UK Department of Health:"CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT"-new advert showing how to prevent swine flu

A mass public health campaign has begun with TV, print and radio adverts warning people about swine flu with the simple message: CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT. Watch the video of the advert via the link: Department of Health releases advert showing how to prevent swine flu (link via guardian.co.uk) It's just good old common-sense really and people should be following this advice anyway but hopefully the message will get through to those people who have been lazy about practising good respiratory and hand hygiene. I think people forget that coughs and sneezes spread the germs far and wide, and that the germs can live on hard surfaces for several hours. Hopefully, the simple advice from this campaign will help to stop the spread of the swine flu.

The messages of CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT are simple:

• CATCH IT Germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
• BIN IT Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of them as soon as possible
• KILL IT Hands can transfer germs to any surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.

Only in London: new campaign launched by Visit London

These are some of the highlights recommended by Only in London - VisitLondon.com: Stand Where Time Begins on the Greenwich Meridian Line See the World's Largest Cut and Polished Diamond at the Tower of London Enjoy the Sights of London from on Board the London Eye Visit Tate Modern, the Most Popular Art Gallery in the World Wander around Portobello, the World's Largest Weekly Antiques Market Marvel at Shakespeare's First Folio, the Magna Carta and Handel's Messiah at the British Library Speak at the same place as George Orwell on "Speakers Corner" in Hyde Park Stroll through the home of the world's largest living plant collection of 30,000 different species of plants, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Get your sea legs on HMS Belfast – Europe's largest surviving armoured warship Take in a Shakespearean play at Shakespeare's Globe, in the area where he lived and worked Travel on the world's oldest subterranean travel system in the world – the London Underground Hear the chimes of the world-famous Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament, the world's largest four-faced chiming clock Pay your respects to a host of literary greats in one place – from Dickens to Chaucer to Kipling to Tennyson – at Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey See British law-making in action at the Houses of Parliament during the summer opening

Mercer's 2009 Quality of Living survey: the world's most liveable cities

Clean, safe and a little bit dull... the world's most liveable cities In a survey of the world's most liveable towns, published yesterday, European cities dominate but not the European cities that you might imagine. Paris comes only 33rd, between Adelaide and Brisbane. London comes 38th, jointly with Yokohama. The city with the highest quality of urban living in the world, according to the survey, is Vienna, followed by Zurich and Geneva. Auckland and Vancouver come joint fourth. All of these cities have a reputation – perhaps undeserved – for crashing dullness. Cities with romantic, glitzy reputations, from New York (49th) to Rome (55th), fare badly. (link via independent.co.uk) Mercer's 2009 Quality of Living survey highlights - Global European cities dominate the top of the ranking Vienna scores highest for overall quality of living, Baghdad the lowest Singapore ranks top for city infrastructure; London ranks eighth Mercer’s Quality of Living ranking covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. Top 5 cities - Overall: Vienna, Austria (1st) Zurich, Switzerland (2nd) Geneva, Switzerland (3rd ) Vancouver, Canada (tied 4th) Auckland, New Zealand (tied 4th) As an American I think this is disappointing news : No American city comes in the top 25. What do you think of the survey results?

How prepared is the UK for a pandemic?

How prepared is the UK for a pandemic? I know the official view is that the UK is one of the best prepared countries to deal with swine flu. (link via BBC News) I would like to believe we are well prepared but I have to wonder after reading this article: UK GP Investigates Suspected Swine Flu Case Without Adequate Support Or Access To Antivirals (link via medicalnewstoday.com) The experience by this one GP is very worrying indeed but it also begs the question - how many other GPs are not prepared for a flu pandemic? I realize a pandemic hasn't materialized yet (and hopefully it won't) but shouldn't a strategy be in place before a pandemic strikes? Am I worrying unnecessarily? I don't think so. In fact, I just read this alarming news: More than 30 million face masks are being ordered by the Department of Health as fears grow that swine flu could become a pandemic. (link via telegraph.co.uk) The masks are needed by healthcare professionals. Why didn't the Department of Health have a stockpile of face masks ready before now? We are told to stay calm and not to panic but I can't help feeling anxious and worried about how the NHS will cope. What do you think? Do you still believe the UK is one of the best-prepared countries in the world for dealing with a pandemic? Related post from my blog: UK Department of Health: "CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT." - new advert showing how to prevent swine flu Links via the web about Swine Flu: Human Swine Influenza: advice for the public (link via Health Protection Agency) Important Information About Swine Flu (link via NHS Choices) Swine influenza frequently asked questions (link via World Health Organization)

