Ows off on 'olidays...

...cheated a bit with the thread title!....for the first time!!!

Off back to merry England for the winterfest....only joking...I mean CHRISTMAS...and the New Year. Will be off-line for most of that time...if we don't 'interact' before then I hope you all have a good one! 'See' you in 2007

Span

xxx

Ows off on 'olidays...

...cheated a bit with the thread title!....for the first time!!!

Off back to merry England for the winterfest....only joking...I mean CHRISTMAS...and the New Year. Will be off-line for most of that time...if we don't 'interact' before then I hope you all have a good one! 'See' you in 2007

Span

xxx

Oppulent opportunity, OUCH...

Could your friendships overcome something like this? [BBC Link] I mean a casual friendship, these were syndicate members so not close family...but having said that how many could forgive even their family or friends for such an oversight!

Never pick the same numbers and you could avoid this sort of agony...but what if...?

Oppulent opportunity, OUCH...

Could your friendships overcome something like this? [BBC Link] I mean a casual friendship, these were syndicate members so not close family...but having said that how many could forgive even their family or friends for such an oversight!

Never pick the same numbers and you could avoid this sort of agony...but what if...?

Outstanding option...

The outstanding option is a new message board, created by Gavin Corder, for those that have been/ are being cast adrift by the odious and oppressive opprobrium of the Radio 5 Live message boards, many of which are being closed. Read Gavin's post and the comments here or go straight to the Board.

Permanent cats-eyes link in sidebar...(I expect some commission Mr. Corder)

Outstanding option...

The outstanding option is a new message board, created by Gavin Corder, for those that have been/ are being cast adrift by the odious and oppressive opprobrium of the Radio 5 Live message boards, many of which are being closed. Read Gavin's post and the comments here or go straight to the Board.

Permanent cats-eyes link in sidebar...(I expect some commission Mr. Corder)

OO's Omega...

I went to see the new Bond film yesterday. I must say I enjoyed it but got the feeling that many wouldn’t – it has none of the ‘saving the world’ and armies of overall-wearing cannon fodder of others films. Anyone else seen it? Wonderful product placement, “Rolex?” asks Vesper Lynd, (Eva Green, photo and link below) “No, Omega” says Daniel Craig as Bond (hence the title of the post, referring to Omega watches). Sony (Vaio laptops) also clearly ‘paid their graft’.

In the earlier James Bond films, before Piers Brosnan, (i.e. Sean Connery et al.) “Bond is often seen wearing a Rolex Submariner. In the Ian Fleming novels, Bond is referred to a few times as wearing a Rolex watch. It is briefly described as a "Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding metal bracelet" and as having "big phosphorus numerals."

Here’s an explanation for why they made the change to an Omega. Another highlight of course was the gloriously sultry and sexy 'baddy's girl' Solange (my ex's middle name) played by Italian beauty Caterina Murino…hmmmmm

OO's Omega...

I went to see the new Bond film yesterday. I must say I enjoyed it but got the feeling that many wouldn’t – it has none of the ‘saving the world’ and armies of overall-wearing cannon fodder of others films. Anyone else seen it? Wonderful product placement, “Rolex?” asks Vesper Lynd, (Eva Green, photo and link below) “No, Omega” says Daniel Craig as Bond (hence the title of the post, referring to Omega watches). Sony (Vaio laptops) also clearly ‘paid their graft’.

In the earlier James Bond films, before Piers Brosnan, (i.e. Sean Connery et al.) “Bond is often seen wearing a Rolex Submariner. In the Ian Fleming novels, Bond is referred to a few times as wearing a Rolex watch. It is briefly described as a "Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding metal bracelet" and as having "big phosphorus numerals."

Here’s an explanation for why they made the change to an Omega. Another highlight of course was the gloriously sultry and sexy 'baddy's girl' Solange (my ex's middle name) played by Italian beauty Caterina Murino…hmmmmm

Olympic optimism or overspend...

It seems that there are several problems arising over the 2012 London Olympics...

A new civil liberties controversy has flared up over the news that police chiefs are considering using high-powered microphones to "eavesdrop" - as critics will see it - on crowds at the London 2012 Olympics. [link]

In the BBC news item Blunkett (!!!) said

"If you can't guarantee that [a private conversation as you walk down the road] - and here is someone speaking who has been pretty tough in terms of what should be available to protect society - I believe we have slipped over the edge."

Almost a year ago there was growing concern regarding the number and situation of CCTV cameras in the UK...[Owsblog post]

"A fifth of the world's CCTV cameras are in the UK, and the average person is caught on film 300 times a day. Britain's four million cameras cover almost every town centre and the numbers are growing”…

On top of this there is the growing clamour of concern over the money: how much and for what. Culture spokesman Don Foster said he wished those involved would "shut up" until the budget was finalised. I presume he was referring to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, amongst others, whom has already said the cost of the Games will be higher than budgeted (how many times can we expect to hear that in the next few years!). She stated the cost would rise by £900m to £3.3bn.

"Different government departments are arguing with each other and so nobody knows where we stand. And confidence in our ability to deliver the Olympics is sadly ebbing away when it's going to be fantastic.

I can tell you some of the rise is coming from…[BBC Link]

Mr Brown said:

"When we did the original application, there was one form of company organisation that might not have required VAT.

