OFFERS OF WORK FLOOD IN FOR HEATHER

Offers of work are flooding in for Heather Mills after her success on Dancing with the Stars (the U.S. version of Come Dancing), amongst them an invitation to be a stand-in host on CNN show Larry King Live. I have personally never watched Dancing with the Stars as we don’t get it here but I’ve seen internet videos of Heather in action dancing and also American friends have e-mailed and told me all about it.

Heather has come in for a lot of bad press recently, particularly from Beatles fans who see her as a gold digger who seduced a vulnerable Paul McCartney after the death of Linda. Heather may have her faults but there are two sides to everything. Love her or hate her, you have to admit Heather is a very gutsy lady and very brave too attempting some of the stunts like the backflip in Dancing with the Stars. Heather has survived two public votes to remain in the show for the time being anyway. She is definitely an inspiration to those who have lost limbs and living proof that you can still dance, do sports and have fun and live your life to the full. Beatles fans will hate me for saying so but good luck Heather – you’ve got my vote, for your sheer grit and determination if nothing else!

PHOTO:- Courtesy of Yahoo News

NEWSPAPER POLL PAINTS UNFLATTERING PICTURE OF BLAIR LEADERSHIP

According to a recent newspaper poll six out of ten voters believe that Britain has become a worse place to live since Tony Blair came to power. No surprise there then. Many people believe Mr Blair has been in office for too long. If these findings are anything to go by, Mr Blair has definitely outstayed his welcome at No 10 that’s for sure. They certainly paint a less than flattering picture of his premiership.

Other voters believe that Britain is now a more dangerous and less happy place to live than before Mr Blair came to power. Chancellor Gordon Brown also suffered a blow when a Sunday Times poll revealed that over half of Britons believe he is unfit to lead the country, despite being hot favourite to succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister.

HARRY'S INVISIBILITY CLOAK COULD BECOME REALITY

As most of you know, I’m a big Harry Potter fan, having read all the books and seen all the films. The books are so well written and the special effects so good that you almost feel sometimes that you are there alongside Harry, enjoying his many adventures. One of the boy wizard’s most famous “props” is his invisibility cloak which allows him to roam Hogwarts’ library in the middle of the night, without being discovered.

The Harry Potter stories are fiction but it seems that fiction is about to become reality as scientists at an Indiana University have discovered how to create a real-life invisibility cloak. Apparently only last year, physicists discovered the complex mathematical equations for bending light around objects to make them invisible. University engineers have now used these calculations to create a device that could eventually make objects the size of a plane just disappear into thin air. If the university can secure funding, a prototype device could be up and running within two to three years. Fascinating stuff!

HAPPY EASTER!

This year has gone by so fast. I can't believe it's already Easter again. The happiest news this Easter is the release of the British hostages being held in Iran. Having them home safe and well is the best Easter gift their families could ever have. The saddest news is the loss of four British soldiers killed by a bomb in Iraq. Our hearts go out to their families at this sad time.

Easter has become so commercialised now with Easter eggs for sale in some shops since February! It's so easy to forget the true meaning of Easter. In Christianity, Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper, the agony in the garden and Jesus’s arrest. For centuries, people in authority have washed the feet of their followers on this day. In England, the Queen traditionally presents “Maundy” money to pensioners (nominated by clergy of various denominations), for their service to the church. Good Friday remembers Jesus’s death on the cross and how he died to save us all. Easter Saturday is the final day of Lent. Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’s resurrection. Happy Easter everybody!

THE QUEEN HELPING TO SAVE THE PLANET

The Queen has hired a team of consultants to carry out a detailed audit of the carbon emissions at her official residences, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyroodhouse. A spokesman said that the royal household had been taking “environmental measures” for the past 10 years but this was the first time an audit had been done. As part of these measures, all vehicles of state used by Her Majesty have already been converted to run on LPG (liquid petroleum gas). It’s nice to see the Queen doing her bit to save the planet and setting a good example to the rest of us and to the other members of the royal family.

LINK TO RED MEAT AND BREAST CANCER

A Leeds University study has discovered that older women who eat even small amounts of red meat raise their risk of breast cancer by 50%. Apparently younger women who eat red meat every day also put themselves at increased risk of developing the disease. Frightening news.

As meat is an important source of protein, experts suggest having it as a treat once a week and the rest of the time having chicken and fish. Perhaps it’s a good time for all of us to take stock of our diets and consider eating more vegetarian meals or even going completely vegetarian.

D.I.Y. DISASTERS RIFE IN BRITAIN

As we head towards Easter, many British people will be taking advantage of the big Bank holiday weekend to catch up on D.I.Y. tasks around the house. However not all of them will run smoothly, with many jobs ending in disaster. According to a recent survey around 17% of the population have had D.I.Y. disasters, many of them so bad that they have resulted in insurance claims! Apparently two of the main areas where problems occur are in electrical and plumbing jobs, which one in ten people admit tackling even though they don’t have a clue what they’re doing. At the other end of the scale, up to two thirds of the population take on D.I.Y. tasks without having the proper tools to do the job. No wonder it can take many people up to three years to finish a basic job!

BOOK COVERS FOR FINAL HARRY POTTER SAGA REVEALED

Book publishers Bloomsbury revealed the covers for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” this week as a taster to whet the appetite of the boy wizard’s fans, prior to the book’s release on 21st July. The covers will be used on the English version of the final saga of the Harry Potter series throughout the world, except the U.S. which will carry a different design. The children’s version features Harry and his companions Hermione and Ron looking all grown up, whilst the adult version features a photo of a locket which carries the serpentine “S” which is believed to be where the evil Lord Voldemort keeps a small part of his soul.

Meanwhile JK Rowling has expressed her sadness at ending Harry Potter’s adventures. The author writes on her website, “I always knew that Harry's story would end with the seventh book, but saying goodbye has been just as hard as I always knew it would be." Harry will be sadly missed by his millions of fans around the world, including myself.

BORAT TO BECOME A DAD

Congratulations to Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen on the news that he is to become a dad. Apparently Sacha and his partner Isla Fisher couldn’t contain their excitement at becoming parents and revealed their happy news to friends in a Los Angeles pub. According to sources the happy couple couldn’t stop hugging and kissing!

GREEN TEA CAN HELP FIGHT HIV

British scientists at Sheffield University have discovered that drinking green tea can help fight HIV, the virus that leads to Aids. A compound in the tea prevents the virus from binding to cells in the immune system. A university professor stated that the tea could reduce the risk of infection and slow down the spread of the virus. However he stressed that it wasn’t a cure but could be used to improve the quality of life of those affected by the HIV virus. The current number of UK residents with the virus has risen to over 63,000.

