31 May 2013

Torquay United FC - Top of My League by Terry Hall

The Gulls are going through a sticky patch at the moment (in more ways than one judging by the state of the Plainmoor pitch).  Fingers crossed they'll pull out of it, because there's talent in the team.  Plenty of sweat, too.  And that's one of the reasons for my new allegiance to them.

I moved from Wolverhampton last August.  Wolves FC are in a similarly perilous position at the foot of the Championship (and yes, I'm open to accusations of being a footballing Jonah that Nelson's foremast jacks would have cursed from the lower decks).  But Wolves are a team of millionaires, bloated with the spoils of a couple of years at the Premier League top table.  Fans are accusing the players of not caring or trying.

By comparison, the boys at Plainmoor are fighting for scraps, playing for their mortgages, trying everything for the shirt they wear. And I'm with them 100%.  Torquay United have also given me something Wolves never did.  they have qualified coaches who go out into the community to coach kids of every age.

My lad goes to Queensway Primary School. Last year he brought home a leaflet promoting Torquay United Football in the Community.  ever since then, I've taken him to the 5-7 age range coaching sessions at the Boys' Grammar School on Fridays.  To my knowledge, Wolves never offered that.  He never brought anything home offering their coaching help - and they could afford to employ one for every primary school in the city.

Torquay's coaching is structured and fun, and the kids love it.  They feel part of something real and worthy.  The coaches have a schoolteacher's authority, and a footballer's energy and spirit.

They give out medals for player of the day and penalty competition winners.  They put on sessions in schools and also during holidays.  They reach out to the kids and teach them the right way to play the game.

I really hope they eventually unearth some kids who one day get to pull on the shirt, because the Club is taking the trouble to care for lads who will one day care as much for the Club.

This article appeared in the June 2013 issue of Beach Hut, the excellent, independent community magazine for Paignton.

30 May 2013

50 Lessons that Moomins 
can Teach You about Life

The Moomins of Moominvalley are the characters in a series of delightful illustrated chapter books and beautiful comics by Finnish author Tove Jansson. The characters have since been the basis of numerous television and film spin-offs, including a popular Japanese anime, and even a theme park called Moomin World in Finland. Anyone who grew up with the Moomins knows that they have the secrets of life figured out, and that we’re so lucky they decided to share their wisdom with us.


Here are a few of the Moomins' Life Lessons:

  1. It is only proper to warmly welcome anyone who comes to your house.  
  2. It’s as important to know how to be alone as it is to know how to get along.
  3. A Moomintroll must know how to compliment a Snork Maiden properly.
and so I don't spoil the fun, here is the link to the rest of the lessons: 
 see: http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/50-lessons-that-moomins-can-teach-you-about-life


50 Lessons That Moomins Can Teach You About Life

 Waking up while the rest of your family is still hibernating is not as fun as it sounds


Background: The Moomins and the Great Flood began in 1939 when Tove Jansson was 25. War had broken out, and the Finnish writer was thinking about a different world, one not shot through with fear and hatred.
There’s been a fashion, thankfully going out of fashion, that if you are not writing social realism you are wasting time. I am sure that so many adults read Harry Potter because they wanted some magic back. The huge success of books like His Dark MaterialsThe Hobbit and Coraline, or movies like Up and Shrek, is down to our imaginative need for a world within a world. Part of us is wired to sit around the fire telling stories. And truth is often easier to bear when told at a slant.
Moomin-world is wise. The Groke only cares about riches and freezes everything she touches like a refrigerated Midas. The Hemulen collects stamps but falls into despair when his collection is complete – then he is only an owner. Moomins don’t think much of owning things.
The Great Flood is a story of adventure and reconciliation as Moominmamma and Moomintroll search for Moominpappa, lost at sea, which everyone agrees can happen if you start adventuring, though everyone agrees that adventuring is important. On their travels they adopt a small creature with big ears who explains: “I got lost and thought I’d never see the sun again”. This is Dante opening L’Inferno – “Midday through this life of ours I found myself alone in a dark wood.”
We know what that feels like, when the sun goes dark, whether we are a small scared child or a depressed adult.But here are light-up flowers and bowls of sea-pudding and Moominmamma reliably carries a dry pair of socks and stomach powders in her handbag.
Yet sadness is allowed. When Moominmamma falls into despair, everyone else gets gloomier and gloomier dwelling on the sadness in their lives. Perhaps this is Scandinavian, or perhaps it is just a psychic truth, and we try and protect children from what they know anyway – that life is dark as well as lit up.
Tove Jansson believed in happy endings, though. Not the Disney kind but more solid and ambiguous, which is a paradox, but more truthful than black-and-white solutions. Ever-after is what is invisible on the next page.
Moominpappa is at last rescued from a tree above the flood but his house is lost. Then, suddenly, it reappears – still with the three rooms, one yellow, one sky blue and one spotted, built like a tall old-fashioned wood-burning stove. It has floated by luck to a better place.
Luck and chance are part of Moomin weather. And better than a controlled environment. Happy ever after is much too boring for a Moomin.
'The Moomins and the Great Flood’ by Tove Jansson (Sort of Books, £9.99) is available from Telegraph Books at £9.99 plus £1.10 p&p. Call 0844 871 1516, or visit books.telegraph.co.uk



