Oh dear all is not well down on the Hove Sea front here in Sunny Sussex. When Jeff Allen went away for a few days he asked a mate if he could give his beach hut a lick of paint. When he returned two days later he discovered his hut had been transformed into a psychedelic piece of art.
Mr Allen has now been given just two weeks to repaint it in strict Brighton and Hove City Council-approved colours. Today Mr Allen, from Southwick, who has owned the hut for seven years, said:I think I have broken the 11th commandment – thou shalt not paint a beach hut in different colours than those specified. No one in a million years could get away with that."
Normally Pride in Brighton takes place on the first Saturday in August. However this year they have had their nose pushed out by the opening of the new Brighton and Hove Albion football stadium that will open on that Saturday. Pride had been pushed back to Saturday 13th August.
The Pride committee have just announced that x factor winner and Popstar to Operastar finalist JOE McELDERRY will be performing on this years Live Stage at the Pride 2011 event in Preston Park.
Just along the coast at Newhaven this week an 80 year old man handed in a WW2 Shell that to the Coast Guard Station in Newhaven. They had found it on the beach and carried it to the station about half a mile away. The control room was informed, a cordon was set up and the Police and bomb disposal were alerted.
The bomb disposal team from Didcot arrived later in the day and inspected the object before taking it away for safe disposal.
With news that Rupert Murdock is to shut down The News of the World following all the phone hacking scandle. The 168-year-old newspaper is expected to record its biggest sale for years as its historic final edition becomes a collector's item.
7th July 2011
Last weekend we ventured from Sunny Sussex to our neighbouring county of Kent, often referred to as the Garden of England and famous for its apple orchards and the growing of hops for beer making. We visited Sandwich which next week will host the UK Open golf championship. The last time The British open was held in Kent was back in July 2003. The Royal St George's Golf Club will host The Open for the 14th time, the first was back in 1894.
Sandwich is now about two miles from the sea, but the River Stour used to be large enough for big trading and war ships to sail to and from the quay. It was also large enough for invading ships, and the town was invaded many times in the past. For example, in 1457, the town was attacked by 4,000 Frenchmen (mainly from Honfleur) under Marshal Pierre de Breze or as English accounts call him, Peter Brassey. The Mayor of Sandwich, John Drury, was killed along with many citizens. In memory of this event, the Mayor of Sandwich still wears a black robe.
All is forgiven today however, and the town of Honfleur is now a twin town of Sandwich.
Sandwich is arguably one of the best preserved medieval towns in the UK. And is a delight to stroll around, admiring the ancient and often crooked buildings. Walking down New Street we discovered a plaque saying that Thomas Paine had lived there from 1759 - 1768. This was news to us as he also lived near to us in Lewes here in Sunny Sussex.
I am assuming that you Americans are aware of Tom Paine and the part he played in American History. Whilst living her in Sunny Sussex he wrote a pamphlet calling for an increase in wages and lost his job as a result. His activities caught the attention of Benjamin Franklin.
Thomas Paine's Cottage in Sandwich
Paine went on to produce a series of books and pamphlets, the most famous being, The Rights of Man, and, in one of his pamphlets, he was the first to coin the phrase, 'The United States of America'.
He travelled between England, France, and America and played a prominent role in both the French and American revolutions, but was eventually outlawed by the British government for his views on religion and the monarchy. He spent some time in jail in France for opposing the execution of the King. Finally, he settled on his farm in New Rochelle, New York State, America, where he died an American Citizen, in 1809.
Another hidden gem if Sandwich is The Salutation. A grade I-listed manor house, which was designed by famous English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens also devised the three-and-a-half acres of ornamental gardens with the help of Gertrude Jekyll. After lying neglected for 25 years, the gardens have now been restored to their
original glory.
2nd July 2011
The Pride parade in London has just kicked off for another year, and it promises to be bigger than ever. Due to a few road closures, the parade began from outside BBC Broadcasting House on Portland, down Regent Street and Pall Mall, concluding in Trafalgar Square This year includes a march-past by the Armed Forces (including gay Royal Air Force personnel, who we interviewed earlier this year), gay rugby team the Kings Cross Steelers and the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home which will showcase the winners of London's Pride Pooch 2011. The main entertainment will be in Trafalgar Square and will include the original Buck's Fizz line up.
Meanwhile down here in Sunny Sussex is the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed was founded in 1993 by the present Earl of March in order to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood estate - a location steeped in British motor racing history. Shortly after taking over the estate in the early nineties, Lord March (as he is formally known) wanted to bring back motor racing to Goodwood Circuit, but did not have the necessary permit to host a race there. Therefore he instead hosted it on his own grounds. With a small selection of entrants made up of invited historic vehicles, the first event that took place on Sunday 13 June proved to be a success, taking in a crowd of 25,000 despite a date clash with the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. For the following year, the event expanded to two days, and in 1996 added one extra day on Friday. After its date clash for the first event, Lord March would ensure that the event would never be allowed to clash with either Le Mans or Formula One races.
For car racing fanatics this festival is a must and this year there is even interest for our friends "Across the Pond" One of the highlights of this year's Festival of Speed is a celebration of 100 years of the Indianapolis 500. Many cars that competed in the famous race have been shipped over to the UK especially for the Goodwood weekend. The majority of the older cars are from the Indianapolis Speedway museum and have never been seen in the UK
Church of England bishops say they have temporarily barred priests in civil partnerships from being appointed as bishops. The statement on Friday from the House of Bishops said a review of civil relationships would be completed next year and a broader review of the church's attitude toward homosexuals is to be published in 2013.
The Church of England's policy is that gay male priests who are celibate are eligible to become bishops, though no openly gay candidate has been advanced to a bishopric.
The temporary ban on promoting priests in civil partnerships would exclude a number of clergy including the Rev. Jeffrey John, the dean of St. Albans, who has been considered for advancement twice and rejected both times.
The church is still debating whether women, gay or not, can become bishops.
30th June 2011
William and Kate , The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge begin their first overseas tour as a married couple today visiting Canada and California.
William and Kate's arrival in the Commonwealth country is eagerly anticipated and their appearance later in the capital, Ottawa, is expected to draw thousands on to the streets.
The royal couple will one day be King and Queen of Canada and their trip will be closely followed by the media and public alike.
They will travel to seven cities during their nine-day visit meeting a diverse array of Canadians and getting to grips with the challenges and excitement of being on tour. It is expected that they will join in with local groups putting their own young touch on how a Royal Visit should be carried out. They will be touring Canada with a relatively humble entourage of only seven people.
The Duke and Duchess will tour Canada under a new royal flag, unveiled yesterday and created in celebration of their visit.
Prince Williams flag for his Canadian Visit
The new royal flag for Wills and Kate
The banner is William's personal flag but will come to symbolise the couple as it flutters from the luxury limousines used to drive them around or from the roofs of buildings they are visiting.
Oh dear never get on the wrong side of your Mother in Law to be. This is just what Heidi Withers did when she recently stayed with her intended in-laws. So incensed was her step mother in law to be that she sent poor Heidi an email on the correct etiquette to employ when visiting someone's home. The email has since gone viral. I guess Mrs Bourne the Step mother from hell does not like poor Heidi.
As part of its "Taste of Ireland" promotion, KFC China has decided to hit the bottle. The result looks rather revolting.
In the commercial above, whiskey collides with cream before the camera pans out to show a Chinese chef pouring what appears to be Bailey's Irish Cream into a pot of chicken. When a westerner takes in the aroma of the alcohol-infused fowl, he begins a mental journey through the Emerald Isle that includes Celtic musical accompaniment.
27th June 2011
Britain was in meltdown today as the hottest day of the year caused chaos around the country. Weather officials issued health warnings as temperatures trumped the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and eastern deserts and reached a heady 33c.
Train services were slowed down as temperature overheated the tracks in place. Here in "Sunny Sussex" we have had our own problems today. In Brighton, steps leading to the beach even started to melt. Brighton and Hove council said that recently laid asphalt had could not withstand the heat combined with heavy usage.
Workmen closed off the steps leading to the beach, forcing hundreds of sun-seekers to find an alternative route to the sand.
Closer to home in nearby Newhaven, a funeral store almost burned down when the sun reflected off a window. The sizzling light acted like a prism and set fire to flowers in the 28C heat. Firefighters took an hour putting out the fire after a member of the public spotted smoke in the shop window and raised the alarm.
The Glastonbury Music Festival wrapped today after four days of trashing the lovely Somerset countryside in the name of big-name music acts, boozing and fun. Pretty much par for the Glastonbury course, but this year's festival proved a bit different than others: Not only did mega-stars U2 attract violent protest for their alleged tax avoidance in recession-devastated Ireland, but a senior Tory aide died in the toilets as well.
Still, the 170,000 Glastonbury revellers trudged home today, leaving behind a devastated wasteland of plastic bags, bottles and cans, busted tents and the odd Wellington boot
A poll of British Muslims suggests that almost half say they are proud of the country's stance on gay rights. According to the research 47 percent of Muslims agreed with the statement: "I am proud of how Britain treats gay people."
This figure was slightly higher than the average and just higher than the 46.5 per cent of Christians who agreed with the statement. Thirty-four per cent of Muslims said they did not agree or disagree, while 10.8 per cent said they strongly disagreed.
Glad to to hear that Rubbermaid Mark is home and doing nicely after his heart operation.
25th June 2011
Late on Friday evening, New York became the sixth US state to legalise gay marriage. New York is America's third most populous state and the breakthrough doubles the number of gay Americans who can marry in their own state.
As New York has no residency requirement, gay couples from other states are expected to take advantage of the law. The victory is a stunning success for gay rights campaigners who need nationwide momentum.
The seventh annual World Testicle Cooking Championship is about to take place in Serbia.
In a remote Serbian mountain village, chefs are cooking up delicacies to make your mouth water or your stomach churn. At the seventh annual World Testicle Cooking Championship, visitors watch and sometimes taste as teams of chefs cook up bull, boar, camel, ostrich and even kangaroo testicles.