Meanwhile tea connoisseurs believe that the tea purchased by most UK shoppers is amongst the worst tea in the world. Apparently experts say that many supermarket own-brand tea bags are nothing more than dust and water stuffed into a bag! So now we know!

SOLE SURVIVORS

A poll for Hi-tec sports shoes revealed that people walk an average of 70,000 miles in their lifetime. That’s the equivalent of three times round the world! Wow!

CAMERA PLANS PROVOKE PUBLIC FURY

Plans revealed by Tony Blair this week to put “facial recognition” cameras on the streets of Britain were met by a furious public response. Apparently the idea is that the cameras will be able to spot criminals by matching pictures with electronic “maps” of their faces stored on a computer. What if the technology goes wrong and an innocent person is targeted? I don’t think this has even been considered. They say everyone has a double so an innocent person could easily be mistaken for a criminal who looks uncannily like them. Mr Blair believes that the new system will be a way to combat 21st century crime.

Critics argue that the new system will lead to less police on the streets and pose a serious threat to our civil liberties. Many people believe the cameras will lead to a society as in George Orwell’s 1984 novel where people’s every move is monitored. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that the government are also going to put hidden cameras into bricks and baked bean cans to catch residents who put their rubbish out on the wrong day! This would be funny if it wasn’t so petty and yet another waste of taxpayers’ hard earned money! It certainly feels as if Britain is turning into a “Big Brother is watching” society. Love them or loathe them, cameras of any description are no substitute for good policing, something that’s sadly lacking in this country.

BRITISH SUMMERTIME

We put the clocks forward one hour on Sunday to mark British Summertime. I'm really enjoying the lighter evenings and not having to drive home from work in the dark! Now all we need is some Summer weather to go with it! Roll on Summer!

DANIEL CRAIG VOTED BEST ACTOR

James Bond star Daniel Craig has been voted Best Actor by readers in the Empire Magazine awards. The 007 actor beat Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen, Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio to the title. Casino Royale was named Best Film. Empire Magazine readers obviously have good taste!

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

HOGWARTS EXPRESS WRECKED BY VANDALS

The Hogwarts Express, the train used in the Harry Potter movies has been wrecked by teenage vandals as it stood in a depot at Carnforth in Lancashire. The train is now in need of the boy wizard’s magic touch, after 230 windows were smashed causing £50,000 worth of damage, which will take several weeks to repair and could result in job losses if other repair work has to be left. Hammers used to shatter the toughened glass windows were left at the scene. Six youths were seen fleeing but so far no arrests have been made. The train carries Harry and his school friends from London’s Kings Cross to Hogwart’s in the fictional movie adventures. I personally can’t believe how anybody can do something like this. Youths who do things like this have no respect for anything or anybody. It is just wanton destruction. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.

LINK BETWEEN HEAVY METAL MUSIC & INTELLIGENCE

Warwick University researchers have found a link between heavy metal music and intelligence. It seems that children with high IQ’s often feel isolated and seek solace in listening to heavy metal bands like Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath. One researcher said that talented pupils appreciate hard rock as it’s quite a challenging form. So there we go.

*This post has been submitted to:-

The Brain Blogging Carnival

GORDON BROWN DELIVERS 2007 BUDGET

Chancellor Gordon Brown delivered his 2007 budget this week, his final one as Chancellor. An opinion poll reveals that almost half of voters believe they will be worse off despite a 2p cut in the basic rate of income tax, making it the lowest for 75 years. Critics accused Mr Brown of giving with one hand and taking with the other as the abolishment of the bottom ten percent tax rate was announced. In general the budget was well received as being good for families, good for business and good for the environment, paving the way to No. 10 for Mr Brown. The Chancellor plans to put more money into education, whilst businesses will gain from a cut in corporation tax. In addition Mr Brown plans sharp increases in road tax for gas guzzling vehicles.

LEMON OIL ADDS ZEST TO DIFFICULT JOURNEYS

Middlesex University researchers have discovered that the smell of lemons whilst driving adds zest to difficult journeys and generally improves driving performance. You can now buy car vapourisers that plug into the cigarette lighter socket. Pop some lemon scented aromatherapy oil in and away you go. What a good idea. Lemon and Orange scented aromatherapy oils are good for keeping you awake, focused and alert. Maybe more British drivers should try this. It might help prevent some of the accidents on the road.

MADONNA LAUNCHES NEW FASHION COLLECTION

Madonna fans made a beeline for H & M stores this week as the material girl launched her new fashion collection. Garments from the M by Madonna 30 piece fashion collection were quickly snapped up by eager shoppers after they went on sale at the store chain. Leather trench coats, kimono dresses and sequinned shift dresses were amongst the most popular items.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

CORPSES GETTING BIGGER

I smiled when I heard that a crematorium in Kings Lynn, Norfolk is having wider furnaces installed to accommodate the growing number of fat corpses. Yet more evidence of the growing obesity problem in Britain!

TONY AND THE TERMINATOR JOIN FORCES TO SAVE THE PLANET

Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair has a big fan in the shape of Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger. It seems to be a case of life imitating art as California governor Arnold vowed to win the battle to save the planet and give California a green makeover. Mr Schwarzenegger described Tony Blair as an “action hero” and an “inspiration” to many countries of the world, after Mr Blair unveiled the Climate Change Bill. If it becomes law, the Bill will make Britain the first country to forcibly cut the greenhouse gasses blamed for global warming. The new plans mean that Britain must slash carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050. The two men recently exchanged ideas on how to save the planet in a video conferencing call.

Meanwhile Harry Potter author JK Rowling has done her bit to save the planet by having the latest saga of the boy wizard, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, printed on paper from recycled pulp and sustainable forests.

LONDON NAMED GLOBAL CAPITAL OF 21ST CENTURY

London has been named the global capital of the 21st century by New York magazine. The influential American publication pays tribute to London in its latest issue, extolling the virtues of London’s financial, cultural and culinary benefits. The magazine also praises London’s architectural skyline and thriving arts and theatre scene. London has always been a very vibrant city, definitely one of the jewels in England’s crown. I always enjoy my visits there.

For more information on London, particularly if you are planning a visit there, go to:- http://www.visitlondon.com/

N.B. This was originally posted over at Diary From England in March 07

DIARY FROM ENGLAND HEADS FOR THE CARNIVAL

Diary From England will be participating in the Gonzo World Carnival being held at:-

http://www.savesavesave.blogspot.com/

You can find all the entry details on the above website or by going to Kilroy’s blog:-

http://kilroythegonzopapers.blogspot.com/


The deadline for entries is 11.59pm on 16th March so get your posts in fast!