Jeanette Winterson loved Tove Jansson’s creations as a child, but she loves them even more as a grown-up. As the Moomins’ very first outing is published in Britain, she explains why in: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/9661351/Jeanette-Winterson-The-Moomins-and-me.html

I will never forget it: Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden have captured the annoying sand-spraying ant-lion and stuffed him inside the Hobgoblin’s hat. The hat has magical properties and whatever goes in comes out changed; eggshells into clouds you can ride, water into raspberry juice. To contain the ant-lion’s rage they flatten him down in the hat with the Dictionary of Outlandish Words. “You must take risks when experimenting,” says Snufkin. The dictionary starts to crumple up and all the words crawl out along the floor and up the walls until the ceiling is covered in Outlandish Words.
I was reading Finn Family Moomintroll in the Accrington Public Library. I must have been nine or 10. I went home and put my Collins Gem Englishschool dictionary into my Dad’s trilby. When that didn’t work, I wrote out random words and stuck them on the wall above my bed with flour and water. This got me into trouble but I didn’t care. The words, random, alive, were making a kind of leafmould in my mind. From that rich and fertile place came language of a different order.
Poetic disorder is how language is made. Only later is it codified. Naming starts as joy. Think of the pleasure a child has in finding words and inventing words and forming sentences that are also shapes. Words are ear and mouth before they are pen and paper. Words run away; you have to catch them.
Machine-made language, the language that comes later, in school and then at work, is useful enough but has no life of its own. The job of the writer is to stay on the side of life. The moving words were what I wanted – then and now.
I keep the Moomin books in my study and if I am tinkering about preparing for work I will often open one at random and read a page – they are funny and subversive, (Hemulens of either gender only wear dresses). And playful. Whatever happened to playfulness? Why, as adults, is serious/superficial the boring binary of our lives?


Discoveries are the fourth-best thing in the world.
“‘What is it?’ said Moomintroll. Discoveries were his very favourite thing (after mysterious paths, swimming and secrets, that is).”

Jenny's Paignton Little Black Book
These are people/companies which we have used - or had recommended to us:

Builder: Steve 01803 529661

Car Body Work: Paignton Body Repair Centre, Long Road, Paignton TQ4 7BL, Tel: 01803 556527.

Chimney Sweep (SH Chimney), 01803 556099

Dancing Lessons:  with Rose at South Devon College (we've been learning Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble), also monthly Saturday evening dances at Marldon Village Hall.

Decorator: Mike Bullock, 01803 521509

Dentist: Mark at Elmsleigh Park,  01803 559104

Doctor: Corner Place Surgery, 01803 557458

Electrical and White Goods: Automates, Winner Street 01803 524685 (http://www.automatesltd.co.uk/)

Furniture: shop at Torquay Road, Preston, near Oldway Mansion, can't remember the name.

Gas/Heating: Adams 01803 664288 (http://www.adamsgas.com/)

Newsagents: Waterside, Goodrington 01803 558218

Phone: Go Mobile, Victoria Street, 01803 556460

Roofer:  Whatman Roofing Services, 01803 526876

Taxi: Ray's Cab 01803 666400 (079189 40578) (Mon-Sat, 8-6)

Toning tables:  Inch by Inch, Church Street, Paignton. 01803 392033

Window cleaner:  Dave Smith, 01803 392652


28 May 2013

Russian Classical Music

A few old favourites and some ideas for music which you perhaps haven't heard before

Arensky's Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRKiE8o3NQU)

Borodon String Quartet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdMKJqnnW4)

Dargomizhsky The Stone Guest (http://www.allmusic.com/album/alexander-dargom%C3%AFzhsky-the-stone-guest-mw0002014045)

Gliere Ballet Suites; Symphony (http://imslp.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Reinhold_Gli%C3%A8re)

Glazunov String Quintet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4-GO-nVscY)

Glinka Divertimento Brillante (themes from Bellini's La Sonambula); Overture Russlan and Ludmila

Ippolitov-Ivanov Caucasian Sketches (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiF8JPARwCc)

Rachmaninov
Rachmaninov's Two Pieces (for violin and piano); Piano Concertos (incidentally, if you get the chance read his racy autobiography.  It's surprising he had any time for music!)


