Ellee Seymour

An 11-year-old schoolgirl who was abducted near her home in California 18 years ago was today being reunited with her shocked family after walking into a police station.

Jaycee Lee Dugard was on her way to school when she was pulled into a stranger’s car just a block away from her South Lake Tahoe home. Her stepfather said he heard her scream and saw a man and a woman drive the terrified girl away in a grey car.

Exhaustive searches drew a blank until the 28-year-old woman revealed her true identity in tiny Antioch, a suburb of San Francisco.

Carl Probyn, Jaycee’s stepfather, said he had given up hope of seeing her again.

"Then you pray that you get her body back so there is an ending. To have this happen where we get her back alive, and where she remembers things from the past, and to have people in custody is a triple win. It’s like winning the Lotto."

Police have taken two people into custody in connection with the abduction of the woman, who is now 28.

If only all these tragic stories could have the same happy ending…

In memory of those who are still missing.

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I wonder if this is the first known case of assisted suicide, according to Zeus and Greek mythology, which was told to me by our tour guide Vera on the Greek island of Zakinthos during my recent holiday.

You can also hear Panayiotis playing his pipes under the bough of the reputed 2,000-year-old olive true.

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My MEP Robert Sturdy has today condemned the Labour government for selling out the UK taxpayer by agreeing to a massive increase of almost 60% in Britain’s financial contribution to the EU. He believes that a Conservative government would never have given away a large chunk of taxpayers’ money to the EU for no return.

He has already had media interest after we issued a press release criticising this massive increase. Documents recently released by the Treasury in their annual European Community Finances statement revealed that Britain will now contribute £6.4 billion for the year 2010-11, compared to £4.1 billion in 2009-10, an increase of £2.3 billion, or almost 60%.

Much of the increase is because of the reduction of the rebate won by Margaret Thatcher in 1984 which was designed to compensate the UK for the enormous costs  of the Common Agricultural Policy which benefits Britain to a much lesser degree than other EU countries. In December 2005, the UK agreed to give up approximately 20% of the rebate for the period 2007-2013.

Mr Sturdy said:

"I remember clearly when Baroness Thatcher secured the rebate for the British taxpayer in 1984 and was shocked when the Labour government agreed to its reduction with nothing in return.

"At a time when the UK economy is in recession, with high unemployment rates and massive public debt, the government is now demanding that every UK household pay the EU £257 as a result of Labour’s sheer incompetence

"This increase in the EU budget could be spent much better improving essential public services in the UK, such as hospitals, schools and the police force. What makes this situation even worse is that further increases are planned for the future. The government should ensure that the money we already give to the EU is spent efficiently and is properly accounted for, instead of taking more from our hard working taxpayers.”

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I’ve just signed up for two conferences about financing the third sector – particularly  of interest to me because of my work with Headway Cambridgeshire.

The first on 17 September is being hosted by Futurebuilders England and speakers include Francis Maude, Member of the Shadow Cabinet with responsibility for the third sector; Hughes Sibille, Director General of Crédit Coopératif and a prime mover  in the establishment of a European Social Investment Bank; Sir David Varney, who served as Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Service Transformation; Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of Turning Point; and Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO and Chair of Futurebuilders England.

These experts should have some desperately needed answers about how to finance the continued growth of the third sector which is needed now more than ever as the recession continues to threaten the survival of many struggling charities.

The second conference on 14 October has an incredibly impressive line-up, including inspirational entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Martha Lane Fox, who co-founded lastminute.com. This event is enticingly called “Raising Funds from the Rich” and has provided 20 leading philanthropists and major donor fundraising experts to pass on their valuable tips. It is organised by Action Planning, a leading UK consultancy which specialises in helping third sector organisations.

Its other key speakers include:

Stanley Fink, who gives from his hedge fund fortune to health, education and children’s charities.

•Johan Eliasch, one the UK’s top ten givers, and the Prime Minister’s envoy on climate change.

•Alec Reed, a major donor and founder of Reed Recruitment and theBigGive.org.uk, a specialist resource for major donors.

•Ram Gidoomal, an active philanthropist who will speak aboutn how to fundraise from Britain’s Asian rich.

•Sunday Times Rich List Editor, Ian Coxon, on the key trend is wealth generation and giving.

•Mide Akerewusi, on USA big gift techniques which could work in the UK.