All carnival posts will be on line from Monday 19th March onwards. I'm sure there'll be some good ones. Don't forget to go over and have a look!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day in England, a special day when we can show our Mum just how much we love and appreciate her! Traditionally Mother’s Day has always been celebrated (in Britain), on the fourth Sunday of Lent since about the 16th century. The original roots of Mother’s Day probably lie in the church festival of “Refreshment Sunday”, when traditionally people would go back to visit their “Mother” church, i.e. the church where they were baptised. As time went by this custom changed to using the day for people to honour their mothers rather than the church. I’m taking my own Mum out for a meal to celebrate her special day! Happy Mothers Day to any mums reading this!

WASTEFUL BRITISH FAMILES THROWING AWAY A THIRD OF FOOD

A shocking report published this week reveals that wasteful British families throw away a third of the food they buy. Apparently most families buy more food than they need, storing it in fridges that are too warm and allowing it to go out of date. As somebody who was brought up not to waste food and always reminded that there were lots of starving children in the world by my dad, I can never understand why people do this. They should spare a thought for the thousands of starving people in third world countries who have nothing. They would appreciate just a small amount of the food we cast on one side and throw away. Many people in the west just don’t appreciate how lucky they are.

HOUND WITH A TASTE FOR TEETH

I smiled when I heard about the Jack Russell terrier who swallowed his owner’s false teeth. His owner discovered the teeth missing and realised what had happened when she saw the dog looking at her with a sheepish expression on his face. Fortunately he lived to tell the tale, after having them removed in a 3 hour operation. The mischievous hound has previously munched on slippers, shoes and tv wires!

BAN TO BE LIFTED ON HOSPITAL MOBILE PHONE USE

After a public outcry over the cost of the pay as you go hospital telephone services, the ban on mobile phone use in British hospitals is set to be lifted within weeks. Mobile phone use is currently banned in hospitals. Under the current system, anyone wanting to make a phone call is obliged to use one of the hospital bedside pay as you go telephone services run by private companies and costing up to 50p a minute! Many patients and relatives have complained about running up massive phone bills for the privilege of using them. In the past it was argued that mobile phones interfered with hospital equipment. However experts have found that in most wards they don’t cause any problems. In the future mobile phone use by staff, patients and their visitors will be allowed in communal areas of hospitals.

OFFICE WORKERS MORE AT RISK FROM DVT THAN AIR TRAVELLERS

Doctors warned this week that office workers who spend several hours a week sitting in front of a computer, are more at risk of deep vein thrombosis that air travellers. Apparently a third of people admitted to hospital with deadly blood clots and deep vein thrombosis were those who had sat at a desk for long periods of time. Apparently some people spend a staggering 14 hours sedentary and working at a desk without moving. Frightening news! I think the key is to take regular breaks and walk around, if only to get a tea or coffee. Employers owe it to the health and wellbeing of their staff to give them some break times away from their desks. As most of you know, I spend several hours a week desk-based but I’m lucky as I have a good employer and I’m able to take several breaks away from my desk. Sadly some employees in this country aren’t so lucky.

MINIMUM WAGE 17P INCREASE ANNOUNCED

The news that the minimum wage is to be increased by the paltry sum of 17p sparked an outcry from many of Britain’s workforce this week. The meagre amount doesn’t even cover the cost of a second class stamp! It’s an insult to the hard working people of Britain.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCOA

Scientists revealed this week that Epicatechin, a compound found in cocoa can dramatically reduce your chances of developing major illnesses and its health benefits may rival Penicillin in terms of importance to public health. They made their discoveries after studying the Kuna tribe in Panama, who drink a staggering 40 cups of cocoa a week! Good news for cocoa lovers everywhere or maybe not! It seems the cocoa that the Kuna tribe drink is a homemade version, rich in flavenols, notably Epicatechin, which are usually removed from commercial cocoas sold in the western world as they make it taste too bitter. Maybe manufacturers should have a re-think and put the flavenols back in, as scientists claim that drinking cocoa containing these could cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes to less than 10 per cent. Definitely food for thought.

SHILPA MEETS THE QUEEN

The Queen of Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty met The Queen of England this week at a Westminster Abbey multi-faith service to mark Commonwealth Day. During the service Shilpa who was at the centre of a global race row during her time on Big Brother, spoke of the importance of tolerance, respect and understanding of other cultures. This is more important than ever today in our multi-cultural society. Shilpa Shetty has become a household name in the U.K. after winning Celebrity Big Brother. In addition to meeting the Queen, Shilpa has also been welcomed into the Houses of Parliament and met Prime Minister Tony Blair.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

NURSES TOLD TO SMILE MORE

The latest government suggestion announced this week to improve the National Health Service is to make nurses smile more! Not sure exactly how they’re going to go about doing this with the current crisis situation in the NHS. Apparently research has suggested that some of the problems in the NHS are caused by the “unfriendly image” of the staff. The suggestion provoked an angry reaction from The Royal College of Nursing after it was made within one week of nurses being told they would receive a staged, below inflation pay rise. On top of this, we have hospital closures and cuts, resulting in massive job losses. No wonder staff morale is so low in the NHS. It should come as no surprise to the government that nurses are so unhappy. They are already trying to do their best for patients with often limited resources, as hospital funding is cut to the bone. It doesn’t sound like nurses have much to smile about to me! Instead of coming up with stupid suggestions, the government should wake up and face up to the reality of what’s happening in the NHS and find a solution as a matter of urgency, for the sake of everyone in Britain.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BRITISH BOBBY

When trying to get the best credit cards possible you may want to find out what credit offers you'd be eligible for, as you might be able to get a business credit card superior to most credit card plans. Your region is also important, such as the difference between UK credit cards and those in the US


I’ve had an enquiry from a cyberfriend and fellow Blog Villager Janey Loree from

PJs Paper Doll Cut Outs

regarding the origins of the British “bobby”. PJ’s specialise in creating books of handmade paper dolls. They sell a lot of other interesting items for children as well if you'd like to go over and pay them a visit. Janey has just introduced some new little animal paper dolls and one of them is Peppy the little Sheppy, an old timey cop. "Bobby" is an English expression used to describe a British policeman or cop as our American neighbours refer to them. The term “bobby” was first used many years ago and is derived from Sir Robert Peel who was the Home Secretary in England when the Metropolitan Police Force was created in the 1800’s. The British “bobby” is still to this day a treasured icon in England. However nowadays you're more likely to see them on motorcycles, in police cars or even on horseback rather than pounding the beat on foot like they used to in the old days. ("Pounding the beat" is another British expression. It means walking round the streets looking for any wrong doing).