ScenicOrNot: click to rate the scenic spots across Britain

Your chance to rate Britain's scenery – at the click of a button Thousands of people are joining in an internet game to map the most scenic parts of Britain with the click of a mouse. ScenicOrNot takes the idea of a ratings website, where people give their views on the value of anything from health care to a person's attractiveness, and applies it to the scenery of England, Scotland and Wales. (link via independent.co.uk) Go ahead and play the game: ScenicOrNot: "Rate the UK's pretty places"

New York Times recommends rough London neighbourhood for American tourists

I thought this story* in The Telegraph today about an article - In London, New Cross and Deptford Attract the Hip - in The New York Times last month that recommended a rough London neighbourhood to American tourists, was rather funny - let's hope the tourists don't get mugged! *Deptford residents baffled by New York Times travel recommendation American tourists have been advised to visit one of the roughest and most deprived areas of London – to the bemusement of local residents. (link via telegraph.co.uk) Deptford - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Britain's Got Talent 2009: Hollie Steel - little girl with a big voice

My goodness, this series of "Britain's Got Talent" is proving there really is a lot of talent in Britain! The first show of this season, we heard the amazing Susan Boyle, who has become not just a hit in Britain but a global phenomenon. And last week, we heard from a very talented young singer, 12 year old Shaheen Jafargholi from Wales, who impressed all the judges and the audience with his amazing performance. It did seem very suspicious though that judge Simon Cowell stopped him in the middle of singing his first song - a version of Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" - and asked him to sing his second choice of song, a Michael Jackson song, "Who's Loving You" when it was later reported that Shaneen has toured with the musical Thriller, where he played a young Michael Jackson. Tonight, there was another big talent that stood out in the show, Hollie Steel, a 10-year-old girl who came out dressed in a ballet outfit and proceeded to dance - adequately but not really sensational and just as Simon looked like he was going to reject her by hitting his buzzer, Hollie started to sing "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady, and the reaction from the judges and the audience was nearly the same as the reaction to Susan Boyle when she first started to sing. Hollie Steel has an amazing voice. I can't believe such a little girl can sing like that! Judge for yourself. Watch the video: Britains Got Talent 2009 - 10 Year Old Hollie Steel What do you think of the series so far? Do you think Susan Boyle is going to win the competition? Related post from my blog: Britain's Got Talent 2009: Singing sensation Susan Boyle Britain's Got Talent: Episode 4 - Jamie Pugh sings "Bring Him Home" - another star in the making Britain's Got Talent: Episode 5 - Shaun Smith impresses judges Britain's Got Talent: Episode 6 : 11-yr-old Aiden Davis steals the show Britain's Got Talent 7 - final auditions & The Final 40 Britain's Got Talent:The first of the live semi-finals - Susan Boyle is singing tonight (Sunday, May 24, 2009)

Scarborough: the most English town in England

By St George, resort clear winner for its Englishness LOOKING for somewhere traditionally English to spend St George's Day? Try the East Coast around Scarborough. The borough council, whose district includes Whitby and Filey, has more businesses and organisations with English characteristics per head of population than anywhere else in the country, according to a survey intended to promote St George's Day. Scarborough district has a cricket club, tea rooms, fish and chip shop, holiday camp or morris dancing troop for every 618 residents, claims the local information website, locallife.co.uk. (link via yorkshirepost.co.uk) I've seen a lot of England and we have visited the Yorkshire area many times (particularly York) but we haven't actually visited Scarborough. Now I think that we should plan a visit - it does indeed sound like a quintessentially English town. Do you live in Scarborough? Or have you visited the town? Do you agree that it is probably the most quintessentially English town in England? About Scarborough (via EnjoyEngland) Scarborough-Online Bradford most 'English' city, says St George's Day study The famously multicultural city of Bradford has emerged as one of the three most "English" places in England for patriots to spend St George's Day. The Yorkshire manufacturing, tourism and university centre comes second only to the coastal town of Scarborough and the Cornish district of Penwith for traditional English activities per head of population. Curries may win it more headlines, but Bradford has one of the country's highest ratios of fish and chip shops to people, and an astonishing number of cricket clubs and leagues. (link via guardian.co.uk) The top 10 in the survey, commissioned by the website locallife.co.uk, are: Scarborough Penwith Bradford York Blackpool Brighton and Hove Hastings Westminster Harrogate Tower Hamlets What do you think of the results of the survey? Do you agree with the list or are there other places in England that you think are more "English" and should be on the list?

