It's official: one of the wettest summers ever (in Britain)

I don't think we need to be told but September was Britain's least sunny for 15 years compounding the miserable effects of the greyest August on record and one of the wettest summers ever. (link via telegraph.co.uk) I didn't think it was possible for summer this year to be worse than last year but I was wrong. Summer? What summer?

Jamie's Ministry of Food - Pass It On

Did you watch Jamie Oliver's new series called, Jamie's Ministry of Food, on channel 4 tonight? It was both fascinating and disturbing to watch. (If you missed it, you can watch it again via Free Catch-Up on Channel 4 Shows) This is how the Channel 4 website describes it: In Britain we spend more than £2 billion a year on ready meals. Fewer people than ever before are cooking from scratch and obesity is at record levels. Now, inspired by the wartime Ministry of Food that helped people to make the most of their rations, Jamie Oliver wants to start a food revolution to get people in Britain cooking. Jamie travels to Rotherham to meet one of the fiercest critics of his school dinners campaign, so-called ‘Burger Mum’ Julie Critchlow, who passed junk food through school railings to hungry children. Jamie wants Julie, who is actually a good cook herself, to help him to inspire others to cook at home. The plan is to teach a small group ten simple meals that they can pass on to others who, in turn, will also spread the word. If it works, he wants to get the whole town cooking and kick-off a nationwide campaign. Jamie's Ministry of Food The show highlighted the problem regarding how many adults can't cook - at all. The most distressing scenes were with Natasha who admitted she never cooked any meals for her two children. They were just given takeaways and would sit on the floor to eat the food with their fingers (no cutlery was used at all). I felt so sad for those children especially when Natasha opened her fridge and showed the bottom drawers (where fruit is usually kept) were stuffed full with sweets (candy). It's no wonder that her five-year-old has already had to have rotten teeth removed by the dentist! How sad is that?! It's true that eating healthy isn't cheap (Natasha is on benefits) but it is possible to spend the money on real food instead of junk. Even Jamie seemed overwhelmed by the prospect of teaching Natasha and the other adults how to cook when they were all struggling with minimal skills (they didn't even know how to judge when water was boiling or what simmer meant!). And of course their low income and depressing life style, made everything more difficult. I have huge respect for Jamie Oliver and his ambitious campaigns that he is always so passionate about. I think this new idea for people to learn how to cook and teach others (Pass it On) is quite inspiring. Let's hope it is successful. It certainly won't be easy as was evident in the first show tonight but I'm sure Jamie will meet the challenge.

Plans to abolish prescription charges in Northern Ireland

NI to scrap prescription charges Plans to abolish prescription charges in Northern Ireland have been announced by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. The cost of a prescription in NI will be reduced to £3 per prescription in January 2009 and will be free of charge by April 2010. The charges were abolished in Wales on 1 April 2007 and are due to be abolished in Scotland. This leaves England as the only country in the UK to retain the charges. (link via BBC News) So much for it being the National Health Service - it's really four different NHS services (for the four countries that make up the United Kingdom: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England) across the UK since devolution and England appears to be the “poor relation” in healthcare compared with the rest of the UK.

Buffy the well dressed chicken

Eggxellent chicken couture A feather-less battery hen has been given an extra layer to help it get through the cold winter days. A volunteer has knitted her a striped woolly jumper and now she is the star attraction at the rescue centre in Brent Knoll in Somerset. (link via itn.co.uk) Click on the link to watch a video showing the hen wearing her knitted jumper (sweater). Very cute! And I love the voice over at the end: "Some say it's an egg-celent outfit and others say, it's just too eggs-treme and it will never catch on." Read another article (via Metro) about the lucky hen: Buffy the chicken faces the bald truth Read more about the RSPCA Brent Knoll animal centre where Buffy, the featherless hen and other ex-battery hens are being cared for and re-homed. I've been thinking about adopting ex-battery hens - they are easy to keep in the back garden (yard) apparently. I like the idea of giving these poor hens a new home and a stress free life (and of course being able to collect fresh eggs!). I've found lots of information via The Battery Hen Welfare Trust website but I haven't made up my mind yet. Do you keep chickens? Have you adopted ex-battery hens? What advice would you share?

