Dorset company first to grow wasabi in Europe

A Dorset company that was the first to grow wasabi in Europe is planning on selling to Japan.  

The Wasabi Company in Dorchester traditionally grows watercress, and was looking for something new to grow, before striking lucky with the Japanese plant, wasabi.

For the full story click here...

My most recent pieces - Bournemouth Rock

Rise in noise warnings in Winton

There has been a sharp increase in Noise Abatement Notices (NANs) issued across Winton.

Blindfold run for Dorset Blind Association

Dorset Blind Association's annual run returned to Bournemouth this week.

Polish town bans Winnie the Pooh due to his lack of genitals

By Abi Simpson

The Polish town of Tuszyn has banned Winnie the Pooh due to his lack of sexuality.

Councillor Ryszard Cichy was recorded saying: "The problem with that bear is it doesn't have a complete wardrobe.

"It is half naked which is wholly inappropriate for children."

They have argued that the Polish version of the bear is more suitable for children, as he is fully dressed from head to toe.

The decision to ban the bear was put down to his "dubious sexuality" and "inappropriate dress."

One official was heard saying: "It doesn't wear underpants because it doesn't have a sex.  It's a hermaphrodite."

The council went on to criticise the author A.A.Milne saying the reason Pooh appears to have no genitals is because they were castrated with a razor blade by the author.

Councillor Hanna Jachimska suggested that the author was "disturbing."

The Associated Press have since reported that the conversation was said in jest.

Cichy has recently told a newspaper that he was joking, after the official conversation regarding naming a children's park after the bear had gone on too long.

It's a good thing that the Council didn't continue to look at the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood gang, as Eeyore and Tigger may have proved even more controversial.

Calvin Klein's first 'plus size' model

By Abi Simpson

Calvin Klein held their first photo shoot with a plus size model this week.

Myla Dalbesio, a 27 year old model never thought she'd be able to model for a company like Calvin Klein as they don't normally go for girls larger than a size 8.

Throughout her career she has tried to lose weight so that she could feature in high profile shoots, such as this.

Ms Dalbesio is currently a US size 10, which is equivalent a size 14 in the UK.

The public often question why people who represent a 'normal' size can't be used in advertising, and some people are arguing that this is industry stepping up to that.

But Ms Dalbesio isn't exactly plus size, to claim she is their first larger model is ridiculous.

In an industry where a size 10 is classed as a plus size, is it any wonder that there has been a 10% increase in cases of bulimia and anorexia nervosa in the UK (source)?

This sort of thing doesn't offer a good example to the young people of today, especially in today's digital age, where they have access to more and more on the internet. 

It's unfair to categorise people by their size, and if the industry really wants to reflect society as a whole, they need to use some real plus size models. 

Don't insult the public by saying people as small as this are 'plus size', and don't bring down the self-esteem of models like Ms Dalbesio by calling her plus size when she clearly isn't.

  

Google lets down our heroes once again

By Abi Simpson

It appears that Google doesn't feel that Remembrance day deserves one of their special logo 'doodles'. But apparently the birthday of Lego and other obscure holidays do deserve lots of attention.

This is not the first year that Google has failed to acknowledge this special day, they have had complaints in the past about their failure to recognise this particular occasion.

Can they really have an excuse for forgetting it this year, the year of the centenary?

It's disappointing how they seem to celebrate a lot of other holidays during the year, including international, and obscure ones.  But when the day comes to celebrate the men from our own country they can't be bothered to reflect this on their home page.



 

We shall remember them

By Abi Simpson

Services were held all over the UK today in remembrance of those who have fallen in conflict.  

This year marks the centenary of World War One, the 70th Anniversary of the D Day landings and the withdrawal of British Troops from Afghanistan after 13 years of fighting.     

The Queen led a two minute silence at the Cenotaph in Central London, before laying a wreath on the monument.  Many other members of the Royal Family were also present at the Cenotaph this morning, including: the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Prince William. 

David Cameron was also in attendance, and said "Today we stand united to remember the courageous men and women who have served our country, defended our freedoms and kept us safe."

Amongst the Commissioners of the Commonwealth to lay wreaths on the monument was Dan Mulhall, Irish Ambassador for the UK.  It's the first time in nearly 70 years that a representative from Ireland has taken part in the ceremony.   

At the end of the ceremony at the Cenotaph, spontaneous applause spread throughout the crowds. 

Similar ceremonies took place all over the country today, including in Wroxham, Norfolk where 222 (Broadlands) Squadron completed their annual march of remembrance to the local church. 

Wimborne United Reform Church also held a special ceremony this morning.  They have been searching for relatives of men on their role of honour, for the past few months, and today was the day when they were to all meet for the first time in remembrance.  

More Potter I'm afraid

My opinions piece for the Bournemouth Rock

Harry Potter fever

By Abi Simpson

It's been a busy week in the wizarding world!  First comes the news of three new Harry Potter films, and now I have discovered the magic that is a Harry Potter themed hotel.

Warner Bros announced earlier this week that there is going to be a new trilogy of Harry Potter films, released every 2 years from 2016.  Some would argue that all good things need to come to an end, which is very true, but can you ever have enough Potter?

The first of the three films is going to be based around one of the textbooks used in the original trilogy, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. 

It will follow the adventures of Newt Scamander (fictional author of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them') in New York's hidden community of witches and wizards, seventy years before Harry Potter first reads the book at Hogwarts. 

This film is set to be very different from the original trilogy and so shouldn't risk audiences boring of the same plots over and over. Not that you could ever be bored of Harry Potter!

In addition to this the Georgian House Hotel, near Victoria Station in London has launched it's new Harry Potter themed rooms.  