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations Marking the 445th anniversary of the Bard's birth Welcome to The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations, a unique event that's been taking place in Stratford for over a century. This year everyone can look forward to a truly dazzling experience as 2009 sees the start of a three-year plan to develop the celebrations into a high profile, annual extravaganza ready for the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012. (link via shakespeare.org.uk) The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations Stratford's streets will overflow with pageantry, music and theatre and over the birthday period you can enjoy a packed programme of special celebratory activities - great days out at Shakespeare's historic houses, poetry, literary and music festivals and amazing theatre. Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday with a free event on Bankside, London Shakespeare's Birthday 2009 On Thursday 23 April, patriotically established as Shakespeare's birthday, there will be another free special event on Bankside before the Globe’s 2009 theatre season opens with Shakespeare’s most famous love-story, Romeo & Juliet.Time: 6.00pmTickets for Romeo & Juliet: £5-£33. (link via Shakespeare's Globe Theatre) Portrait of Shakespeare unveiled A portrait of William Shakespeare thought to be the only picture made of him during his lifetime has been unveiled in Warwickshire. The painting is on show at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon, to celebrate the playwright's birthday on 23 April. (link via BBC News) The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Happy St George's Day! (England's national day)

To all my English readers on this special day in England:

Happy St George's Day!

St George's Day events via Enjoy England Join the campaign to gain proper recognition for the Patron Saint of England by writing to your MP about establishing St. George's day as a public holiday in England. (link via St George's Day - A Site for England) It's nice to see that Google's homepage is honouring both St George's Day and Shakespeare's Birthday with a special Google doodle portraying a dragon and a knight. Well done, Google! About St George's Day - from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Let's celebrate England's heritage and traditions!

100 ways Obama has changed America as he nears 100 days as President

This is an interesting article in The Independent listing the 100 ways Barack Obama has changed America: Obama: 100 days, 100 ways From closing down Guantanamo to planting vegetables on the South Lawn. David Usborne takes stock as President nears his 100th day It's fascinating to realize how many changes President Obama has already made in such a short time. I also didn't know about everything on the list. For instance, I didn't know these tidbits: It's a sort of weekly letter from the White House and few Americans pay attention. But at least now, anyone who's interested can watch as well as listen to the Saturday radio address* by the President. Since BO came in, it's been on YouTube, too. The Obama White House has been opened to regular visits by Washington-area schoolchildren to give them a first-hand view of government in action. Talk of building a fence along the US-Mexican border has fizzled – it was never practical anyway. Instead the US now has a border Tsar. He is Alan Bershin and his job will be to reduce violence near the border and stop smuggling – of bodies northwards and guns southwards. Not a salad dressing, Cinco de Mayo is the national holiday for Mexicans that is coming up fast. Never one to miss a chance to reach out to another community – a massive one in the US – this White House is planning a big 5 May bash in the garden. Hit the piñata, not the President. On the campaign trail he sometimes forgot where he was. As Prez, he did it again during his first foreign trip – to Canada. "It's a pleasure to be here in Iowa... er... Ottawa." Oops. *PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S WEEKLY VIDEO ADDRESS What are your thoughts about President Obama as he nears his 100th day in the White House?

Six Plants I Can’t Live Without

Now this is my kind of meme! This is something fun for everyone who enjoys gardening (as I do) - share your list of the six plants you can't live without. The meme is explained in this post from the "diggin' it blog" in The Christian Science Monitor:The six plants I can’t live without These are the writers of ten garden blogs across the US taking part in the original meme: Diggin' it blog - The Christian Science Monitor The Grumpy Gardener - SouthernLiving.com Digging Defining Your Home Garden Fairegarden Fresh Dirt - list to be posted soon Gardening With Confidence Hoe and Shovel Jim Long's Garden - no list posted yet Sweet Home and Garden Chicago

I think all gardener's should feel free to participate in this meme so I've come up with my own list. It wasn't easy but I've decided these are my six plants I can't live without:

1. Lilac - We always had lilacs at my parent's house so I love them partly because of the feelings of nostalgia when I see them - and especially in the spring when I enjoy their heady scent - but also they are just so easy to grow and they are a fantastic old-fashioned plant to have in the garden.

2. Lavender - This is one of my all-time favourite plants. I love the different varieties and the fantastic scent and the way they attract bees. It can also happily flourish in containers as well as in the ground.

3. Marigold - This is another plant that I grew up with and I've always adored. I love the cheerful colours and all the different varieties. 4. Rose - I've always loved roses but found them difficult to grow in Minnesota where the growing season is so short. To be living in England where roses grow almost like weeds, I am in heaven! Roses are definitely a must-have plant in my garden!

5. Common box (Buxus sempervirens) - A beautiful, sturdy evergreen plant for topiary and hedges. I have some growing in pots and some in the garden.

6. Sunflowers - This is such an attractive plant and easy to grow and it attract bees and birds.

Okay it's your turn: name the six plants you can't live without and post the list on your blog and then put the link to your post in the comments.

I think it will be interesting to see what plants are on everyone's list!

