LOVE it or hate it?

That’s the challenge when it comes to Marmite.

It was a challenge taken up by Cleckheaton-born journalist and former Huddersfield College of Technology student, Maggie Hall.

Her home is now in Washington DC but she has returned from the United States, where she has lived for many years, to launch a book on the stick subject.

She will be doing a book signing session at the at the Red Brick Mill in Batley tomorrow afternoon.

The book, ‘The Mish-Mash Dictionary of Marmite: an anecdotal A-Z of ‘Tar-in-a-Jar’, is a quirky read about all things linked to the gooey spread, Marmite.

Maggie, who spent 20 years working for the Daily Mirror having started her career on local newspapers in Dewsbury, said, “I was totally and utterly surprised, time and time again, at the things I discovered and unearthed.

“I ended up with an informative and entertaining array of stories, serious and silly.

“All were brought together by Tar-in-a-Jar”.

The signing is no ordinary affair. Maggie will be at the Barca Cafe at the Redbrick Mill from 2pm until 4pm handing out Marmite treats along with signing books of Marmite fans.

And she wants to meet both lovers and haters of the sticky treat to go along.

She said “Even those who can’t stand the black goo should come along.

“There is quite a bit of stuff in the book that can be used as ammunition for them to hurl at those who love it.

“As I researched Marmite, from its beginnings as yeast-waste from the brewing industry to its use today in the finest restaurants, I realised Marmite has a global grip on palates and minds” she said.

“This is not the first we’ve heard of this gooey craze, Marmite has been around since 1902 and since then has captured the hearts of the nation”.

Maggie hasn’t returned to her former stomping ground for over 25 years and is excited about her appearance in the Barca Cafe.

“In my early days as a reporter in the area it was a mill. Now it’s a Bond Street of the North”.