"Now that we have looked at the thing in detail, there may be another form of company organisation for the Olympic deal."…

Funnily enough I tend to agree with spokesmen from all 3 main parties: it is ‘frightening incompetence’ from the government but why not leave the criticism and concentrate on making sure the games are the great success the government ‘insists’ they will be….

Olympic optimism or overspend...

It seems that there are several problems arising over the 2012 London Olympics...

A new civil liberties controversy has flared up over the news that police chiefs are considering using high-powered microphones to "eavesdrop" - as critics will see it - on crowds at the London 2012 Olympics. [link]

In the BBC news item Blunkett (!!!) said

"If you can't guarantee that [a private conversation as you walk down the road] - and here is someone speaking who has been pretty tough in terms of what should be available to protect society - I believe we have slipped over the edge."

Almost a year ago there was growing concern regarding the number and situation of CCTV cameras in the UK...[Owsblog post]

"A fifth of the world's CCTV cameras are in the UK, and the average person is caught on film 300 times a day. Britain's four million cameras cover almost every town centre and the numbers are growing”…

On top of this there is the growing clamour of concern over the money: how much and for what. Culture spokesman Don Foster said he wished those involved would "shut up" until the budget was finalised. I presume he was referring to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, amongst others, whom has already said the cost of the Games will be higher than budgeted (how many times can we expect to hear that in the next few years!). She stated the cost would rise by £900m to £3.3bn.

"Different government departments are arguing with each other and so nobody knows where we stand. And confidence in our ability to deliver the Olympics is sadly ebbing away when it's going to be fantastic.

I can tell you some of the rise is coming from…[BBC Link]

Mr Brown said:

"When we did the original application, there was one form of company organisation that might not have required VAT.

"Now that we have looked at the thing in detail, there may be another form of company organisation for the Olympic deal."…

Funnily enough I tend to agree with spokesmen from all 3 main parties: it is ‘frightening incompetence’ from the government but why not leave the criticism and concentrate on making sure the games are the great success the government ‘insists’ they will be….(post from Owsblog2)

Ows out...

This blog is closed until further notice (Beta is NOT better!)
Any comments for Span please post on Owsblog 2....and if you wish you could change the link from this blog to Owsblog2.
[ http://ows2.blogspot.com/]


Sorry... :-( 

Ows out...

This blog is closed until further notice (Beta is NOT better!)
Any comments for Span please post on Owsblog 2....and if you wish you could change the link from this blog to Owsblog2.
[ http://ows2.blogspot.com/]


Sorry... :-( 

'Orthodox' options...

Seems we may have a choice as to the next global conflict: it could be Holy War, with the Pope seemingly trying to reignite the Christian anti-Islamic fire.

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

OK, that may seem a bit rough on old Moh but he was a warrior and his 'word' wasn't quite the love and peace message that JC preached, mind you that didn't stop myriad Christain offshoots slaughtering to their hearts content.

Or the option could be nuclear, with Chavez the clown forever stirring and poking a stick at the USA: I've mentioned this before [link] but now this:

He told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad "under any scenario, we are with you just like we are with Cuba".

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged to defend Iran from attack as the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement gets under way in Havana, Cuba.

All a bit depressing; I hope to post something more pleasant for my blog birthday (and Gavin's...David must have just had his or it's due this week). I've been away this week and will be for most of the time betweeen now and end of October, so don't expect much...OK, you weren't... :-)

P.S....this is the whole post ;-)

P.P.S. Also on Owsblog2

'Orthodox' options...

Seems we may have a choice as to the next global conflict: it could be Holy War, with the Pope seemingly trying to reignite the Christian anti-Islamic fire.

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

OK, that may seem a bit rough on old Moh but he was a warrior and his 'word' wasn't quite the love and peace message that JC preached, mind you that didn't stop myriad Christain offshoots slaughtering to their hearts content.

Or the option could be nuclear, with Chavez the clown forever stirring and poking a stick at the USA: I've mentioned this before [link] but now this:

He told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad "under any scenario, we are with you just like we are with Cuba".

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged to defend Iran from attack as the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement gets under way in Havana, Cuba.

All a bit depressing; I hope to post something more pleasant for my blog birthday (and Gavin's...David must have just had his or it's due this week). I've been away this week and will be for most of the time betweeen now and end of October, so don't expect much...OK, you weren't... :-)

P.S....this is the whole post ;-)

P.P.S. Also on Owsblog2

One's opprobrium offers opportunity…

Is she now the top paid model? In only one year she has gone from being Cocaine Kate, with many kicking her hard while she was down, to Kate the Great, in the latest Vanity Fair (Style Issue: click on the furry, Russian Hat picture...). We all know what followed but reportedly she made no admissions, and she was not arrested (photographs of alleged drug-taking are not admissible evidence in British courts). On 16 June 2006, British police finally dropped the charges for lack of evidence…

"However, in the absence of any forensic evidence, or direct eye witness evidence about the substance in question, its precise nature could not be established."

what a blow!… (sorry)

This opportunity from adversity…what a crisis…the Chinese word for “crisis” is so apt: it combines two different characters: danger and opportunity…and hence is exactly what has happened.