The festival includes dishes such as testicle pizza and testicles in béchamel sauce flavoured with a variety of herbs found in the region. Visitors eat the dishes with plenty of wine or beer, and the stalls also sell roasted pig or lamb "as a side dish".
Ljubomir Erovic Organiser of the teh Testical Festival
The festival also gives prizes to those who have made the news for being "ballsy". This year one of the unsuspecting winners was Barack Obama. "He's the bravest man in the world," said Erovic the event organiser. "Obama took over the world at the most difficult economic and political times. He showed he has balls."
A man in Chattanooga who was buried with the wrong set of dentures is to be dug up fro his grave and given new ones. The man who was laid in his coffin earlier this month was given false teeth belonging to an older guy who shared the same ward. His wife discovered the error when she found his teeth at home. She has asked the court to have his body exhumed and given his own teeth. Only in Tennessee
20th June 2011
The Church of England is set to approve the appointment of openly gay bishops, providing that they are celibate. The equality acts says that an employer cannot discriminated against sexual orientation so the C of E has taken legal advice on the matter. The document, Choosing Bishops – The Equality Act 2010, summarises points which those involved in the nomination process "need to keep in mind" when considering candidates in order to avoid breaking the law. It reiterates there is no bar to the promotion of gay clergy to a bishopric as long as they are not sexually active and never have been during their time in the priesthood.
However, the document says a selection committee could veto a gay candidate if "the appointment of the candidate would cause division and disunity within the diocese in question". So guess that is a good enough opt out clause.
Last week it was the naked bike ride. This week it is the turn of the swimmers, as nude swimmers take to the freezing cold waters of North Wales to set a new record for naked swimming. The event was organised to raise funds for Marie Curie cancer fund, around 400 skinny dippers braved the shrinkingly cold water to break the previous record of 250 .
They were not the only people to strip off their clothes last week. Hundreds of half-naked shoppers braved the rain last week dressed in just their underwear eager to bag a free outfit.
The first 100 people who turned up to Spanish label Desigual's store on Regent Street won an outfit of their choice.
Fashion fans started queuing up at 11pm last night and lots of people today left empty-handed after more than 300 people showed up.
The Queen of Mean Anne Robinson described a Weakest Link contestant's shirt as 'gay' Reverend Peter Hayler appeared on the hit quiz show on Wednesday wearing a rainbow striped shirt that accommodated his dog collar. Ms Robinson asked the clergyman if the shirt was gay and suggested that he looked liked he'd just left a "vicars and tarts party." The comment was cut from the show before airing.
18th June 2011
Mark & Bob with Victim
We were sorry to her that our friend Mark one half of the "Rubber Maids" has been taken into hospital and on Monday will be having a triple or even quadruple heart bypass. Mark has been in training for "Ride for AIDS Chicago" so instead of pumping the pedals Mark will be out of action for a few months. But fear not Mark still intends to do his bit and raise his own personal total of $2000 for the Test Positive Aware Network.
Once he has stopped tormenting the nurses and gets over his recovery period Mark says "As soon as I get better, I'm going to do it! I will be designing my own R4A
road trip. I don't want anyone thinking I didn't fulfil my part of the
bargain! LOL"
So Think about Mark on Monday sending karma his way. He also asks that In lieu of cards and flowers, he would rather you donate to his Ride for Aids fund:
Good Luck Mark we want you fighting fit for Fantasy Fest.
Another Mark, Mark Carter a former Mr Gay UK has been cleared of rape and two counts of sexual assault. He was charged with sexually assaulting three men and raping a fourth in December 2009 while on a work night out.
Mr Carter, who won the Mr Gay UK title in 2006, was suspended by West Yorkshire police after the allegations were made. He was accused of dragging the man by his hair into a hotel room and raping him. He told the trial at Leeds crown court that he was "devastated" by the claims and had "embarked on an absolute living nightmare". Just goes to show how an innocent night out goes wrong.
A bright and breezy morning for the final day of the Royal meeting - so hold on to your hats, ladies! Royal Ascot is a highlight of the English Horse Racing season. One of the social events of the year. With the Queen in attendance, the dress code is very formal with Men wearing top hat and morning suits the ladies do their finery for top to toe.
Guiness Heiress Sports her Stuff
A political Hat - Highlighting the MP's Expences Scandal
The weather has not been too kind this year with absolutely terrible weather yesterday dampening the punters spirits.
16th June 2011
A recent poll was carried out to discover what people considered the best thing about Britain, here are the results.
The Top Ten
1 Fish and chips.
2 The Queen.
3 Olde worlde pubs.
4 Sunday roast dinner.
5 Red telephone boxes.
6 Big Ben.
7 Cream teas.
8 The Beatles.
9 The pound.
10 Royal Family
This sounds very old-fashioned but then I guess we are traditionally a historic country. May be the list should be titled "what do people most identify us" with rather than
"what are the best things about us"
The flip side of the coin is the things that we should be least proud of.
1: Underage teenage pregnancy, the worst in Europe
2: Our children are the 24th in the world literacy table, beaten by Poland and Bosnia
3: Chlamydia - we have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases in Europe
4: Adult Obesity - we're the fattest people in Europe with 30% clinically obese soon
5: Child Obesity - 10% of kids are clinically obese on their 1st day at school
6: Most number of CCTV camera per person in the world ! The government is watching you
7: Benefit dependency - 1 in 3 homes now get more than 50% of their income from benefits
8: Football - soccer we are beaten by countries with smaller populations than London
9: War mongers - we've started or fought in more wars than any other country in history.
13 June 2011
Naked Bike Ride
The coldest wettest day of the summer, would you believe it. The day we have all been waiting for The Brighton Naked Bike Ride. Well it was cold and wet enough to freeze the b***ocks of a brass monkey let alone an exhibitionist on a bike. This year it seemed like it really was the older hardened veterans that faced the weather and took to the streets of Brighton. Steering clear of the cutting wind and sheeting rain of the sea front the intrepid cyclists kept to the town centre and a somewhat shorter route than normal.
The weather did not keep the photographers at home either as you will see.
It has been a week of Royal Celebrations here in the UK. Yesterday Prince Philip reached the grand old age of 90. It is customary on the BBC to play the National Anthem to celebrate the Queen's Birthday, Prince Philip is honoured this way only on his birthdays ending in 0 or 5. Breakfast presenter Chris Evens decided to push the boat our even further and played the Greek and the Danish National Anthems as well. Prince Philip was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, However these titles were renounced when he married Princess Elizabeth . He then became known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh..
On Friday the queen made her husband the Lord High Admiral of the Navy, giving him a centuries-old title she had held since 1964. Philip had been a prominent naval officer until he gave up his career to be at his wife's side when she became queen.
The awarding of the title was seen as a sentimental acknowledgement by the queen of her husband's sacrifice on her behalf.
Today is also the official birthday of our Queen. Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely. To celebrate the occasion Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.
Here we see the Queen leave Bucking ham Palace with Prince William, Prince Charles and them Duke of Kent following the carriage. This is the first time that William has ridden in the parade.
9th June 2011
Imagine walking into your local bank one morning and finding it totally deserted. Well this really happened . Bank customers had to stand guard after a branch of Barclays was left unlocked for almost four hours. When even the cashiers' service area and the route to the vault were left open to passers-by in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.
They raised the alarm shortly after 2pm. Police arrived at around 3pm but it was almost 6pm before Barclays own security staff turned up to secure the building.
They raised the alarm shortly after 2pm. Police arrived at around 3pm but it was almost 6pm before Barclays own security staff turned up to secure the building.
Lesley Phillips, who lives in Leigh, said: 'It was astounding. There wasn't a soul in sight, and the whole place was open. We could get everywhere: upstairs, all the way to the vault, even behind the glass which usually separates the cashiers from the customers.
Leilah Poulain who is only 7 unexpectedly became the winner of an art competition. Her mum uploaded the photo into folder to share with family members, somehow she entered it into a photo competition being run by the online photo service.
The winner was offered the chance to have their work exhibited at the internationally acclaimed Saatchi Gallery in London. Yesterday, Leilah's painting - which was drawn when she was five - was hung in the same gallery featuring works from the likes of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
Twitchers from all over the country flocked to County Durham yesterday as a White Throated Robin was spotted in a garden. THESE bird lovers turned paparazzi as they clambered on to a van to catch a glimpse of a rare white-throated robin.
The twitchers had travelled from across the country to snap the bird after Chris Brown spotted the overseas visitor in his garden in Hartlepool, County Durham.
Word spread quickly when the rarely-seen white throated robin was spotted by local ornithologist Chris Brown.
The robin, which is more at home in Turkey, became trapped in a mist net used to identify birds in the area. Experts said the sighting was the first of a white throated robin in the UK for 11 years After it was formally identified and ringed, the bird was released.
Brian Egan, from Rare Bird Alert, said he expected the robin to remain in the area for a day or so, before heading back to mainland Europe. This bird has only been seen in Britain two times previously, in 1990 and 1983.
6th June 2011
Zookeepers here in the UK are feeding an abandoned macaroni penguin chick with a "penguin puppet" crafted from a black rubber industrial glove, yellow strands and red eyes.
The chick was not incubated because one of its parents became ill; it takes two adults to watch over an egg. Keepers at a zoo in Devon have been feeding the chick with the penguin puppet so it does not become used to humans; they are also playing recordings of sounds made by a group of macaroni penguins. The keepers use a syringe to feed the chick a "pink fish milk shake" of filleted herring, krill, vitamins and water every three hours.
Two brothers are celebrating after setting a world speed record in an electric car - made from a VW Beetle and a milk float. Sam and Olly Young, who are sponsored by their local pub in Hungerford, Berkshire, set out to prove you can have zero emissions and the thrill of super-fast travel too.
