Ellee Seymour

I really liked the live video and blog set up for today’s Progressive Governance Summit when about 20 world leaders gathered in London to discuss working together to meet the challenges of the 21st century, including climate change, globalisation and poverty.

The site stated that they were running an experimental ‘live blog’, noting the key points being made by the participants, and taking comments from website users. It is believed this is a first for a government website.

I came across it via Twitter where 10 Downing Street posted a link to it. Although I didn’t have much time to watch, I was excited by what I saw and believe it is a great way for organisations to communicate too, that we need much more live interactive communications. Comments were monitored and bloggers were reminded to remain on topic and that it was a non-political site. It was regularly updated with links on the topics being discussed.

This is a great way of observing body language and I noticed a very relaxed Bill Clinton, whose idea it was to hold the first summit in 1999 when he was in office, slip his arm around the back of Gordon Brown’s chair where it remained for a while. It was very chummy.

I look forward to more like this.

My Uncle Peter was on the phone this morning with his red hot tips for the Grand National this afternoon.

He has contacts in the racing industry and will ring me sometimes to share news of a massive win. But when we go to the races together, he doesn’t seem to have that same luck. I guess nobody is ever right all the time, but he reckons luck is on his side more often than not.

His personal favourites for today are No 11 Butler’s Cabin and No 13 Chelsea Harbour, while he has had a nod and a wink about No 17 Bewleys Berry. I haven’t made up my mind yet which one I shall back.

And there’s always a chance that No 1 Hedgehunter could pip them all to the post again after winning the race in 2005 and being the 2006 runner up.

If I had been going to Aintree, I know I would have felt under distinctly dressed, whatever I wore. There is no way I could have matched these colourful eye-catching eyefits which the northern lasses wore on Ladies Day yesterday. Stylish glamour it isn’t, but it was fun and they look like they know how to let their hair down and have a good time. And I’m all for that.

Still, if I lose today, I have another chance to try my luck this evening as we are meeting Uncle Peter for dinner and  dog racing in Peterborough, of which I know nothing about.

Any tips anyone, for either race…