Social booking tags and a Daily Mugshot

Posted by on Feb 29, 2008 in updates | 7 comments I sometimes lie in bed and think how dull my life would be if I had never started writing my blog, meeting so many interesting people, making friends with virtual strangers (not as sad as it sounds), receiving great invitations and now looking forward to exciting new opportunities which are just around the corner. Some of you may know I have Geoff to thank for this, he launched me and my blog...
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Prince Harry and the Taliban

Posted by on Feb 28, 2008 in updates | 13 comments Should we worry about Prince Harry having some action in Afghanistan and firing at the Taliban? After all, he didn’t sign up to sit behind a desk all day. My only concern is that his presence could attract a threat from terrorists and put the lives of his colleagues even more at risk. Other than that, we should let him get on with doing “his bit” alongside his comrades and...
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Will you pay 5p for a plastic bag?

Posted by on Feb 28, 2008 in updates | 13 comments A round of applause to M & S for charging food shoppers 5p for a plastic bag and giving the money to an environmental charity. Will you pay 5p? I bet you won’t. You will take a reusable bag. That has been the experience  in the Republic of Ireland, where a plastic bag levy was implemented in 2002. It’s a hot topic up for discussion on Newsnight tonight. I hope their...
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The job I didn’t get

Posted by on Feb 27, 2008 in updates | 14 comments I was reading the latest story yesterday from the Campaign to  Protect Rural England and it reminded me of how I once applied for a job as their regional press officer, but didn’t get it. It was a part-time job which paid peanuts. The interview involved writing a test press release and being grilled by three officers who had travelled from London to Cambridgeshire. After having my two...
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Did the earth move for you last night?

Posted by on Feb 27, 2008 in updates | 19 comments Am I alone in having slept through last night’s earthquake, along with my two sons, while my husband who stayed over in Colchester was woken with an almighty jolt and a shaking bed, and my sister in Wisbech felt the tremors too, her wardrobe door flung open and everything around her shook and shuddered? I was blissfully unaware of this chaos on my doorstep, said to be the biggest...
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Do you txt + drv?

Posted by on Feb 27, 2008 in updates | 12 comments I was really surprised when I read the findings of a Facebook study conducted by the RAC Foundation on how almost half of Britain’s morotists txt + drv at the same time. I’ve written the results in a press release for them which is published today and realise that I must be included in that figure, that I leave my mobile switched on when driving and will check any messages that ping...
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Does Prozac work for you?

Posted by on Feb 26, 2008 in updates | 16 comments There are some confusing headlines in today’s papers which will send the manufacturers of Prozac and other antidepressants in a spin. A clinical trial has concluded that placebos worked as effectively as anti-depressants. Researchers found that the drugs had no more effect than a placebo for mildly depressed patients, and for most people suffering severe depression. So does this mean that...
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Govt PR for maths, science and languages, and Uni drop out figures

Posted by on Feb 25, 2008 in updates | 20 comments It seems government’s solution to make maths, science and languages more appealing for school kids is to hire PR agencies. I find it absurd that Ed Balls’ Department for Children, Schools and Families is launching two major PR drives to encourage teenagers to study these subjects. A report in the latest PR Week states how two PR agencies have been hired to improve the popularity of...
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We all love Brucie

Posted by on Feb 25, 2008 in updates | 5 comments There can’t be an octogenarian in the land who doesn’t envy Bruce Forsyth’s energy and panache, his quick wit and adoring family. There is lots we can learn from Brucie about old age, that music, laughter and love is the recipe for enduring happiness and good health. both physically and mentally. I particularly liked the fact that at his star studded 80th birthday party held at...
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Helping feed the world in future years

Posted by on Feb 25, 2008 in updates | 2 comments Here is one very good reason why we need to promote science in our schools and keep our scientists in Britain – to work on ground-breaking, innovating research projects which will help feed the world’s expanding population in future years by tackling some of the most damaging and widespread pests, diseases and harsh environmental conditions which can devastate crop yields. Twelve...
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An amazing year so far

Posted by on Feb 24, 2008 in updates | 13 comments I have had an amazing year so far, and it isn’t even the end of February. I frequently receive fabulous invitations to meet the kind of people I would never normally rub shoulders with – and it’s all thanks to writing my blog. It’s also due to my blog that I shall be writing a book soon, if all goes to plan, thanks to the support of fellow blogger Richard Havers. (pic) I...
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My big challenge today

Posted by on Feb 22, 2008 in updates | 19 comments I watched David Dimbleby on Question Time particularly closely last night because I am in the hot seat today chairing a discussion with the Archbishop of York and Cambridge entrepreneurs. I really enjoy meeting inspirational people, and I know they will not be in short supply today. It is the first time I have ever done anything like this, I am well out of my comfort zone, but I accepted it as a...
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My call from CNN