They built a 'green' mean machine out of a milk float which could hardly reach 15 mph and a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle, which they have named Black Current. They have now set the world record for being the first electric-powered car to go a quarter of a mile in under ten seconds, managing 0-60mph in just 1.6 seconds.
In 1991 when the Boy Scouts lifted the ban on girls, it became known as The Scout Association, now it is going to open it tent flaps to more gay members and leaders.
In a move which they say will hopefully banish the idea that gay people would not be welcome among its half-a-million-strong ranks, an anti-bullying video has been produced along with plans to allow scouts to wear their uniforms to Gay Pride marches and parades.
It is not long ago since scout leaders were being kicked out because they were gay and a threat to the boys. Imagine that.
Last week was the annual Gay Days at Disney, but wanting to spoil the fun The Florida Family Association a homophobic group hired a aeroplane to fly a banner over the area warning families about this offensive event before they arrive at the Magic Kingdom.
The offensive behaviour that the group referred to included pro-gay t-shirts, same sex couples hugging, holding hands, "groping each other" and some punters "dressed in drag."
The event is in its 20th year and brings in around $150m to Disney, rival theme parks, hotel owners, restaurants, bars, clubs and other local businesses.
4th June 2011
It is 30 years since the first cases of HIV were discovers. Despite many successes in tackling the epidemic, more people than ever are living with HIV in the UK and a significant proportion of the British public still do not know the basic facts around HIV transmission according to the National AIDS Trust (NAT).
One in five people do not realise that HIV can be passed on through sex without a condom and, worryingly, knowledge of this fact has fallen by 11 per cent in the last decade.
Terrance Higgins Trust (THT) will commemorate the 30th anniversary with a Walk for Life event in London on Sunday to raise funds for HIV sufferers living in poverty.
Another first in the UK this week for the gay community took place in Manchester last weekend. The first same-sex Jewish partnership ceremony officially to be termed a marriage by Liberal Judaism – a major British progressive strand of the religion
Liberal Jewish Community members Jeffrey Levine and Roman Hunter-Fox exchanged vows, a ketubah and rings under a chuppah at the city's Lowry Hotel.
As reported in the Jewish Chronicle, both men performed the traditional glass-breaking, while specially written shevah brachot (seven blessings) were made, including the phrase "Blessed is God that you cause loving companions to rejoice together", to replace the traditional blessing for a bride and groom. This was not the UK's first same-sex ceremony under a chuppah, but it was the first time Liberal Judaism has sanctioned the use of the terms "ketubot" and "marriage" in this scenario.
The ceremony was the first since Liberal Judaism's rabbinic conference in April, which agreed to treat same-sex ceremonies as proper marriages following its introduction of a same-sex blessing ceremonies in 2005.
Now this is one very busy boy
One moment he is in the Police force
The next he's a soldier.
What next
2nd June 2011
A century ago this week, the people of Belfast celebrated one of their proudest days — the launching of the supposedly unsinkable Titanic. The doomed Titanic was launched into Belfast Lough on May 31, 1911. Ten months later, more than 1,500 of its 2,200 passengers and crew drowned or froze to death awaiting rescue after it struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.
A ceremony took place in Belfast this week to mark the moment the Titanic was launched 100 years ago. A large crowd of school children cheered as they attempted to re-enact the mood on the docks as those involved in building the ship watched her roll down the slipway.
They later observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the 1,517 people who lost their lives on the ship's maiden voyage.
We desperately need some rain here in the South of England, we have enjoyed one of the warmest and driest springs for more than 100 years, but now the ground is in need of rain. Crop farmers are desperate and reckon that their crops will be down by at least 25% this year.
59 years ago today the coronation of the Queen took place. Next year being here Diamond Jubilee on the throne. Today Buckingham palace announced plans for the celebration, which will take place on the weekend 2nd - 5th June.
The Big Jubilee Lunch will take place on Sunday 3rd June. Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla. This reminds me of my days as a merchant navy officer when l took part in her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.
My Sailor Boy Days
Working for P&O cruises we recreated a mini cruise liner with a party taking place on deck. Although it poured with rain for most of the evening we could not care a toss
as we were almost as soaked inside as outside.
There will also be a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace on Monday 4th June, with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot.
Shoppers stampeded on a number of Tesco supermarkets in Scotland after a pricing glitch led to beer being sold at £9 cheaper than normal. The alcohol deal at shops across the country saw customers able to purchase three crates – containing either 45 small bottles of lager or 36 cans - for £20 ($33)
However, when put through tills on Wednesday night at several stores in Scotland, the deal was coming up as £11 ($18). One store police had to be called when scores of motorists arrived at a car park for the bargain purchase.
30th May 2011
North of the Border, The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (also known as the Kirk), voted 351 to 294 last week to allow openly gay men and lesbians to become ministers.
However there is a lot of disquiet amongst the masses, It was said that up to 4,300 ministers, elders, deacons and key parishioners could leave the Kirk along with 100,000 parishioners over this decision.
It is believed that there are approximately 40 gay ministers across Scotland. The Church of Scotland is expecting a number of these ministers to come out after last week's historic vote to allow gay men and women to practice clergy.
I received news today from "Not Bob" our Flickerdale Correspondant. For those of you that remember "Not Bob" is rather partial to a little bit of Farmyard shenanigans. He has been known to perv over a sheep or two and other small farm animals. Well sad news this week for Not Bob and all of Florida's horse-humpers and goat-gropers -- you have only four more months left to have sex with animals.
Gov. Rick Scott last week signed the Legislature's anti-bestiality bill -- Senate Bill 344 -- which makes it illegal for humans to get jiggy with other members of the animal kingdom beginning October 1. This was actually the third attempt by the Legislature to ban barnyard bangin', since legislators were convinced they were wasting their time on something that never happens. Well think again after a Panhandle man who was suspected of accidentally asphyxiating a family goat during a sex act and the abuse of a horse in the Keys.
If you think that the Florida legislature has nothing better to do then you may be right. They also passed SB 228, known collectively as the "droopy drawers bill," which mandates that schoolchildren will not be allowed to show "underwear or butt crack."
If you want to read more about Not Bob our very own animal rights campaigner.
With Summer approaching here in the UK we thought it would be a public service to remind everyone of the first rule of barbecuing (grilling in the US) : do not pour flammable liquids onto open flames. Fortunately for these guys, it looks like everyone is okay. Let's hope a lesson was learned.
28th May 2011
Tomorrow 29th May was named Royal Oak Day over 350 years ago by an Act of Parliament.
Royal Oak Day marks the Restoration of England's Monarchy and celebrates our freedom from tyranny. It is part of our English Culture and Heritage.
When Oliver Cromwell came to power Charles II had to flee England and live in exile in France. When fleeing from England he was forced to hide in an oak tree while Parliamentarians were searching nearby woods. He later managed to flee from here in Sussex to France.
Not long after Cromwell died in 1658, the English Parliament, reflecting the wishes of the people, asked Charles to come back from France.
Charles agreed to come back, and arrived in London on his 30th Birthday - 29th May 1660 and paraded through the streets. At act of parliament declared that the 29th May be named Royal Oak Day to celebrate the restoration of the Monarchy.
Don't Forget that Sister Season Kicks off this weekend in Key West
The Key West Sister Season Fund is set up to help local employees in the hospitality and entertainment industries when they are suffering a financial emergency through no fault of their own.
A 10-year-old Florida boy was fishing with his friends when he thought he hooked a big fish, but was surprised when an alligator rose up from the water and charged after him!
Michael Dasher hit the charging gator with sticks and even jumped on its back to wrestle it into submission. He then dragged it home to his Grandparents home who called the Police and wildlife officials. It turns out that he had committed a felony.
The officers agreed not charge the 10-year-old as long as he promised to run away like a girl next time an alligator attacked, instead of staying to fight like a man.
26th May 2011
On their first official visit to England, Barack and Michelle Obama were guests of the Queen at Buckingham Palace. What is pretty obvious is that the Queen really likes America's first family, she positively beams in their company and as always Prince Philip is in his element in the presence of a pretty woman.
Love the Stars and Stripes on the arm to the left of the picture.
In what was a whirl wind tour Our Prime Minister and the President played Ping Pong with two teenage boys at a youth centre and were thrashed. This was followed in the back yard of 10 Downing Street (over here we call it a garden), The Most Powerful Man in the World stood side by side with the Prime Minister barbecuing burgers
Later in the evening the Obama's were back at Buckingham Palace where they were guests of honour at the official Banquet.
The following day Obama delivers a speech in the Palace of Westminster to both houses of parliament, becoming the first American president and only the fourth foreign dignitary since the Second World War to so the others being Pope Benedict XVI (2010), Nelson Mandela (1996) and Charles de Gaulle (1960).
Former U.S. presidents who made official visits to London have not had that honour.
Just when you think that the public are getting more Gay friendly, it seems that same cannot be said about football fans. A survey into Internet forums for football fans found shocking attitudes towards homosexuality. The research, carried out by LGBT and sports campaigner Lindsay England, looked at 8,000 forum threads containing homophobic abuse.
More than 1,500 contained strong abuse, with some fans calling homosexuality "brain damage of some sort" or "a disease". Other users said gays should be "stoned to death" and one wrote: "all gays should die".
The research also found "soft" homophobia, in the form of statements such as: "I don't want any gay trying to cop off with me when I play" and ""What's the problem with homophobia it's a bit of banter and no worse than calling a player fat or a wanker
23rd May 2011
A week for this a week for that. It is a long time since l mentioned our special weeks. Well today while we were out and about two such weeks came to our attention. Rabbit Appreciation Week, well bless my sole all those poor little bunnies have a week just for them. Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK after dogs and cats; in the US, they're in 7th place, after cats, fish, dogs, birds, livestock and horses. Sadly as many as 75% of the 2 million pet rabbits in the UK are poorly cared for and their needs misunderstood according to a survey by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Now if you ask me the rabbits in our garden have it all there own way. Freedom to run where they want, plenty of nice healthy grass they could eat, but of course it's not good enough for them they have to eat all the nice healthy garden plants and flowers - Get the Gun Martha.
