I used to work with Jack Highwood on the IT Counter at the University of Winchester. I was doing my PhD, Jack his degree… and he decided to go out to Cambodia, where he’s been for several years. I always think it’s great to see people following their passions in life, and there’s no doubt that Jack is passionate about what he’s doing out in Cambodia. I went to Cambodia, but was on fixed timetable, so it wasn’t possible to visit… tempted though! This year, however, it’s Egypt!
The Elephant Project, Cambodia
Posted on: 20-09-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Inspirational, Travel & Adventure
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Message received from Head of Security (University of Winchester), from a colleague in another university.
“The new telephone ‘scam’ has arrived. I received a call from a ‘representative’ of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date.The guy wasn’t even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! I asked the guy’s name – the very ‘English’ John Peacock with a very ‘African’ accent – & phone number – 0800 0800 152 0800 0800 152 . Obviously the fella realised I wasn’t believing his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how & he told me to hang up & try phoning someone – he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID!!My phone was dead – no engaged tone, nothing – until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made & he said credit card, there & then. I said that I didn’t know how he’d done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn’t believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. Did 1471 & phoned his fictitious 0800 number – not recognised. I phoned the police to let them know, I wasn’t the first! It’s only just started apparently but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people know by word of mouth of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it’s real, so please let as many friends & family aware of this. This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number – it should have been 0800 800152 0800 800152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out – but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back.
You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool the elderly and vulnerable. Obviously, if this scam is real, once they have your credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out your account.”
The story itself is not a scam, it’s made it to the BBC as well. Sites such as Scambusters and Hoax-Slayers can help you tell if that email, etc. that you receive is for real or not.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10989.
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Simon Cohen, TEDxTeen
Posted on: 10-08-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian, Digital Media
TEDxTeen 2010 – Simon Cohen from We Are Family Foundation on Vimeo.
I had the privilege of meeting Simon this morning. I’m looking, for @bigbible, to do something like his Tole-Rants (so impressive), but I need to do it on a shoestring… The guy is engaging, interested, incisive, insightful and all round good guy. Here he is in action changing the world…
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Are you wondering what to do on Sunday 13th June 2010?! Wonder no more. The event ‘Open Farm Sunday‘, run by ‘Linking the Environment and Farming‘, has been running since 2006. Farmers who are enthusiastic about ensuring that their farming practices are the best for the environment open their farms to the public for a free day out. What’s available on each farm varies, but my brother, who has been running an event on his farm since 2007, has brought in other farmers so the widest range of animals can be seen, including bulls, sheep, chicken, calves, cows being milked… along with tractor rides around the fields, and food such a a hog roast (very tasty!)… read my niece’s ‘Press Pack’ report from 2009 (and the farm experiments with Facebook for 2010).
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Beating the Bounds of Winchester
Posted on: 25-04-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Event, Travel & Adventure
I’ve always fancied doing this, anyone want to go in a team with me? I’m not the fastest of walkers…
Hampshire’s residents, groups and businesses are being asked to put their best foot forward this spring to help raise funds for the homeless charities in Winchester.
The Rotary Club of Winchester is holding a “Winchester Walk for the Homeless – Beating the Bounds” event on Sunday 9th May in an effort to raise £50,000 for Winchester’s homeless charities, Trinity Winchester, Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Keystone.
Individuals, families, schools and businesses are invited to join in one of three picturesque walks around the Winchester area. Starting from the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, walkers will take in the sights from the Itchen River to the Worthies and back again via well loved historical places and wonderful views.
Michelle Gardner, Chief Executive, Trinity Winchester says: “Traditionally, residents of a parish walked the boundary to share knowledge about where the borders lay, and to pray for protection and blessing of the land. Now many parishes continue this ‘Beating the Bounds’ tradition to strengthen the community and we hope to bring the Winchester community together whilst raising funds for those less fortunate who live within it.”
Walkers are invited to choose a 12-mile trek, a 5-mile stride or a 1.5-mile family-friendly stroll, and to raise sponsorship money for their efforts. All monies raised will go straight to the charities concerned. Parties will set off between 9am and 12 midday on Sunday 9th May with a guide map and instructions, and all the routes will be signed and marshalled. A finish-line party will be held in the Cathedral grounds during the afternoon from 12 midday until 3.30pm, with refreshments, games, army band and children’s entertainments.
Registration is easy online and costs just £10 per person (or £20 for a group of up to five people) at www.winchesterwalk.co.uk.
Michelle Gardner continues: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds for people in Winchester who often go un-noticed and un-appreciated, whilst learning about the area in which we live. Winchester has some stunning scenery and architecture, and this will be a great chance to explore the city and meet new people. We hope clubs, sports teams and local businesses will join residents in helping support those around us get back on their feet.”
For more information, visit www.winchesterwalk.co.uk, or call Gavin Blackman on 01962 883932, check out Facebook or Twitter.