Her current contracts (for the Fall/Winter 2006 season) include: Rimmel, Belstaff, Beymen, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Longchamp, Stella McCartney, Bulgari, Chanel, Nikon, David Yurman, Versace, Mia Shvili, Calvin Klein Jeans and Burberry (this last being one of thos etaht dumped her last year). Kate Moss will also be doing some work for Virgin Mobile (she signed a $1.8 million deal for the rights to her autobiography a short while back after the Virgin mogul himself, Sir Richard Branson, convinced her she should set the record straight on various things….AND…Moss wants to become the first supermodel in space, and has signed up with Sir Richard's Virgin Galactic space flight.

Not mentioned in the list above but very important (to me…) is her being a major part of Agent Provocateur’s new range plus “The Dreams of MissX”…you can log in see these dreams if you’re a member ;-)

Not withstanding Kate in still 77th in Forbes Top 100 Celebrities just being pipped as top model by Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen (71st place)...OK, that's not her at her best but it was a flash ;-)

[Any viewing/commenting problems please tell me; read the same post HERE.]

One's opprobrium offers opportunity…

Is she now the top paid model? In only one year she has gone from being Cocaine Kate, with many kicking her hard while she was down, to Kate the Great, in the latest Vanity Fair (Style Issue: click on the furry, Russian Hat picture...). We all know what followed but reportedly she made no admissions, and she was not arrested (photographs of alleged drug-taking are not admissible evidence in British courts). On 16 June 2006, British police finally dropped the charges for lack of evidence…

"However, in the absence of any forensic evidence, or direct eye witness evidence about the substance in question, its precise nature could not be established."

what a blow!… (sorry)

This opportunity from adversity…what a crisis…the Chinese word for “crisis” is so apt: it combines two different characters: danger and opportunity…and hence is exactly what has happened.

Her current contracts (for the Fall/Winter 2006 season) include: Rimmel, Belstaff, Beymen, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Longchamp, Stella McCartney, Bulgari, Chanel, Nikon, David Yurman, Versace, Mia Shvili, Calvin Klein Jeans and Burberry (this last being one of thos etaht dumped her last year). Kate Moss will also be doing some work for Virgin Mobile (she signed a $1.8 million deal for the rights to her autobiography a short while back after the Virgin mogul himself, Sir Richard Branson, convinced her she should set the record straight on various things….AND…Moss wants to become the first supermodel in space, and has signed up with Sir Richard's Virgin Galactic space flight.

Not mentioned in the list above but very important (to me…) is her being a major part of Agent Provocateur’s new range plus “The Dreams of MissX”…you can log in see these dreams if you’re a member ;-)

Not withstanding Kate in still 77th in Forbes Top 100 Celebrities just being pipped as top model by Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen (71st place)...OK, that's not her at her best but it was a flash ;-)

[Any viewing/commenting problems please tell me; read the same post HERE.]

Owsblog options...

Sorry about the problems that seem to being caused by the new Blogger beta. For those that don't yet realise I switched at the weekend only to find out/ be informed afterwards that there was no 'communication' allowed between Blogger and Blogger beta, although this is temporary; read my warning to other Bloggers [HERE].

For those interested there is Owsblog2 that is the old 'normal' Blogger; I shall continue to post here but probably post the same on both blogs until Blogger/Google get it all sorted.

S.O.

Owsblog options...

Sorry about the problems that seem to being caused by the new Blogger beta. For those that don't yet realise I switched at the weekend only to find out/ be informed afterwards that there was no 'communication' allowed between Blogger and Blogger beta, although this is temporary; read my warning to other Bloggers [HERE].

For those interested there is Owsblog2 that is the old 'normal' Blogger; I shall continue to post here but probably post the same on both blogs until Blogger/Google get it all sorted.

S.O.

¡OJO! Overt omission; owsblog overshoots...

Beta Blogger Buzz booboo! OJO is a spanish word meaning eye but also with the exclamation marks means attention...WARNING! This morning I had a link on the dashboard, wasn't there before and you may not have it yet (or you may have had it there for days/weeks!)...the link tells you about the beta set-up - don't change until you read this:

"Note that, even if your blog is eligible to switch, you may not have the link to do so on your dashboard. We are starting out by just switching over a limited number of accounts, but we'll add more and more as time goes on. However, if you still want to try out Blogger in beta, what you can do is to visit beta.blogger.com and create a new account. Later on, you'll be able to merge this account with your original Blogger account. Thanks for your patience, and we promise it will be worth the wait!"

So I changed to the Blogger beta set-up: it's newer looks nicer and has many improvements as far as playing with the look etc of your blog. All my education with html could have been avoided...HOWEVER...having gone through the very quick and easy change-over (you need a Google account, which is also easy or unnecessary if you already have one or a gmail account) I cannot comment on other blogs that are normal Blogger...when I tried a page comes up saying the following:

"Unfortunately, you cannot post a comment on a non-beta blog or claim a mobile blog using your Google Account. These features are coming soon."

There you have it: change if you want but be aware that as yet you cannot post on non-beta blogs!!! Which means I'm out in the wilderness a bit and I'll have to comment as a 'non-blogger'...I'll try to avoid being anonymous after what happened on Six's blog beach-paraphernalia post the other day (23rd Aug)...

Now you know. Message to Blogger:

EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE FIXED SOON IT SHOULD BE IN BIG LETTERS ON THE FIRST PAGE TELLING BLOGGERS! ESPECIALLY IMPATIENT ONES LIKE ME!!! GRRRRRR!!!

