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!