If that is not bad enough the Vegetarian society is also at it, well not quite eating the flowers from our garden but they are holding a special week of their own. The event was created by the Vegetarian Society some 20 years ago and currently sponsored by Cauldron Foods to "celebrate fantastic vegetarian cuisine." Cauldron Foods is one of Britain's leading faux food manufacturers. Now get this they manufacture such products as Tofu Barbecue Kebabs, Mediterranean-style Mushroom Burgers and Lincolnshire Sausages made from "hydrated TVP" (textured soy protein, potato starch and wheat gluten).
These are non-meat versions of traditional red meat specialities, why do vegetarians have to have food looking like meat, l don't get it. Plus the fact that most of these foods are made from soybeans imported from Brazil, rather than food products sourced locally. Aren't vegetarians supposed to be oh-so enlightened about eco-issues like food miles and carbon footprints and the importance of embracing local cuisine to protect Mother Nature?
Now more to my own taste starting on Saturday is "English Wine Week" a celebration of all the wonderful wines we grow here in the South of England. However l had a major disappointment this morning, when I tried to order a supply of Ridgeview Bloomsbury Sparkling wine. Only to discover from the winery just over the hill here in Sunny Sussex that they were completely out of stock. It would seem that because English Sparkling wine was served at the Royal Wedding, sales popped their cork. Michael at Ridgeview told me that sales this year were up 140% over last year and had exhausted his supply.
It's been a tremendous year for English wine with our vineyards producing an amazing 4m bottles, a record.
Get these Chelsea Charms is 5ft3 and claims to have the biggest breasts in the world. She used to be a D cup, but then had a breast enlargement to a DD in order 'to get noticed'.
The final operation, making her chest size a 164XXX, is called Polypropylene String Breast Implants. This procedure is now banned. Charms is probably more noticed than ever now, and has earned thousands of dollars performing as an exotic dancer - and for two very good reasons.
Despite her claims for breaking the bra-busting world record, currently held by the aptly named Maxi Mounds, she has yet to be measured by officials from the Guinness Book of World Records.
No doubt there will be hundreds queuing up for the job.
21st May 2011
If you ever attend Fantasy Fest you must surely have come across the "Rubber Maids", Mark and Bob, they are always great fun and put loads of effort into their costumes each year, they love to go out and entertain the boys. That is not to say that the boys do not entertain them in Return.
Mark and Bob do a lot to help the community where they live. In a few weeks time Mark is going to plant his tush on a bicycle seat and pump his way through 200 miles. "Ride for AIDS Chicago" is a two-day, 200-mile, bicycling event produced by Test Positive Aware Network and designed to raise much needed funds for TPAN and Community Partners. Mark as part of Team Youthoutlook hope to raise over $50,000.00 Marks personal goal is to raise over $2000.00.
The aim of TPAN is to empower people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. We also provide services to the broader community to increase HIV knowledge and sensitivity, and to reduce the risk of infection.
We hope that you will help Mark to reach his goal and throw a few dollars his way to help his worthy cause.
RuThe Queen Wowed the Irish President this week. She opened here speech with a few words of Gaelic at the state dinner on Wednesday evening – "A Úachtárain agus a chairde" ("president and friends", immaculately pronounced) – this was an unexpected gesture. Mary McAleese, the Irish president, who was sitting beside the Queen, turned to others at the table open-mouthed, exclaiming "wow".
Another Wow this week was at the auction house Woolley & Wallis who offered a Qianlong period Imperial white jade teapot that had been in U.K. private collections since the mid-19th century for sale. Estimated at 200,000 pounds to 300,000 pounds, this sold to a Hong Kong-based telephone bidder for 2.1 million pounds almost $3.5million dollars.
19th May 2011
Princess Beatrice's Wedding hat is causing a stir for the second time. After stepping out at Westminster Abbey in the Philip Treacy's beige creation which was likened to an octopus, a pretzel and even a turkey twizzler It is in the news once again , this time the Princess is auctioning the hat for charity on ebay. She said it was a "wonderful opportunity" to raise money for two great causes, Unicef and Children in Crisis.
Already the creation has reached £20,000 ($32,000) with a total of 64 people bidding for it.
A study commissioned by the US Catholic Church confirms that child abuse by priests was not caused by homosexuality or celibacy.
The $2 million report, by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, instead says that the sexual revolution post-1960 was to blame, along with poor training and a lack of emotional support. Well if they say so.
Last night at the television soap awards the best actor award went to Emmerdale's Danny Miller, known to viewers as Aaron Livesy. The character has had a series of hard-hitting storylines about his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality.
I find it amazing how emotional Danny gets and is able to cry so realistically on set, last nights episode was one of those where he is coming to terms with the fact that his lover who is tetraplegic wants to end his life. Yes l am a saddo, but hand on heart it is the only soap that I watch.
The Queen is in the middle of the historical first visit to the Republic of Ireland by a British monarch. One of the biggest security operations ever mounted in the Republic is under way for the four-day trip, amid a rise in dissident republican violence.
King George V was the last reigning monarch to visit the country, in 1911, when what is now the Republic was then part of the UK.
Now on the third day of her visit she is unwinding by visiting the Irish National Stud in Kildare. The queen is a big horse racing fan and the smile on her face said it all .
16th May 2011
More than 120 million people tuned in to watch the Eurovison Song Contest, the contest has been around since the 1950 but this year so a revival in interest with the largest audience for over fifteen years. Britain came 11th and Ireland 7th. We often used to be placed but it seems like the tactical voting of some of the newer European countries keeps us out of the running these days.
The winner this year was Azerbaijan, l can hear you asking where is that ? Well it is south of Russia, north of Iran and east of Armenia. Get the picture, it is a former member of the USSR but became independent in 1991.
By winning the contest Azerbaijan has won the right to host next year's competition. However, broadcasters, fans and human rights groups are concerned that the country's record on gay rights makes it deeply unsuitable to hold the contest.
Although homosexuality was decriminalised in 2001, LGBT people in the Muslim country are said to still suffer oppression and harassment. They cannot marry and have no legal protection against discrimination.
One unnamed broadcaster said: "So many Eurovision devotees are from the gay community — it's known as the gay world cup. "Azerbaijan could be far from welcoming and many fans may decide not to go. People at a high level are worried about this."
The area surrounding Buckingham Palace was closed off today after Irish Republican dissidents issued a coded bomb warning. The caller sparked a huge security alert in central London after claiming a device had been planted the day before the Queen is due to visit Dublin.
The threat that a bomb will go off today is 'not specific to time or place', Scotland Yard said.
Despite a huge investigation being launched, no device has yet been found. Roads around St James's Park, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square were shut down as an investigation was carried out.
14th May 2011
When l was at school many moons ago, we were made to wear shorts at school and it was not until we were at Big Boys School that we had the option to wear long trousers. Things have changed it would seem. At Impington Village College, near Cambridge Chris Whitehead a 12-year-old boy has worn a skirt to lessons in protest at his school's uniform policy which bans shorts.
Chris says being made to wear long trousers in summer when girls can wear skirts is "discriminatory". So this week the youngster borrowed his 11-year-old sister Joanna's uniform to wear to school.
"In the summer, girl students are allowed to wear skirts but boys are not allowed to wear shorts," said the aspiring politician, from Histon, near Cambridge. "I realised short skirts are allowed but shorts are not, which means there is something wrong in the rules and it should be changed. "I thought I could use this silly loophole to my advantage.
Around 30 fellow pupils waved placards saying, "Cool shorts, not hot pants", "Shorts for the long-term" and "What's wrong with my legs?"
Mum Liz is backing her son's campaign: "I am delighted that Chris is taking action on what he believes in, which the school actually encourages, so he is only doing what he has been taught. I am really proud he is brave enough to wear a skirt to school for what he believes in and back him all the way."
Had l been allowed to wear a skirt to school - well !!!
Tonight over here in Europe is the Eurovision Song Contest, this will probably mean nothing to our American Friends. Qualifying European counties go head to head in this rather kitch contest.
However Israeli singer Dana International will not be in the final round as she was knocked out last night at the semi-final in Dusseldorf. The star, who is transgender, performed her song Ding Dong but failed to win a place in tonight's final.
Dana International as a Man
She won the contest for Israel in 1998 and since then, has released eight albums, making her one of Israel's most successful pop acts.
The world's only openly gay footballer, Anton Hysen, says others in the closet should not worry about fans' reactions. The Swedish star, 20, came out earlier this year. In an interview with this month's Attitude magazine, he said it was "normal" for him to be out.
"I really don't think it's a big thing," he said. "I mean, of course it's brave but why should be it be brave?" He added: "Maybe I'm stupid but It's just so normal for me because I'm so secure with myself and my family. But I see it's big for others and that it's been taboo in football. That's sad. Where are all the others?"
He is only the second openly gay high-level footballer in history. The first, Justin Fashanu, suffered harassment and killed himself in 1998. A number of athletes from other sports, such as rugby and cricket, have come out in the last year
12th May 2011
Queen Elizabeth II has become the second longest reigning monarch in British history, overtaking that of George III.
Since ascending the throne on the death of her father, George VI on February 6 1952, the Queen has reigned for a total of 59 years and 110 days. She now ranks second only to Queen Victoria, who died in 1901 after 63 years and seven months on the throne.
Ever bee drunk and had a problem slipping on a condom, well fear not help is at hand a strap-on condom has been invented for drunk people, this could do away with bedroom fumbling altogether. The Sensis sheath is being hailed as a breakthrough for all men who have experienced passion-killing delays at the crucial moment.
The inventor Mr Thompson, a former carpenter now attending to an entirely different type of wood, said he got the idea after unsuccessfully trying to put on an ordinary condom after a night on the town. He said: 'I couldn't see anything so I tried to open the window to take advantage of the street lights, but I couldn't really see anything. Between the alcohol and the fumbling it was one big flop.'
