Jamie Stuttard

PMA blogs

2009-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

As part of the PMA course, the eleven of us had a blogging rota. Seeing our journey from beginning to end makes for pretty interesting reading.

My blog entries, in typical blogging order (latest at the top), are listed below.

Ten things

I fought the law

Subs R Us - spot the mistakes

Dear diary

Day two - dog bites Posh Spice

Calls for better antimalarials follow-up

2009-03-02T07:14:00.000-08:00

Nurses should be better informed of compliance rates among travellers prescribed with antimalarials, a specialist has said.

Travel health nurses rarely learn whether patients complete their treatment, according to a survey conducted at a malaria study day.

One nurse surveyed said it would be beneficial to monitor how well patients fare, and learn from cases where treatment has been stopped.

Furthermore, two-thirds of nurses said they were unlikely to hear if a patient caught malaria on their travels.

Travel health specialist Jane Chiodini said: “More needs to be done to ensure that nurses have an accurate picture of compliance among travellers. It would help inform us to advise which antimalarial would best suit the individuals thus offering the greatest protection against this disease.”

The information could also help nurses provide more effective education on the importance of completing the course, she added.

The survey was conducted by GlaxoSmithKlein and organised by RCN and the British Travel Health Association.

Internship 2

2009-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

Below are a handful more of my online news stories from work experience at Haymarket medical:

'Miserable' children more prone to depression in later life

Medical student standards up for debate

Health Care Assistants (HCA) demand regulation

Anti-drug campaign targets young cannabis users

Young-drinkers consultation wants your feedback

Doctors to work outside normal practice in pandemic

2009-03-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

GPs will be expected to treat patients with influenza should the UK face a pandemic, new guidelines have stated.

The guidance, Pandemic Influenza: Good Medical Practice – Responsibilities of doctors in a national pandemic, provides the basis of GP’s work should a crisis occur.

GPs should work outside their normal field of practice during a severe pandemic, according to the guidelines produced by GMC today. Such a pandemic would lead to some routine healthcare services being suspended, and retired GPs potentially being asked to return to work

The new guidelines have removed several elements from Good Medical Practice in a bid to reflect the practical challenges a GP would face. They concern a GP’s responsibility during a UK Level Three pandemic, involving a new virus outbreak sustained by human-to-human transmission.

Jane O'Brian, head of standards and ethics are the GMC, said: 'We will continue to keep doctors well-informed about their role in the event of a pandemic, and welcome their comments on the guidance in the meantime.'

Record revenue predicted for 2009 canal festivals

2009-03-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

The festivals market is enjoying an annual increase. Many UK towns are turning to their waterways to participate in this trend. Jamie Stuttard investigates.

Canalside festivals are an emerging money-making opportunity across the UK, with several British Waterways regional boards reporting increased applications to host the events. Many begin as small-scale local activities and expand to become widely popular events, which local trade relies on.

The two-day canal festival at Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, generated £380,000 last year. Since starting in 2000 it has become a regular addition to the Scottish canal calendar.

David Gear, manager of the festival, said: "It brings a lot of money into the local economy. It's also a great way of introducing people to the region. Soon after the event, tourism remains above average.

"In 2006, the festival attracted 9,000 people. We made a growth plan for the event and within two years it trebled in size. Last year, an estimated 27,000 people attended the event."

Kirkintilloch Canal Festival's popularity has led Edinburgh to consider hosting a similar event. British Waterways Scotland has provisionally set this June as the date for the first Edinburgh Canal Festival. It is looking at the example of the capitals arts celebrations, which can bring an extra 1.5 million visitors to the city.

The Banbury canalside Folk Festival, in Oxfordshire, also expects to generate increased tourism this year. Ann Sewell, events manager for Banbury Town Council, said: "We've had more interest this year than we have in the past. I think the recession has made people look inwards. Instead of traveling miles for a day out, they look closer to home.

"It is the biggest day of the year for trade. It's a good celebration for locals, and a way to attract new people to the area."

The Linslade Canal Festival in Bedfordshire enjoys similar success. The town, which has a population of 12,000 is expecting approximately 5,000 non-local visitors this summer.