Roslavets Violin Sonatas

Rimsky Korsakov Russian Easter Overture

Scriabin Piano Sonatas; Preludes; Etudes

Schostakovich Thirteenth Symphony

Stravinsky Rite of Spring 

Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini; Serenade for Strings; Souvenir of Florence

Tcherepnin (Alexander) Pavillion d'Armide; Piano Concertos

Tcherepnin (Nicholas)

Telerac Russian Sketches

Teneyev  Cantata: At the Reading of a Prayer


27 May 2013

Now that there's soon to be a new baby in the family I'd like to plan to make a 'quiet book' - or a 'busy book'.  

Not sure yet if this is the same thing, so am exploring.  There's also something called an 'activity book', now that sounds more serious, perhaps for when she's older.

the Nativity
Here are a few ideas:
  • colours
  • numbers - beads on strings
  • shapes
  • Bible stories
  • Christmas tree with decorations
  • time
  • marble maze
  • texture, feelies
  • parts of the body
  • flowers, with bead or button centres
  • road with road signs
  • fastenings - buttons, zip, press stud, shoe laces, velcro ...
  • dolls with clothes, perhaps kept in a wardrobe or suitcase
  • face with features, showing emotions
  • ship, sail, sun, sand, seagull, perhaps fish and seaweed
  • washing line with socks and washing machine
  • frog with long tongue - flies with button bodies
  • house with doors, windows, roof, chimney, flowers in the garden
  • ice creams with various toppings
  • carrots and other vegetables to be planted in soil
  • noughts and crosses
  • babies with their own beds and pillows
  • trees with flowers or fruit to be buttoned on
  • seasons
  • flags
  • money
  • monsters
  • owls - night time
  • farm animals
  • butterflies, decorate the wings
  • mail box with letters and parcels
  • train with goods in each truck
  • car on string to run along the road
  • mug, toothbrush and toothpaste
  • knife, fork, spoon, plate - food too
  • snowman with snowflakes
  • rocket going to the moon
  • illustrations to go with stories or rhymes, such as 'little miss muffet' or 'five little monkeys'
frog, complete with enormous tongue
five little monkeys - plus mummy and the doctor



and ... would it be best in a long roll - or as separate pages?
Would it be best in its own carry bag?


flowers with button centres

I think it needs to be portable, not just a glorified 'fuzzy felt' fun book.  That sort of item can be kept at home.


So everything needs a pocket or fastening to ensure nothing falls out when it's being carried around.  It sounds as thought it would still be better with its own carry bag as it's very frustrating when one part of a set gets mislaid.




How to actually make the book before putting anything in it: 

Fabric: 
http://thegirlinspired.com/2011/12/lets-get-started-quiet-book-sew-along/ http://blog.angelayosten.com/2013/04/quiet-books.html (good!)
http://sweetmamaduck.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/quiet-book-revealed.html
http://doublethalove.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/quiet-book-w-hello-kitty.html (bag with carry handle)

Felt: http://quietbook.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Either: 
http://helpinglittlehands.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/fast-easy-quiet-book-made-from-baby.html
http://www.adventuresofourfamily.com/2012/02/quiet-book-tutorial-and-templates.html



Here are a few website to inspire:

http://pinterest.com/erinhas3boys/toddler-busy-book-ideas/

http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/my-creative-space-busy-book-pages.html

http://pinterest.com/vapormom/busy-books-and-bags/

http://pinterest.com/angelanorbut/busy-books/

http://pinterest.com/just4funkidz/busy-books-love/

http://pinterest.com/joyelisabeth/quiet-busy-book/

http://pinterest.com/source/happyhawkins.blogspot.com/

http://pinterest.com/tinaclark5110/crafty/

http://pinterest.com/source/imagineourlife.com/

http://myguidetohomemade.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/elizas-quiet-bookbusy-book.html

http://pinterest.com/source/quietbook.blogspot.com/

http://pinterest.com/easterkind/quiet-books/

http://myguidetohomemade.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/quiet-busy-book-for-big-boy.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UH468WZF0A

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=busy%20book%20felt&rs=ac&len=9



'On the Go; activity book:



flags















There are so many ideas that I might be inspired to make several - one for home one for the car, one for when she's a toddler and one for when she's a little older   ... 

and one for me to play with too!

http://handmade-by-mom.blogspot.it/2013/02/blog-post_9.html





26 May 2013

In this paper this weekend there are an article saying that shops in small towns have been losing trade to the superstores for years, but markets are helping them fight back.


