JK Rowling testifies at Leveson Inquiry

I've been watching bits of the Leveson Inquiry this week. I thought JK Rowling's testimony yesterday was particularly compelling.

This is an excerpt from the hearing yesterday. The author tells the Leveson Inquiry she found a note from a journalist inside her daughter's school bag and about the lengths she went to stop her children being photographed:




I think something drastic must be done to rein in journalists who pursue their stories by using detestable methods such as hacking phones and harrassing people (particularly regarding children) but I also believe in the freedom of the press. It's a difficult issue to sort out.

Have you watched any of the inquiry? What are your thoughts about the phone hacking and intrusion that's done by journalists and photographers?

Removing snow outside your house

I've been hearing and reading about this a lot lately with our snowy weather and wonder what people think. In the UK, it seems to be taken for granted that if you clear the pavements outside your house you are liable to be sued if anyone slips and falls. I think that's absolutely crazy! The people at the BBC have obviously noticed this discussion on forums and twitter too because they've got an article about it in BBC News Magazine: Is it your civic duty to clear snow? Local authorities in the UK are responsible for gritting and salting public roads and pavements, but what about your own path and the pavement in front of your home? Is it your civic duty to keep them clear for others? In fact, you are taking a theoretical legal risk if you clear the pavement in front of your home. It's worth noting a glimmer of sense in the article: But, Paul Kitson, a partner with leading personal injury solicitors Russell Jones & Walker, explains that a claimant would have to show you had acted either maliciously or carelessly, and that such a case would often be tricky in practice. So there you have it. It seems like a crazy country if people have to be afraid to clear their pavements (sidewalks) in front of their property in case they are sued. I just don't understand this mentality at all. As the BBC article points out, it's your legal duty to clear your sidewalks in Minneapolis (Minnesota). So if you live in the UK, what do you do? Do you go ahead and clear the pavement in front of your house, even though there is a theoretical legal risk? Or do you leave the snow and ice there? What about where you live? What are the laws regarding snow removal outside your property? Update: Edited to add a link to an article in The Telegraph on Saturday 9 Jan, 2010 Healthy and safety experts warn: don't clear icy pavements, you could get sued Pavements are being left covered in ice because of “ludicrous” laws that put home owners and businesses at risk of being sued if they try to clear them.

Amazing satellite view of the UK today (7 Jan)

Wow! This a fantastic satellite view of the UK today! What the UK looks like covered in snow - a stunning photo from NASA:

Yes, we are having a very cold and snowy winter in the UK - most unusual and thus it's big news! If you are planning to visit the UK in the next week or so, be sure you bring lots and lots of warm clothes. This is not your usual mild British winter - you have been warned!

Pub landlord beats credit crunch: £1 pub meals

The £1 pub meal: Struggling landlord beats credit crunch by selling value dinners A struggling pub has beaten the credit crunch by selling bar meals for just £1. The Four Crosses Inn, in Cannock, Staffordshire, was near to closing until its owners took drastic action and slashed pub grub costs to less than the price of a loaf of bread. (link via dailymail.co.uk) Four Crosses Inn, Cannock, Staffordshire, England

UK: World’s Biggest Producer of Offshore Wind Power

UK overtakes Denmark as world's biggest offshore wind generator Completion of a 194MW windfarm off the coast of Lincolnshire sees the UK become the world leader in generating electricity from offshore wind (link via guardian.co.uk)

Parakeets destroying windmill that survived Blitz

Parakeets destroying precious windmill A windmill that withstood the Blitz and the worst of the English weather for 150 years is being destroyed – by parakeets. The grade II listed building has suffered £50,000 of damage courtesy of 12 rose-ringed parakeets, which are using its sails to sharpen their beaks. (link via metro.co.uk) The famous windmill is located in the London Borough of Croydon: Croydon's only windmill, Shirley Windmill is in Postmill Close, off the Upper Shirley Road, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey, UK. Built in the mid 1850's to replace an earlier post mill which was destroyed by fire in 1854, it worked until 1892 when it was abandoned. The mill is opened on the first Sunday of each month from June until October, between 1pm and 5pm. (link via geograph.org.uk) Ring-necked parakeets in the UK The ring-necked, or rose-ringed, parakeet is the UK's most abundant naturalised parrot - it became established in the wild in the 1970s after captive birds escaped or were released. (link via RSPB.org.uk)

Passport or other ID needed to buy mobile phones!