¡OJO! Overt omission; owsblog overshoots...

Beta Blogger Buzz booboo! OJO is a spanish word meaning eye but also with the exclamation marks means attention...WARNING! This morning I had a link on the dashboard, wasn't there before and you may not have it yet (or you may have had it there for days/weeks!)...the link tells you about the beta set-up - don't change until you read this:

"Note that, even if your blog is eligible to switch, you may not have the link to do so on your dashboard. We are starting out by just switching over a limited number of accounts, but we'll add more and more as time goes on. However, if you still want to try out Blogger in beta, what you can do is to visit beta.blogger.com and create a new account. Later on, you'll be able to merge this account with your original Blogger account. Thanks for your patience, and we promise it will be worth the wait!"

So I changed to the Blogger beta set-up: it's newer looks nicer and has many improvements as far as playing with the look etc of your blog. All my education with html could have been avoided...HOWEVER...having gone through the very quick and easy change-over (you need a Google account, which is also easy or unnecessary if you already have one or a gmail account) I cannot comment on other blogs that are normal Blogger...when I tried a page comes up saying the following:

"Unfortunately, you cannot post a comment on a non-beta blog or claim a mobile blog using your Google Account. These features are coming soon."

There you have it: change if you want but be aware that as yet you cannot post on non-beta blogs!!! Which means I'm out in the wilderness a bit and I'll have to comment as a 'non-blogger'...I'll try to avoid being anonymous after what happened on Six's blog beach-paraphernalia post the other day (23rd Aug)...

Now you know. Message to Blogger:

EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE FIXED SOON IT SHOULD BE IN BIG LETTERS ON THE FIRST PAGE TELLING BLOGGERS! ESPECIALLY IMPATIENT ONES LIKE ME!!! GRRRRRR!!!

Organic oleo-omega...

It turns out that "you are what you eat" applies not just to humans but to cows too. Omega 3 content went up significantly in the months when cows were able to eat outside on juicy fresh grass; not a great surprise really. Why is organic milk healthier? ...in an article in The Guardian today. [link]

The picture is a genuine advertisement for organic milk – I resent any “Span’s being pervy” thoughts!...despite some truth…more on The Cerne Giant later but the ad is a genuine one for Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd., which is an independent family-run business based at Manor Farm, Godmanstone, an organic farm on the Dorset Downs, and only 10 minutes from my family…and also on one of my favourite stretches of road...but I digress.

The news in the report isn’t new; the wonderful website of Omsco (Organic Milk Suppliers Coop) tells us that back in 2003 research had proved that organic milk is naturally higher in certain nutrients than non-organic milk and one such nutrient is Omega 3 essential fatty acid….the Guardian mentions newer research, no doubt having peer reviewed this work:

In 2003 Dr Richard Dewhurst, Joint Leader of the Nutrition and Microbiology Team at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, carried out a peer reviewed study that confirmed that organic milk naturally contains much more Omega 3 fatty acid than non-organic milk. This is due to the fact that organic cows are fed higher levels of natural red clover than non-organic cows.

Further research carried out at the University of Aberdeen in 2004 found yet higher levels of Omega 3 in organic milk. The research, which compared the Omega 3 content of organic and non-organic milk showed that organic milk can contain up to 71% more Omega 3 than non-organic milk and has a better ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 than non-organic milk.

In fact, in the same newspaper there is a good example of how things progress reading the earlier articles: from 6 years ago [link]

Advocates of organics have argued that food grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides must be healthier while critics have said they may be more risky because of naturally occurring infections and because of the liberal use of cow dung.

…and 5 years ago [link]

The Soil Association, the movement's main standard bearer, unveiled a report compiling what it regarded as significant evidence of the health benefits of organic alternatives - including both their lack of harmful chemicals and supplies of minerals and nutrients - but failed to convince the agency.

[Food Standards Agency]. They may be becoming convinced now because only this month, as says FSA Chairman Deirdre Hutton: ‘We are extremely pleased to announce that Peter Melchett (Lord Peter Melchett of the Soil Association) will be the keynote speaker at the 2007 City Food Lecture. Sales of organic food are growing rapidly and this will be a chance to debate the significance of its increasing popularity.

Organic farming (says DEFRA) may offer UK farmers an opportunity to improve business profitability, biodiversity and sustainability both within agriculture and rural communities. Consumer interest is growing and being involved in organic production can help re-connect farming with the public. That is well defined here by Will Best of the aforementioned Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd.:

Essentially, organic farming is about building healthy soil by means of correct crop rotations, pasture management and recycling of manures and residues, to produce healthy crops with the right balance of nutrients to feed healthy animals and people. Substances and methods which do not help this process, such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides, monocultures and GMOs are avoided, whilst animal welfare and environmental protection are paramount. The extra care needed to operate organic systems costs money, which is why organic food can seem expensive, but we believe it is well worth it to anyone who values a good wholesome diet, contented farm animals, flourishing wildlife and a diverse countryside.