Other expressions we use to describe a British policeman are “Plod”, which comes from the policeman character of Mr Plod in Enid Blyton’s Noddy stories and “Copper” which comes from the expression “copping” which literally means watching what criminals are up to and catching them. I hope that answers your question Janey.

P.S. You might also be interested to know that one of the most popular expressions we associate with the British "bobby" is, "Hello, hello what's goin' on here?". It's a popular line used on tv and in comedy sketches where policemen are featured.

BANK OF ENGLAND LAUNCHES NEW-STYLE £20 NOTE

A new style £20 note featuring 18th century economist, Adam Smith has been launched by the Bank of England. The banknote also includes a number of new security features designed to stamp out counterfeiting. Most Britons have never heard of Adam Smith who is the first Scot to feature on a banknote. The current £20 note features composer Sir Edward Elgar.

In October this year, the Bank of England accidentally circulated up to forty £10 notes which are blank on one side due to a misprint. Apparently the notes still count as legal tender and are selling on Ebay for £260 each! Wow!

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF BBC WEBSITE

*£20 note story originally posted March 2007

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

As some of you know, I love to travel. I’ve visited lots of interesting places over the years but it’s always good to get home to England or “Blighty” as it’s affectionately known by some of us Brits. As soon as you hear Big Ben’s chimes and see the red buses and black cabs, you know you’re home! It’s always nice to get back after a trip and sit down with a cup of English tea. It never tastes the same abroad. Also favourite things like HP sauce, Bisto gravy granules, Marmite and Cadburys chocolate are virtually unheard of in some parts of the world. One of the things I particularly like about England is the fact we have a Royal family and a Monarch to rule over us. Despite having just celebrated her 80th birthday, the Queen shows no signs of slowing down and is still one of the hardest working members of the Royal family. We badly need a change of government but you can’t have everything in this life! England is also the land that gave us Shakespeare and many other famous writers including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Harry Potter’s creator J K Rowling. Screen icons Elizabeth Taylor and Bob Hope were both born here. Lots of great bands have also originated here including The Beatles, The Rowling Stones, Queen and Oasis.

England has a special place in a lot of people’s hearts including mine. Singer Tom Jones missed the “green green grass of home” so much that he had a red telephone box shipped over to his American home which now takes pride of place in his back garden, a nostalgic reminder of his English roots. Sadly the famous red telephone boxes have now been replaced by newer more modern looking boxes. With the invention of mobiles, phone boxes are now a rare site in England. Thankfully some red postboxes still remain. There's no place like home!

MACABRE PACKAGES RECEIVED IN DELIVERY ERROR

I smiled when I heard about the American couple who were awaiting delivery of a table they ordered on E-bay and instead received two mystery packages which were meant for delivery to a medical research lab. Upon opening the packages the shocked couple discovered a head and a liver which had been delivered to their home in error by DHL. Investigators now fear a further 28 organs could be wrongly delivered. It looks like there are even more shocks in store for some unsuspecting people!

FREE HAIRCUTS AND CLOTHES FOR JOBSEEKERS

The government announced this week that long-term job seekers would be helped to find work by offering them free haircuts, tattoo removal, new suits and smart clothes. I wonder if they’ll be offered the new stain-resistant “wipe and go” Permatech cotton shirt just launched by Asda this week. Sounds like a good idea to me!

Meanwhile the world’s first aerodynamic umbrella which its makers claim can withstand a Force 10 gale without turning inside out was launched this week. The Senz created by a Dutch firm, will be sold for £35. Good idea but that’s a lot of money to pay for a humble brolly! Wonder if it sings and dances as well?

ECCLES CAKE TO BE PART OF EU CELEBRATIONS

The humble Lancashire Eccles cake was in the news this week. The fruity Lancashire delicacy has been chosen, along with the hot cross bun as the UK’s entry in a bakery festival in Berlin, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union. Each of the 27 EU member states will be able to choose two of their favourite cakes to enter. The UK’s entry will sit alongside strudel and gateaux, when the festival takes place later this month. Eccles cakes are now famous throughout the world with exports to several countries including the U.S. and The West Indies. They’re a popular British favourite, a welcome addition to any table. The Germans are notorious pastry addicts. I’m sure they’ll grow to love them as much as we Brits do!

BRITISH DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE CARPETS AND SWIMMING LESSONS

British doctors could soon be prescribing thick pile carpets and swimming lessons alongside the usual prescription medicines and drugs under new government plans announced this week by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt. Under the plans, doctors are to be asked to provide a much wider range of services. These will include sending teenagers with violent tendencies to anger management classes, offering free swimming lessons to obese patients, air conditioning to people with lung disease and a thick pile carpet to frail elderly people to limit their injuries in a fall. Apparently it’s hoped the new plans will save the National Health Service millions of pounds by preventing people from becoming ill in the first place. At the end of the day it’s all about money. I’m not sure what planet Patricia Hewitt is living on. Obviously not this one. If our cash-strapped National Health Service has no money to fund operations, I’m not sure where the money is going to come from to fund these “services”. Only time will tell if the new plans are successful.

HELEN MIRREN REVEALS YOUTHFUL SECRET

Oscar winner Helen Mirren this week revealed the secret to her youthful appearance. No it isn’t the latest lotion, potion, face cream or wonder drug as some people might think. The secret to her youthful good looks is being happy. I've always believed that a positive outlook is everything and that if you're happy on the inside, it definitely shows in your appearance on the outside. It's certainly true in Helen's case. After her Emmy, Globes, BAFTAs and Oscars successes this year, Dame Helen certainly has plenty to smile about! Well done to her!

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

WORRY OVER PRESS TREATMENT OF KATE

A veteran press photographer has expressed concern over the treatment of Prince William’s girlfriend by the paparazzi, warning that she could end up being hounded like Princess Diana. Unfortunately being involved with the heir to the throne has thrust Kate Middleton into the media spotlight with photographers eager to get a much coveted photograph of somebody who could be a future Queen. Sun photographer Arthur Edwards has called on the press to leave Kate Middleton alone and give her some space. Edwards was giving evidence to MP’s about the self-regulation of the press and remarked that he felt “very sorry for that girl”. It certainly seems like history is repeating itself, when you think how the press treated Prince William’s mother, Diana in her lifetime, hounding her till the day she died. I personally think the press should leave Kate and William alone. They should be allowed to enjoy their romance in private, without constant press intrusion. After everything that happened with Diana, the press owe it to William and Kate to leave them alone and give them some space.

