Ellee Seymour

Do you touch wood and cross your fingers for luck? Why are so many of us still superstitious? Especially today with our vast knowledge and proof to distinguish between fact and fiction.

According to one would-be expert, it’s because people feel increasingly vulnerable during times of conflict and uncertainty.

Lionel Fanthorpe, president of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena, said:

“It is not a safe or peaceful world we live in, so superstition appeals more to people when they are nervous or anxious about the social or political situation.�

A recent study highlighted by Ben Schott’s Almanac of Belief and published in today’s Times shows:

• 31 per cent of people who say they’re ‘not superstitious’ believe in ghosts
• 42 per cent of respondents who considered themselves not to be superstitious would still touch wood before any perilous undertaking

I believe we are less superstitious today, that fewer of us bother about walking under a ladder, or believe in ghosts. But I am fascinated about paranormal experiences, do you know of any?

And don’t worry if you see any “ghosts” today, just remember it is Halloween.

*You might like these Halloween pics posted by JMB.

Today has been chosen to mark the disappearance of Daniel Morcombe, one of the first tragic cases I highlighted in this series of missing people, and one of the most unforgettable because of the normal circumstances surrounding it.

It is feared Daniel was abducted and may have been murdered after disappearing 7th December, 2003 while waiting to catch a bus for a shopping trip along the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It was a few days before his 14th birthday. He would now be 17, the same age as my eldest son.

The 31^st October was chosen to mark Daniel’s disappearance as it is Halloween Day. It is intended to remind people that dangers do exist, but with the right education children can be safe. This is one of the key messages that a foundation set up in Daniel’s memory has been striving to achieve, to bring about a positive result out of the heartache his family have suffered.

Kathy Atkinson, from the Forever Searching website, wants us to know that The Day for Daniel is not only about the Australian community remembering Daniel, but about the world recognising the importance of teaching children about personal safety and protective behaviour.

Local schools and community groups in Daniel’s native Australia will be participating in a Walk for Daniel. Walkers have been asked to wear something red; a red tee-shirt is the symbol for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation because Daniel was wearing one when abducted.

The Walk for Daniel has 2 messages:

• It symbolises Daniel walking home from the bus stop a trip he did not make but the walkers will complete that journey for him.
• That our streets are safe provided some basic child safety education is taught to our children.

Just look at those two pictures, one of them shows goodness and innocence, a son anyone would be proud of, while the photo-fit of the suspect depicts evil and sends shivers through me.

Thousands of kids will be out at dark trick-and-treating for Halloween tonight, the key safety message is that they do not go out alone, at least in pairs, and stay together at all times.

In memory of those who are still missing.

   I would like to propose that dancing should made compulsory, that there is a dance suitable for everyone to enjoy, whatever their age and fitness level.

That was the theme of my latest Toastmasters speech at Cambridge Speakers’ Club last night.

I mentioned how Strictly Come Dancing was one of my favourite programmes, that dancing would help improve our health and well being, boost our social life and interaction, and encourage us to lose weight - especially the obese. It is also very uplifting.

You can read it hear, and learn who I would love to dance with Paso Doble with.

I still feel nervous when making speeches, but am becoming more confident and feel I have improved considerably since my ice breaking speech. This is a great club to join and learn with. My personal challenge is to ad lib more rather than writing a speech and learning it off by heart.

I was particularly impressed when one of my fellow Toastmasters told me she agreed with every word - and then headed off to her tango class. If only I had taken my dancing shoes with me ….