Competition: create a new flavour for Ben & Jerry's

Here's a fun competition: Do the World A Flavour Our Flavour Gurus are calling on YOU to help them concoct the latest and greatest Fairtrade certified flavour. The Prize: One winner from every participating country will travel to the Dominican Republic to witness the benefits of Fairtrade on a cocoa farm, alongside Ben, Jerry and our flavour gurus. The grand prize winner will see their idea transformed into Ben & Jerry's 2010 worldwide flavour. And whichever ingredients you choose, we'll make sure the ice cream we make is Fairtrade Certified. (link via benjerry.co. uk via pocket-lint.com - website of the day)

The IoS Happy List 2009 :100 people who make Britain a better & a happier place to live

One hundred people who make Britain a better, more caring and contented nation are named today in The Independent on Sunday Happy List, 2009. The IoS Happy List 2009 - the 100 I think it's quite an interesting list with many worthy names. I agree with these names in particular: Sir David Attenborough - he always presents information in a very quiet and dignified way. Camila Batmanghelidjh - I've read lots of articles about this amazing woman. She is truly inspiring. Shami Chakrabarti - she is an important civil liberties campaigner who is always worth listening to. And she is charming as well as very intelligent. Danny Boyle - a very talented movie director who is obviouly well-liked as well as respected in the acting community. His happiness is contagious. Simon King - he's such a quiet and thoughtful man who comes across as very sweet and charming on Springwatch and Autumnwatch. Ray Mears - I like his enthusiasm about the outdoors and how to live in the wild. Jacqueline Wilson - I've always been impressed by how she treats the young fans of her books with such kindness and respect. I would add physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox. He has the perfect television personality for explaining science and making it exciting. And his enthusiasm about science and his happiness are contagious. What do you think of the list? Is there someone you would add?

Kirstie's Homemade Home

One of my favourite programmes on British TV is Location, Location, Location and a big part of the show's appeal is its presenters, Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp, who are always so knowledgeable and charming. I'm sure their friendly, light-hearted banter helps to make the property show a hit. So, when I heard about a new series presented by Kirstie Allsopp, I had high hopes that it would be another show not to miss.

Unfortunately, the series called Kirstie's Homemade Home, got off to a very disappointing start. The premise of the series is that Kirstie is going to show how she transformed an old dilapidated house in Devon (that's been unoccupied for nearly 40 years) into a home (her holiday home). And not just that but Kirstie explained that everything in the house would be either produced locally, found or created by her personally.

Well, I thought I was going to see things like painting and wall-papering and practical advice but there was none of that. Instead, we watched Kirstie as she learned how to throw a pot and blow glass so she could put her very own hand-made items on her dresser in her kitchen. Yeah, right. What about the cost of the lessons and the materials and the time to take the lessons? This is not something everyone is going to do and certainly not the first thing I think of when I'm decorating a house.

Kirstie also showed how we can drive around (in all our spare time!) and look for a skip (the British word for a dumpster) that might contain something useful for our home. Oh, and don't forget to bring along a pair of heavy duty rubber gloves like Kirstie made a point of mentioning she forgot because then she had to gingerly dig around in the skips until she found a big mirror that she was obviously delighted to find because she went to ask the owner (another bit of advice she offered) permission before loading it into the back of her car which conveniently for Kirstie, is a Range Rover so she has plenty of space for all her treasures she finds in her skip raids. I mean, really?

This is meant to be useful advice and teach us how to make a "homemade" home? Personally, if I'm looking for a bargain and something a bit different, I go to charity shops and/or jumble (rummage) sales. It's still like going on a bit of a treasure hunt but doesn't involve driving all over the place and then digging through bits of who-knows-what in a skip. Perhaps, if I just happened to see something I really liked that was in a skip, while I was out and about anyway, I might approach the owner and ask about it but I wouldn't make a special trip to look in skips. Would you?

She also visited Cath Kidston (yes, the Cath Kidston, the owner of the business selling vintage styled fabrics and dishes) and showed us her own parent's house which is a huge, gorgeous mansion but then it would be because Kirstie casually admitted that her mother is an interior designer.

I have to say that I found the whole show very irritating and ridiculous. I thought we would be watching Kirstie renovate an old house, not watching her make pottery and blow glass! And was she serious about the huge letters spelling WOW on her kitchen wall or was that a joke?

I really do like Kirstie and I love the idea behind this show but I can only hope that the next part of this five-part series is not as impractical as I thought the first part was.

Kirstie's Homemade Home is on channel 4, Thursdays at 8:00 pm. It's worth noting that the website offers more practical advice (lots of useful how to guides) than the show does. You can also find out how to rent Kirstie's home (the house featured on Channel 4's Kirstie's Homemade Home) - Meadow Gate - for a holiday. If you missed the show, you can watch it via Channel 4 Catch-Up. Did you watch the show? Did you enjoy it or did you think it was silly (as I did)?