Edwards also claimed that Prince William and Kate Middleton are definitely set to marry, saying it was based on conversations he had with the Prince.

SLIMMING PILL LAUNCHED FOR OVERWEIGHT POOCHES

Following on from my earlier post about the worrying increase in pet obesity in Britain, a new slimming pill for overweight dogs was launched this week. Yarvitan, a prescription only drug which will be used alongside diet and exercise, stops fat from being digested and can give an average weight loss of eight percent. A better solution might be to issue pet owners with an instruction booklet of how to look after them.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO STOP PREMATURE BABY DEATHS

Over 1,000 premature babies die every year in the UK, the equivalent of four babies every day, according to new figures released by baby charity Tommy’s. According to experts, the UK has the worst premature baby death rate of any country in Western Europe. However doctors still do not know why so many babies die so young and are calling on the government to give funding for more research. As Tommy’s launched the “Stop Premature Births” campaign this week, the charity’s patron the Duchess of York said, “Thousands of tiny lives are at risk.” The Department of Health announced that the government has now committed £4million per year for research.

Meanwhile American scientists have discovered that eating ice cream can help a woman's chances of conceiving. Apparently a study found that eating high fat dairy foods like ice cream once a week can increase a woman's chances of getting pregnant. Interesting.

DANIEL RADCLIFFE RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS FOR WEST END DEBUT

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe got a standing ovation as he made his West End stage debut this week. Daniel better known as his alter ego Harry Potter, appeared naked in the lead role of a tortured teenager in the gruelling psychological thriller Equus, leaving people under no illusions that the young boy wizard had finally grown up. Watched by a star studded audience on his opening night, Daniel received rave reviews for his performance from his co-stars and critics alike. Several Broadway theatre bosses are now battling for Daniel to bring his stage show to New York, however Daniel’s commitments to the next Harry Potter movie mean he is unlikely to perform there until next Autumn at the earliest.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

EXERCISE TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

Is this the best reason yet to avoid exercise? According to Bristol University scientists, fitness fanatics pose a serious threat to global warming. Apparently researchers discovered that strenuous exercise leads to increased carbon dioxide being produced and expelled during breathing. One of many suggested causes of global warming being suggested at the moment it seems!

On a more serious note, according to findings from researchers at Southern California University, women who exercise regularly for several years may protect themselves from breast cancer. The study found that women who exercised for more than five hours a week doing strenuous exercise reduced their risk of early stage cancer and invasive disease. Good news for women everywhere.

DIARY FROM ENGLAND HEADS FOR THE CARNIVAL

After participating in two very successful Blog Carnivals (see links below), I’ve definitely got the carnival bug! As some of you know, Diary From England is a member of Blog Village, a nice community of bloggers. Kilroy hosted a very successful carnival over there with Rosemary, the Blog Village owner and also one at his own blog. Check out the carnival posts from Diary From England and other bloggers:-

2007/01/our-first-blog-village-family-blog.htm

2007/02/for-your-success-sponsor-of-gonzo-blog.html

Diary From England will be participating in three further carnivals a Poetry Carnival and a Photography Carnival due to be held on 26th February and a Horse Lover's Blog Carnival due to be held on 21st February.

Poets Who Blog

ALL THINGS EQUINE - A Horse Lover's Blog Carnival

* ALL CARNIVALS ONLINE NOW *

PRIDE & PREJUDICE NATION'S FAVOURITE

Pride and Prejudice has been voted the nation’s favourite book in a poll to mark World Book Day. It seems that the Brits love classic novels. Jane Austen’s classic love story surrounding Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy came in at No. 1, with JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings at No. 2 and Jane Eyre’s Charlotte Bronte at No. 3. J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books came in at No. 4, followed by To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee at No. 5. The Bible hit the charts at No. 6, with Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights at No. 7, George Orwell’s 1984 at No. 8, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman at No. 9 and Dickens’ Great Expectations at No. 10.

PRINCE CHARLES SUGGESTS BAN ON MCDONALDS

It’s very unlikely that a Big Mac and fries will be on the menu anytime soon at Prince Charles’ Highgrove home. His Royal Highness touring the Arabian Gulf with wife Camilla this week, commented that McDonalds should be banned on health grounds. The Prince made the comment as he attended the launch of a public health care campaign, aimed at fighting diabetes in the United Arab Emirates. He was told that moves were being put in place to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables and less fat. Charles was overhead asking a nutritionist, “Have you got anywhere with McDonalds? Have you tried getting it banned? That’s the key.” McDonalds described the Prince’s remarks as disappointing. Meanwhile critics argue that the Prince’s own Duchy Originals brand of pork sausages actually contain more fat than a Big Mac. Despite Prince Charles remarks, it seems that his son Prince Harry doesn’t share his father’s views. Harry loves burgers and is often seen munching on them at McDonalds.

HELEN MIRREN OSCAR SUCCESS

Congratulations to Helen Mirren on winning a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actress in The Queen. Dame Helen paid tribute to Her Majesty in her acceptance speech saying, "I salute her courage and her consistency. And I thank her, because if it wasn't for her, I most certainly would not be here." Helen Mirren gave a superb performance in the film and I personally believe her likeness in appearance to the Queen was almost uncanny. It was good to see Dame Helen munching on a king sized burger after the ceremony. It’s nice to know that despite her fame and success, she’s still human like the rest of us!

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

PET OBESITY ON THE RISE IN BRITAIN

Obesity is now a major problem in this country amongst adults and children alike, with two thirds of men and 60% of women either overweight or obese. However according to a recent study by veterinary charity PDSA, it seems that the nation’s pets are affected as well. New figures show that obesity in dogs is on the rise and their dental health is in decline. Pet obesity can cause arthritis, high blood pressure, poor liver function and diabetes, amongst other conditions. As an animal lover myself, I think it’s cruel to let a dog get overweight. Animals are like people. They need a strict feeding regime and regular exercise and if an owner can’t provide this, then they’re not fit to have a pet. In the first case of its kind in Britain, the RSPCA brought charges of animal cruelty to two brothers who allowed their labrador to become so obese, he was unable to walk more than 5 yards without becoming breathless. The animal charity re-homed the dog with new owners. Magistrates were told he looked more like a seal than a dog. A shocking story.