Posted by on Feb 22, 2008 in Uncategorized | 10 comments I had a call from CNN yesterday about the American elections. After an internet search on this subject , they were alerted to my blog, perhaps the recent post I wrote asking my fellow Toatmasters to imagine they were a presidential candidate. A reporter called Summer wanted to know my views about wives who walked behind their presidential candidate husbands. I had no idea this was a big issue...
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Science projects help developing world

Posted by on Feb 21, 2008 in updates | 6 comments I am in London today at the launch of 12 new science research projects awarded £7 million to tackle some of the most damaging and widespread pests, diseases and harsh environmental conditions which can devastate crop yields across the developing world. One award has been given to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany who I am working with at the moment, but I cannot say more right...
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Just imagine you are President of the United States…

Posted by on Feb 20, 2008 in Uncategorized | 17 comments At Cambridge Speakers’ Club last night, part of Toastmasters’ International, I performed the role of Table Topics Master for the first time. This meant I had to select a topic and provide a series of questions on that theme for members. It is very challenging for them, they have to think and speak on their feet for up two minutes and include the word of the day, which was...
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MPs interacting on blogs

Posted by on Feb 19, 2008 in Uncategorized | 22 comments The government’s bungling of the Northern Rock crisis has led to John Redwood standing his ground on Tom Watson’s site. And it was a most civil interaction between the two MPs, no need for the Speaker to call out: "Order, order". I wonder if this marks a turning point in political blogging, is it the first time an MP has posted a comment on another MP’s site? When Tom...
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Do you buy from TV channels?

Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 in updates | 0 comments Deleted at request of subject.
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Why is Starbucks struggling?

Posted by on Feb 15, 2008 in updates | 25 comments I was disappointed to read in PR Week today that Starbucks is struggling, that the coffee chain is fighting to improve its reputation. According to the article, an online poll of 1,567 people found that of the 62 per cent of consumers who regularly visit one of the four main coffee shop brands, 16 per cent actively avoid Starbucks. I admit to having a soft spot for Starbucks because, although I...
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From food mountains to food shortages

Posted by on Feb 15, 2008 in updates | 4 comments We are very fortunate that the excellent East Anglian Daily Times carries a weekly report from local MEPs called Letter From Europe. This is my MEP Robert Sturdy’s latest article which focuses on food production and biofuels. It would be great to hear your views on these issues: “The fat is now well and truly beginning to hit the fire, I’m talking about rising food prices and the...
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A tale of too many keys

Posted by on Feb 15, 2008 in updates | 5 comments My car problem has finally been resolved, I have discovered the reason why I had difficulty starting my usually very faithful Honda. The problem started last Saturday morning when I wanted to drive to Wimpole Hall to join Cambridge Rambling Club for a walk. I used a key I found in my rucksack which I thought I had lost, but it wouldn’t start. Earlier in the week, I had ordered a...
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A unique political moment marked by Prince Charles

Posted by on Feb 14, 2008 in updates | 9 comments Because it was a unique moment, a leading member of our royal family addressing the European Parliament on a controversial subject close to his heart to spur on political action, I have included the full text of Prince Charles’ speech on climate change for which he received a standing ovation. It’s far too good to edit anyway. It’s really very passionate and well informed and I...
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Abandoning arts in the communities

Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 in updates | 15 comments Isn’t it a little hypocritical of government to say on one hand  that it wants our young people to become culture vultures, aspiring to give children access to "at least five hours of high-quality culture per week", while at the same time our talented musicians and actors face dire financial hardship which threatens their very existence? Arts is always a soft subject to hit...
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The Archbishops and social networking

Posted by on Feb 12, 2008 in updates | 15 comments I wanted to be sure of the correct protocol when introducing the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at a business discussion I am chairing among Cambridge entrepreneurs next week. So I asked Sheila Rainger, who used to work at Lambeth Palace and is now head of campaigns at the RAC Foundation. She confirmed my thoughts, that "Your Grace" was fine in a formal setting, but that the less...
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Giving up the stage for golf

Posted by on Feb 12, 2008 in updates | 11 comments My youngest son James has quit his top Cambridge drama group for golf. I was hoping he had a promising thespian life ahead of him, having played many lead roles and even appeared on TV. This morning I dropped him off at his golf club to play a junior tournament. He asked me to drop him off at 9am (even though it starts at 11.30am), a thick fog engulfed the course and the car park was already...
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Can divorce ever be pain free?

Posted by on Feb 11, 2008 in updates | 10 comments When a divorce settlement is finally reached between the McCartneys, it is bound to have several noughts on the end. Some experts suggest it could beat the £48 million record, anything between £55 – £100 million. It seems a gross amount for a four-year-old marriage and could further alienate her from the public. One of the first stories I remember reading about their...
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