Coincidentally, the next 2 weeks are “Organic Fortnight”…I hope you hadn’t forgotten…HEREthe Soil Association will inform you if there’s an event near where you live. Also click on the cow to find where you can “Stay on a Farm”.While I’m at it organic farming isn’t just about food! Are you DYING to look good? ..and of course it isn’t just about big farms either! Organic garden: ‘urban farming’ (and “micro farming”) is a broad term used to describe the growing of food in urban areas. This can vary from small scale gardening by individuals and groups to large scale gardening projects producing significant amounts of food. Gavin’s courgettes (marrows!) and Mag’s broccoli (2nd post down) are testament to this.
Finally…getting back to…him…you know, him at the top…well, it’s a well known landmark and associated with pagan fertility festivals etc…reporting on pagan May Day festivities in his 'Anatomy of Abuses' (1583), Philip Stubbs wrote:

"Hundreds of men, women, and children go off to the woods and groves and spend all the night in pastimes, and in the morning return with birch boughs and branches of trees to deck their assembles withall....I have heard it credibly reported by men of great gravity that, of a hundred maids going to the woods, there have scarcely the third part of them returned home again as they went."

Well, that’s those “pastimes” they mentioned ahem). Now just round it all off: the original post and Guardian article are about the higher amount of essential fatty acids in the milk, or more precisely the amount of ALA (Alpha Linolenic acid)…HERE’s a 3D model of the carbon hydrogen and oxygen atoms (C18H30O2) that make up that fatty acid….imagine that, manufactured in durable rubber…sex toy or what!!!

Organic oleo-omega...

It turns out that "you are what you eat" applies not just to humans but to cows too. Omega 3 content went up significantly in the months when cows were able to eat outside on juicy fresh grass; not a great surprise really. Why is organic milk healthier? ...in an article in The Guardian today. [link]

The picture is a genuine advertisement for organic milk – I resent any “Span’s being pervy” thoughts!...despite some truth…more on The Cerne Giant later but the ad is a genuine one for Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd., (link through ‘him’) which is an independent family-run business based at Manor Farm, Godmanstone, an organic farm on the Dorset Downs, and only 10 minutes from my family…and also on one of my favourite stretches of road...but I digress.

The news in the report isn’t new; the wonderful website of Omsco (Organic Milk Suppliers Coop) tells us that back in 2003 research had proved that organic milk is naturally higher in certain nutrients than non-organic milk and one such nutrient is Omega 3 essential fatty acid….the Guardian mentions newer research, no doubt having peer reviewed this work:

In 2003 Dr Richard Dewhurst, Joint Leader of the Nutrition and Microbiology Team at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, carried out a peer reviewed study that confirmed that organic milk naturally contains much more Omega 3 fatty acid than non-organic milk. This is due to the fact that organic cows are fed higher levels of natural red clover than non-organic cows.
Further research carried out at the University of Aberdeen in 2004 found yet higher levels of Omega 3 in organic milk. The research, which compared the Omega 3 content of organic and non-organic milk showed that organic milk can contain up to 71% more Omega 3 than non-organic milk and has a better ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 than non-organic milk.

In fact, in the same newspaper there is a good example of how things progress reading the earlier articles: from 6 years ago [link]

Advocates of organics have argued that food grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides must be healthier while critics have said they may be more risky because of naturally occurring infections and because of the liberal use of cow dung.

…and 5 years ago [link]

The Soil Association, the movement's main standard bearer, unveiled a report compiling what it regarded as significant evidence of the health benefits of organic alternatives - including both their lack of harmful chemicals and supplies of minerals and nutrients - but failed to convince the agency.

[Food Standards Agency]. They may be becoming convinced now because only this month, as says FSA Chairman Deirdre Hutton: ‘We are extremely pleased to announce that Peter Melchett (Lord Peter Melchett of the Soil Association) will be the keynote speaker at the 2007 City Food Lecture. Sales of organic food are growing rapidly and this will be a chance to debate the significance of its increasing popularity.

Organic farming (says DEFRA) may offer UK farmers an opportunity to improve business profitability, biodiversity and sustainability both within agriculture and rural communities. Consumer interest is growing and being involved in organic production can help re-connect farming with the public. That is well defined here by Will Best of the aforementioned Manor Farm Organic Milk Ltd.:

Essentially, organic farming is about building healthy soil by means of correct crop rotations, pasture management and recycling of manures and residues, to produce healthy crops with the right balance of nutrients to feed healthy animals and people. Substances and methods which do not help this process, such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides, monocultures and GMOs are avoided, whilst animal welfare and environmental protection are paramount. The extra care needed to operate organic systems costs money, which is why organic food can seem expensive, but we believe it is well worth it to anyone who values a good wholesome diet, contented farm animals, flourishing wildlife and a diverse countryside.

Coincidentally, the next 2 weeks are “Organic Fortnight”…I hope you hadn’t forgotten…HEREthe Soil Association will inform you if there’s an event near where you live. Also click on the cow to find where you can “Stay on a Farm”.While I’m at it organic farming isn’t just about food! Are you DYING to look good? ..and of course it isn’t just about big farms either! Organic garden: ‘urban farming’ (and “micro farming”) is a broad term used to describe the growing of food in urban areas. This can vary from small scale gardening by individuals and groups to large scale gardening projects producing significant amounts of food. Gavin’s courgettes (marrows!) and Mag’s broccoli (2nd post down) are testament to this.
Finally…getting back to…him…you know, him at the top…well, it’s a well known landmark and associated with pagan fertility festivals etc…reporting on pagan May Day festivities in his 'Anatomy of Abuses' (1583), Philip Stubbs wrote:

"Hundreds of men, women, and children go off to the woods and groves and spend all the night in pastimes, and in the morning return with birch boughs and branches of trees to deck their assembles withall....I have heard it credibly reported by men of great gravity that, of a hundred maids going to the woods, there have scarcely the third part of them returned home again as they went."