Donna Hughes, the town council's leisure and promotions manager, said: "To many people in the surrounding area, the canal festival really puts Linslade on the map. Local shops can see their profits go through the roof. Many of our arts and crafts shops rely on the event."

The Crick Boat Show in Northamptonshire aims to attract families and industry insiders. Last year exhibitors made around £1m from show-generated sales, and a further £2m from sales leads.

Chris Stanley, communications manager at South East Waterways, said: "Much of the local accommodation is booked far in advance of the event, and shops, pubs and restaurants enjoy increased trade." The show has expanded in recent years to allow for more visitors and boat moorings.

The increase in canalside events runs parallel to the booming UK festivals market. In 2008, there were more than 50 new festivals, and over 500 in total. This year, the UK festival industry will be worth £900m.

Website eFestivals has added the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival, Cheshire, to its line-up, and this year has listed the canal festival in Kirkintilloch alongside events such as Glastonbury and Bestival.

As canal festivals become better known and more widespread, they will undoubtedly obtain a bigger presence.

Review: Lily Allen @ Koko

2009-03-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

Lily Allen has been in a lot of trouble lately. First, she made some rather risqué comments regarding cocaine. Second, she recorded a cover of Womanizer, which spread through the blogosphere like wildfire.

It can be assumed that her record company liked the former, and disliked the latter. According to her Myspace, Lily got a strict telling-off for recording the Britney track. The cocaine though, had her on the front pages of newspapers and magazines, and lead to her discussion on numerous chat shows. With a sophomore album on the way, publicity is key.

Tonight is Lily’s first London gig in almost two years, and the audience feel like she has something to prove. Is she still relevant after the influx of similar artists? Is her new material, from It’s Not Me, It’s You, worth the wait? Most importantly though, does she still want to be a pop star?

With her first album Alright Still, Lily paved the way for young, feisty females to conquer the charts and keep a chic, indie cool. Since her breakthrough hit Smile, we know more about her love life than our best friends; we know more about her family and dog than we have ever wanted to. But now she has returned, and she’s on fire.

She arrives on stage and giggles. It won’t be the first fit of laughter of the night, as she seems to do so after almost every song. Perhaps it’s nervousness - she is, after all, only 23 and facing a worldwide spotlight.

The audience can’t help but fall for her chuckling. We gain an immediate closeness with here, as if sharing a joke with our neighbour.

She loosens up after the third song, Little Things from Alright Still, as the front row of photographers leave and she takes her shoes off. Lily finally looks comfortable centre stage and launches into several new tracks.

Immediate standouts include the Take That sampling early-romance tale of Who’d Have Known, which could be the most beautiful song of 2009, the George Bush hating Fuck You and Not Fair, which Lily describes as “stupid country music”. A couple more familiar songs wouldn’t have been unwelcome, but with new tracks sounding instantly like old favourites, we didn’t really need them.

Now this being Lily Allen, celebrity fodder, a couple of familiar faces are in the vicinity. Producer Mark Ronson gets a dedication, Lady Gaga welcomes a mention halfway through, and Jaime Winstone dances with Lily’s actor brother, Alfie.

It’s a shame really. Her recent number one single, The Fear, is a (perfectly formed) song about celebrity culture. “Life’s about film stars and less about mothers, it’s all about fast cars and cussing each other”, she sings ironically. Shouting out greetings to Kate Moss, with no mention of her parents, seems somewhat contradictory.

The encore is a revelation though, and it certifies what a brilliant pop star we have on our hands. Tonight confirms her as a brilliant songwriter and endearing performer. She giggles again as she launches into her final song, Britney’s Womanizer.

Internship

2009-03-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

For the past week, I have been on work experience at the Haymarket publications GP and Independent Nurse, and the medical news website Health Care Republic.

Below are a selection of my articles.

Call to open medical school to low-income families

NHS urge medics to work closer with patients

'Good neighbours' are no replacement for health visitors

Charities argue for patient records to be used in medical research

Department of Health expand overseas doctors training

Excuse me, what is this Canal Business?

2009-03-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well, Canal Business is the magazine we've been working on.

It's the first weekly B2B magazine for the canal industry.

New guide celebrates rejuvenated canals

2009-02-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

A guide that celebrates a “new era of waterways” has been released. The authors claim that canal interest has reached an all-time peak, and their book aims to tap into this.