Meanwhile the hot news story this week in England is that of the 8 year old boy who tipped the scales at 14 stone. The young boy is so obese, he can hardly walk. Social services considered taking him into care as they believed his obesity amounted to child abuse. However they have now decided the youngster is better off with his mother and are assisting the family in a diet and exercise regime for him. As the boy refuses to eat any fruit or vegetables and will only eat chips and processed food, it sounds like they'll have their work cut out. Good luck to them.

PRINCE HARRY TO SERVE IN IRAQ

Prince Harry is said to be “over the moon” that he will be sent to Iraq to serve with his Blues and Royals regiment. Harry will become the first member of the Royal family to serve in a war zone for 25 years. The Prince reportedly threatened to quit the army if he wasn’t allowed to serve in a conflict zone. The 22 year old is set to carry out a normal troop commander’s role and has insisted he doesn’t want any special treatment. However SAS minders will shadow the Prince when he serves in Iraq. Tony Blair described Prince Harry as a “very brave young man”. His mother Diana would have been proud of him.

ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS DOUBLE IN BRITAIN

New figures released this week reveal alcohol related deaths to have doubled in the past 15 years. Experts blame a culture of binge drinking, increased availability of cut price alcohol and 24 hour licensing for the shocking new figures. In addition more and more youngsters are being seen in hospitals with alcohol-related illnesses. Apparently the figures show that alcohol consumption is on the increase in Britain and going down in France and Italy, mainly because alcohol is now so cheap and readily available in so many outlets in this country. One of Britain’s top doctors believes alcohol advertisements should be totally banned to bring binge drinking under control.

BRITONS FAIL AT BASIC DIY TASKS

Despite the endless round of DIY and home makeover programmes currently showing on British tv, over half of Britons are unable to change a lightbulb or bleed a radiator. Three quarters would not even consider hanging wallpaper according to the results of a survey by the Ideal Home Show. So now we know!

WOMEN PLAYERS TO NET EQUAL PAY AT WIMBLEDON

With increasing evidence of the gender pay gap between men and women in the workplace, it was good to hear that Wimbledon bosses have finally come to their senses and agreed to pay women competitors the same prize money as their male counterparts. The decision announced by the All England chairman on Thursday comes after many years of campaigning. The chairman, Tim Phillips stated that he believed the decision to offer equal prize money, provided a boost for the game as a whole and recognised the enormous contribution that women players make to the game and to Wimbledon. It’s a great shame other employers in this country can’t follow Wimbledon’s example.

YORKSHIRE PUDDING - THE NATION'S FAVOURITE

Yorkshire pudding has been named the nation’s favourite regional food in Good Housekeeping magazine’s food awards, beating off stiff competition from the Cornish pastie and Melton Mowbray pork pie. A spokesman for the magazine described the Yorkshire pudding as a “regional food with a nationwide appeal and something people have grown up with. The perfect accompaniment to roast beef”. I certainly agree with that. I wouldn’t dream of eating roast beef without one!

Meanwhile chocolate was named the sexiest food and Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce the favourite store cupboard ingredient.

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY!

Today in England we celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day as it’s better known. After suffering with a heavy cold all weekend, fortunately I’ve got my taste back just in time to enjoy my pancakes! My tip for really light batter is to add a dash of soda water or lemonade (if you like a lemon flavour) to the batter. I’ll be having my pancakes with some of the Maple Syrup I brought back from my trip to Canada last year. Delicious! Bon Appetit!

On another note, whilst surfing, I noticed a great photo which perfectly sums up Pancake Day. I found it on James Jordan's website, Points of Light. James is a fellow villager over at Blog Village. Here's the link:-

http://pointsoflight.blogspot.com/2007/02/pancakes-anyone.html

Happy Surfing!

TV POSES SERIOUS THREAT TO HEALTH

According to the results of a report released this week, watching too much television can seriously damage your health. Spending several hours a day in front of the tv increases the risk of Alzheimers disease and can cause permanent eyesight damage in both adults and children. In addition watching many hours of tv from a young age, can trigger autism and premature puberty in some children. It is also one of the biggest causes of obesity through lack of exercise, increasing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Apparently the average 6 year old spends the equivalent of a full year watching tv and over half of 3 year olds have a television in their bedrooms. Frightening news.

FAMOUS BRITONS RECREATED IN CHIP ART

Fish and Chips are a delicious national institution in the U.K. They are so well loved that it was the only food not to be rationed in the Second World War. Last week we celebrated National Chip Week, an annual event over here that helps to boost demand for potatoes and increases sales at Fish and Chip Shops throughout the country. Some edible “chip art” portraits of famous Britons were created for The British Potato Council to mark the occasion. I think they turned out really well and are a good likeness of the people concerned, Paul McCartney, Robbie Burns (Scottish poet) and Tom Jones. Chips off the the old block!

Photos:- Courtesy of Sky News

THE HORSE WHISPERER

I’ve always loved horses. One of my favourite movies is The Horse Whisperer. The movie tells the story of a mother whose daughter is hit by a truck whilst out riding her horse. The young girl and the horse are both severely traumatized. The girl loses part of her leg in the accident and the horse becomes uncontrollable to such an extent that the only humane solution seems to be to have the animal put down, something the mother won’t agree to do. Instead the mother decides to take her daughter and the horse to see a cowboy who claims to be able to “heal” horses and communicate with them. The cowboy is otherwise known as a “Horse Whisperer”, hence the title of the film.

The movie is make-believe, based on a novel but such people actually exist in real life. Working in the healthfood industry, I have a great interest in complementary medicine. I’ve always been fascinated by people who can communicate with animals, particularly horses and heal them. I always keep an open mind on these things. When you hear so much in the news about cruelty to horses, I think it’s wonderful that there are people out there like the horse whisperers who can see into the very souls of these beautiful animals and heal not only their physical but also emotional wounds as well. Fascinating.

UK'S OLDEST WOMAN DIES AT 111

The UK’s oldest woman died this week aged 111. Ada Mason from Upton, West Yorkshire vividly remembered the sinking of The Titanic and the funeral of Queen Victoria. The centenarian who outlived all her children, put the secret of her long life down to “clean living” and eating bread and dripping with salt every day!

MICHELIN MAN GIVEN SLEEK NEW LOOK

I smiled when I read that the Michelin tyre man, the mascot of the Michelin tyre company for many years had been given a sleek new makeover. It seems that bosses have “slimmed” him down considerably and launched a new trimmer Michelin man this week to reflect the current healthy diet and exercise trend. What next!

