Ellee Seymour

I am hoping Joe Cheng who helps writes the Windows Live Writer programme will read this post because I need his help again. Two years ago I wrote a post when I had problems with Live Writer and he swiftly responded after reading about it on my blog and instantly sorted out my difficulties. I was so impressed.

I have just updated Live Writer, but now I can’t publish posts from the blogging software as a message appears saying ” it could not establish trust relationship for the SSL/TLS secure channel”. This means nothing to me, but it sounds like there is some serious incompatibility somewhere. I am using the Wordpress software instead, but much prefer Live Writer when it is working properly.

Hi Joe, I hope you or one of your collegues can help me out again, or any other tekkies who think they know the solution. Is anyone else having the same problem after updating Live Writer?

My MEP Robert Sturdy has welcomed the return of misshapen fruit and veg to our stores from today when the EU finally lifts its ban on wonky fruit and veg.

It means that 26 types of fruit and veg, including bendy cucumbers and nobbly carrots, can be stocked again after their ban following the introduction of EU-wide marketing standards which ensured only the finest-looking produce reached supermarket shelves; they have been in force for 20 years.

However, the European Commission is keeping 10 standards in place on fruits such as apples, pears and kiwis, and vegetables including tomatoes and lettuces; these can be sold in their misshapen form if they are labelled appropriately.

Mr Sturdy, a member of the agriculture committee, said:

“This is great news all round and consumers will benefit from the removal of this ridiculous red-tape which made us a laughing stock. There was no justification for the dumping of perfectly good produce just because it didn’t conform to EU standards, especially at a time when food security and rising food prices are big issues.

“It is also great news for local producers and I hope it will encourage consumers to buy locally from farmers’ markets with extra confidence. However, while this is a step in the right direction, the controls on the remaining 10 products account for more 75% of all fruit and vegetables sold in the EU. These restrictions must be lifted in order to safeguard consumer choice ahead of pointless EU regulation.”

The nearby community where my sons went to school is in mourning today following the death of its bravest little lad, Liam Fairhurst aged 14. He passed away quietly at home in Soham  with his family and close friends present after battling cancer.

My son James has been reading the tearful messages left on the Liam Fairhurst fan club Facebook site, where he is described as “a true legend”. Those words couldn’t be truer. James knew Liam from school and said he was loved by everyone, he was that kind of boy with a golden smile.

For anyone who doesn’t know Liam, he started fundraising in 2006 with a sponsored one mile swim after undergoing gruelling treatment and an operation to remove a tumour in his leg. His target was £1,000, but he raised £12,000. He then appeared on ITV’s “Fortune Million Pound Giveaway” and was awarded £50,741 to fund a caravan in Yorkshire where families affected by childhood cancer can take a much deserved break. His story brought a tear to the eye of one of the panelists, Dragon’s Den millionaire Duncan Bannaytyne.

Liam continued his fund-raising, despite his illness, and ended up raising over £250,000 for the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

It was no wonder that last summer he won the Britain’s Kindest Kids title in a competition run by Five News and the Charities Aid Foundation. His prize was £1,000 pocket money and £1,000 in CAF Charity Vouchers.

And do you know what this totally selfless boy did with his money? He shared his good fortune with others. It brought a lump to my throat when I read about it here:

Liam said: “I’d like the other finalists to get some of the money because they deserve it too. I’d like them to have £200 for each of their charities. I’m going to spend £200 on something I’d like. I’m going to give each family member the same amount and spend the remaining £200 on something for all the family”.

Could there be a better role model for today’s young people? Impossible. Liam was a true legend, and I hope his kindness and selflessness will continue to inspire all those whose lives he touched. 

Why do children get cancer? It’s so cruel and unfair. I send my deepest sympathies to his heartbroken family who should be so proud of their wonderful boy and his outstanding achievements.

From horse carriage to fire engine, and limo to pushbike, these  were some of the eye catching ways in which my son James’ friends arrived for their school prom this evening.

One novel set of wheels which drew up was this dingy recycling  bin - and two grinning guys leapt out of it; I’m not surprised the lads didn’t have dates! It’s not a very romantic way of asking a girl out for a special night in her best party frock. Nevertheless. it attracted huge cheers.

James arrived in a roaring red Mustang - one of three which zoomed up in convoy and lined up neatly next to each other simultaneously to make a dramatic impact. It brought a huge lump to my throat to see James dressed up to the nines and walking down the red carpet with his lady in red.

He was a fresh faced 11-year-old when he started at his excellent secondary school and is now a confident 16-year-old facing his next journey in life at sixth form college in Cambridge. He is more than ready to move on.

James’ love of golf is still a major force in his life and he plans to leave the post-prom party early at 1am (yours truly is picking him up) as he has a golf tournament tomorrow. That’s dedication for you.

I’ve been trying to encourage him to let me record him on video giving golf tips to kids, I want us to make a series for YouTube, but I haven’t managed to convince him yet. I think it is a great idea.