The strap-on Sensis condom comes complete with quickie pull-on straps and has already proved popular in the US. The man from Miami is now launching his strap on sheaths in Europe. He claimed: 'I've sold two million of these in the US, so I know they work.'
Unbelievable as it may sound, not all young men want more sex. According to a survey of Australian men, 12 percent between the ages of 16 and 24 said they wanted less sex -- the highest proportion of any age group. According to a team of researchers from around Australia who surveyed some 4,300 heterosexual men and 4,400 women between the ages of 16 and 64. Only 31 percent of men in that age group said they wanted more sex, the lowest of any other age group as well. It could well be that this age group is getting more than they can handle. Happy Memories
7th May 2011
Until this week l had never heard of the "Flying Pig Marathon" and wondered how the marathon had got its name. It would appear that in the 1800s, when riverboats plied the Ohio River, Cincinnati was a centre of Western commerce. Since agriculture was a prime source of revenue in this area, boats filled with livestock and produce would dock in Cincinnati to sell their wares. Hogs were a major source of income for farmers here, as well, so pigs that were brought in by boat, or herded into town from area farms, were marched through the streets of Cincinnati to the processing plants. So many, in fact, that Cincinnati came to be known as "Porkopolis."
In the mid-1990s, when a group of avid Cincinnati runners discussed starting a local marathon, the names "Queen City Marathon" and "River City Marathon" were discussed. But in the end, the only fitting name seemed to be one that continued to honour those popular pigs that once were ridiculed and now are celebrated. The "Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon" logo, bags and distinctive medals are prized possessions for runners around the country and, indeed around the world, leading Runner's World Magazine to call it the 'best named' marathon in the country!
The marathon came to my attention because of all things " A Naked Man", can you imagine that. One of the runners stripped during the race was given a jolt with a Taser gun after failing to stop for police. When police saw that Brett Henderson was missing his shorts, they ordered him into their car but he kept running, leading them to break out the Taser and subdue him. Naked marathon runner gets tasered
Henderson said he hadn't expected to run naked, but when a pair of borrowed running shorts started slipping off, he wanted to try and finish the race. "I looked but couldn't find a drawstring ... I kept fighting and pulling on them, and then the elastic gave way so I let them drop."
Maggie Thatcher's handbag – the weapon she reputedly deployed to enforce cabinet solidarity – is being auctioned for charity. The black Asprey bag, wielded on state occasions and at international summits, is being donated by the former prime minister to a sale of celebrity items at Christie's in June. The term "handbagging" entered the political lexicon as a reference to her manner of disciplining errant Tory backbenchers and ministers during her years in Downing Street.
An estimate of £100,000 is understood to have been placed on the leather bag she carried during meetings with the US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
One of the great musicals of our time must surely be West Side Story, l am sure that there is not a person of let me say a "Certain Age" that has not not seen the film. This week l heard that the author of the original story died at the age of 93. His name Arthur Laurents of which l had never heard. Made me wonder just how many people we should know so well but don't.
5th May 2011
Last November the British public was shocked when Anni Dewani was shot dead in Cape Town, South Africa whilst on her honeymoon. It was initially thought that she had been killed in a hijacking. Her husband and their taxi driver Zola Tongo escaped unharmed. Of course the questions were asked what were two young tourists doing driving around a township away from safer tourist areas.
The South African authorities believe that Shrien Dewani her newly wed husband was behind the killing and have already sentenced the taxi driver Zola Tongo to 18 years in prison for his part in the murder. They are now trying to extridite Shrien Dewani to stand trial in South Africa
At the hearing it transpired that their marriage was an arranged marriage and Shrien Dewani allegedly told a gay escort that he wanted a "way out" of his marriage months before his wife was murdered on honeymoon. He could not call the marriage off as his parents would disown him and cut off his inheritance. The male escort Leopold Leisser, 39, who is German has previously claimed that the British businessman had paid him thousands of pounds for sex on three occasions.
Mr Dewani, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, is living in a secure mental health hospital in Bristol where he is on bail. He strenuously denies being gay or having anything to do with his wife's death.
Well you have got to give credit where it is due and this week it goes to Cuban cigar maker Jose Castelar Cairo who has just rolled the longest cigar in the world, at 268 feet 4 inches (81.8 metres), making it almost the same length as a football pitch, this will replace his previous record of 148 feet 9 inches when it has been verified by the Guinness World Records in London.
2nd May 2011
Gentleman boxer Sir Henry Copper died last night. As a child l remember well watching the fight in 1963 at Wembley Stadium when he floored Cassius Clay (now Mohamed Ali). Ali was saved by the bell. Some believe Sir Henry - who was then just plain Henry Cooper - would have won the fight had Ali's trainer not slashed his glove to give him a few extra seconds to recover while another pair was fetched.
Sir Henry, a British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, also twice won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. But he never won a world title and retired in 1971 after controversially losing to Joe Bugner. He was knighted in 2000 - the first boxer to receive the honour.
It is Hedgehog Awareness Week here in the UK. The hedgehog is a frequent visitor to our gardens in the summer as it hibernates in the winter. It is nocturnal and travels widely during the night often upto 2 miles. As their name suggests though these little spiny mammals prefer the comfort of the hedgerow. Despite their bumbling appearance hedgehogs can move speedily and defend themselves from would be assailants with a coat of over five thousand spines, when threatened they will roll into a ball with the spines protruding.
The late Pope, John Paul II, has been beatified at a ceremony at the Vatican in front of hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics. Among those at St Peter's Square was a French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease. Her apparently miraculous cure is part of the case for the beatification, the last stage before sainthood. I had a lot of time for Pope John Paul. Enough said!
Rumours are flying around about James Middleton, and more pictures are emerging. He is obviously a high spirited young guy and not afraid to show off his body, however l guess that most of these pictures originate from long before his sister was engaged to the heir to the throne. Hopefully he will be more circumspect now that he is Brother-in-law to Prince William. If he is gay hopefully he will not try and hide the fact as the press will hound him until all his laundry is hung out in public.
From what l hear Prince William has no problem at all with gay people. Recently he was staying in the same hotel as a gay couple celebrating their Civil Partnership, apparently he went over and bought them a bottle of champagne and then spent the next few hours with them celebrating.
30th April 2011
I have got to say how proud l was of our Country yesterday. We really do ceremony so well, everything timed down to the very last minute. Will and Kate had the eyes of the world turned on them and genuinely seem to by enjoying themselves. Nothing could keep the smile off William's face.
First thing yesterday morning there was a picture of Kate on the front of "The Times" along with her sister Pippa. I had not seen Pippa before, but the two of them are so alike. Only being a casual observer of ladies fashion, l was stunned by the dress the Pippa wore as chief bridesmaid, she looked utterly stunning, granted - her elegant figure had a lot to do with it. I was also impressed by the way she carried out here duties with such elegance and understanding shown to the junior bridesmaids.
Although l did not see it myself, l was told that Kate and Pippa's brother James read verses from Romans 12 with such style and accomplishment. The Middleton parents must have been so proud of their three children yesterday.
However within minutes of James reading in Westminster Abbey questions were flying around on Twitter and other social media networks asking if he is gay. There is no evidence to suggest that he is. This has led Google to auto-suggest "James Middleton gay" when a user begins to type his name. The social media traffic relating to Mr Middleton today has included users sharing photographs of him partying in one of his sister's dresses and another dressed as a French maid. A third photograph shows him naked aside from a strategically placed bottle of beer. James runs his own business Cake Kit.
Just goes to show how our lives impound on each other. I don't expect his life will ever be the same again.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice
According to Mike "They could quite easily be mistaken for "The Duchess and Lulu"
St James Palace has issued the following statement.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately. Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, The Duke will return to work as a Search and Rescue pilot next week.
28th April 2011
Wedding fever has hit Britain big style this week. Everywhere you turn it is Wedding, Wedding, Wedding. This morning the troops did their final rehearsal on the streets of London where thousands of Royal die-hards had camped the night as near to Westminster Abbey as police barriers would allow. As dawn broke over the historic church, a sea of red, white and blue emerged as hundreds of tents lined the cobbled pavement.
Later on Kate Middleton arrived at the Abbey where she was cheered by crowds of wellwishers just 24 hours before she marries Prince William. She was joined by best man Prince Harry, as well as the bridesmaids and pageboys and members of her family for one final rehearsal of the big day which will be watched by two billion people round the globe.
The last run-through was taking place as it was revealed Miss Middleton will not promise to 'obey' Prince William in her vows.
Enjoying one of his last days of freedom Williams is seen playing football with his mates in a London park.
As local elections approach here in Sunny Sussex, one local candidate has been the victim of a mischievous joke by his mates. Dave Walsh a member of the green party has been posted on a website promoting male escorts. A profile featuring pictures of Mr Walsh was posted on www.sleepyboy.com, a website featuring adverts for male escorts. The profile offers £50 for an hour with Dave, who is described as "slim and smooth".
It says he is free any time over Easter.
The prank has come to light exactly a week before voters go to the polls in Brighton and Hove City Council's elections. Mr Walsh said he had asked his friend to take down the web page and last night it was no longer viewable. Probably get him more votes if he left it up.
A Spanish gym has decided to attract new customers by offering users the opportunity to exercise in the nude. The move by Easy Gym has been prompted by a noticeable decline in membership, which the owners believe is the result of the nation's recession.
The idea emerged after gym owners found out two local swimming pools were offering monthly nude bathing sessions, which had proved popular.
While the idea of exercising in the nude is unlikely to be to everyone's taste, evidence suggests that this was the preference among athletes in Ancient Greece. The original Olympic Games, a tradition which dates back more than 3,000 years, is widely believed to have been performed in the nude, based on written accounts and ancient artistic renderings.
While the reasons remain unclear, some have suggested that this was to prevent women from dressing up and taking part in the exclusively male event.