BBC Radio 4: "Americana" starting soon

This sounds like it could be interesting: BBC pens new letter from America BBC Radio 4 is to launch a new series about life in the US, five years after the end of Letter From America, which was hosted by the late Alastair Cooke. The new weekly show, Americana, will be presented by Matt Frei, the main presenter of BBC World News America. Alistair Cooke delivered his Letter From America for 58 years Americana is due to be transmitted on Sunday evenings from late Spring. BBC Radio 4

"Barter for a beer" at the Marksman pub in London

I think this is interesting news about a London pub - The Marksman pub in Shoreditch, East London - that has started to accept goods and services in exchange for beers to help its punters through the credit crunch. (link via Sky News) Read the list of items wanted by Dawn Kolpin, the pub's landlady on The Landlady's Fancy on Craigslist. I think it's a great idea. The customers can get their food and drink in exchange for items or services that are needed by the landlady and the pub owners keep their business going during these tough financial times. It's a win-win situation!

A Walk Around Britain: three young men walking & singing their way around the British Isles

I think this is so cool: Three young men - Ed (26), Will (27) and Ginger (27) - are walking the length and breadth of Britain, singing as they go. The modern troubadours who sing for their supper Three young men are walking the length and breadth of Britain, regaling passers-by with long-forgotten folk songs and sleeping under the stars. (link via telegraph.co.uk) A Walk Around Britain - follow Ed, Will and Ginger's progress around Britain. You can also listen to a sample track from their album called Spenser the Rover.

Top 10 English foods

Simon Majumdar ( the co-founder of a food blog called Dos HERMANOS ) has an interesting article in The Times, Top 10 quintessential English foods.

Simon's top ten English foods are:

1) Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
2) Fish and Chips
3) Black Pudding
4) Kippers
5) Parkin
6) Cornish Pasty
7) Potted Shrimps
8) Grouse
9) Treacle Sponge Pudding
10) Cheddar Cheese

I think Simon's choices are interesting but my list of the best foods England has to offer is quite different.

My top ten English foods are:

1. Fish and Chips
2. Shepherd's Pie
3. Cheddar Cheese
4. Cornish Pasty
5. Yorkshire Pudding
6. Cumberland and Lincolnshire sausages
7. Lancashire Hotpot
8. Bakewell Tart
9. West Country Clotted Cream Tea
10. Full English Breakfast

What about you? Do you agree with Simon's choices? What English foods would be on your list?

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster

The city of Liverpool, England is marking the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough stadium disaster when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death. I remember watching the news and being horrified by the pictures and the witness reports about the disaster. It was a tragedy that never should have happened. I still feel distressed when I think about it so I can't begin to imagine what the families of the dead and the people who survived feel like. My heart goes out to them on this very sad day when the memorial service takes place to commemorate those who lost their lives 20 years ago today. Liverpool to fall silent on 20th anniversary of Hillsborough disaster Liverpool will mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster today by falling silent for two minutes in memory of the 96 football fans who died. The bells of the city’s two cathedrals and its civic buildings will ring out in memory of the tragedy at FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The bells will cease and public transport will come to a stop for two minutes at 3.06pm – the moment the match was abandoned, as authorities realised the scale of the horror that had unfolded when police wrongly allowed hundreds of fans to cram down a tunnel into an already overcrowded viewing pen. (link via timesonline.co.uk) The Guardian News Blog is providing live coverage of the Hillsborough memorial service.

Smeargate: the Downing Street emails scandal

This Easter weekend has been a big weekend for news in British politics. Gordon Brown’s key adviser Damian McBride was forced to resign after an email he sent smearing top Conservatives fell into the hands of a prominent blogger. Damian McBride was forced to resign after an email he sent smearing top Conservatives fell into the hands of a prominent blogger. Here Christopher Hope, The Daily Telegraph's Whitehall Editor, explains the background to the scandal, and how The Daily Telegraph came to have a hand in the downfall of one of Gordon Brown's top aides. The downfall of Damian McBride has its roots in a speech by Communities secretary Hazel Blears last November, when she warned of the increasing powers of rightwing bloggers to influence political debate. In her speech she complained about a "spreading corrosive cynicism... by people with disdain for the political system and politicians. The most popular blogs are right-wing, ranging from the considered Tory views of Iain Dale to the vicious nihilism of Guido Fawkes." (link via telegraph.co.uk) I don't profess to understand everything about British politics but without a doubt I can see that this dirty tricks scandal is despicable! One thing I can say though is thank goodness for free speech and the power of blogs, particularly political blogs such as Guido Fawkes' Blog and Iain Dale's Diary.

The health secretary, Alan Johnson states that Gordon Brown does not have to apologise for emails sent by his aide proposing a smear campaign against David Cameron. (link via guardian.co.uk)

What do you think? Do you think Gordon Brown should apologise? If you are a supporter of the Labour party, has it changed your views about the party? What are your thoughts about the whole scandal? And what do you think about British politics?

