Although it reflects the town’s mining heritage, you have to admit that the name Asbestos, given to a Quebec town, is not the most appealing. The Council have finally decided to change the name and drew up a shortlist of four to put before the electorate in mid-October.

Very worthy choices they were too – Phenix, the French word for a phoenix, Apalone, a species of turtle, Trois-Lacs, and Jeffrey, the name of the man who owned the town’s first asbestos mine. Unfortunately, none of them set the locals on fire with enthusiasm and the Council has decided to postpone the vote and seek some fresh options.

I’ve always said, once you have got asbestos, it is difficult to get rid of.