A woman's fuming Facebook post after sending her husband Clive to buy a leg of lamb in Tesco has become the talk of Ramsbottom.
Rozalia Linder said she was "absolutely mortified" after discovering the price her husband Clive paid for the lamb, which swiftly went viral with likes and shares on Saturday night and became known as "Lambgate" on Ramsbottom forums.
The whole community was gripped by what was going to happen next after Clive's wife left the post fuming at the £30 price of leg of lamb he came back with from their local Tesco supermarket.
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Posting a picture of the whole leg of lamb on the public What's On in Ramsbottom forum, Rozalia said: "I sent Clive to Tesco for a leg of lamb… £30.86p!!!…
"Absolutely Mortified at the price!! He did question the price and accepted the answer and paid….. however, I’m not prepared to pay this!!
"Some families don’t even have £30 a week to feed their children …. Something Needs to be done….. I Will be taking this item back to Tesco tomorrow and asking for my money back!!!!!!"
Many echoed her comments that the price of lamb is getting very expensive these days, although many soon saw the funny side of the situation and pondered if poor Clive was now in the dog's house for his purchase.
Many commented that it's not Tesco's fault and that Clive wasn't "held hostage" to pay the price, to which Rozalia saw jokingly responded: "I’ve held him hostage… and he’s being tortured as I type."
Soon local businesses were chipping in with offers of support for Clive, while one resident set up a "CliveAid" gofundme page.
The Old Cobblers Inn wrote: "This post is for Clive, if you're in the what's on in Ramsbottom group you will understand. Clive get back in the good graces and pop in for a carvery cheaper than the £30 leg of lamb and served all day."
The Red Lion at Hawkshaw posted: "You will probably agree that Clive deserves a free Sunday roast, so Clive! bring your receipt for the lamb and we'll give you and your other half a complimentary roast #saveclive ".
The quips soon came rolling in, with some suggesting Ramsbottom should now be renamed Lambsbottom in Clive's honour.
Bill Higham joked: "I don't know why Clive is being lambasted".
Ben Price added: "I know how you feel. Bought some venison the other day, that was dead dear too."
"Clive are ewe ok," quipped another.
Graeme Shepherd said: "I bet Clive is feeling a bit sheepish right now..."
Adam Bracegirdle wrote: "Ramsbottom was famous for the urn, the steam train, and now Clive".
Anthony Pye said: "I think we need to take poor Clive for a Sunday drink as he's no chance of a Sunday roast."
Tell us about your supermarket shocks in the comments section.
On the more serious side of the debate, people had plenty to say about the staggering price increases over the past year, and the struggles many now face, which Rozalia insisted was the point she is trying to make.
Louise Ashworth Emmett said: "Seriously? You can get nearly a week's shopping in Aldi for that? That's so expensive."
Alex Kyoto Brown said: "Cost of living is rising. It's not poor Clive's fault."
And while CliveAid was initially a joke, it has now been set up as a genuine gofundme to help all those struggling with the cost of food in the Ramsbottom area.
Resident Cat Gillet wrote: "Seeing as tonight it’s been widely shared that the cost of food is ridiculous at the moment, I’ve set up a genuine CliveAid go fund me, for donations to Ramsbottom Pantry (local foodbank).
"Let’s do something positive for our community."
Ramsbottom's farming community also had plenty to say on the issues around meat pricing - and tried to explain just why lamb is so expensive - and that people can expect further hikes this year.
Alex Barbour wrote: "I'd encourage you to farm your own sheep and you will discover that the price you paid, is actually more than fair.
"£30 for a leg of lamb 4 years ago, would be too much, but now, with the current inflation, don't be surprised if the same leg of lamb is priced at £40 by the end of the year."
Rick Hartley added: "Think how much the farmer actually see's! If you want a full leg of lamb except that prices have increased due to a number of reasons, if you didn't want a full leg then maybe explain yourself to your partner better next time."
Kyle Connolly added: "Sorry but the price of lamb feed is £300+ a tonne. How can people expect us farmers to pay this and not get more money for our lambs. The profit margin is so small in farming and people are crying for spending £30 a leg of lamb.
"Just think about the 24 hour days farmers are putting in at lambing time. Some people need to realise how much goes into it with so little in return."
In the comments on her original post, Rozalia insisted she still planned to return the leg of lamb to Tesco on Sunday to complain about the price - and residents are now on the edge of their seats waiting for the next instalment in the drama.
Dave Brown wrote: "Whatever happens today this has cheered me up no end, long live lambgate."