The authors, Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan, spotted a gap in the market for a guide covering more creative holidays. O’Callaghan said: “Investment in the inland waterways over the past few years has rejuvenated the canals and they now appeal to a broader spectrum of people.”

Half of Britain’s population is estimated to live within five minutes of an inland waterway and Cool Canals: Slow getaways and different days aims to inspire a new generation to explore them.

The book has proved popular with consumers, and two further canal titles are planned for 2010.

Originally published in Canal Business

Visit online www.canalbusiness.co.uk

UK's first hotel on water

2009-02-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

Plans for the UK’s first floating hotel have been unveiled.

Premier Inn has announced details of the ‘flotel’, to be built in Hartlepool Marina. The project will be the first budget hotel to be purpose-built above water.

The hotel is designed to move with the tide and will be connected to the quayside via a pedestrian ramp and an external lift.

The design was chosen so visitors can stay as close to the Marina as possible.

Premier Inn has also announced plans to build beside the Walsall Canal. The new 120-bed hotel is due to be built as part of the town’s regeneration plans.

Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “I think the new hotel is wonderful news and it shows the confidence that the business community has in Walsall.”

Originally published in Canal Business

Visit online www.canalbusiness.co.uk

Ads 'ruin' Venice

2009-02-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

Venetian authorities have attracted criticism from locals and tourists for allowing advertisements hung on canal-side buildings.

A legal loophole allows scaffolding on public buildings to carry ads, The only condition is that Renata Codello, Venice’s architectural and cultural heritage chief, must ensure the advert does not “detract from the appearance or decorum of the building.”

Plakitiv Media, the main group handling the Venice ads, is currently paying €3.5m to restore the Correr Museum in St Mark’s Square.

The scaffolding is then being leased at €50,000 a month for companies such as Rolex to advertise. During the Venice Carnival in February, advertisers were paying a reported €75,000 a month.

Tourist Harry Hahun said: “The adverts really detract from the sites we went to Venice to see. Having a huge Swatch poster beside the Grand Canal takes away some of the beauty.”

Original published in Canal Business

Visit the website www.canalbusiness.co.uk

Waterways Renaissance Awards 2009

2009-02-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

The finalists for the 2009 Waterways Renaissance Awards have been announced.

Among the ten categories, and 28 nominees, is Irwell City Park. The £40m project aims to provide waterside spaces along an 8km stretch of the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell. It is hoped that the reinvestment will boast economic growth and inject life into the area.

Further nominees include the water rail way in Lincolnshire, the Animating the Canal venture in Clydebank, and the Bude Canal regeneration project. A Lancashire initiative to create heritage walks for visually impaired people has also been nominated.

One of last year’s winners, Hemlington Lake in Middlesbrough, has said that the winners can expect their profiles to be raised dramatically.

John Ferry, manager of Hemlington Lake, said: “We got a much wider audience and it has put us in good stead for the future. The award helped us increase our funding and we have now extended the lake.”

This year’s nominees were chosen by an independent assessment panel, comprising waterway, conservation and regeneration experts.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 31 March.

Originally published in Canal Business.

Visit the website www.canalbusiness.co.uk

Classrooms should adapt for dyslexics

2009-02-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

Classrooms should adapt to self-esteem issues associated with dyslexia, it has been claimed.

Barry Whiting, chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich Dyslexia Association, said that teachers should recognise that spelling is no longer considered the main issue associated with dyslexia. The concern should be a focus to improve self-esteem of many dyslexic children.

Whiting said: “The saying goes, ‘At eight, spelling was murder but at 18, it was suicide’. That couldn’t be more right.”

Adult Dyslexia Training, a course that aims to raise awareness of dyslexia symptoms, has recently been aimed at teachers. It is thought that undiagnosed dyslexia will reduce self-esteem further.

Whiting added that every child should be treated on a separate basis. He said: “Teachers need to realise that dyslexia cannot be treated in just one way. There are different levels of the discibility and every child will progress at a different speed.”

Perceptual skills company, Visual Learning For Life, have devised a new online database that aims to treat each child in their own way. The internet database is claimed to be quick to identify each child’s specific area of difficulty.