Labour plans compulsory volunteer work for under-19s (but surely, it can't be voluntary if it's compulsory!)

Gordon Brown has a plan to keep young people busy by making them do volunteer work: Labour plans compulsory community service for youngsters Manifesto pledge for under-19s to do 50 hours' voluntary work Every young person will have to do 50 hours' voluntary work by the age of 19 if Labour wins the next election. Gordon Brown said a plan for compulsory community service would be included in Labour's manifesto. Under the scheme, the work – which could include helping charities in the UK and abroad – is likely to become part of the national curriculum. (link via guardian. co.uk) Now there are lots of questions that immediately spring to my mind about this plan. Firstly, how can it be called volunteer work if it's compulsory? Isn't "compulsory volunteer work" an oxymoron? And what level of service would these young people (under-19s) be providing if they are being forced to do it? And how would the "volunteers" be organized and supervised? And how would the "compulsory" part of the plan be enforced? And how would their achievements be evaluated? And wouldn't this plan make young people feel rather used? I should think they would feel as though they are looked upon as a source of free manpower disguised as "volunteers". And finally, isn't it infringing on their "right" to spend their own time as they see fit rather than be required to do volunteer work 'outside the school day'? What about the children who have planned lots of after-school activities and busy weekends with their families? Do parents get a say in this? What are your thoughts about Gordon Brown's volunteer plan for children? Do you think it's a good idea?

Britain's Got Talent 2009: Singing sensation Susan Boyle

Did you watch the new series of "Britain’s Got Talent" last night? If you didn't, you missed the new singing sensation from Britain! It was a TV moment that everyone will remember for a very long time. When 47-year-old Susan Boyle walked out on the stage, looking rather dowdy and frumpy, you could hear the sniggers from the audience. And when she told the judges that she wanted to be like Elaine Paige, they looked bemused and couldn't stop smirking. But then, she started to sing "I Dreamed A Dream" (from Les Miserables) with her incredible voice and the judges looked stunned and started to grin while the audience reacted with whoops and wild applause followed by a standing ovation. One of the judges, Piers Morgan, told her: "Without a doubt that was the biggest surprise I have had in three years. When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said 'I want to be like Elaine Paige' everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now, that was stunning. I am reeling from shock". Indeed, what a big surprise she turned out to be! Do you remember the first time you heard Paul Potts sing? He was an unexpected talent and I'm sure that Susan Boyle is destined to be as successful as Paul Potts even if she doesn't win Britains Got Talent. If you missed the show, you can watch the video of Susan Boyle and you will know why everyone who saw the show is proably still talking about her. I think she was simply sensational. What did you think? Did she impress you too? Related post from my blog: Britain's Got Talent 2009: Hollie Steel - little girl with a big voice (part 3 of the series) Britain's Got Talent: Episode 4 - Jamie Pugh sings "Bring Him Home" - another star in the making Britain's Got Talent: Episode 5 - Shaun Smith impresses judges Britain's Got Talent: Episode 6 : 11-yr-old Aiden Davis steals the show Britain's Got Talent 7 - final auditions & The Final 40 Britain's Got Talent 2009: first semi final: Susan Boyle & Diversity through to final Britain's Got Talent 2009: second semi-final/Shaun Smith and Flawless will be in final Britain's Got Talent 2009: semi-final 3: Stavros Flatly & Shaheen Jafargholi make the final Britain's Got Talent 2009:semi final 4: Julian Smith & 2 Grand make the final Britain's Got Talent 2009:semi final 5:Aidan Davis & Hollie Steel make the final Britain's Got Talent 2009 Final: The winner is Diversity!

New "Red Dwarf" - hit or miss?

So after 10 years, the cult comedy "Red Dwarf" is returning to TV for three new episodes. Did you watch part one last night? As a huge fan of the original series, I have to say that I was disappointed. I didn't think it was very funny - in fact, I think I only laughed twice. I was impressed though that all four actors - Craig Charles (Lister), Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Danny John-Jules (Cat), and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) - from the original series returned for the special. My husband and sons are also huge fans of the show and they thought the special last night was okay. They admitted it was a bit slow but they figure it's the first episode out of three and needed to set up the story. I'm not so willing to excuse its shortcomings. What did you think? Red Dwarf - Back To Earth Episode Guide: The official synopses for the three-part special. Red Dwarf on Dave

Apply for a FREE seed pack from BBC Dig In

Thanks to a post on Little Green Blog for posting about this great offer from Dig in: apply for a FREE Dig In seed pack. If you're interested, I suggest you apply right away as the offer is good only as long as stocks last, and I'm sure it will be very popular. Also, you have to allow 28 days for delivery so it makes sense to apply now. I did! The offer includes a packet of each of the five Dig In veg - tomato, beetroot, lettuce, butternut squash and carrot. The Dig In site offers a series of helpful videos about planting the seeds and you can also sign up for a newsletter for tips on how to grow your vegetables. And the Dig In van will be travelling around the country from April to August. Perhaps it's visiting your town. We have a large garden but it's mostly shrubs (to attract birds) and flowers. We keep saying we should grow some vegetables so now the free seeds will be just the impetus to get us started! Will you be planting a new garden this year? Are you planning to grow veg? If you have grown lots of different vegetables before, which ones would you recommend are good for a beginner? Do you start your seeds indoors (a greenhouse would be a nice option but we don't have one) or do you wait until the last frost and plant all your seeds directly in the garden?

