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!