BRITAIN BOTTOM OF LEAGUE FOR CHILD WELFARE

Britain has come bottom of the league for child welfare. The shock findings were revealed this week in the results of a Unicef survey. It seems that Britain's children are unhappy, unhealthy and have fewer friends than youngsters in any other country of the developed world. Apparently many children stated that they were unhappy with their family lives and life in general.

BACK TO DARK AGES FOR BRITAIN

Surely the most bizarre story of the week has to be that of the British hospital chiefs who have come up with what they believe to be the ideal solution to cut National Health Service debts of £6million. The money saving solution they believe is for staff to remove every other lightbulb in hospitals. Bosses believe this to be a “sensible measure” to help reduce the NHS deficit. What about the cost of staff’s time to perform this fruitless exercise? It seems this hasn’t been taken into consideration.

Still on the subject of light, there are plans to switch off street and motorway lights in Britain from midnight onwards to save money. The Highways Agency plans to trial the new system later this year. Road safety groups dismissed the new plans as “ludicrous”, whilst others said it encourages crime by putting public safety at risk. Looks like we’ll be heading back to the dark ages at this rate!

HAPPY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

I’ve always loved the circus. My grandpa used to take me there every year as a special treat, when I was growing up. I’ve always enjoyed the fun and excitement of the big top. I particularly like the clowns. I think it’s always nice to be able to enjoy some good old-fashioned slapstick fun, a welcome release from all the bad things going on in the world. I’ve chosen to share this photo with you. It was taken several years ago, before digital photography was around, on one of my annual circus visits with my grandpa. It has great sentimental value to me. I can still remember when the photo was taken just like it was yesterday. The clowns were called Uncle Tick and Uncle Tock (like the sound a clock makes! – easy for a child to remember!). I felt quite special that day to be singled out from the crowd to have my photo taken in my best bib and tucker! Whenever I look at this photo, it always reminds me of the happy times I spent with my grandpa, a very special person in my life. I always associate clowns and circuses with the happy, carefree days of childhood.

CROWDS MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO LIVERPOOL STATUE

A bronze and steel statue of Jesus reported to have miraculous powers is drawing the crowds at a Liverpool Art Gallery. One woman claims to have been held in a trance by the figure for 30 minutes, whilst other visitors claim to have seen sparks shooting from the statue’s eyes. Some people even believe the statue could be possessed and evil. Spooky! Pilgrims believe divine intervention is responsible. However the statue’s creator isn’t so sure. He claims the only sparks he has ever seen were from the welding torch that helped to create it.

ROBOTS POISED TO GIVE PHYSIO

Robot physiotherapists could be used in the future to treat British patients and cut waiting lists. Apparently a prototype robot has been developed in Sheffield which can be instructed to repeat specified movements to lower limbs. What next! I think I'd prefer to be treated by a human being!

SIZE ZERO MODELS UNDER FIRE

London Fashion Week has sparked fierce criticism of size zero models. Critics argue the models promote a stick thin image as trendy, encouraging eating disorders in young girls. Bumpkin, a trendy Notting Hill restaurant popular with celebrities, is offering free food to any models with a BMI (body mass index) of less than 18. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch!

LIFE - A POEM BY NAOMI STEVENS

As many of you know, I’m a secretary trying to make it as a freelance writer in my spare time. However after participating in two Blog Carnivals, I think I’ve now got the Carnival “bug” and couldn’t resist taking part in a Poetry Carnival being held over at

Poets Who Blog

It was a bit of a challenge for me as my forte is writing stories not poetry. You can read my poetry efforts below:-


Life is a journey sometimes happy sometimes sad
But never boring as we learn to take the good times with the bad
Experiencing trouble and strife
On this journey called life
Love and laughter go hand in hand
As we travel on our journey in this far off land
Where life will take us we never know
Until fate intervenes and helps us to grow
Darkness and light, sadness and tears
Angels comfort us and take away our fears

Copyright  2007 Naomi Stevens - All Rights Reserved

HELEN MIRREN QUEEN OF THE BAFTAS

Helen Mirren was officially Queen of the BAFTAs this week, winning Best Actress award for her role in The Queen. Helen is also hotly tipped to win an Oscar at next month’s ceremony. The BAFTAs are Britain’s equivalent of the Oscars. It is rumoured that Her Majesty the Queen is planning to invite Helen for tea at the palace. I’m sure they’ll have lots to talk about.

ANOTHER CARNIVAL

The last Gonzo carnival hosted by Blog Village was a great hit! Diary From England will be participating in the next Gonzo Blog Carnival which will be held on Saturday, February 10th.

For more details click on the link below:-

2007/3rd-installment-in-gonzo-blog-carnival.html

BORAT A POWERFUL MAN IN BRITAIN

Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen has been named one of the 100 most powerful men in Britain in a recent survey by GQ Magazine. The magazine said: "Not since John Lennon has an English entertainer had such an effect on the world." Sacha Baron Cohen meanwhile is laughing all the way to the bank as he has just signed to do Borat 2, a sequel to his hit movie.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

WHITE LION CUBS MAKE THEIR DEBUT

Four white lion cubs born in August last year are due to go on display for the first time this weekend at West Midlands Safari Park. The cubs, Casper (the only boy) and his sisters Kiara, Lara and Toto are part of a rare breed. There are no more than 130 white lions in the world. The safari park has had a pride of white lions since 2004, the UK’s first.

BRITAIN IN GRIP OF HEAVY SNOW

Many areas of Britain came to a standstill this week as the heaviest snowfalls for 10 years reached 15cm in some places. The severe weather conditions caused disruption to road, rail and air travel. Schools were also closed in many areas, giving the nation’s children a chance to enjoy sledging and snowballing in the snowy conditions.

Picture:- Courtesy of BBC Website

GPS PREFER PRIVATE CARE

According to the results of a recent survey, many British doctors lack confidence in the National Health Service and would prefer to be treated privately. Not surprising really. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt astounded the British public this week by stating that she believes hospital bed closures are a sign of success. I'm sure the doctors and nursing staff who have lost their jobs through hospital closures wouldn't agree with her sentiments. Not sure what planet this woman is living on. Surely it stands to reason that if there are less hospital beds, patients are not going to receive the treatment they need in a hospital as there are no beds for them. Instead they will have to make do with treatment from community nurses who are overstretched already and cannot provide the standard of care available in a hospital. What an absolute shambles!

KYLIE APPEARS AT V & A

It was good to see Kylie Minogue looking happy and healthy at the opening of the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition to celebrate her career. The exhibition will feature over 200 items of memorabilia including the overalls Kylie wore in Neighbours. It was Kylie's first public appearance since splitting with Olivier Martinez.