•New Philanthropy Capital Chief Executive, Martin Brookes, on how major donors choose charities to support.

•CAF’s Russell Prior on how to work with foundations established by the rich.

•Robin Thomas of Action Planning, one of the UK’s leading fundraisers, on how to ask for a million pound gift.

•Kerry Rock, Action Planning’s Research Director, who runs Wealth Intelligence to locate potential big givers.

I went to Action Planning’s annual conference last year and found it very helpful and met some really interesting people, including broadcaster Jon Snow. But I think this year’s programme surpasses that, particularly as it focuses on a topic which is causing all charities major concern as many donors are unable to continue supporting charities because of the economic downturn.

Charities need to think – and act – smarter. I’m hopeful that these experts will help us do that.

For further info and to place a reservation at the free Futurebuilders conference, staged in association with Action Planning, please see www.actionplanning.co.uk/socialinvestmentbusiness.pdf and www.actionplanning.co.uk/socialinvestmentbusiness

The Branson event costs £145 and full details and booking info can be found at www.actionplanning.co.uk/rich.pdf and www.actionplanning.co.uk/rich

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I can now tell you about the book I have been working on over the last year. A copy has just arrived on my doormat, which is a totally thrilling experience. And it is on a topic which is totally different to my normal line of work.

Do you believe in psychics?

When I am asked this, I reply that I believe in Dennis McKenzie, best known as the “Soham Psychic” for the chillingly accurate readings he  gave the devastated, grief stricken parents of Holly Wells when she went missing with her friend Jessica Chapman, and both girls were murdered. It was a tragic story which sent shock waves around the world.

Dennis’ amazing life story – as well as gripping accounts of his other paranormal experiences – are being published on 3rd September by top publishers Headline. It is called Being the Soham Psycic, the man who talks to the other side. 

This is a book which I have ghost written after meeting Dennis for a personal reading at his home near Cambridge. I took him at his word when he said I should step out of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge. “Perhaps I should write a book about you,” I said, as I walked out of his house and down his front path. He instantly agreed.

At the time of my reading back in December 2007, one of the cases Dennis had worked on was splashed in the national press and he showed me the headlines. It was about a teenage boy whose body had just been recovered from a lake weighted with concrete. His name was “Happy” Kelly and he had been the victim of a gangland killing in Limerick, Southern Ireland. Dennis has helped many families who lost sons to gangland killings over there when they felt they had nobody else to turn to.

Dennis also told me about his visit to America with a documentary team to work on the terrifying case of a serial killer who had been murdering over 30 years and was still on the loose. This man was known as BTK because he bound, tortured and killed his innocent victims. Dennis was able to give police a totally different psychological profile which was found to match him perfectly after he was caught.

I instantly thought these stories would make a great book, and that his story was unlike that of any other psychic. I felt that Dennis, who had also been Woman’s Own resident psychic, should tell his story to the world. It really is unlike any other psychic’s book because Dennis speaks in a no-nonsense blunt and honest way which people appreciate, yet with compassion too. I believe he is extraordinary and possesses a unique ability to communicate with the spirit world.

The book also includes Dennis’ experiences of transfiguration, reincarnation and regression.  I promise it won’t disappoint. It will be available from all the leading bookstores, as well as supermarkets and Amazon. It can also be ordered from my website by clicking the pic of the book cover at the top right panel of my site.

Many thanks to Carly, Josh, Helena and everyone else at Headline for doing such a great job. And thanks again to ace blogger, and superb author and ghost writer Richard Havers who helped make this happen for me by recommending me to his literary agent.

(Pic copyright Rex Features)

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We have just returned bronzed and refreshed from our cruise around the Med which we shared with 3,000 plus passengers on P & O’s amazing new flagship, The Venturer. It was so vast that I only mastered my way around its countless corridors – all beige and identical – by the end of our 16 day trip.

Here are some of my highlights:

Most unusual kiss: This happened on the Greek island of Zakinthos during a visit to St Dionysios (Dennis) Church, named after a miracle worker who died 400 years ago. His saintly remains are entombed there in an elaborate silver casket which is opened twice a year when worshippers are allowed to kiss his feet.