Not only can you spend the night in a Hogwarts themed bedroom, but you can book the full Harry Potter package, which includes a tour around all the London sites used in the film and a trip to the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour, to see all the original costumes, sets and props.

If that isn't enough to satisfy anyone's Harry Potter fix, then I don't know what is!  The countdown has begun, no pressure JK.

Work begins on Bournemouth pier approach

My first piece for the Rock!

The many faces of Renee Zellweger

The media has gone wild over Renee Zellweger's 'new' face, during her recent appearance at the Elle Women in Hollywood awards.  

There is so much more to someone than just their appearance.  Renee has had a very successful career and has recently overcome an eating disorder, and yet still the focus is on her new look.

Is it really so hard to believe that people change as they get older?  No one looks the same at forty-five as they did in their thirties!  Even if someone does decide they want to change their look, as long as they are happy, what should it matter to someone else.

Renee is going into this new chapter of her life, as a happy, healthy and carefree woman, and that is what is important.  

By Abi Simpson

Extremism crackdown promised in new Conservative manifesto

By Abi Simpson

The Conservative Party have announced they will include stricter rules on extremist groups in their 2015 manifesto.

Their plans include banning orders and ‘extreme disruption’ orders on organisations thought to be linked with extremist groups. 

Home Secretary Theresa May was among the high profile speakers, on day three of the conference.  She said that ‘British values will prevail in the battle against extremists. 

Mrs May feels that access to communications data is vital in cracking down on extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS).  The data would include details of who is speaking and when they’re doing it, the information would not include the content of the conversation.

The current issue is that the government are seen to only attack those who are directly linked to violence.  The real problem lies however, in those that are involved in extremist groups but appear to be compatible with the British way of life.  It’s these groups that are radicalising impressionable minds and leading our young people abroad to war zones, such as Syria.  It’s believed that nearly 500 jihadists have travelled to Iraq and Syria, from the UK, already.  These groups are the ones that will be challenged under the Conservatives new proposals.

Currently there is a statutory duty for public bodies to have a counter-radicalisation strategy.  The new legislation will enhance powers of the Charity Commission to close down radical organisations which use charities as a front.

Improvements will also be made to the current process which restricts extremists from obtaining positions of any significant authority, such as teaching in schools. 

At the moment organisations can only be banned if there is evidence that directly links them to terrorism.  The new rules will allow banning orders to be imposed if the government ‘reasonably believes’ they pose a threat to the public.  The ban would mean an immediate review by the High Court, which would make membership or funding of the organisation a criminal offence. 

This would be a good start to tackling the problem we have in Britain of extremist groups hiding in our system.  We are too accommodating at the moment, and stricter rules do need to be put in place.  Whether that is by voting Conservative and seeing the above put into place or another suitable method, it’s unclear.  But the one thing that is clear, is that something needs to be done, and it needs to be done sooner rather than later.  

Christina Briggs - I want the government to pay me to lose weight...

By Abi Simpson

Christina Briggs wants the government to pay her to lose weight.  She has had a weight problem since the age of 6, and claims up to £15 thousand in benefits every year, but insists that healthy food is too expensive.  

Ms Briggs feels that she should be given an incentive to lose weight.  For example being paid £1 for every pound she loses, or being given healthy food vouchers.  Some people may argue that living longer and being healthier should be enough of an incentive.  But is it that simple, or is the problem primarily psychological?

Currently Christina weighs 25 stone and has a BMI of 50, which has a drastic effect on day to day life, not to mention the long term issues.   She knows she has a problem and openly admits she needs help but simply doesn’t know where to get it. 

The weight gain began at just 6 years old, when she was diagnosed with epilepsy and the medication meant she put on weight more easily.  This followed by a pregnancy at 15 all contributed to her size.  

Some people will argue just eat less and exercise more, but is it really that easy.  Christina can’t afford gym memberships, and having been teased most of her life, finds it hard to go for a walk or run in public, for fear of being laughed at.  This isn’t just a psychological problem, physically she finds it difficult to pluck up the courage to even get beyond the front door.  The idea of going outside is genuinely frightening.  It becomes a vicious cycle which starts and ends with comfort eating. 

Katie Hopkins who is currently doing research into weight gain normally holds an unsympathetic view when it comes to obesity, with the harsh but fair stance of, just stop putting food into your mouth.  However in this case she seems to be more understanding, due to her recent weight gain as part of her research.  She believes a lot of the problem is psychological. 

Christina comes out with few excuses for her size, but many reasons for which to lose weight, such as being there for her children.  This is the attitude that is needed, and Katie has said that the only way you’re going to get anywhere is by admitting you have a problem in the first place, and then actually wanting to do something about it.  

Even though she wants to be there for her children in the future, does she really think she is doing them any good by feeding them frozen meals and pizza for tea every night?  Christina’s worried for her own health, and knows what she’s doing to herself, so why would she put her children through the same thing, by encouraging a poor diet?

Ms Briggs agrees with the taxpayer in that they shouldn’t have to pay for her to be able to lose weight, she doesn’t want gastric band surgery or some fancy gym membership, she just wants help and healthier food to be more widely accessible to all incomes.  She admits her initial thought of a government voucher on healthy food would not work, but a reduction in the cost of healthier food for everyone may make it easier for some people.   

It could be argued that the benefits she’s on accounts for more than enough money to do a healthy weekly shop.  Just don’t buy junk food and takeaways, buy fresh fruit and vegetables just less of it.  Is money an excuse or is healthy food genuinely too expensive? 

Weight loss is only partly about reducing your intake of food, it’s also about overcoming the psychological barriers.  You have to want to do it, you have to be determined.  There is no magic wand cure, you just have to be honest with yourself.