Well, that’s those “pastimes” they mentioned ahem). Now just round it all off: the original post and Guardian article are about the higher amount of essential fatty acids in the milk, or more precisely the amount of ALA (Alpha Linolenic acid)…HERE’s a 3D model of the carbon hydrogen and oxygen atoms (C18H30O2) that make up that fatty acid….imagine that, manufactured in durable rubber…sex toy or what!!!

Opt out of overloading...

THIS story of a UK postman who is facing dismissal because he advised people how to stop the ubiquitous and ever-growing masses of junk mail being delivered to their home; he has been suspended for misconduct.

The overloading I mention is of course your front door but also poor postman's back! The postie, Roger Annies, “composed and circulated a leaflet about the Royal Mail's opt-out clause for unsolicited mail”…seems he was only trying to help his ‘customers’.

I must say I agree with many of the comments that follow the BBC article, here’s one that I concur with as it is something I have suggested myself in the past:

99% of people are going to support this postie, junk mail is a pain and is largely unwelcome. I'm glad he did it, as this news story has effectively told me how to opt out of receiving some of this junk. Personally I would like to see the Royal Mail be allowed to increase the price of a 1st class stamp by 10p to increase their profitability, as I think even at 40p a pop the 1st class letter service would be an absolute bargain, and perhaps then they wouldn't need to distibute colossal amounts of (what ends up as) waste paper. Dave, Yeovil, Somerset

What we call junk mail is officially termed ‘direct marketing’ and the ‘door-to-door’ contracts are a profitable service and more importantly an essential income to the Royal Mail.

"We make money through direct mail by senders paying for their addressed mail to be delivered, or through having a contract with senders who post unaddressed mail, such as local government information or local takeaways."

You may not realize it, but a company you have done business with may (???) have sold or shared your personal information to other companies involved in direct marketing. The Direct Marketing Association is essentially a good thing: they say “every organisation engaged in direct marketing needs the DMA to exist. Without it, there is no one to defend direct marketing from unethical or unprofessional practitioners, who can bring direct marketing into ill repute, trigger restrictive legislation and create consumer mistrust.”

The mission of the DMA is to maximise value for members whilst maintaining and enhancing consumers' trust and confidence in direct marketing.

They can’t be all bad because they offer the consumer information on opting out of being on these marketing lists: HERE, or use the Mail Preference Service to choose the mail you need/want, HERE:

Otherwise, to stop junk mail you can link to junk mail.org (click on the image) or contact:

Opt-Outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX(for unaddressed mail) and for addressed mail Mail Preference Service(MPS), Freepost 29, LON 20771, London, W1E 0ZT or call 0845 703 4599

That unethical practitioner may not only be from the UK and there are problems with Mailings from Overseas e.g. promoting lotteries or ‘get rich quick schemes’ that are often misleading and fraudulent. The Mail Preference service advice is not to reply (and to put it straight in your recycling bin) The Office of Fair Trading is working on dealing with this; you can send any copies you receive (including the envelope) to:

European Enforcement Team at the Office of Fair Trading at Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8IJ.

Also:Postwatch is an independent organisation, not attached to the Royal Mail Group or part of the Government. Postwatch was set up to ensure that post offices, Parcelforce, Royal Mail and any competing postal providers, give the best service possible to you, their customer.

“Post offices are visited by twenty eight million people at least once every week. On average, we send 100 letters and receive over five times that amount from friends and businesses each year. Just about everyone of every age and every background uses the post in some way and they need an effective consumer body to make sure their views are heard. This is why Postwatch was set up.”

Please don't get me wrong, I'm 100% in favour of the service our Postmen give us (well OK, give YOU!!...) and I am also in favour of keeping open the UK's network of Post Offices - long may they continue!

Opt out of overloading...

THIS story of a UK postman who is facing dismissal because he advised people how to stop the ubiquitous and ever-growing masses of junk mail being delivered to their home; he has been suspended for misconduct.

The overloading I mention is of course your front door but also poor postman's back! The postie, Roger Annies, “composed and circulated a leaflet about the Royal Mail's opt-out clause for unsolicited mail”…seems he was only trying to help his ‘customers’.

I must say I agree with many of the comments that follow the BBC article, here’s one that I concur with as it is something I have suggested myself in the past:

99% of people are going to support this postie, junk mail is a pain and is largely unwelcome. I'm glad he did it, as this news story has effectively told me how to opt out of receiving some of this junk. Personally I would like to see the Royal Mail be allowed to increase the price of a 1st class stamp by 10p to increase their profitability, as I think even at 40p a pop the 1st class letter service would be an absolute bargain, and perhaps then they wouldn't need to distibute colossal amounts of (what ends up as) waste paper. Dave, Yeovil, Somerset

What we call junk mail is officially termed ‘direct marketing’ and the ‘door-to-door’ contracts are a profitable service and more importantly an essential income to the Royal Mail.

"We make money through direct mail by senders paying for their addressed mail to be delivered, or through having a contract with senders who post unaddressed mail, such as local government information or local takeaways."

