Dangers of Make-Up
Bad news girls. That blusher you break out for special occasions could lead to you breaking out!
Most of us don’t hesitate to throw away out of date food but new research suggests that only 5% of women know that make-up also has a use by date that if ignored can lead to major skin problems.
Pill Cuts Cancer Risk
Women who have taken the contraceptive pill live longer than those who haven’t.
That’s the conclusion of a study at Aberdeen University that looked at women who have been on earlier brands of the pill.
But is this all too good to be true?
Women In Cinema
Producer, Elizabeth Karlsen, talks about the success of female directors in the run up to tonight’s Oscars, at the Birds Eye View Film Festival in London.
If Kathryn Bigelow’s Hurtlocker beats box office smash, Avatar, she will be breaking new ground for women as the first to ever to take home the ‘Best Director’ award.
While Karlsen and the rest of the Birds Eye View team wait with baited breath for the imminent announcement, they are busy celebrating other undiscovered female creative talent throughout television and cinema in events held across London until March 12th.
Twickenham Opens the Pitch to Charity
In 1988, Tim Grandage, a banker working in Calcutta, befriended a group of street children who looked after his car. They told him about their problems and needs. Tim did what he could to meet those needs, taking the children into his home.
But Tim met more and more children in need of his help and he soon left banking behind to care full time for Calcutta’s street and railway children.
Future Hope, run by Tim, is now a thriving school and home for over one hundred children. The school provides the children with an education and a real chance in life.
Most of the children brought to Future Hope have had to fight to survive and Tim helps them to adjust to school life through rugby. the boys compete in local and international tournaments, donning the colours of sponsors Harlequins. And now, with more and more girls coming to the school, they’re joining the boys on the field.
On June 5th Twickenham Stadium will be hosting a sponsored run for Future Hope – RUN FOR THEIR LIVES!
Get involved by clicking on the link below.
www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Mowbray
And if you need any further motivation to pull on your trainers for a round around the hallowed turf here’s a video of the children you’re running for
London Speaks Out Against Homophobic Hate Crime
Abi Mowbray
Thousands gathered for a candlelight vigil at Trafalgar Square last night to remember Ian Baynham who was fatally attacked there last month.
The 62year old civil servant is believed to have been the victim of a homophobic hate crime.
Baynham was attacked while out celebrating his new job at the Home Office on 25 September and later died of his injuries.
Attacks Increase
Last night’s crowd gathered to remember Ian and to show solidarity at a time when homophobic assaults are on the increase.
Recent figures show that homophobic crime in the capital has risen by almost a fifth.
But many believe the increase is the result of more victims of homophobic abuse coming forward.
Metropolitan Police Hate Crime Squad Officer, Kirsten Hearn said last night “If you experience hatred speak up about it, do not be silent because silence kills.”
The vigil received messages of support from all political parties with the exception of the BNP.
Gordon Brown applauded the homosexual community for having the courage to act and warned “homophobia breeds in silence…thank you for speaking out today.”
Education is key
But many believe that it is the silent issue of homosexuality in schools that allows homophobia to develop.
Green Party MP Darren Johnson noted the youth of Baynham’s alleged attackers. He said the issue of homosexuality in schools has not changed since he was in education 30 years ago.
The key to acceptance, Johnson said “is for children to be brought up in an atmosphere of tolerance and celebration of diversity. If we want to banish homophobia then lets start in schools.”
Comedian Stephen Amos also believes that youth is the future. In the closing speech of the evening he said “There are people behind us who are going to keep following us and keep doing the good work. We will not be silenced. We should not be afraid.”
Animal Centre Closed For Hilton Hotel
Syon Park’s animal conservation centre is to be demolished within the year to make way for a new Hilton hotel.
Tony Purdy founded The Tropical Forest on the Duke of Northumberland’s estate nearly two decades ago. Since then he has educated everyone from toddlers to Grannies on exotic wildlife.
The centre gives people the chance to get up close and personal with parrots, lizards and lemurs to name just a few.
“Look guys this is Elvis the Crocodile. We rescued him from a zoo that closed down. If we weren’t here he wouldn’t have anywhere to go.” Keeper, Richard Sharp takes kids round the park at feeding time.
But Elvis’ future hangs in the balance once again. As The Tropical Forest’s lease expires next September, and Purdy’s request for an extension has been blocked.
No lease extension
The extension is needed in order to allow time for a new location to be found for the centre.
Purdy said “We were hoping we could stay here until we found somewhere new but the Hilton said we’ve had plenty of time…I’ve been told by the Duke’s Estate that it was the hotel themselves who objected.
Purdy admits that though most of the animals will be re-housed, “there is a problem trying to find proper homes for the big fish.”
With the animals’ future looking bleak, the centre’s last hope lies in a six thousand strong petition that has been sent to London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“They have that petition (which includes names of celebrities and local councillors) it’s now about what they can do with it.” Said Purdy.
Council agreed demolition last decade
Michael Baxter, Agent for the Syon Park Estate said that the demolition of the Tropical Forest was agreed in the late 90s, as it is “architecturally inappropriate” and does not fit with the Estate’s long-term renovation programme.
Baxter also cited a legal obligation to the council as the reason for the demolition.
John Hardy at Hounslow Council, confirmed “When the planning permission was given for the hotel one of the obligations was that the Tropical Forest be moved.
“We have explored whether that could be lifted but it’s not something the hotel would want because the Tropical Forest would ruin their view. The Duke and the hotel don’t want them there.”
The Councillor is working to find a new site for the Forest but with Purdy unable to foot the huge bill of building a new centre, and the Council “unable to help them with the cost,” Hardy’s efforts look set to be nothing more than a gesture.