Welcome to Big Brother Britain: Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones Everyone who buys a mobile telephone will be forced to register their identity on a national database under government plans to extend massively the powers of state surveillance. Phone buyers would have to present a passport or other official form of identification at the point of purchase. Privacy campaigners fear it marks the latest government move to create a surveillance society. (link via timesonline.co.uk) It's not just the database (yes, another database!) that's frightening, but the way it can be used to track everyone's movements that is truly alarming: Government faces fight from within for spy database excerpt from The Sunday Times article: Phones can be located to within a few yards using cell site analysis – which tracks mobile phone users as they move from one signalling area to the next. The system would then link with the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system of traffic cameras, which provides live coverage of motor-ways and main roads. It, in turn, is linked to the DVLA in Swansea which holds the records of all registered vehicles in the country. By monitoring a single telephone call it would be possible to identify exactly where its user was and the registration number of the car in which he or she was travelling. This car could then be found within seconds by the ANPR cameras and tracked along its journey. Simon Davies, of Privacy International, said: “If you can do this in real time, with all the databases being interoperable, you have absolute perfect surveillance.” What a fun country we live in - apart from a couple important things like freedom and privacy. Freedom? What freedom? Privacy? What privacy? The government wants the databases under the pretence of security and immigration control but all these databases give the British government immense power over everyone in the UK. You know what really scares me? It's bad enough to think of the way they keep losing data but wait for the time when the data is mixed up either accidentally or deliberately! There is no such thing as a foolproof system. Are you as worried as I am about the direction Britain is heading?

Heartwarming story of the day!

Read this story about two remarkable little girls who got medical help for their father: The amazing 999 call made by heroines aged 6 and 4 which saved their father's life (link via dailymail.co.uk) Well done girls and congratulations to their parents for raising such delightful and intelligent little girls.

DNA of four million on UK DNA database: biggest in world

This is depressing news: UK DNA database biggest in world (link via itpro.co.uk) The DNA of some four million UK citizens is held on a database, making it the biggest per capita in the world, according to a new report by a policing agency. The first annual report from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has shown that as of March 2007 some 3.8 million people have a record on the DNA database, following a record jump in the number of new samples. Some 722,000 were added last year. Nearly 80 per cent of the records are for men, with 41 per cent aged 15-24. Even kids are in the mix, with eight per cent of the records for people aged under 14, the report showed. And I wish the people who believe in and support the DNA database would pay attention to this: While the report admitted that DNA doesn’t actually solve that many crimes, it stressed it is a “powerful contributor” when it can be used.

Authors unite against plans for 42-day detention

Authors Philip Pullman, Julian Barnes and Ian Rankin attack Labour over 42-day detention Forty two renowned British writers have joined forces to attack the Government over its plans to allow the detention of terror suspects without charge for up to 42 days. (link via telegraph.co.uk) 42 WRITERS FOR LIBERTY: part of Liberty’s urgent campaign, Charge or Release. The campaign opposes the Government’s current proposals to extend pre-charge detention in terrorism cases from 28 to 42 days.

Free knitting classes offered to stressed staff

People who enjoy knitting (as I do) know that it helps you to relax and de-stress but it's difficult to persuade non-knitters of this benefit. Perhaps this news will help to convince them: COUNCIL employees who had an average of almost ten days off sick last year are being offered free knitting classes to combat stress. It really does help! If you are feeling stressed (and that seems to be just about everyone these days) then I suggest you take up knitting. It's fun, and creative as well as relaxing and it's very popular. Knitting is the new cool hobby! Here are some useful knitting links: Learn how to knit with free knitting videos! The UK Hand Knitting Association Download handy step-by-step guide to knitting techniques (Knitting Institute) Free Patterns from Knitting Magazine Coats Crafts UK Knitting Projects - free patterns! About. com - Free Knitting Patterns

Magazine Week 29 September - 5 October

I love magazines so I was pleased to find out this news: Magazine Week 29 September - 5 October Borders is promoting Magazine Week in each of its 41 UK stores between 29 Sept to 5 Oct, by selling all magazine titles on a 'buy one, get one half price' basis. To find your closest branch, use Borders' Store Locator.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Supermarket 'for older people' may open in Britain

Tesco, which hopes to open the country's first pensioner-friendly store complete with wider shopping aisles and brighter lights, has sent a group over over-65s to the Kaiser supermarket in Berlin, the first of its kind in Germany. The group will report back to Tesco before a decision is made on the proposed 60,000sq ft store in Newcastle, next door to Newcastle University's Institute for Ageing and Health. Professor Jim Edwardson, 67, founder of the Institute and one of those who travelled to Germany, said: "Almost everything about supermarket shopping in the UK is wrong for elderly customers, from shelving that is too high to reach or too low to get to. (link via telegraph.co.uk) This is great news! It's about time that supermarket owners realize that many of their customers are older and should be catered to. In fact, all supermarkets should be re-designed and/or modified to be 'pensioner-friendly' and meet the needs of pensioners* and indeed all their customers, regardless of their age. It would make shopping eaier for everyone not just the elderly! *a pensioner is a person who has retired, and now collects a pension Tesco is one of the world's leading international retailers