VACUUMING CLOCKS UP THE MILES

Who says housework doesn't keep you fit? Apparently the average woman will vacuum a massive 7,300 miles in her lifetime, the equivalent of walking to New York and back! So there we go!

BEATLES SET FOR NEW CHART SUCCESS

The Beatles are set to become popular with a whole new generation of fans, after Apple finally settled a 25 year trademark disagreement with the Beatle’s record company Apple Corps over the use of their name. The fab four are now set for a huge revival of Beatlemania as the settlement paved the way for all their hits like Hey Jude to be available for download onto Apple Ipods. Experts are predicting that some of The Beatles' old hits could be back in the charts once again as downloaded tracks count towards chart success.

RUSSIA AND JAPAN BAN BRITISH POULTRY IMPORTS

Russia and Japan have banned imports of British poultry in the wake of the discovery of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu at a Bernard Matthew’s turkey farm. Bernard Matthews is one of Europe’s largest turkey producers. Thousands of turkeys have already been culled after the discovery, however experts say the chances of humans contracting the H5N1 strain are small and only those who have come into close contact with the birds are at risk. Let’s hope so for all our sakes.

URDU AND MANDARIN TO BE PART OF SCHOOL CURRICULUM

If government ministers have their way Urdu and Mandarin could be taught in British schools rather than traditional French and German. Ministers believe that Urdu and Mandarin are a lot more "economically useful". I don't know about that but I think pupils will have their work cut out learning them, particularly Mandarin which is notoriously difficult to learn. I'm sure it will be challenging and a good way to keep them awake if nothing else.

SIMPLY RED'S MICK TO BECOME A DAD

Congratulations to Simply Red's Mick Hucknall on the news that he and his partner Gabrielle are expecting a baby. I've always been a big fan of Mick's band Simply Red. I quite often have their music playing in the background to give me inspiration whilst working on my book.

RELEASE DATE OF FINAL HARRY POTTER BOOK ANNOUNCED

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has announced the final book in the saga of the boy wizard will hit the bookshelves on Saturday 21st July. Bookstores are bracing themeselves for a stampede as eager fans rush to find out the fate of their hero. JK Rowling has already revealed that two characters will die in the final installment and hinted that one could be Harry.

NEWCASTLE NOISIEST CITY

Newcastle has been named the noisiest city in Britain in a recent report, with Birmingham and London coming hot on its heels. The traffic noise in Newcastle has been likened to a loud alarm clock constantly ringing in your ear. Bad news for the city's residents. Experts say that prolonged traffic noise can lead to irreversible hearing damage.

STARS JOIN BURBERRY CAMPAIGN

A host of celebrities including Tom Jones, Emma Thompson and Charlotte Church have this week added their support to a campaign to stop British upmarket fashion firm Burberry closing their factory in South Wales and moving production to China, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Burberry has always been a quintessentially British company so to move production to the other side of the world is unthinkable. At the end of the day it is all about corporate greed and saving money. But unfortunately it's the British workers who are the sufferers. Burberry have now pulled out of sponsoring and hosting the BAFTA reception after threats of protests and stars boycotting the ceremony.

SHOCKING RISE IN TEACHER ATTACKS

My first career choice was to go into teaching but I'm so glad I didn't when I read shocking new statistics released this week. It seems there has been a massive rise in vicious attacks on teachers, with at least one teacher a day being attacked by out of control pupils and their parents. Is it any wonder there is a shortage of good teachers in this country and the education system in this country is falling down? The government needs to take matters in hand and do something about this as a matter of urgency. Teachers deserve to do their jobs and educate the next generation without fear of being attacked. We as a nation ask for nothing less.

ROYALS AVOID PAYING TAX ON NECKLACE

The Royals have come in for some bad press this week after Camilla (Duchess of Cornwall) claimed that a £1million diamond and ruby necklace she wore on a US trip was a “gift to the nation,” to avoid paying tax on it. Yet hours earlier Prince Charles’ office had announced that the gift was a “private present” and then changed their tune and declared the necklace a “gift to the nation” 24 hours later. The Royals are expected to pay tax on private gifts but not official ones which pass into the Royal Collection. Camilla has tried so hard to gain acceptance and popularity with the British public in the past, but this is bound to leave a sour taste in the mouths of many. It is up to the Royal family to set an example to the rest of us and pay any taxes owed. Think of the schools and hospitals deprived of what would have been a considerable amount of tax money. Shame on you Charles and Camilla.

SNAKES SLITHER AWAY ACHING MUSCLES

As some of you know, I work in the healthfood industry and am always interested to try various complementary therapies. It seems that the latest treatment at a massage parlour in Israel is to let six snakes slither across a patient’s aching muscles! Somehow I don’t think I fancy that! I think I’ll stick with a traditional aromatherapy massage to help me unwind – much less traumatic!

FIRST KEYHOLE HEART OP CARRIED OUT IN BRITAIN

British cardiologists made medical history this week when they carried out Britain’s first keyhole heart valve replacement operation. The advantage of keyhole is that the procedure is much quicker and less traumatic for the patient than conventional open heart surgery, as it allows valves to be implanted into the heart using a catheter. Also the patient’s recovery time is much quicker. The new keyhole heart surgery has been described as “the biggest development in cardiology in the past 30 years since angioplasty.”

BRITS ACCUMULATE TONS OF RUBBISH

According to a report released this week, the average Brit accumulates about a ton of junk and rubbish, which is usually dumped in the attic, a spare room or under the bed. Feng Shui experts says this is a really bad thing to do as it leads to stagnant energy. No wonder many of us don’t have any “get up and go!” Maybe that’s why I always feel better when I’ve had a good clear out and got rid of some junk!

XFACTOR JUDGE TAKES A BREAK FROM MUSIC AT HOME

XFactor judge Simon Cowell has confessed that he can go for weeks on end without listening to music when he’s at home. TV’s Mr Nasty confessed in a US magazine interview that he doesn’t even know how to use either a computer or IPod and prefers to watch tv in his spare time. Not surprising really. I suppose listening to some people auditioning for XFactor and American Idol is enough to put you off music for life!

MANCHESTER WINS CASINO BID

Manchester has won its bid to host Britain’s first Las Vegas style super-casino, beating off stiff competition from Blackpool and London. Supporters say that the new casino project will boost the city’s economy, creating jobs and regenerating the local area. It will certainly boost the fortunes of the taxman and the casino owners. However critics argue that it will encourage gambling addictions. Love it or loathe it, the exciting new development will form part of the city’s bright, shining future.