Melanie Lambert, Visual Learning For Life director, said: “The website aims to provide stimulation at all levels in a variety of classrooms.”

Dyslexia affects 10 per cent of the population.

A Life in the Day

2009-02-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Josh Sheard, student and bluegrass troubadour

Josh Sheard, 23, is one half of the band Spirit of John with Adam Richards.

“I get out of bed at half six on a weekday, or about 11:40 on a weekend.

Monday to Friday, I exit my bed via the left hand side while on my days of leisure; I usually leave towards the right. When my mobile phone alarm rings, I get up and have a coffee with lots of sugar.

I have to shower as soon as I wake because I can’t do anything until I’ve washed my filthy night-time body of grease. My Head & Shoulders shampoo also acts as shower gel because I’m too lazy to swap the bottle. I’ll have terrible skin when I’m older, but fantastic body hair.

For breakfast I have toast with marmalade, I never do cereal because I don’t rate milk - maybe I’m lactose intolerant or something. I usually have a banana because apples give me a headache.

If I’m gigging that night I usually practice on my own before going to Adam’s house. He always greats me with a coffee because he knows how to make a proper brew. After we left school, Adam and I sort of lost touch with each other.

One day, soon after splitting up with my girlfriend, I got a call from him. I’d already agreed to my first live gig and we got talking about music. He was quite heavily into jazz but had just bought a cheap Chinese double bass. I played him Warlords and Boughs and he played me some of his stuff. We played the gig together and people responded really positively. We thought, “Right, this is it. We’re a band now.”

I like to practice in the bathroom. I go in there with an acoustic guitar and go through the set two or three times. I prefer the acoustics in the bathroom and I don’t have to sing as loud. Everything sounds better in the bathroom.

"The animal in me just wants to have

a 99p pint and get hammered"

For dinner I generally have soup. Heinz tomato soup is one of life’s perfect ingredients. Some tomato soup tastes like stomach bile, but theirs is just right.

I like to have some kind of sound around me all the time. I’ve just bought a new CD player and am rediscovering old CDs and hearing parts of the music I never knew existed.

My grandma introduced me to a lot of music. She had a lot of Elvis, and the biggest country music collection I’ve ever seen, she had everything from Johnny Cash to Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. It breaks my heart that she sold it all for £100 to a record collector.

I’ve been playing bluegrass stuff since I was about 14. Some of Spirit of John’s songs have been with me for years but I hadn’t done anything with them. Because of Adam’s musical background, he can pick up new stuff straight away, but it takes me a while to learn stuff. I’m a good pop songwriter but when it comes to the intricacies of a song, Adam’s your man.

I live about a 20-minute drive from Huddersfield University, where I’m studying industrial design. I always get there early and I like the routine. The nearest coffee shop knows my usual order of a regular latte and I always follow the same route.

I’m quite good at design; I think I have a natural feel for it. It’s a cringe-worthy phrase but I can think outside the box. I’ve entered a few competitions with my products and got credit for a hospital hand cleaner that could reduce MRSA and ecoli.

My life is juxtaposition, really. The music I play is very old sounding and rustic while the design stuff is really expensive and high technology. To do a degree that matched the band, I’d be doing fine art or something.

Uncle Ben’s bags of rice have become increasingly common at teatime. I like cooking but don’t have the time, money or ingredients available to actually get round to it. Uncle Ben’s are great, two minutes and you’re laughing. I only tend to give myself half an hour to eat, and then I have to get on with what I’m doing.

I tend to stay in during the first part of the week. My sister and me can never agree what to watch on TV and so we often fall out about it. If I’ve got the lounge to myself I put on a Sopranos or The Wire DVD. Broadcast television doesn’t grab me anymore.

I’m trying to become a more rounded individual and read more. If I had more time, I’d just sit at my window all day and read. My friend has just given me the new Simon Felix novel so I’ll give that a go.

Thursday to Saturday I go out at night to see people. There’s a pub called The Grove in Huddersfield that sells ale from around the world and there’s a particularly nice Mongolian one. The atmosphere is really relaxed and I feel more comfortable there than a jakey pub in town. Then again, the animal in me just wants to go to Wetherspoons, have a 99p pint and get hammered.