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Jamie Oliver’s school dinners shown to have improved academic results
Posted on: 05-04-2010
Category : Charity & Social Action, Christian
He has been ridiculed by the chat show host David Letterman, accused of high-handedness by a local radio DJ and reduced to tears by recalcitrant fast food-consumers during his war on American obesity. He has even dressed up as a giant pea pod in an attempt to turn the US on to his healthy eating agenda.
So Jamie Oliver will doubtless be relieved to hear of a timely reminder of his more gilded reputation back home. Today an audience of prestigious economists was told that the healthier school dinners introduced by the celebrity chef had not only significantly improved pupils’ test results, but also cut the number of days they were off sick. The effects, researchers said, were comparable in magnitude to those seen after the introduction of the literacy hour in the 90s.
The proportion of 11-year-olds in Greenwich, south London, who did well in English and science rose after Oliver swept “turkey twizzlers” and chicken dinosaurs off canteen menus in favour of creamy coconut fish and Mexican bean wraps, according to a study of results in the south east London borough.
The number of “authorised absences” — which are generally due to illness – fell by 15% in the wake of his 2004 Feed Me Better campaign, brought into the nation’s sitting rooms via the Channel 4 series Jamie’s School Dinners.
- Read the full story in The Guardian.
- Read my review written for Damaris Culturewatch in 2006: “Challenging a fast-food culture” – something I’d love to research further, along with some of the research undertaken by Beyond Chocolate – I am just interested in way too many things
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Awesome video challenging us to think about the use of bottled water… I buy a couple of bottles each month to refill, maybe I should invest in a couple of refillables and some Milton
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I spent February to June 1994 in Brazil, staying with a family distantly related to me, who were supported by the Good Shepherd Trust, a charity which has now disbanded. Andrew and Gaynor’s work involved arranging international adoptions, whilst Andrew was also involved in running a Christian book distribution organisation. They were also responsible for a couple of homes in São Paulo (which are being run by another charity) run for children taken directly off the streets, where they were cared for whilst new parents were found. I spent quite a bit of time in these homes, helping to look after the children (first time I’ve changed a nappy, and I’m not in a hurry to do it again!), but spent most of my time looking after the children that Andrew and Gaynor had adopted, getting up at about 6.15am, but having most of the afternoons to myself, time which I largely spent wandering around Mogi das Cruzes, trying to learn some Portuguese! I also spent a week in Rio de Janeiro with my Mum’s cousin, and a week near the Mato Grosso, with a couple I met on the plane. I was in Brazil when Aryton Senna died, in fact walking past the Interlagos race circuit the day he died. It was as if Royalty had died!
Here are some photos of my defining moments, experiences and impressions of Brazil!
www.flickr.com
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It was a very challenging time in my life, as I had never been away from home before (aside from Guide camps 1/2 hour’s drive from home), had never flown before, didn’t know the language, didn’t know what I was letting myself in for, etc. The first two weeks were a nightmare, and I very much wanted to go home, but I persevered and after it got past the halfway point it was much easier! It certainly made going away to university much easier.
LINKS:
- Jubilee Action: Brazil Community Project /Music School
- Oxfam: Work in Brazil
- Not for Kids: Street Children Take over National Congress, 1995
- Task Brasil: The Abadoned Street Kids of Brazil Trust
- Cross-Cultural Solutions: International Volunteer Programme
- Check Amazon for books on Brazil
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I DID IT, I DID IT… in about 8 and half hours, which we didn’t think was bad as we had to stop/queue a couple of times, and sheer volume of people made it difficult to move any quicker! I really didn’t realise quite what a big challenge this would be until I started training for it, but I kept going (despite the move to Manchester), and sponsorship was a great incentive. I didn’t expect there to be QUITE so much pain afterwards, but it’s slowly improving (written Tuesday after!).
www.flickr.com
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A sure-fire winner with everyone (especially me on My Birthday… yes, it’s my birthday today!)!
Take:
- 1/2 pat butter (butter/margarine mixture)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 dessert-spoon drinking chocolate powder
Meltall the above ingredients down in a large saucepan, on the lowest heat possible. SUGGESTION: Towards the end of melting time, try adding Maltesers!
Take:
- about 3/4 large packet of digestive biscuits
Bash them up, and stir in until liquid is no longer sticking to the sides.
Butter a medium sized baking/roasting tray (any shape), and throw the mixture in. Flatten with the back of a spoon.
Take:
- A 200g bar of FAIR TRADE milk chocolate (or more if you wish).
Melt it for a couple of minutes (max) in the microwave, and spread over the top.
Allow the chocolate to set (it can be placed in the freezer if you wish it to take less time!)
The cake is then ready to eat: Beware, it’s very rich!
This recipe is great for any occasion, it is quick to thrown together, and is not too expensive! You can experiment with other than digestives. I’ve tried Rich Tea biscuits, and my mother likes muesli. We have also tried the added ingredient of Maltesers – that works pretty well. Tell me your ideas.
e=mc2: Elation = Munching x Chocolate 2 !!!!!
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