25th April 2011
Seven years ago the mysterious graffiti artist Bansky produced a piece of work on the side of a Brighton gay pub here in sunny Sussex. The work which depicts two British policemen kissing is now being sold by the owner of the Brighton pub he painted it on.
The painting on the side of Brighton pub the Prince Albert appeared seven years in 2004 and has attracted the attention of art lovers from around the globe. However shortly after it was painted vandals repeatedly attacked the artwork and left if severely damaged. In 2008 a specialist art restoration company used chemicals to transfer the image onto a canvas, and the original was replaced with a facsimile, encased in Perspex.
Now the pub owner has decided to sell the original through a New York gallery. It could fetch around £1 million ($1.6 million).
Brighton is one of the Gayest towns in England and very accepting, however a lesbian couple are suing a Brighton hotel claiming that a hotel manager in Brighton barred them from staying in a room together because they are lesbians and referred to them as "Rejects".
When they arrived they were told that rooms were only available for "couples and families".
They claim that when they said they were a couple, the manager said: "No two boys, no two girls. We don't have any rooms."
In response manager of the Brunswick Square hotel, who would not give his name, said the couple had made an enquiry and had not booked a room. He said they were asked to leave because they were "loud" and "rude" and said the hotel had never discriminated against anyone. He added that the hotel was full of gay couples during Pride.
Wedding fever is hotting up here in the UK with only four day to go to the big event.
Sarah Waters, who wrote lesbian novel Tipping The Velvet, says that Prince William's fiancée Kate Middleton appeals to lesbians in the same way Princess Diana did to gay men.
"Kate Middleton will soon be considered an "icon" to lesbians" she goes on to say about her appeal to gay men "Of course, they will be drawn to her glamour, so I think she will do very well for all sorts of people. As if gay men do not have enough to cope with, surely they will be watching William all the way down the aisle.
The princess-in-waiting and Prince William have been urged to support marriage equality by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has organised a rally outside Buckingham Palace on Easter Monday. He said: "We plan to deliver a giant wedding card to William and Kate. As well as wishing the royal couple every happiness, we will highlight the fact that William and Kate can marry, but same-sex couples can't."
23rd April 2011
England is being hit by wedding fever, up and down the country local communities are planning street parties, in fact over 5500 groups up and down the country are planning on breaking out the bunting and getting the party food out for all to enjoy.
A typical street party
The tradition of street parties goes back to 1919, when 'Peace Teas' were held to celebrate signing the Versailles peace treaty after the First World War. They were focussed on a special treat for children in times of hardship and were quite formal sit down events. Later, street parties were thrown to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V (1935), the Coronation of King George VI (1937). Then, residents continued to have street parties to mark all major national days: the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth (1953), the Wedding of Prince Charles and Diana (1981).
One place that will be pulling out all the stops is Bucklebury in Berkshire, where Kate Middleton grew up and her parents still live. The village is having a day of festivities to mark the occasion. From an "extravaganza" in its farm park to parties in local pubs, and special services at the local church, everyone in the area is getting involved in marking the big day.
A wedding breakfast, staged in the hamlet of Chapel Row where the Middletons live, will start the festivities. A village extravaganza, Tea in the Park, is being held at Bucklebury Farm Park, with local bands playing, a children's contest for the best crown and tiara, ferret racing and other activities culminating in a proms-style fanfare. A wedding cake, two-and-a-half feet high, will also be served. There is also going to be a Drag Contest for teenage boys dressed at Kate |lookalikes, sounds like a lot of fun.
Rumour has it that that Oprah Winfrey will be in the village at the start of the day. Who knows !
Back here in Sunny Sussex a local girl thought she would never see her beloved dog again after he went missing during a walk on Devil's Dyke. They put up posters and during the next five days "Parson" was spotted in a number of locations. It was then that Mum had the idea that Annikka her daughter should leave a scent trail back to their home. So Annikka walked the five miles from where Parson was last spotted back to their home bare foot.
"The next morning, a week after he went missing, I woke up before my alarm and an impossible miracle happened. My dad opened the door and in tiptoed Charlie, with his tail wagging. He had got in through the cat flap. I gave him lots of cuddles and I must confess tears were in my eyes. I was just so happy." Annikka said.
Thought you might like this a from the Swiss Tourist Board.
21st April 2011
HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY
Your Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Sixteen hours and 5000 miles transports us from Key West to Sunny Sussex. Its always nice to arrive back in England at this time of year, as we see the biggest transformation in the country side our two week adsence. Gone are the daffodils in their place are bluebells and blossom. The trees have that wonderful fresh green colour as the leaves unfurl with the first flourish of spring.
On top of this it is wonderful weather back here in the UK, we have a very pleasant 75 degrees today, expected to be around 80 degrees by the weekend. This will be the best Easter weekend weather for years.
Did you realise that Florida and thirteen other states still have laws on the books that criminalise anal sex between two consenting adults.
Despite the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, which struck down such "sodomy" or "deviate sexual conduct" laws, several states did not remove the laws from their codes.
Four states — Montana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas — ban sodomy only between two people of the same sex. Well l never !!
As well as it being the Queen's 85th Birthday it is also Mournday Thursday. The word Maundy is derived from Latin and refers to Christ's commandment at the Last Supper to love one another, before he washed the feet of his disciples. The tradition here in the U. K. is for the sovereign our Queen to give alms to the poor, this tradition stretches back to at least the 12th Century.
The Queen presented Maundy Thursday alms purses to 170 people - 85 men and 85 women at Westminster Abbey this morning.
The red purse contained an allowance in place of food and clothing given in bygone times, today this is represented by a £5 coin and a 50p coin. In the white purse there were Maundy coins, as many pence as the Queen is years old (85). The coins are legal tender, but because they are so rare, are sought after by collectors.
Maundy money consists of one, two, three and fourpenny pieces with a total value equal to the Queen's age.
Once upon a time, the King or Queen would be expected to wash the feet of the poor. But Charles I refused in 1639 because of the plague. When the ancient Royal Maundy Service took place, the stench of unwashed feet was overpowering. But the tradition of carrying nosegays - posies of strong-smelling flowers or herbs - as a reminder of smellier, more infectious times when the air needed freshening still continues today.
The Wedding Dance is something we are not familiar with in the UK.
But guess it would catch on if William and Kate were to set a trend.
Thank you Mike for sending us this.
16th April 2011
The Royal wedding is just under two weeks away and is the topic of conversation with almost all the Americans that we meet. No we don't know the Royals, England may not be as big as the United States, but pretty big all the same with a population of 55 million, although this could be more as we have just completed the 2011 census and await the results.
The British class system and Royal Titles can be so hard to understand. Her Majesty the Queen heads the team, she is married to Prince Philip who is also the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales and also Duke of Cornwall. When Prince William of Wales marries he will most likely be given a new title by the Queen, Duke of XYZ. Kate Middleton with become Princess William of Wales and Duchess of XYZ. Are you still with me.
When the Queen dies, and if Prince Charles becomes King, without being passed over, William will automatically become Duke of Cornwall, and his wife HRH The Duchess of Cornwall ( Camilla Duchess of Cornwall will either be Queen, or will not assume this title in which case she will be The Duchess of Lancaster or some other courtesy title since the King or Queen is automatically the Duke of Lancaster -- even for a female monarch).
Going back to William's Mother Diana. Although referred to as Princess Diana by the masses, this was not her title at all, she was Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales. After the divorce from Charles she was styled Diana, Princess of Wales.
There are two types of peerage in England, life peers who are awarded a title for work done for the country, e.g. retired Prime Ministers, these titles die with them. Hereditary peers were born to it and pass the peerage onto there eldest son.
Being a mere Duchess l am fifth down the pecking order. The Order is as follows
And Tango Makes Three is an American Children's book, about two gay penguins attempted to hatch a rock, which is then replaced by a rejected egg from a mixed gender couple by zoo keepers. They then adopted the baby penguin Tango as their own. The story is based on a
true story of penguins Roy and Silo, who formed a couple in New York's Central Park Zoo.
However all is not well in the gay penguin world, the book has returned to the top spot in a list of America's most controversial books. Written by a gay couple Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell the book has been on the American Library Association's list of the most complained about books for five years.
Caught the film "The Social Network" on the plane coming over, until then had not really known the story behind the "The Face Book" story. It would seem like Mark Zuckerberg could have another claimant to half of Facebook. Paul Ceglia, of Wellsville, New York, has released emails which he says prove Mr Zuckerberg offered him a 50 per cent stake in the fledgling social network in exchange for $1,000 start-up funding.
It is so easy to fall into a very laid back lifestyle when in Key West. Eating drinking sunning and enjoying the boys in Kwest and Bourbon. However it is very sad that Kwest no longer does Amateur Strip on Saturday nights, this was always a refreshing half hour entertainment and got the bar hopping for a while.
The weather here in Key West continues to be so wonderful, we did hear from back home "Across the Pond" the other day and it would seem like they have had a spell of nice weather too, but has not gone a little cold once again. So we will enjoy our last few days of Paradise soaking up the sun.
10th April 2011
Well this weekend was well and truly given over to the athletically minded. Here in the Keys Saturday saw the 1500 slots for the Seven Mile Bridge run snapped up like hot cakes. This year was the 30th year for the run. Some 400 volunteers work the Bridge Run each year, many of them Marathon High School coaches and athletes. They dole out roughly 20 cases of bananas, 2,000 oranges and 13,000 cups of drinking water.
The run helps to support local sports clubs and societies. The Bridge Run raised $50,250 in 2010 and more than $500,000 since 1982. The Marathon High athletic department receives $10,000 from the run, while the football team receives $3,000. A dozen other Marathon sports teams receive $1,750 each.
While the seven mile bridge run took place in Marathon, back home in Sunny Sussex the second annual marathon took place in Brighton today.
About 8,000 people have been pounding the seafront and streets in the city's second marathon.