We gig mostly at weekends. Quite a few people have heard of us now around Leeds. Through word of mouth we got on the cover of Sandman magazine. I don’t want to be this big rock band that tours the world playing stadiums, I’m happy with little venues where you can talk to people afterwards.

For 25 minutes you’ve entertained an audience and some people come up to us after really gushing. It leaves a little lump in your throat when people are that nice to you and makes it all worthwhile.

Our name, Spirit of John, comes from school. I don’t want to be a dickhead, but I don’t want to give away all the details from where it originates because that is between Adam and me. We weren’t the dead popular rugby-playing smart kids who went clubbing at 14. We thought we were above all that and created a world of our own. That’s where John came in.

I go to bed late. If I’m not gigging I get tired about half ten. I’m usually in bed just after midnight but stay awake thinking for hours. Mostly I think of how I really do need to improve my sleeping habits.”

The Essential Bruce Kent

2009-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

Bruce Kent is a renowned political campaigner, best known as a protester for nuclear disarmament. He talks to Jamie Stuttard about his early influences and his first protest, aged 12.

Bruce Kent’s first rebellion came at the tender age of 12, when a teacher made an allegation that riled him.

“I remember the teacher telling the class that Catholics bought indulgences by putting money in statue’s mouths. I said, ‘Excuse me Sir, have you ever seen this stature?’ The man had to say no. I said, ‘Well then, you shouldn’t be making accusations that you can’t justify’.”

Kent was living in Canada at the time, having moved there aged 11 with his parents in 1940. He was a lone Catholic in the Protestant school and it was his first taste of being an outsider.

“I became very obstinate. I was obsessed that I had to win the Scripture Prize and determined not to let the majority drag me down.”

He still vividly remembers one teacher in particular from his time at the Canadian school where he remained for three years.

“I was particularly impressed by my English teacher, Hugh MacLennan. He swept me off my feet. He was secular and had no time for religion and all this, but he was highly practical and imaginative.”

MacLennan wrote the novel Barometer Rising in which the hero is unjustly blamed for a World War One military disaster in which the munitions ship, the Halifax, explodes in a collision. Reading it fuelled Kent’s sense of outrage at injustice and his determination to fight against it.

“I though MacLennan’s book was the bee’s knees.”

Aged 14, Kent returned to England and attended Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit school in Lancashire. The regime was tough but the boys were encouraged to believe they were superior.

“I hated my first year because there was no decent food after the war. We were constantly told that we were the leaders of the country and we believed it. Grammar schools were below us and comprehensives didn’t even exist.”

At Stonyhurst, corporal punishment became a regular part of daily life.

“We were allowed to beat other boys, can you imagine that? We, at the age of 17, had the authority to hit other boys.”

However, Kent does look back in Stonyhurst with many fond memories including playing his beloved rugby and cricket.

“Towards the end of school we had much more freedom. It was in many ways a very compassionate school and I eventually became deputy head boy.”

Away from the Catholic environment of Stonyhurst, Kent’s sense of being an outsider returned.

“Catholics were outsiders in this country and we were the victims of persecution. It has taught me to be independent of government and look with suspicion at what the government is doing.”

Challenging government was something he did often, when; from 1980 to 1985 he was general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

And now, even at the age of almost 80, you can still see in Kent that indignant 12-year-old and hear his demand: “You shouldn’t be making accusations that you can’t justify.”

Canal vox pop

2009-02-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Following numerous reports of "towpath rage" along Regent's Canal...

Take your mum to... Camden market

2009-01-30T13:40:00.000-08:00

Introduction

Camden is a brilliant and exciting place to take your mum. But first, we must get over a few presumptions.

Say the word Camden to your mum and she will do one of two things. She will either shudder and picture a tattoed youth overtaking the nation. Or she will rant at you to stay off drugs.

The reality of Camden is much different. Instead of gothic haunts and drug-ridden alleyways, it offers an excellent selection of shops, restaurants and places to grab a coffee.

The market is second-to-none in the UK, offering jewellery, gifts and artwork simply not seen elsewhere. You can see visitors’ eyes opening to things they never knew existed. Ethically-produced handbags,

computer chip earrings, tenth century Thai trinket boxes and mango sunrise tea are just a few from the eclectic range you’ll find.