UK motorway madness: BBC1 "Motorway Cops"

Did you see Motorway Cops - A Traffic Cops Special - "Traffic Cops: Dicing with Death", on BBC1 on Thursday night? The Motorway Cops come face-to-face with their worst nightmare as they are called to detain two women who are caught walking on the M6 motorway. As the PCs arrive the women make a run for it, into the path of a 44 tonne lorry. The accident forces a total closure of the M6 leaving motorists stranded in a 15 mile traffic jam and the cops locked in a life or death battle to save the injured women.Further north on the M6, the Motorway Cops are also looking for walkers - illegal immigrants who have been dumped on motorway service areas by people traffickers. The PCs find them walking along the motorway hard shoulder, lost, penniless and confused. They're a danger to themselves and to motorists and, for the Motorway Cops, an unwelcome distraction which takes them from their main job of fighting crime. If you missed it, you can watch it again* via BBC iPlayer. It was shocking to watch - especially when the two women (sisters from Sweden. we found out) ran into the traffic and were hit - but it was also an enlightening programme, particularly to learn that police officers don't arrest illegal immigrants anymore because there are simply too many of them! So much for the Government's tough measures regarding illegal immigrants. *Downloadable BBC Content is available for download within the UK only.

Stephen Fry on the road in the USA

The author, actor, comedian, director and presenter Stephen Fry, has recently completed filming a documentary about his travels via a black London taxi across the USA - visiting every one of the fifty states. Read about Stephen Fry's views of the USA in an article called, Stephen Fry on the road and how for years he admits, I have harboured deep within me the desire to make a series of documentary films about "the real" America. Read extracts from the book of the series, 'Stephen Fry in America' by Stephen Fry. (links via telegraph.co.uk) The six-week TV series airs on BBC1 at 9pm from October 12 I'm sure it will be entertaining as well as educational. I'm looking forward to watching it! Edited to add Related links from my blog: Stephen Fry in America - part 1: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 2: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 3: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 4: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 5: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 6: Review

Welcome to Britain - Have a cup of tea & a biscuit

Tea and biscuits for everyone arriving in Britain Every person flying into Britain will be offered a free cup of tea and a biscuit in an ambitious, if eccentric, plan to make the country more cheerful. The hope is that tourists, and travellers returning from holidays, will be able to banish dark thoughts of a delayed flight, poor weather, and global financial meltdown if confronted with a free cup of English Breakfast tea and a plate of Jammie Dodgers. The man behind the idea is Mark Price, the managing director of Waitrose. He has persuaded airports operator BAA to run a week-long trial in November at Terminal 5, offering 5,000 cups a day to travellers in the arrivals hall. Visit Britain – the tourism agency – has agreed to back his campaign, which could see all airports across the UK offering the traditional British mix of milky tea and quirky biscuits in time for the London 2012 Olympics. (link via telegraph.co.uk) I love the idea - even if it is ambitious and eccentric! And in case you're wondering what a Jammie Dodger is like, read more about it on this post on NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown.com

Britain unveils ID cards for foreign nationals

The Labour government is determined to go ahead with their expensive and sinister plan for ID cards - and the database that goes with it: First sight of the ID cards that will soon be compulsory The Government was accused yesterday of cynically targeting immigrants to boost support for its controversial £4.7bn compulsory identity cards scheme as the Home Office unveiled the documents it plans will eventually be held by every adult in Britain. A coalition of opposition parties, trade unions and civil liberties campaigners condemned the symbolic release of the pink and blue cards, which will be introduced for foreign nationals living in Britain from next month. The plastic permits, containing the personal details, fingerprints and immigration status of foreign nationals, offer the first glimpse of what ID cards for British citizens will look like. Critics attacked the project as a dangerous waste of money that would undermine hundreds of years of civil rights and warned that targeting foreign residents could lead to discrimination and abuse. Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said the scheme would protect against identity fraud, illegal working and cut organised crime and terrorism. (link via independent.co.uk) UK Border Agency - Identity cards for foreign nationals The Conservative Party - ID Cards - Labour's Bad IDea No2ID: Let's get this straight — it isn't just about identity cards. The government's identity scheme includes a huge database to keep tabs on everyone, a massive infrastructure to collect peoples' details, and a giant network of technology required to verify people against their cards and both of these against the database. The card is just the tip of the iceberg.

The 500 Greatest Movies of all Time?