Did President Obama bow to King Abdullah? And does it matter if he did?

Oh my. This is a hot blogging subject! I read a lot of blogs and I've noticed there is an ongoing discussion about whether President Obama bowed to King Abdullah at a formal reception for the G-20 Summit last week in London. I've watched the video many times and I have to say that it certainly looked like he did bow. And he didn't bow to Queen Elizabeth II. I wonder though. Does it matter if he bowed to King Abdullah? I know it's a breach of protocol but is it really worth everyone getting upset over? What do you think? Controversy Over Obama's Saudi Bow. Watch the video: Barack Obama meets the Queen (notice the slight head incline - not a bow):

Britain's top anti-terror chief resigns after blunder re: top secret papers

After being photographed outside 10 Downing Street, holding a document marked "Secret" that outlined details of an undercover operation, the news yesterday that Britain's top anti-terrorism official resigned is hardly surprising. What is surprising is that Bob Quick made such a serious blunder. It's not as if he wasn't expecting to find a horde of photographers standing in Downing Street! That plus Steve Back, the photographer who took the picture of Bob Quick's briefing note on the terror raids in the north west of England said that he had tried to warn the Government before that photographers were able to read top secret papers when people go through the door of 10 Downing Street. (links via telegraph.co.uk) To carry top secret papers tucked under his arm like that was a highly embarrassing and potentially dangerous blunder! Why on earth didn't he have the papers covered up or better yet, put away safely inside a locked briefcase? We get all this surveillance in the name of security (CCTV. databases. etc.) and yet the head of anti-terrorism makes a stupid and dangerous mistake that could have put a lot of innocent people's lives at risk. And no, I'm not exaggerating. This is from BBC News, Politics, Martha Kearney's week: What would be a trivial matter for most people - letting a document be photographed - is a matter of life and death for the country's most senior counter-terrorism officer. That was the view of Sir Chris Fox, the former head of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Landshare scheme - Linking gardeners with land

Meet the veg doctor is an article about a new scheme that aims to put first-time vegetable growers in touch with more experienced gardeners. It is the latest initiative of the Landshare scheme, a project originally launched by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on his River Cottage series for Channel 4 last year, but which now boasts the participation of the National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society and Garden Organic. (link via guardian.co.uk) About Landshare: Landshare - Linking people who want to grow their own food to space where they can grow it. We are planning to go live with the Landshare website by Easter 2009. So far we have 32,000 registrations and counting in every postcode area in the UK and are getting interest from many major landowners. Helping support the growing which springs from Landshare will be 'Veg Doctors', a network of local help and know-how supported by Garden Organic, the National Trust and the RHS. EatSeasonably provides information about ‘Veg Doctors’ and The ten easiest fruit and veg to grow

London G20 death: video of police pushing Ian Tomlinson

The big news in Britain and that I've been following since it was first reported is about the news that a man on his way home from work collapsed and died of a heart attack at the G20 protests in London last week. The intial report was that the man, Ian Tomlinson, collapsed and died but further details kept coming to light about an alleged assault by the police. Police watchdog IPCC announces plan to investigate death of Ian Tomlinson at London G20 protest Full statement from the Independent Police Complaints Commission on the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protest in London last week. The IPCC today decided to take over the investigation after the Guardian published a video showing a police officer hitting Tomlinson. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to independently investigate the alleged assault by police on Ian Tomlinson shortly before his death. The investigation will also look into whether that contact might have contributed to his death. (link via guardian.co.uk) Video of police assaulting Ian Tomlinson, shortly before he was found dead at G20 protests in London It seems like the more details we hear (and see via video) about this incident the more it appears to be an unprovoked attack by the police. It's also interesting that with all the CCTV cameras in London and police probably filming everyone at the protests that day, that the video showing the assault was taken by an American in London on business. What are your thoughts about this incident?