If your mum is into neon club wear, great. If not, there is plenty more to see and do.

Why she’ll love it

Mum will love Camden because she can brag about it at her next dinner party. Imagine the street cred she will get from admitting her new designer purse is from here.

Despite its reputation, Camden is full of one-of-a-kind goods and gift-shops that mums just can’t resist.

Plus, she might get to spot Amy Winehouse.

When she wants a coffee

Brew time. Head to Yumchaa for a wide selection of teas. At just £2 a mug and with a selection ranging from enchanted forest and Egyptian nights to traditional English breakfast, you will be spoiled for choice.

Yumchaa also offers the best brownies in southern England. They’re quite large to eat so you may need a doggie bag!

Café Crema, in West Yard, offers fair trade coffee with organic milk for your environmentally conscious mum. Add a dash of whisky, amaretto, Baileys or cognac into your Irish coffee (£4.50) for an extra £2.80.

Where to go for lunch

Gilgamesh is the main draw for many hungry visitors. It not only offers a birds-eye perspective from its position above the Stables Market but also a large menu. The Asian-fusion 200 seater restaurant offers small dishes at reasonable prices. Baby ribs are £5.40, crispy squid is £7. For larger appetites, Gilgamesh serves Thai curry (vegetarian or chicken) for £10.

Gilgamesh is a thing of wonder. The scale of it’s interior compared to the tightly packed market is breathtaking. The 50-foot carved wooden wall would look lovely in your mum’s dining room.

The Lockside Lounge rests beside the canal. Sit either indoors or on the balcony for a lunch with a modern twist. Soup of the day is just £3.75, while Lockside salad (asparagus, roast pepper, rocket, watercress and cherry tomatoes) is £7.50. Make it a chicken salad for an extra £1.95.

If you and your mum have similar tastes (and you’re not worried she will steal all the food!) why not opt for a Spanish platter? It has jamon, serano, chorizo, manchengo, pickles, olives, aiou and bread. To share at £14, it’s a good deal.

For desert, treat your mum to a mouth-watering chocolate orange and cointreau truffle (£4).

Give lunch a liquid edge with the Locks Lounger at £6. The cocktail is made from lime juice, raspberry puree, brown sugar, Cointreau and 42° Below Feijoa vodka, topped with apple juice with crushed ice. Have one, mum will be smiling. Have three, she’ll be raving in neon club wear.

The Horses Market Stables offers bites to eat from around the globe. Sample Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese or Spanish food from about £5. Grab a large slice of pizza for £1.50.

Shopping

Treat yourself

Pamper your mum with beauty products by NevO Spa and LeNas. NevO Spa’s key ingredient in their wide range of products is salt from the Dead Sea. I is the saltiest and most mineral-laden water in the world, so open up your mum to its natural benefits. NevO Spa body scrub is £21 and hair conditioner is £14.

LeNas (upper floor, Lock Market) offers small gift-packaged soaps. The soaps are decorated with artificial flowers and would make a lovely addition to any bathroom. A set of four handmade and hand-wrapped soaps is £10.

For a more practical solution to the beautifying process, Bohemia Collections (upper floor, Camden Market) sell designer nail files. The unique crystal-coloured nail file will make a welcome supplement to any makeup bag. Aside from their splendid appearance, the files also claim to create stronger and firmer nails. They cost between £5 to £12, and come with a lifelong guarantee.

To stop your mum complaining about her cold hands, buy her a Heat in a Click (Stables Market) pad. At the click of a button, the Heat in a Click pad will reach 54C and warm up the surrounding area. Put the pad in boiling water and it can be reused over and over again. (A hand-shaped warmer is £7.) Buy your mum a Heat in a Click foot warmer (£15) to ease her tootsies after a long day in Camden.

Fashion

Penny Burdett (upstairs, Lock Market) may be for the ‘mumsy’ mum, but the quality of the products on display is top quality. Burdett herself designs the pricey knitwear and sells it in the delightful shop. A knitted rose cardigan is £40, while an elegant embroided cushion is £60.