You may not realize it, but a company you have done business with may (???) have sold or shared your personal information to other companies involved in direct marketing. The Direct Marketing Association is essentially a good thing: they say “every organisation engaged in direct marketing needs the DMA to exist. Without it, there is no one to defend direct marketing from unethical or unprofessional practitioners, who can bring direct marketing into ill repute, trigger restrictive legislation and create consumer mistrust.”

The mission of the DMA is to maximise value for members whilst maintaining and enhancing consumers' trust and confidence in direct marketing.

They can’t be all bad because they offer the consumer information on opting out of being on these marketing lists: HERE, or use the Mail Preference Service to choose the mail you need/want, HERE:

Otherwise, to stop junk mail you can link to junk mail.org (click on the image) or contact:

Opt-Outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX(for unaddressed mail) and for addressed mail Mail Preference Service(MPS), Freepost 29, LON 20771, London, W1E 0ZT or call 0845 703 4599

That unethical practitioner may not only be from the UK and there are problems with Mailings from Overseas e.g. promoting lotteries or ‘get rich quick schemes’ that are often misleading and fraudulent. The Mail Preference service advice is not to reply (and to put it straight in your recycling bin) The Office of Fair Trading is working on dealing with this; you can send any copies you receive (including the envelope) to:

European Enforcement Team at the Office of Fair Trading at Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8IJ.

Also:Postwatch is an independent organisation, not attached to the Royal Mail Group or part of the Government. Postwatch was set up to ensure that post offices, Parcelforce, Royal Mail and any competing postal providers, give the best service possible to you, their customer.

“Post offices are visited by twenty eight million people at least once every week. On average, we send 100 letters and receive over five times that amount from friends and businesses each year. Just about everyone of every age and every background uses the post in some way and they need an effective consumer body to make sure their views are heard. This is why Postwatch was set up.”

Please don't get me wrong, I'm 100% in favour of the service our Postmen give us (well OK, give YOU!!...) and I am also in favour of keeping open the UK's network of Post Offices - long may they continue!

Orthodontic opt-out obliges overseas onrush…

I'm not starting a theme for my blog here but it seems that this post is connected with the previous one...a first for me and an apt way to celebrate my 100th blog post!

The government will find a way: four months ago the new Dentist contracts came into play and at the same time we find that the UK is importing Dentists: it appears that almost half of the dentists who joined the NHS in England last year qualified abroad, official figures have shown and of these Poland alone contributed 17% of the 2,200 dentists who joined the health service in the year to March 2006...

The British Dental Association (BDA) said 60% of those who had signed were unhappy with the terms of the contract and could still opt out, although the government said it was half that number; 10% of dentists did opt out: dentists' frustrations over contract continue: dentists across England have yet to resolve disagreements over their new NHS contracts four months after they came into force. Figures published by the Department of Health today reveal that 69% of contracts signed ‘in dispute’ by dentists when the new contract was introduced have yet to be resolved. Lester Ellman, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said:

“This is clearly an extremely worrying situation for many dentists and their patients, and reflects the uncertainty, unfairness and unhappiness surrounding the Government’s reforms of NHS dentistry. Dentists are frustrated about the target-driven nature of the new contract which fails to allow a more preventive approach to care. And from the evidence so far, the new contract seems to have done little to achieve the Government’s primary aim of making it easier to find an NHS dentist.”

The dentists themselves will not benefit from the changes, from the BBC report: Essex dentist Piers Lambert when explaining the new charges to his patients in the form of a leaflet wrote: "Please remember that these increased charges will not increase the revenue to the practice."

"We will be collecting the indirect "tooth tax" on behalf of the government."

Unsurprisingly, Mr Lambert is one of thousands of dentists who signed the contract "in dispute", meaning they only agreed to put pen to paper to ensure services keep running while continuing to negotiate on the terms.

The BBC also reported that Shadow Health Secretary, at the time, Andrew Lansley said:

"This new contract is a bad deal for dentists and a bad deal for patients."

And Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, added:

"The long-term future of NHS dentistry looks bleak unless the government urgently review the new contract."

Now I'm not complaining so much about the imported dentists themselves, I'm sure they are perfectly capable at their jobs; but it does seem to be a way the government can wrangle the existing set-up to the detriment of those already employed and whose education and careers have led them to their current professional standing -and it's not the first time either: it happened with Vets as well, hundreds were imported, primarily from Spain, and the influx of foreign nurses continues to increase...where and when will it end? When the lawyers (and their political benefactors) find themselves displaced by cheaper foreign imports, that's when!

Orthodontic opt-out obliges overseas onrush…

I'm not starting a theme for my blog here but it seems that this post is connected with the previous one...a first for me and an apt way to celebrate my 100th blog post!

The government will find a way: four months ago the new Dentist contracts came into play and at the same time we find that the UK is importing Dentists: it appears that almost half of the dentists who joined the NHS in England last year qualified abroad, official figures have shown and of these Poland alone contributed 17% of the 2,200 dentists who joined the health service in the year to March 2006...