The organisers said they had sold 15,000 places for the event, but the unusually hot weather seemed to have deterred some of the runners.
Back home our government is to lift the ban on gay men giving blood, ruling that a blanket ban is discriminatory and could be in breach of the Equality Act. However, lifting the ban will only apply to gay men who have not had sex for 10 years prior to donating blood.
Prince Harry returned to Britain from an Arctic trek after workers repaired an ice-field runway 320km from the North Pole. He had been due to depart on Thursday, but cracks in the ice closed the runway. Harry had spent several days trekking with wounded servicemen who are heading toward the North Pole. The project aimed to raise £2 million for the Walking With the Wounded charity.
In Key West we always learn something new. We were talking to Sheila at the Fleming Street Gallery the other morning and she pointed out the song of a Mocking Bird. First off we were unaware that there were Mocking Birds in Key West. Well to tell the truth we had never given it a second thought. We went on to learn that the song of the mockingbird is actually a medley of the calls of many other birds. Each imitation is repeated two or three times before another song is initiated. A given bird may have 30, 40 or even 200 songs in its repertoire.
There is a theory that mockingbirds pass down the songs of extinct species to their young.
8th April 2011
We were cycling around the island the other morning and just could not believe the height of the new building going in behind the fire station on Roosevelt Blvd. This morning we approached the monster from the other direction and discovered that it was the new building for The Glynn Archer School. Being away from Key West we miss all the shenanigans going on about the height of this new school.
We really cannot believe that no one in the City Hall noticed that this building was way over the height restrictions.
US military chiefs say they are making smooth progress towards lifting the ban on openly gay troops. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, the leaders of the Navy, Army and Air Force and Marines said troops did not appear anxious about the change.
Before President Obama signed an order to repeal the 17-year-old ban, there was concern that the Marines in particular would react badly to serving alongside out gay colleagues.
A Belgian Catholic archbishop who said HIV is "justice" for gays has been hit in the face with custard pies.
Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, the head of the country's Catholic Church, was targeted on Tuesday while speaking at a university near Brussels.
He is also said to have called homosexuality a travesty of nature and suggested that elderly paedophile priests should not be punished.
6th April 2011
Have you been down to the Waterfront Theatre recently. If not you should get down to see the great work they have been doing over the last couple of years. After the new Ross and Anne Magee lobby, the stage has been given a major work over and named after Henry Wood. I gather that there is more work to do but they really are doing a great job.
Last night was the opening night of "The New Century", what at first appears to be a series of 4 one act plays, but with a surprising twist at the end. "Pride and Joy" a Jewish mother relays the stories of her pride and Joy, her children. She is a very lucky woman, she has a daughter who is a Lesbian and want to have a baby via the turkey baster method with her girlfriend. She then goes on to discover that her son is not only gay but is a submissive leather queen. Then lordy lordy her other son a strapping six foot giant of a man feel trapped in his body and goes in for the big snip and tuck.
I must say being English l did not get some of the patter in this first act but it had the audience tittering away from the start.
Danny Weathers did it again, as the camper than camp Mr Charles, a cross between a modern day Quintin Crisp and ''Mr. Teasy-Weasy''( you Americans may not know who he was) . The first and most flamboyant celebrity hairdresser Pierre Raymondo Bessone, otherwise known as ''Mr. Teasy-Weasy'' from 1960's Britain.
Mr Charles is the TV show host of a late night cable show "Too GAY" along with his Boy Toy Shane played by Rhett Kelman. Rhett not only plays his part well, but is a nice piece of Eye Candy and very briefly shows it all.
"Crafty" the third one acter is about Barbara Ellen Diggs, who having lost her son to AIDS, turns all her attention to Crafting, yes she is truly Craft Crazed creating anything and everything from the useful to the useless.
The final act is the twist in the tale - But you will have to buy a ticket and get your self along to the Waterfront and find out for yourself.
This is a great fun evening - Get There and support your local theatres.
5th April 2011
The long trek over, we arrived in Key West last night. A later plane and a delay of about an hour out of Heathrow meant that we did not get into town until well after dark, so a little weary did not do our usual troll down Duval to see what had changed in the couple of months since our last visit.
Travelling can be a bit of a pain at times. At Heathrow terminal 5 security yours truly set off the alarm and had to be frisked. Well let me tell you it was one of the most sensual frisking that l have ever had. Really got the trip off to a good start.
Arriving later than normal into Miami meant that we hit the five oclock traffic, very slow going until we got to Card Sound road. We normally miss all this. Must say that The Turnpike Toll system has become so simple, no more stopping and waving your dollar around. However l guess it has put a lot of workers out of jobs which is not good.
Hitting the streets this morning just after day break, yes we are still on UK time and five hours ahead was interesting. Lots of tourists boarding the Dry Tortugas Ferry while the rest of the waterfront remained sleepy. Two cruise ships docked had yet to start disembarking their cargo of tee-shirt hungry tourist. Small mangoes littered the side walk in Truman Annex, and the police were moving on the homeless. Life in Key West before the tourists awake.
We even managed a photo op at the Butt Plug with no one around.
2nd April 2011
You have only got to take one look at the Queen's face to see that she loves her grandson. This week she visited RAF Valley on Anglesey where William works as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. There he is simply known as Will Wales and is very much just another member of the crew. After the big day, William and Kate will settle down in Anglesey, living in the North Wales town for the first two years of their married lives as William continues his RAF post. "The beach is here and the general life is great to settle in and knuckle down to a proper job. We are left alone, it's good," Prince William said.
You would never guess that she was in her 80's as she arrives here to see William at Work
It seems like Don't Ask Don't tell is officially dead. A gay sailor who was outed has been told by a military panel that he can stay in the Navy. Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Morado, 26 told reporters that the three-member panel apparently agreed with his lawyer's argument that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is now dead.
President Obama signed an order to end the ban last December but it will stay in place until military chiefs certify it can be lifted without damaging the services. There is no set date for Don't Ask, Don't Tell to end, although the president has said troops will serve openly by the end of the year. Gay troops have been warned to stay in the closet for now
A British man was arrested and beaten in Saudi Arabia by religious police when they discovered he was gay. The 36 year old nurse was threatened with beheading and thrown in a cell. He says he was tricked by religious police who sent him a text message pretending to be a friend. Homosexuality is a capital offence in Saudi Arabia.
It has been suggested that Mr Comiskey was targeted as revenge for the case of a gay Saudi prince who was jailed in Britain last year for murdering his servant.
We've done it. The Olympic Stadium is complete. Ahead of schedule and ten million pounds under budget.
London's Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'This is yet another fantastic milestone in the preparations for London 2012. The faultless construction of the stadium, on time and under budget, is a shining example of how London is primed and ready to host the greatest show on earth.
31st March 2011
In 1889, French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurled the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion.
Earlier this week. Tourists were evacuated from the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding area after police received an anonymous phone call from someone warning them of a plan to blow up the structure. The area below the tower was cordoned off by soldiers and police after a package was discovered beneath the iron rafters.
Although the package did not contain an explosive device, the authorities conducted a thorough search of the monument. It took just two hours for the tower to be declared safe and tourists were allowed back. The Eiffel Tower is considered to be one of the prime targets for terrorist groups, al-Qaeda and those who have been angered by the air strikes against Libya.
Smokey the loud purring cat aims for Guinness World Record. Smokey the cat, whose purr as loud as a Boeing 747, hopes to make it into the Guinness world records.
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The 12-year-old moggy is 16 times louder than the average cat when she purrs, reaching 73 decibels.
It was never like this when l was at college. It seems like students will have sex anywhere these days, here they go and have sex on the roof of a public building at USC and get caught on camera.
The US is apparently no longer automatically rejecting green card applications from the foreign spouses of gay and lesbian citizens. Immigration officials confirmed on Monday that applications were being "held in abeyance" – or on hold – until the Department of Justice clarifies the legal situation. One step at a time.
It is always sad when you hear of the death of a young person, more so when they so unnessarily take their own life. We heard today that Dominic Church who was only fifiteen took his own life after rumours circulated that he was gay. Following the inquest, Dominic's father Roger said: "Dominic was clearly upset about rumours that he believed were being spread about him. We need to realise that what may be a laugh to some young people are deeply upsetting to another."
28th March 2011
On the back of the shocking revelation that the number of HIV positive people has doubled in the last ten years. On top of this HIV prevention services in London face a funding cut of about 43 per cent Elton John says he will meet prime minister David Cameron to discuss what can be done to tackle UK HIV rates in gay men.
Elton John said: "I'm going to see David Cameron when I come back in April, I have a date in my diary to see him. I'm going to be talking with him – with the people who work with my AIDS foundation – to talk about this very thing and to see what the government is going to do about it – and to see how we can work together.
"It is startling that in this day and age [that] the infection rate has gone up so much within gay men. It is something on our agenda and I'm going to be doing that when I come back in May."
Gay rugby star Gareth Thomas will be attending the royal wedding next month.
"I'm a friend of William through rugby," he said. "I'm just going to the service. I'm not nervous about it. It will be good."
Gareth, who came out in 2009, is now an advocate for LGBT History Month and has spoken out against bullying in sport.
Daniel Radcliffe has made his much-awaited debut in a Broadway musical in which he dances on stage for the very first time. Opening night went off without a hitch for the 21-year-old actor who has the leading role in a revival of the 1961 Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Daniel plays the role of J Pierrepont Finch in the musical - a young man who is an ambitious corporate climber. It is a triple challenge for Daniel, not only does he dance but he sings - and speaks with an American accent.
British children as young as 11 will now be asked by the country's equalities watchdog questions related to their sexual orientation, a media report said today. The children will have to answer a set of questions that would determine whether they were straight, gay or bisexual, according to the Daily Express.
People working in schools, health care and youth services are being advised to set up pilot studies to monitor adolescent sexual orientation and not dismiss gay feelings as a "passing phase". The Equality and Human Rights Commission advocates asking children aged 11 because some "question their orientation as early as eight and may begin to identify as LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) from early adolescence".
