Discovering The Secret

Posted by on Sep 30, 2008 in updates | 19 comments I met an interesting woman called Carol on the train a couple of weeks ago and we chatted about life, work and books. She then asked me if I had read "The Secret" and was amazed that I hadn’t. I was intrigued and ordered a copy which has just arrived. It has six million copies in print, which is phenomenal. The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, explains the centuries old law that is...
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My hotel with a difference

Posted by on Sep 29, 2008 in updates | 11 comments The hotel in Limerick where I stayed last week had more than the traditional spa and pool – it was also used as a driving test centre. In fact, it is one of three test centres in Limerick, and maybe an explanation as to why some drivers there seemed to have no regard for motoring laws; stopping for long periods in yellow boxes and driving in a rather cavalier fashion. Up until recently,...
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Two empty places round the dinner table

Posted by on Sep 26, 2008 in updates | 22 comments It is a time of great change in the Seymour household this weekend following the loss of two of its residents. The first came today when we had a shock following the unexpected death of our beloved cat Jack Morley. Jack – named on a whim by my son James, a good pirate’s name – was found lying in our front garden in a very distressed state this morning. He had the most piercing...
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The new threat to food production – banning pesticides

Posted by on Sep 25, 2008 in updates | 5 comments Food production faces another major challenge on top of climate change – the ban of a large number of pesticides currently used by farmers. My MEP Robert Sturdy is vigorously opposing EU plans which could result in more than 80% of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are commonly used on British farms today being taken off the market. German Green MEP Hiltrud BREYER is the driving...
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Hoping for "the luck of the Irish"

Posted by on Sep 22, 2008 in updates | 14 comments I’m spending the next couple of days in Limerick researching the book I am writing. And I’m hoping for "the luck of the Irish". I’m going to see a way of life which is totally alien to me – and 99.9% of you too. I know it will be riveting and unbelievable in many ways. I just wish I had time for sight seeing too and could explore its lovely castle nestled next...
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Fiona Phillips, dementia, and her govt influence

Posted by on Sep 21, 2008 in updates | 13 comments When Fiona Phillips first mentioned that she was quitting her TV sofa because she was shattered, I had an inkling about the real reason behind it all. I didn’t think it was just to spend more time with her two sons, 4 and 9, because she would have left earlier if that had been bothering her. But when she said she also wanted to care for her elderly father, I guessed that was the main...
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Should maternity pay be tripled?

Posted by on Sep 19, 2008 in updates | 18 comments There’s no doubt that having babies is an expensive business, but should maternity pay be tripled? The European Commission is proposing changes to give women full pay for the first 18 weeks of maternity leave. This more than triples the amount currently received by new mothers in Britain. The EC wants to increase leave from 14 to 18 weeks and upgrade income for that time from sick pay...
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The huge difference one woman can make

Posted by on Sep 17, 2008 in updates | 9 comments I felt really humbled after reading the difference one woman has made to improve the lives of others following the catastrophic Tsunami. This is a second guest post by Audrie who describes a charity she set up following a holiday to India. This is her story: Before starting my Social Policy degree as a mature student at ARU in 2003, I took a holiday to India and met Diana from Canada. When...
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How useful is a degree today?

Posted by on Sep 16, 2008 in updates | 29 comments Two weeks today my son David will have started university. He is very excited about it and I am thrilled for him because he worked hard to get the grades and is looking forward to this new challenge and his independence. He is going to study Economics at Hull University, which has a great reputation. I was really impressed with their facilities, courses and the students we met during our visit....
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The missing (hopefully found) – Denise Pipitone

Posted by on Sep 12, 2008 in updates | 11 comments I so hope it is true. That this bright eyed girl with pink bows in her hair, Denise Pipitone, dubbed Italy’s Madeleine McCann, has been found alive and well four years after being abducted. Denise Pipitone was only four when she vanished in September 2004 while playing outside the front of her house in Sicily as lunch was being prepared. It was believed she was kidnapped, and that...
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Time for renewed debate on GM crops

Posted by on Sep 10, 2008 in updates | 13 comments As I write this, I suspect we all have full bellies. Many tens of thousands in under developed countries do not. Yet it is those who do not suffer food shortages on their table that voice the loudest protest at what plant scientists are trying to achieve to help solve this chronic problem. Banana farmer John Barisoy explains on this video link why he needs GM technology to overcome banana...
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“The things you have to do in this country to earn a couple of bob!”

Posted by on Sep 9, 2008 in updates | 6 comments Have you seen anything more bizarre! I know we are a nation of animal lovers, so I guess this guy ended up pretty rich by playing to our emotions. Covent Garden street...
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When death seems the only way out

Posted by on Sep 8, 2008 in updates | 16 comments I hope someone in Government or with authority reads this story because a hard working woman’s life could depend on it. Maybe many other lives too as our economic downturn results in homeowners facing crippling debt just to survive, to pay their everyday bills. I can’t imagine how dreadful it must feel to lose your cherished home, your four walls and roof over your head. Your place of...
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Trying my hand at dowsing

Posted by on Sep 6, 2008 in updates | 12 comments From a child, I have always been fascinated by dowsing, watching the sticks twitch and point in different directions as an underground water source was discovered. So I was keen to try it for myself  during a visit to Snowshill Manor in the Cotswolds where it was demonstrated. The demonstration I published on YouTube shows the search for water – a craft which is set to  become...
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David’s 18th birthday speech

Posted by on Sep 5, 2008 in updates | 18 comments David only had 15 minutes notice to prepare a speech for his 18th birthday, and I was so impressed by it that I put it on YouTube. As David spends so much time glued to his computer on social network sites, it amazed me for its fluency, confidence and humour. It was a real eye opener for me. We went to Ascot for his birthday and took some of his close friends. As usual, only the bookies ended up...
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Meeting up with women chairs

Posted by on Sep 1, 2008 in updates | 12 comments  I’m spending more time in London than Cambridgeshire at the moment. And I’m heading off to the smoke again today. I’m very much looking forward to meeting a talented and dynamic woman, Dame Jo Williams,  Chief Executive of Mencap, the leading charity for people with a learning disability and their families. She will  be speaking at a networking event of women...
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