Miraculously, during our visit a group of devout women persuaded the Greek priests to open it especially for them and pray for their loved ones. As I am half Greek, I was allowed to join the locals for this very holy encounter. I felt my knees tremble during this emotionally charged unique experience. One by one, the women handed a piece of paper of the person they wanted the bearded priests to pray for in the presence of St Dionysios. I followed behind meekly as they filed past his canonised body, which seemed to be preserved somehow and was covered in a splendid robe.

When my turn came, I also leant forward and kissed his very exalted feet (or a piece of fabric they were swathed in). The low pitched Orthodox chanting continued with eyes cast down, followed by a great sense of peace once the women had accomplished their mission for holy solace.

It was all over within 10 minutes and the coffin was firmly shut again, despite the pleadings of the crowds which gathered once word got around. We were repeatedly told how lucky we had been to experience this remarkable event, said to be the highlight of the year in Zakinthos for locals and other followers.

Biggest superstition: Wondering why there was no deck 13 in the elevator…… Are you superstitious? Most of the passengers said they were not. I admit I felt more comfortable travelling between the evenly numbered decks 12 and 14.

Most admiration: This undoubtedly is attributed to the hard working staff, mainly from India, who seemed to work constantly around the clock to provide us with endless food and clean cabins. Our cabin steward said he worked 10 hours a day, seven days a week, for six or nine months without a break. In the spa, my hairdresser told me she worked 12 hours a day with one-and-a-half days off in the week.

P & O is certainly not following the new EU Working Time Directive which has set 48 hours as the maximum working hours per week. Is that why the Southampton based cruiser is registered in Hamilton, Bermuda? Despite these gruelling hours, the staff were always courteous and smiling and couldn’t do enough to provide for our creature comforts.

Biggest disappointment: The cancellation of our shore excursion to picturesque Split at very short notice on the grounds that the berth we were due to arrive at was not safe for some reason. Many passengers booked this trip, including us, because we very much wanted to visit Croatia and admire its stunning  scenery and heritage. I’m pleased to say we were hugely impressed with Dubrovnik and its historic ramparts, though it was a very short visit.

Best disappearing act: My son David who sometimes didn’t return to his cabin at night! He was also impossible to track down at various bars and quizzes he was supposed to be taking part in.

Best derriere: I saw this on Corfu – and no, we didn’t bump into Peter Mandelson on the Greek island from where he was running Britain during his holiday. The best butt for me was the rear view of a stunning statue of the perfectly formed Archilles, one of many on display at the fabulous Archilleion Palace gardens.

Best dressed boy: I am proud to say this went to my younger son James again (he also won this title on our last cruise among his peer group). Many of his clothes are his own bargain buys from Ebay.

Biggest surprise 1: Venice didn’t smell – that’s the first question everybody asks us. And some  of the shops in Dubrovnik were more expensive than its Venetian counterpart. Venice was stunning, and all the cruise passengers lined the decks early morning as we sailed in to capture this special moment just after sunrise. We also managed a ride on a gondola around its myriad of magical waterways.

Biggest surprise 2: My husband enjoyed Greek dancing! We couldn’t keep him off the dance floor. At home, he always complains when I play Greek music, so this was quite a revelation.

Most interesting tree:  A 2,000 year-old olive tree in Zakinthos – the third oldest in Europe. I made a video recording about its origins, which naturally includes mythology with reference to an assisted suicide, which I will publish later.

Most puzzling info: I sat in on some of the cruise talks and one of the most interesting was about the tortured and doomed life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to hang in Britain in 1955. Why, I wonder, has an 80 year silence (according to the speaker Mike Harvey) been put on the publication of some of the Public Record files surrounding her case? What will they reveal in  the 2030s when published? Who are they protecting? Monica Weller has written extensively about this with Ruth’s sister Muriel Jakubait, but refers to a 50 year cloak of secrecy. However, the questions remain the same. Why is such a lengthy period of secrecy necessary over the case of Ruth Ellis?

Many thanks again to my amusing and amiable fellow shipmates Liz, Steve, James, Abigail, Rebecca, Alex and Ben for inviting us to join them on another memorable holiday.

Update: I forgot to mention the ship’s zero tolerance against troublesome passengers. I heard about a couple of women who were reportedly slung off in Barcelona on a previous trip because they were fighting over a sunbed, and on our trip a youth was said to have been left behind at one of our shore destinations because he was selling alcohol to under age kids.

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