For ecologically approved clothing, visit Stella (upstairs, Lock Market). Although eco-clothes may conjure ideas of Glastonbury hippies to your mum, Stella puts this stereotype to an end. The United heels with a three-inch wedge (£45) could be sold in designer stores. Stella also features the latest designs from Matt & Nat, an eco-design double act. Large leather-look purses cost from £40.

Enjoy, relax and heal

The Chinese Medical Centre offers homeopathic and holistic remedies to treat numerous ailments. Practitioners offer help with everything from asthma to weight loss. Massages start at £6 and consultations are free.

Rainbow Visions is an arts centre where your mum can discover inner peace. It offers three-hour meditation classes, channelling, and crystal and Reiki healings at £30 each.

Rainbow Visions healer, who goes by the professional name of White Dove, will happily show your mum the “unconditional way of love” and improve her satisfaction with life. White Dove then proceeded to (accidentally) show this writer he was not wearing any underwear under his white Jesus-esque gown.

After a hard day discovering the delights of Camden (and the potential trauma of the aforementioned experience), why not treat your mum to a professional massage? Hands On is open Wednesday to Saturday. The owners claim a 20 minute deep treatment (£20) will calm the nervous system and ease shoulder and back pain. You do not need an appointment and prices start from £10.

Gifts

Finally, head upstairs to Aroma Candle Sand to discover an interesting proposition. The stall offers bags of wax in small beads (like sand) to create your own candle. Numerous suggestions will be offered on the stall with the most inventive so far being a scraped-out pineapple.

Flatter your mum with the orange-scented wax, described as being, “Like a mother: relaxing and warming”.

Controversy over Camden obesity scheme

2009-01-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

Camden residents remain unsure whether a local scheme providing weight loss motivation is in everyone’s best interests.

The local community are split over the scheme that only offers advice to people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or over.

Georgina Butcher, 65, a local secretary, said: “The course only seems to help a certain section of Camden’s population. It should be open to anyone who wants weight-related advice.”

The funding behind the Shape Up scheme has also caused controversy amongst locals. Many feel that the council initiative is a good way to spend local money. “Obesity is a problem in Camden... Shape Up is a good way to spend local money as hospitals have to deal with obesity-related problems”, said 27-year-old researcher, Kate Webb.

Others see the scheme as a waste of local funds. Laurence Sparci, 24, an account executive, said: “The council is spending money on obese people when it should be

concentrating on move important things. Camden needs money spent on schools and education.”

Many local residents believe funding should be put into drug related issues, considered to be the biggest problem in the area.

The scheme is organised by Camden Council and funded by the Primary Care Trust. It aims to help people overcome weight related issues and attempts to increase physical activity.

Anthony Kessel, Director of Public Health at Camden Trust, said: “At this time of year many of us are full of good intentions in relation to our weight. Shape Up is free, effective and fun.”

Consumers buy Fairtrade and counterfeit

2009-01-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

Consumers who spend extra money supporting ethical trade often buy counterfeit products, a new survey claims.

The survey, commissioned by Microsoft, suggests that 89 per cent of the population buy items such as Fairtrade coffee and organic produce. However, over half of the sample admit to owning items they know to be counterfeited.

Also highlighted is another apparent double standard exhibited by UK consumers. Three quarters of the sample believe that ideas belong to those who create them. Nevertheless this ethical consideration evaporates for 43 per cent of the sample given the opportunity to buy cheap counterfeit and illegal goods.

Alex Hilton, Microsoft anti-piracy manager, said: “The survey shows a higher than expected number of people who say they believe in protecting intellectual software but at the same time are buying counterfeit software.

“It is surprising because a lot of these people make considerable efforts to purchase other products ethically.”

The results also highlight that the majority of respondents owning counterfeit goods believe UK public services are underfunded.

Bryan Lewin, lead officer for counterfeiting at the Trading Standards Institute, added that purchasing pirated goods supports organised crime, drugs and prostitution.

Independent research claims that only a ten per cent reduction in piracy would create £2.5bn additional government revenue. £2.5bn could provide nine more hospitals in the UK, a further 23,000 nurses or an 82 per cent rise in the Police Force in England and Wales.

Video vox pop

2009-01-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at a video vox pop. What are Londoners looking forward to in 2009?