IKEA has unveiled an ad featuring a gay couple in Italy. The ad – which is not the first gay-friendly campaign the company has run – shows two men holding hands under the slogan: "We are open to all families."
Below, text says: "With us you will feel at home. What we want to do is make life easier for everyone, every family, every couple, whoever they are."
26th March 2011
Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest without those hateful Westboro group turning up. Good old Liz was a fashionable 15 minutes late for her own funeral. The broad had class and was a great ambassador for HIV awareness and gay rights. RIP.
Dame Vera Lynn
Talking of old broads Dame Vera Lynn was 94 this weekend, and still going strong. We happened to drive past her house here in Sunny Sussex on the day of her birthday and there was a party in full force. Good for you Vera.
It was also Elton John's birthday this week, he is some 30 years behind dame Vera at a mere 64.
We learned this week that Prince William and his security detail travelled "Cattle Class" to New Zealand on his recent trip to Christchurch scene of the recent earthquake. The prince and Kate Middleton will be inviting their wedding guests to donate to the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.
On a visit to London earlier this week we spotted some Royal Wedding Souvenirs in the Royal Opera House, puzzled by the initials of WC , surely someone had not dropped a clanger, this needed more investigation. Although the public knows her as Kate, it is Catherine that Miss Middleton was called when the engagement was announced.
Royal aides said pointedly: 'Her parents have always called her that. It is what she is called.' When William is crowned and she becomes Queen Catherine, she will be following in a long royal tradition. There have been five Queen Catherines in England's history: Hence WC and not WK.
Nothing to wear for the Royal Wedding. Do not fear you could knit your own outfit. Along with all the members of the Royal family. Fiona Goble's 64-page manual gives the patterns that enable you all to knit your own Royal Family.
Finally, the secret of Kate Middleton's wedding dress has been revealed. Let's hope it's a cold day because the bride will, apparently, be wearing a thick woolly number with a fluffy Mohair ruffle around the bottom. At least that's what Knit your own Royal Wedding suggests
24th March 2011
A shocking fact emerged this week. The Heath Protection Agency announced that HIV has almost double here in the UK in the last decade, predominately among gay and bi sexual men. The number in this group has risen by 70 %.
Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at the HPA said: "HIV is an extremely serious infection. There are excellent treatment options available nowadays but these are only at their most effective if the infection is diagnosed early, before symptoms appear. This is a challenge as most individuals will not be aware of their infection until they get tested for HIV. Testing for the infection must be increased in order to catch the infection as early as possible.
"The impact of late diagnosis is clearly demonstrated when you look at deaths among people with HIV – three out of five of HIV positive individuals that die are diagnosed too late to gain the most health benefits from their treatment, like increased life expectancy."
Are we not trying hard enough to get the point across to young gay men.
Get Tested Often Guys
One of then UK's largest sauna had to be evacuated in the early hours of Sunday morning. Firefighters were called to the venue at 6:05am. By the time that they had arrived, around 150 men had been evacuated from the four story building without any injuries. The venue can hold a maximum of 500 people. Most of the ground floor has been destroyed by fire.
A Fire Brigade spokesman said it was not clear what happened to the evacuated men, who were presumably in a state of undress. The sauna is aptly named "Chariots of Fire" !
Those fag haters , the Westboro Baptist Church, propose to protest at the funeral of Elizabeth Taylor, Wrong Wrong Wrong, l totally detest the idea of any sort of protest at a funeral.
A California woman had to go through most people's worst nightmare recently, after having to be rescued stark naked on her way to a nudist beach. The 27-year-old removed her clothes before attempting an ambitious 450ft descent to Black's Beach, in San Diego, California.
However, part way down she ran into difficulties and after realising she could neither continue going down nor climb back up, was forced to stand on a ledge while waiting to be rescued.
23rd March 2011
A brand new musical has hit London's West End. Previewing now at the the Novello Theatre is "Betty Blue Eyes" It is 1947, and having won the war Britain seems to have lost the peace, and the country is staggering under the burden of acute rationing, unemployment and the coldest winter for decades. The only bright spark on the horizon is the impending marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Everyone is tightening their belt due to the rationing. Government officials are telling the people in return for surviving Austerity Britain their will be a fair share for all. Meanwhile as is normal local officials feather their own nests by taking far more than their fair share.
It is twenty six years ago that Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray wove this story into a hilariously funny but sharply observed comic film called A Private Function.
Well it has been reworked into a marvellous new musical. We were lucky to get tickets on Monday evening for the second preview performance. The house was packed from pit to the gods. Royalty abounded at least on our row. Eight gentlemen in a row with another contingent in the row behind. Not really sure what attracted such a gay crowd but it sure did.
From the off the retro contemporary style of music gets your toes tapping and they don't stop until the final curtain. This is a truly wonderful eccentric British Musical.
The forthcoming wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip is the one bright spot after the war and a cause for celebration. Local dignitaries decide that there will be a very select Private Function to celebrate the Royal nuptials. Of course food is strictly rationed so the dilemma of what to eat, is about the only morcel on everyone's lips. The local officials decide that an unlicensed pig will take pride of place on the celebration table. The local farmer agrees to fatten the creature for them. Enter "Betty Blue Eyes" the most gorgeous little porker you could ever meet.
From here the action turns into real farce. Betty is stolen by a strange odd couple, Gilbert - an evangelistic chiropodist, and Joyce - a nobody determined to be somebody; they live with Joyce's eighty four year old Mother. They try to hide the pig, but the smell is too much, they then have to cut Betty's throat to provide the meat for the function. The whole object of the exercise is so that social climbing Joyce can attend the function.
Poor Betty - All is not lost. Betty is substituted at the last moment for - SPAM EN CROUTE
With a simply marvellous cast of great British actors headed by Sarah Lancashire and Reece Shearsmith, Betty Blue Eyes is like no musical you will have ever seen - Save up and cross the pond to see "Betty Blue Eyes" you will not be disappointed l assure you.
19th March 2011
Amidst one of the worst recessions of our life, Comic Relief raised a record in excess of £74 million last night on BBC TV. Entertaining the nation while raising an incredible sum of money to help poor and vulnerable people in the UK and Africa.
I had no idea that you could be cured of homosexuality by an iPhone App. It was developed by a Christian group Exodus International which claims that people can find "freedom from homosexuality" through prayer and practises conversion therapy. It is free and available in the iTunes store, is and described as "designed to be a useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders".
A campaign has been started to get the App banned. The campaign, started by Truth Wins Out, says: "Exodus' message is hateful and bigoted.
"[They] use scare tactics, misinformation, stereotypes and distortions of LGBT life to recruit clients. They endorse the use of so-called 'reparative therapy' to 'change' the sexual orientation of their clients, despite the fact that this form of 'therapy' has been rejected by every major professional medical organisation."
The campaign adds: "Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it gives the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a 'sin that will make your heart sick' and a 'counterfeit'. This is a double standard that has the potential for devastating consequences."
Taking of Apps. Are you in New York or Washington and have an urgent need to find a free condom, heres the answer
The iPhone app uses the iPhone's geo-location facilities to find and direct users to more than 200 locations in New York where free condoms/ femidoms together with lubricants are available. The locations includes bars, restaurants, night clubs and hospitals. A further 140 locations are listed for Washington DC.
The French led the field in this direction by launching an app for Paris and Marseilles.
Ever eaten Ossobuco well l was reliably informed this week that the literal translation of Ossobuco is "Bone Hole" Make of that what you like.
17th March 2011
The town of Wootton Bassett is to become the first town in over a hundred years to become Royal. The Royal Decree means the town will become "Royal Wooton Bassett". In recognition of its efforts to honour the UK's war dead. Repatriations of fallen troops have taken place through the Wiltshire town since 2007.
Wootton Bassett lies on the route the corteges currently take to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford from RAF Lyneham, where the fallen troops land on their repatriation to the UK.
Every time the bodies of British service personnel are flown home, many of the towns-people pay their respects. Often over a thousand on the streets at a time.
A terrible waste of young lives. For What ?
These will end when RAF Lyneham closes at the end of 2012, with the majority of its planes, kit and personnel moving to Brize Norton.
From a sad moment when young men lose their lives, to an uplifting one when you hear of a young person that has done well for themselves. Until recently 17 teen year old Alexander Beck was working in his local fish and chip ship for £6.00 ($9.50) an hour. One day while in his local branch of Waterstone's book shop he was spotted by top fashion scout Cesar Perin. Apparently, Perin just said to the teen "Stop, I like your face." And the rest is, as they say, history.
Quitting school and the chippie- for now anyway, he models for Prada, YSL, Dior and has appeared in Vogue. He has opened and closed shows (a coupe) this season, been booked exclusively by top houses; as designers and editors everywhere fall for what Perin calls an "exotic face." - Well Done young man.
ELECTRICAL firm Russell Hobbs plans to clean up after launching the world's fastest washing machine – which does laundry in 12 minutes.
The appliance costs around £250 and washes, rinses and spins a 7kg load of lightly soiled clothes in the time it takes to cook a ready-made pizza.
Its makers reckon the device would save the average family six months of washing time over five years. For the eco friendly -It cuts energy use by a third and reduces the water in its cycle by 15%.
Gay author and activist Armistead Maupin says his partner was barred from using an Australian restaurant's toilets because of his sexuality. The American couple were dining at an Alice Springs restaurant while on holiday.
When Maupin's partner Christopher asked a waiter for directions to the bathroom, he was told the restaurant didn't have one. Maupin told ABC: "I knew they had one because I'd been there the day before and I said 'what's that over there?', and he gave me a very pointed look and said 'that's reserved for real men'.
"Neither one of us could quite believe he'd said it. And he actually repeated it. He said 'see the sign on the door. It says 'gents'. It's for real men'."
The owner of Bojangles Restaurant and Bar refused to comment.