The British Dental Association (BDA) said 60% of those who had signed were unhappy with the terms of the contract and could still opt out, although the government said it was half that number; 10% of dentists did opt out: dentists' frustrations over contract continue: dentists across England have yet to resolve disagreements over their new NHS contracts four months after they came into force. Figures published by the Department of Health today reveal that 69% of contracts signed ‘in dispute’ by dentists when the new contract was introduced have yet to be resolved. Lester Ellman, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said:

“This is clearly an extremely worrying situation for many dentists and their patients, and reflects the uncertainty, unfairness and unhappiness surrounding the Government’s reforms of NHS dentistry. Dentists are frustrated about the target-driven nature of the new contract which fails to allow a more preventive approach to care. And from the evidence so far, the new contract seems to have done little to achieve the Government’s primary aim of making it easier to find an NHS dentist.”

The dentists themselves will not benefit from the changes, from the BBC report: Essex dentist Piers Lambert when explaining the new charges to his patients in the form of a leaflet wrote: "Please remember that these increased charges will not increase the revenue to the practice."

"We will be collecting the indirect "tooth tax" on behalf of the government."

Unsurprisingly, Mr Lambert is one of thousands of dentists who signed the contract "in dispute", meaning they only agreed to put pen to paper to ensure services keep running while continuing to negotiate on the terms.

The BBC also reported that Shadow Health Secretary, at the time, Andrew Lansley said:

"This new contract is a bad deal for dentists and a bad deal for patients."

And Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, added:

"The long-term future of NHS dentistry looks bleak unless the government urgently review the new contract."

Now I'm not complaining so much about the imported dentists themselves, I'm sure they are perfectly capable at their jobs; but it does seem to be a way the government can wrangle the existing set-up to the detriment of those already employed and whose education and careers have led them to their current professional standing -and it's not the first time either: it happened with Vets as well, hundreds were imported, primarily from Spain, and the influx of foreign nurses continues to increase...where and when will it end? When the lawyers (and their political benefactors) find themselves displaced by cheaper foreign imports, that's when!

Overwhelming open-door onslaught...

Seems to me that we can’t escape the obvious; it’s been obvious for a number of years but it is only now that it appears we are able to talk about it. I recall clearly the roasting William Hague and others got for having the nerve to mention the problem that dare not speak its name…immigration.

I touched on this earlier in the month regarding the fact that 83% of the new housing that England “needs” would be for the increase in population due to immigration.

Now the BBC tells us that “About 600,000 people have come to work in the UK from eight nations which joined the European Union in 2004, says Home Office minister Tony McNulty.”
The figures show those 427,000 migrant workers who successfully registered to work brought with them 36,000 dependents - spouses and children. Some 27,000 child benefit applications were approved

The government predicted there would be 15,000 people a year from the new EU member countries moving to the UK for work.

The question that strikes me is how can these people just seem to turn up and get benefits? 36,000 dependants….27, 000 child benefit applications approved, I presume that the other 9 thousand are mothers – all with 3 children each? Am I wrong to assume that? Now these immigrants will have zero or very little NI payments…I paid my NI every month when I was working abroad, I even made a mistake and paid DOUBLE NI for several years but when I returned to the UK in 1996 I was told that I couldn’t receive ANY benefit AT ALL for at least 6 months and even then it would depend on what savings I had. So turn up as a foreigner and collect straight away…pay your dues for years on end (without using any service because you live abroad) and you get zilch???

Now the government claims it’s good for the nation, they all pay their way etc…seems not: here are all the calculations… and their apparent results. However:

Conclusion

51. The Government has repeatedly claimed, in support of their policy of encouraging large-scale immigration, that migrants make a positive fiscal contribution of £2.5 billion a year. This report shows that central claim to be false.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the case for restrictions for Romanians and Bulgarians was now "unanswerable".

Former Labour minister Frank Field the number of migrants was unmanageable and made it increasingly difficult for local people to get jobs.

MIGRATION SINCE 2004
Accession countries: 427,000
(About 600,000 including self-employed)
Dependants: 36,000
Non-EU settlement: 318,330
Granted asylum: 123,000
Non-EU work permits: 261,235, plus 87,000 dependants
Total: 1,425,565
Source: Home Office

AGE OF REGISTERED WORKERS: 92% between the ages of 18 and 44.
(Source: Accession monitoring report May 2004 - June 2006)

Alarming, no? …more from the BBC HERE, and these figures does not even include people from the existing EU countries (Ireland, France, Germany etc…) who may have moved to live in the UK over those two years. And…there’s more, by definition it does not include illegal immigrants.

Now, having said all that this does not mean that the UK's population will have increased by this amount since May 2004 as there have also been people leaving the UK…how many…err…well there’s 119,000 British people moved abroad in 2004, according to the latest available figures…and …err…there are no figures given for the numbers of people given the right to work in the UK who have since left…but I think we all know that it’s not enough! All the figures have been reported in all the media, this isn't just a 'right-wing' press scare story. Here's the reports from The Guardian and The Independent.

The government must stand its ground. EU enlargement is good for the EU and good for Britain - both in economic and political terms. Intra-EU migration is vital for the efficient use of EU labour. It is also a fundamental right of EU membership.

This last from the Financial Times…but I just do not understand how they can keep claiming that it’s good. Looking at the graph below all of those jobs will be on or near minimum wage; if all those thousands of employers know that the minimum wage is MUCH more than those workers would get in their native countries they know the workers will not leave or worry about earning much more, thereby maintaining wages at a false low and intentionally or not discouraging ‘home grown’ workers who know damn well they cannot afford to live on the minimum wage.

For all the details read the Home Office report published 22 August 2006 [link] (PDF)