*Meanwhile, my eldest son David is spending the weekend in London with a friend and has made a good recovery from his broken thumb. However, his injury has hindered his regular weight training programme which has really upset him.

There has been a huge change in David’s appearance since started uni last September. He then had a skinny chest, but since joining his uni’s gym and using the weights, he has developed terrific muscles and could easily be one of those hunky male models in the Calvin Klein adverts.

*We were all stunned by the shock news of Michael Jackson’s sudden death at such a young age; I always thought he was immortal. It has made me question my mortality and whether I should be more impulsive and live for the moment.

Which brings me back to the present - and a huge pile of ironing which needs my attention while the clock ticks away till 1am….

Congratulations to Cambridge’s most illustrious road sweeper Allan Brigham, who is to collect an honorary master’s degree from Cambridge University for his services to the community as a tour guide.

I’m hoping to join him on one of his hidden history city tours - “town, not gown” - next Monday evening.

Allan, who has a degree in history, is a well known guide and local historian, and is renowned for his fascinating accounts of city life which he is keen to share with Cambridge residents.

His website states: “Many local people know more about villages visited on holiday in Tuscany or Yorkshire than about their home town.” That is so true.

I used to live near Mill Road in Cambridge before I married, the area where Allan will be leading his walk next week. It is described as the “new Islington” for its eclectic and vibrant variety of shops and restaurants. I wish I had known about Mill Road’s hidden history then….but it is never too late.

A friend joined one his tours last weekend which was intended for 20 people - only 50 turned up, and nobody was turned away. Allan is a bit of a Pied Piper character.

I wish I had joined that tour too, it sounds wonderful, so no wonder so many joined Allan for his walk around Coldham’s Common and the Leper Chapel, the city’s oldest building. He was joined by a wildlife expert to point out the best places to see water voles, three-spined stickleback and kingfishers.

When I spoke to Allan this week to put my name on his email list, he told me he did not know why he had been nominated for his distinguished university honour.

“The university works in mysterious ways,” he said.

Allan’s honour is well deserved. In a city like Cambridge, it is important to remind everyone that there is much more to it than just its world famous university.

*If you are visiting Cambridge this summer, then do consider joining the Darwin Tour of Cambridge to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. It includes a visit to his rooms at Christ’s College.

MP Richard Spring has described the publication of blacked-out expenses as a “mockery”.

He was shocked to find that his expenses were censored this way, even though he made no requests to have any items removed from publication.

The Suffolk MP has told his local paper, the East Anglian Daily Times, that it came as “a massive surprise” to see details of his expenses list smothered in black ink.

He said; “I felt it was not in the spirit of transparency to have any items covered up…. Frankly it never occurred to me that this would be the case. I am sure there are many other MPs just as amazed as me.

“It is an incredible own-goal and makes a mockery of the whole process of our relationship with the public, who must be absolutely aghast.”

He accused the House of Commons authorities of “humiliating” him by publishing the heavily-edited accounts, which would have shown he claimed £4,000 a year in food.

To view an uncensored version of Richard’s expenses, his website guides you to where they are published online.

Now that’s what I call transparency…

I was at the 10th anniversary dinner of Cambridge Speakers’ Club a few days ago and asked our area governor Graham Frost whether the recession had seen a decline of membership.

I wondered if Toastmaster clubs were closing due to lack of support. On the contrary, he told me, the recession was making them more popular.

He told me that Toastmasters International, the world’s largest not-for-profit educational organization, has had a net gain of clubs in the U.K. and Ireland in 2008/9. Toastmasters clubs exist to help their members develop their communication and leadership skills in a mutually supportive environment. There are over 200 clubs in the U.K. and Ireland, and the growth rate has exceeded expectations for the year.

“In these uncertain times, people are recognizing that they need to be able to compete for the jobs and contracts that are available. Toastmasters International helps people to develop their public speaking skills, and this helps with self-confidence and self esteem. When you walk off stage after speaking to 50 or 60 people, you are on a high, and people are beginning to realize that you can harness that feeling to develop your feelings about yourself. This can help with the achievement of your goals,” said Graham. 

Public speaking is the biggest fear that people have - they fear it more than death, according to Graham - and I can certainly vouch for its support in helping me overcome my fear. It is a great source of inspiration to be reminded by our confident and fluent members that they have also overcome this great obstacle. When I see them speak, it is impossible to believe that one day they stuttered and stammered too.

This obviously is a great skill for people seeking new jobs, as well as learning how to improve body language too. Membership fees are extremely reasonable, so do not hesitate. In fact, we are lucky in Cambridge because, due to demand, we have two clubs; a second club called Cambridge City Communictors was set up by Mike Snoswell and Michelle Fleming to meet demand.

For further information about Toastmasters in the Eastern Region, contact contact Graham Frost on 01733 311288, 07766 916317 or at tmgrahamf@hotmail.com