According to Empire Magazine, these are The 500 Greatest Movies of all Time The top ten: 1.The Godfather 2.Raiders of the Lost Ark 3.The Empire Strikes Back 4.The Shawshank Redemption 5.Jaws 6.Goodfellas 7.Apocalypse Now 8.Singin' in the Rain 9.Pulp Fiction 10.Fight Club What do you think of the list, particularly the top ten? Personally, I'm surprised - and quite disappointed - at the movies on the list. I don't like violent movies (usually) so it's probably no surprise that I strongly disagree with the top ten list. They might be good movies, but are they really the "greatest" movies of all time? My own list of top ten movies of all time, would be a lot different: 1.The Wizard of Oz (1939) 2.Gone With The Wind (1939) 3.E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) 4.Bringing Up Baby (1938) 5.The Philadelphia Story (1940) 6.Doctor Zhivago (1965) 7.It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 8.L.A. Confidential* (1997) - this one is violent but it's excellent! 9.The Lord of the Rings (2001-03) 10.The Remains of the Day (1993) *Another movie that rates being on the list and ties with #8, is The Bourne Identity (2002) Now, just to throw a spanner (wrench) in the works, I have a completely different list of top ten movies that I consider to be my (current) favourites - but they don't necessarily qualify as the top ten best movies of all time: 1. Bringing Up Baby (1938) - absolutely perfect movie, thus it is on both of my lists. 2.The Philadelphia Story (1940) - ditto 3.Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) 4. Groundhog Day (1993) 5.Steel Magnolias (1989) 6.As Good As It Gets (1997) 7.French Kiss (1995) 8.Meet Joe Black (1998) 9.Beetlejuice (1988) 10. 84 Charing Cross Road (1987) What movies do you think should be on the top ten movies of all time? And do you have a completely different list (as I do) of your favourite movies?

Lost in Austen: episode four (the final episode!)

This is a brief review of the final episode of Lost in Austen with a (slight) spoiler: I thought the final episode of Lost in Austen (broadcast last night on ITV1) was brilliant! I enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't stop smiling as the very surreal storyline got sillier and sillier. (Spoiler alert) I paricularly enjoyed the clever twists to the story when Darcy followed Amanda to 21st century London and they found Elizabeth who had transformed herself into a very modern nanny. All in all, I think the series was fantastic fun and I loved the ending. All the actors were great, especially Jemima Rooper as Amanda Price, Elliot Cowan as Mr Darcy, and Alex Kingston as Mrs Bennet. If you missed any of this delectable series, you can watch it again via ITV Catch Up. I was delighted when I found out there was a special afterwards (on ITV3) called Lost In Austen... Behind the Scenes. I enjoyed learning the details about how the series was made and watching interviews with the actors and others that worked on it. If you missed seeing this fun special, it's available to watch again via ITV Catch Up. (Please note that ITV Catch Up cannot be accessed from outside the United Kingdom) Read more about the series: Lost in Austen - ITV Drama Lost in Austen: Historic Locations - Check out the stunning locations where Lost in Austen was filmed and feel the history in every scene Edited to add: I posted about the first episode here.

Have you turned on the heat yet?

Okay, this obviously depends where you live in the world but for those of you in Britain, have you turned on the heat yet? We haven't, although we've been tempted to recently. We are trying to wait until at least October before we do. For those of you who live in other countries - and different climates - when do you turn on the heat? Do you put it off as long as possible or do you turn up the heat at the first dip in temperature?

Birmingham (aka Brummie): least cool accent in Britain

Brummie accent voted least cool in Britain List of Cool Accents 2008/9 1. Queen's English 20% 2. Scottish 12% 3. Geordie 9% 4. Yorkshire 7% =. Cockney 7% 6. Northern Irish 6% 7. Welsh 5% 8. Scouse 4% = Mancunian 4% 10. West Country 3% 11. Brummie 2% (link via telegraph.co.uk) My husband and my sons have an English accent and it sounds very nice. I think so anyway! I don't really know what category it is. I guess it's a Hertfordshire accent. As well as the English accent (and all its variations), I love hearing the Welsh accent. I think it's lovely.

New series from BBC Radio: America, Empire of Liberty

A new series from BBC Radio 4 - America, Empire of Liberty - charts the development of the United States, exploring three key themes: Empire, Liberty and Faith.

Free knitting pattern from BBC Radio 4 designed by Lise-Lotte Lystrup

Knit one, purl from the BBC Radio 4 Today programme is about the increasing popularity of knitting and offers a FREE knitting pattern for a jumper (sweater): Radio 4 Logo Jumper designed by Lise-Lotte Lystrup You may also be interested in a previous post I made, about an offer (from The Sunday Telegraph) for five free vintage patterns by the same designer.

