Those with long memories will recall that back in late 2009, an outraged Mrs Amanda J Threadbone dismissed journalistic speculation concerning the demise of her great relative the late Professor Brian Thrupiece in no uncertain terms. Clearly irritated by the constant inquiries, she minced few words and told The Belchalwell Evening Echo's fledgeling Social Media Correspondent - Bare Leaha Twitter - that where and when necessary she believed in giving journalists "an unwanted earful and a damned good mouthful".
As the years have passed we have come to know the careful planning which has often lain behind many of Mrs Threadbone's seemingly impromptu remarks and never more so than in the case of that "damned good mouthful": a signal in retrospect of the guiding philosophy behind the Threadboys chain of Burger Restaurants which, under the strap-line of "A Great Mouthful" has been feeding the population of the Dorset region for almost half a decade. This week it opened its 80th branch in Buckhorn Weston.
Reminded of that 2009 comment at the opening ceremony today where, accompanied by local councillor Eileen Nestfeatherer, she cut the ceremonial ribbon, Mrs Threadbone smiled knowingly, telling her interlocutor that when it came to giving someone a mouthful, she had been taught everything she knew by her late husband on the receiving end of whom she often found herself. "It is so typical of the woman that she would give credit to others" said Cllr Nestfeatherer", adding privately that she believed that "though the late Mr Threadbone was indeed always sticking his oar in so to speak, it rarely came to anything. Just ask that Spanish chap if you don't believe me: he was often on the receiving end too".
History apart, there can be little doubt that Threadboys has changed the West Country's view of the once ignoble hamburger: "it used to be just a cheap old meal we could all afford" said local resident Tim Broke-Tailor, "but what with this fancy gourmet stuff you need a six figure salary just for the chips. I'd love a medium rare with relish, but for the people round here, that's just fantasy land."
Find out more about THREADBOYS HERE
The Threadboys Gourmet Burger chain opened its 80th branch today. Locals would love to sample its wares but think there's little chance.