Nursery and primary schooling in England: "nappy curriculum" too stressful for children

Primary teachers call for homework to be scrapped Three and four-year-old throwing tantrums because they cannot cope, association says Teachers will tomorrow call for homework for primary school children to be scrapped as a waste of time for children and teachers. Homework, frequent testing and the introduction of the government's "nappy curriculum" for early years classes have provoked criticism that nursery and primary schooling in England has become too formal and produces stressed children. This is leading to three and four-year-olds throwing tantrums in class because they are being forced to learn to read and write too early, say teachers. (link via guardian.co.uk) I was very impressed with the nursery school and primary school my sons attended but the curriculum has obviously changed since my sons were that age. I think the Government’s new curriculum is putting far too much pressure on young children which starts with the The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (all children under five are required to meet 69 targets covering areas such as numeracy and problem-solving). It's sad that young children have so much pressure put on them. What has happened to childhood? Do you have young children and live in England? What are your thoughts about the Early Years Foundation Stage? Do your children get stressed over homework?

Internet monitoring starts today in the UK

Net firms start storing user data Details of user e-mails and net phone calls will be stored by internet service providers (ISPs) from Monday under an EU directive. (link via BBC News) Henry Porter has written a scathing piece in the Guardian about this sinister plan: Using Europe to erode our privacy An EU directive compelling ISPs to retain information on individuals has been brought in without a debate in parliament (excerpt): Today, an EU directive comes into force which will compel all internet service providers to retain information from all emails and website visits. Data from phone calls and text messages will also be stored and made available to the government, its agencies and local authorities. Having seen how local officials have abused anti-terrorist laws, it's not hard to imagine the damage to privacy that will ensure. These powers were brought in by a statutory instrument and so were not debated by either house. The accepted view is that the Home Office now bypasses parliament by lobbying Europe directly in the knowledge that the measures they desire will go undebated and unscrutinised, then be smuggled into British law as a European directive. It is difficult to think of anything that makes the House of Commons look more feckless or more redundant. I hate all this surveillance in the name of security. What are your thoughts? Do you feel safer knowing that all emails and data from phone calls and text messages will be stored and made available to the government, its agencies and local authorities? Or do you think (as I do) this is a step too far and that this invasion of our privacy is a dangerous assault on our personal freedom? And the way this EU directive was brought into power without being debated in parliament, does rather make a mockery of the House of Commons, doesn't it? Related post from my blog: Gov't plans 'Big Brother' database for phones & e-mails in UK

The famous £1 sale at The Hoxton Hotel: Tuesday 7 April

It's time once again for the famous £1 sale at The Hoxton Hotel in London! The sale officially starts at: 12.00pm (UK Time) Tuesday 7th April 2009 500 rooms at £1 500 rooms at £29 Available from 1st May – 31st July (you are only allowed to book one room, for one night at a £1) This sale is very popular - during the last sale in January, they sold all 1,000 rooms within 11 minutes and had over 300,000 people trying to book! Hoxton Hotel's £1 Room Sale - details and a "How to book" guide Please note: I have no connection with The Hoxton Hotel - I just like to pass along information about a great deal when I can!

Michelle Obama: The inspiring First Lady

As much as I enjoy listening to President Obama's speeches and feeling proud that he is our president, I also enjoy listening to his wife and think she is equally inspiring. I was so impressed as I watched Michelle Obama on the news when she visited a school in London today. This is the report from BBC News: First Lady moved by school visit The world needs strong young women to pave the way for the future, an emotional US First Lady Michelle Obama has told schoolgirls in London. Mrs Obama was close to tears as she addressed the excited crowd at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, north London. She told them: "We are counting on every single one of you to be the best that you can be." Video from NBC News: Michelle Obama's school visit in London Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College (Girls Secondary School)

One minute versions of Forrest Gump & Kill Bill are internet hits

Forrest Gump and Kill Bill remakes are internet hit One minute versions of classic movie hits Kill Bill and Forrest Gump have become the latest video sensations to sweep the internet. The zero budget videos were shot on the astroturf at the University of York by students Will Tribble, Rocco Sulkin and Joe Burgess. (link via telegraph.co.uk) Forrest Gump in One Minute, in One Take Kill Bill Parts 1 & 2, in One Minute, in One Take (and titles) Brilliant! Congrats to the very clever students at the University of York. Well done!

April Fools Day

No, I haven't planned any jokes so don't worry! Personally, I don't enjoy the "jokes" on this day. It means that you have to be very careful about what you hear or read in the news today. For instance, The Guardian is running a story* which claims the newspaper will be published exclusively on Twitter. But it is a hoax and if today's date isn't a clue, here's another: the writer of the article is Rio Palof, which is an anagram of April Fool. *Twitter switch for Guardian, after 188 years of ink • Newspaper to be available only on messaging service • Experts say any story can be told in 140 characters Have you spotted any others in the media today or heard something that sounded like it must be an April Fool's joke? What are your thoughts about April Fool's Day? Do you enjoy the "jokes" and/or planning to participate in any?