Free cookbooks for all 11-year-olds in England

All 11-year-olds in England will be able to receive a free cookbook under a programme aimed at tackling obesity. Head teachers will be able to order the booklet, which has recipes for favourites such as spaghetti bolognese, roast chicken and jacket potatoes. Ministers are also announcing that £151m will be spent building food technology areas in schools. The initiatives are designed to pave the way for compulsory cooking lessons for all 11- to 14-year olds by 2011. (link via BBC News) The Real Meals cookbook, which contains 32 classic recipes and sauces and is endorsed by top chef Phil Vickery, was chosen after the public was asked to nominate the basic dishes every child should learn how to cook. Here is a list of the individual recipes contained in Real Meals. I think it's a good idea to encourage children to learn how to cook and providing free cookbooks is certainly a great way to start them on the path to learning! Hopefully, the cookery lessons will also help tackle the obesity problem in children. What do you think of the list of recipes in the cookbook? Which recipes would you recommend as the basic dishes that every child should know how to cook?

Heritage Open Days 11-14th September (England)

I should have posted this yesterday: Heritage Open Days 2008 11-14th September Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee Find your nearest Heritage Open Days event via the Event Directory.

Should creationism be taught in science lessons?

The theory of creationism should be taught alongside evolution in school science lessons, a leading biologist and education expert has said. At present, Government policy is that discussions about creationism belong in religious education lessons, from which parents are entitled to withdraw their pupils. However, a Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said that science teachers should answer questions about creationism if asked. (link via telegraph.co.uk) The controversial views of this expert - the Rev Professor Michael Reiss, director of education at the Royal Society - have provoked some heated debates in the media and in the blogosphere. Personally, I think that creationism has absolutely nothing to do with science and should only be taught in religious studies (as it presently is). It's okay if students ask about creationism in science lessons and a debate about it should be allowed but I don't think creationism should be taught in science lessons. Creationism is a religious belief based on faith and evolution is a science based on evidence. Creationism should not be taught as if it is equal to scientific fact! What do you think? Do you think creationism should be taught in science lessons?

UK's new homes are 'smallest in Europe'

'Rabbit-hutch' Britain: UK's new homes are 'smallest in Europe' New homes in Britain are the most cramped in Europe with almost every other country in western Europe providing its citizens with more living space. In Denmark, newly-built homes have almost twice as much floor space as those built here in the UK. The main reason for the UK's cramped living conditions is the lack of building regulations regarding living space, according to experts. England and Wales are the only parts of Europe where house-building is unregulated by legally binding minimum space standards. (link via dailymail.co.uk) With no regulations, it's no wonder new homes are so small. And I do mean small - in most new houses, the bedrooms barely have room for a bed and little or no room for a wardrobe (closets aren't featured in British houses) and houses don't have basements so unless there is a utility room (laundry room), the washing machine is in the (tiny) kitchen. And it's not just the houses that are being built smaller, the garages are smaller too - and not big enough for a car! It's shocking that England and Wales don't have regulations for miniumum space! It means that the developers can (and do!) build very tiny houses.

Petition for review of the compulsory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Thanks to an informative post - Want a happy, healthy child? Then sign this petition - on Little Green Blog, I've been reminded about legislation for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that is due to take effect soon that involves a set of Learning and Development Requirements which must be followed by providers of care for children below 5 years old. You read that right - learning and development requirements for children under five years old! I support the campaign (Open EYE, the campaign for an open Early Years Education) that is opposing this new law and agree with their views that it's: overly prescriptive; potentially harmful to the development of children; and a breach of the human right of parents to have their children educated in accordance with their own philosophies. The petition states that: We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to commission an urgent independent review of the compulsory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) policy framework, and to reduce the status of its learning and development requirements to ‘professional guidelines’. More details from petition creator We recognise the government’s good intentions in its early-years policy-making, but are concerned about the EYFS legislation, which comes into force in England next September. Our concerns focus on the learning and development requirements, as follows: 1. They may harm children’s development 2. They will restrict parents’ freedom of choice in childcare and education 3. Their assessment profile requirements may place an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on those who care for young children 4. Recent evidence suggests that government interventions in education generally may not be driving standards up and may be putting too much pressure on children Read more on the blog, Open EYE, the campaign for an open Early Years Education. And please sign the petition via this link: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/OpenEYE/

This made my day!

I had a lovely surprise today when I read a comment from Flighty, one of my regular readers -and one of the nicest bloggers on the web, I have to add - and he informed me that he had given me an award and to read about it on his blog, Flighty's plot, which of course I did, straight away. I have to say that he really made my day. I'm incredibly pleased and flattered that Flighty considers me to be an inspirational blogger (one of six) and that he kindly awarded me with the Tree of Happiness award! Apparently, the idea is to pass the award on to others by posting a similar entry and listing six things that make me happy, and pass on this lovely award to six other bloggers. Flighty (thoughtful as ever) has stressed that I don't have to feel obliged to do so, but I think I will. I'll give it some careful thought and post about it in the near future. Thank you, Flighty!

