Dear Mary: How do I get the treadmill hogs to move?

Q. I made a number of friends with other mothers when my sons were at school, and we have carried on meeting up for regular lunches. I can’t afford these now, as even ‘cheap’ restaurants seem to cost £35, but I can’t entertain at home for various reasons. What do you suggest?

– A.T., London SW12

A. Church halls are an under-exploited source of tasty lunches. The premises are usually clean and spacious and the atmosphere tends to be pleasant. At the Ascension Church in Balham, for example, you can have a cosy two-course lunch of toasties or wraps followed by cake and a drink for as little as £12. Rather than billing it as a cheapskate option, encourage your fellow mothers to help you support this community project.

Q. I have sent a goddaughter a rather expensive present as she has had a baby. It is bad enough that she has not written to thank me but how can I find out if she has even received it, without looking like I am hounding her for a thank-you letter?

– Name and address withheld

A. Send a text saying: ‘Just to let you know that if you have received a parcel from (name the shop), it is from me. That shop has a terrible reputation for not putting the gift message in.’ You should get a gushing text by return. Of course that won’t be good enough, and it’s time such lazy recipients were taught a lesson. When spending time with interested parties (e.g. their parents), steer the conversation around to will-writing. Do they agree that, where godchildren are concerned, it is tempting to give the most generous bequests to those who write to thank promptly?

Q. May I pass on a tip to readers? I know that Paperless Post is a convenient way to send invitations, but I miss having them on my mantelpiece. Consequently I have got hold of some ‘At Home’ and ‘You are invited’ cards and, when the Paperless Post invitations arrive, I write the details down. It reminds you about the party as you stoke the fire, and you have nice invitations to look at.

– A.E., Pewsey

A. What a good idea. Unless you already own ‘At Home’ or ‘You are invited’ cards, however, they will set you back roughly £2 each from Smythson (although that does include envelopes).

Q. I am in Kampala working and there is only a small gym in the hotel. There are two people on the treadmills and both are walking  – not running – and also chatting on their phones. How can I get them to move?

– R.H., Kampala, Uganda

A. Turn the air-con to max hot.