Which Austen heroine are you? (fun quiz)

This fun quiz seems very timely since I just recently posted about the new Austen drama on ITV called Lost in Austen. Which Austen heroine are you? I took the quiz and...

Take the Quiz here!

According to the quiz:

"You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see."

British Afternoon Tea Guide - special offers

If you want to partake in the traditional British Afternoon Tea, you will appreciate these special offers from the free British Afternoon Tea guide, Afternoon Tea:

2 for 1 September Offer at Jumeirah Carlton Tower London Waist-friendly chic at The Metropolitan Group Booking Offer at The Waldorf London Seasonal favourites at Swissotel Howard London Yorkshire Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons London

Lost in Austen: Episode 1

So did you watch part 1 of the new series, Lost in Austen on ITV last night? I thought it was an interesting concept: a modern-day woman named Amanda Price, obsessed with the novel Pride and Prejudice (her favourite book in the world) who stumbles upon the novel's heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, in her bathroom. Yes, you read that right and then when Elizabeth shows Amanda the secret door (in Amanda's bathroom of course) to Elizabeth's world, Amanda goes through but Elizabeth doesn't follow her and Amanda is trapped in Elizabeth's world, ie. inside the story of Pride and Prejudice. It's a unique twist on a traditional period-costume drama, and a ridiculous fantasy but full of charm. I couldn't help but smile and enjoy it even while I kept thinking how silly it all was! Mind you, I'm a big fan of the book, Pride and Prejudice (although not quite as obsessed as the character in the show!) so it's probably no surprise that I enjoyed it. Thoughts? Did you like it, hate it or just not bother to watch it? Lost in Austen - ITV drama Edited to add: I have posted a brief review of the fourth (and final) episode here.

Fry's English Delight:(Part Two) Quotations

The second programme of Fry's English Delight on BBC Radio 4, about Quotations (their uses and misuses, and about those who compile quotation dictionaries) was broadcast on Monday (1 September 2008) but I just listened to it today via the BBC iPlayer. It's another fascinating programme about the English language, presented by Stephen Fry.

Top ten online newspapers & other favourite news sources

I am a real news fiend and read a lot of news everyday. My favourite newspapers online are:

1. The Times
2. The Guardian
3. The Independent
4. The Telegraph
5. International Herald Tribune
6. The New York Times
7. The Washington Post
8. Star Tribune (Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota)
9. Chicago Tribune
10. USA Today

Other news sources I like to read regularly are:

• Habitat - Daily wildlife and environment news from the British Isles
• Environmental News Network
• Watching America - Discover What the World Thinks About U.S.
• NewScientist - the latest science and technology news from around the world.
• Digital Spy - Showbiz, entertainment & media news
• NPR - National Public Radio (USA)
• TIME Magazine
• Wired News
• Slate Magazine
• Salon
• Newsweek
• Arts & Letters Daily
• The Ecologist

Which websites do you like to get your news from?

The science of a bullet-proof vest: video

This fascinating video explains the science behind the potential for designing a better bullet-proof vest by showing a simple experiment involving cornflour and water: Chris Smith, managing editor of The Naked Scientists, shows why cornflour and water could point the way forward for bullet-proof vests. (link via Telegraph TV) The Naked Scientists Science Radio and Naked Science Podcasts

Housing an ageing society: practical & stylish designs

Goodbye doilies The style-savvy over-65s are about to influence design as never before

James Mair of Viaduct, a designer furniture retailer, has seen a rise in older customers over the past five years. "A lot of 60- and 70-year-olds are classic empty nesters. They feel like a complete change. They may have had a more traditional home in the past but now have a real curiosity about modern design."

Earlier this year the government launched Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods - a national strategy for housing an ageing society. By 2011 it will be compulsory for all new-builds to incorporate flexibility, such as dropped kerbs on pavements, no stairs up to the front door, a toilet downstairs that can be converted into a shower. "These ideas are universal," Wright says. "Having a ramp up to the front door helps a parent with a buggy, too."

(link via guardian.co.uk)

Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society is the first of its kind in the world.

I'm impressed with the ideas behind the government initiative. Let's hope it will actually be put into practice - the compulsory design for all new-builds - and that the promise to better support older people in their current homes will be upheld.