Thursday weekly market
I can understand that, having enjoyed shopping at Devizes market   (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MK4mZ6pes   and    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MK4mZ6pes)   in October last year, when we passed through on our annual narrowboat holiday.  

There was so much on sale; the vegetables were so fresh - and so cheap.  And we also bought a pair of slippers, a belt and a purse, and a wonderful brie!  

We also enjoyed Skipton market (http://www.skiptonmarket.net/) in November a couple of years ago, one of the first purchases being a much warmer coat, as it was so cold!  It must be quite character building standing out in the open in all weathers selling your wares.


View up to the High Street ChurchMany retailers can be nervous that markets will take trade away from them.  But usually having a market nearby increases trade significantly.  Having said that, it's important to get the right mix so as not to tread on the toes of existing shopkeepers.  

As a seller, markets can be a great place to learn about retail, although the internet is considered the way forward for selling your goods.  A market stall gives the opportunity to be in contact with customers themselves and receive feedback.  People enjoy the interaction of shopping at markets and like to get together.  

It's a cost-effective way of getting what you're making in front for people, even though at times you may find it hard when the going is rather slow.

Perhaps I might try it sometime.  I've had stalls indoors several times and also sold on the internet.  Having a stall quite nerve-wracking, people looking closely at my stuff, but perhaps that's something I need to get over - get out there and have a go!

25 May 2013

Indestructibles is a brilliant site and it's so inspiring!
http://www.instructables.com/

Under the headings are:
  • Everything
  • Technology
  • Workshop
  • Living
  • Food
  • Play 
  • Outside
The ideas are interesting - and sometimes even practical.  It's not just how to make or adapt the items show, but more it's a different way to view things.  I now use a different angle to view problems which need solutions (as opposed to problems which can be ignored), and even think of how to use items which would normally be thrown away. 
There are so many ideas ...  here are a random few:
Swiss army key ring

VHS tape bracelet
juice carton bird feeder
and life skills, such as how to insert a cord into swimming trunks (so they stay up!)


23 May 2013

From an article in the Daily Telegraph of 17 May, 2013:

Carers putting health at risk meeting needs of ageing population, census reveals


An army of unpaid carers - many of them children or elderly people - are sacrificing their own health by looking after sick and frail loved-ones, an official study shows.

New analysis of the 2011 census from the Office for National Statistics shows a link between juggling a full-time job while caring for relations and having deteriorating health.

It found that those who provide 50 hours or more care a week while trying to hold down a full-time job are three times more likely themselves to be struggling with ill health than their working counterparts who are not carers.

The ONS said there appeared to be a 'uniform pattern of deteriorating health' the more unpaid care people provide.  'A clear pattern of worsening general health with increasing extent of unpaid care provision was present across economic positions in both England and is Wales,' the paper said.

'Those providing no unpaid care experienced the lowest percentage of 'not good' health in all economic positions other than the retired.' It also revealed that almost 10,000 children aged five to seven in England and Wales provide care for their family members or guardians, almost double the figure in the 2001 census.

At the same time the number of elderly people devoting their retirement to ill partners or their own ageing parents has surged by 35% in a decade.

Overall, 5.8 million people in England and Wales - 10% of the population - are providing unpaid care to sick, disabled or elderly loved ones, including 3.3 million women; almost 178,000 of these carers are children; while almost 1.3 million of them are themselves elderly and potentially in need of care themselves.

The burden of caring continues to fall more heavily on women and girls then their male relations.  A quarter of women in their late 50s are unpaid carers.

While the level of caring commitments vary, there are 2l3,000 people in England and Wales juggling full-time jobs with providing 50 hours of unpaid care a week.


Carers often don't know where to turn for the help they need
According to a representative of the charity Carers UK 'Our ageing population has created a new generation of older people who are devoting their retirement to caring for their parents, relatives and partners - a challenge previous generations have not face.  Our care services are already struggling to support the millions who care for loved ones.  Government must act, not just to preserve the dignity and independence of older people who need support, but also prevent their partners and children from being pushed to breaking point caring for them.'


A spokesman for The Children's Society said the number of children providing unpaid care was likely to the the tip of the iceberg.  Many often incredibly vulnerable young carers are slipping through the net, undetected by the support services they so desperately need.  Caring can cost children dearly.  They are missing out on their childhoods and school, gaining fewer qualifications and job opportunities and therefore are less likely to earn a decent living in the future.

 An issue, not mentioned in this article, is the many carers who give up their jobs to care for someone.  They then miss out on earning money and the future that a career and possibly pension provide.  Although carers often receive money from the state, unfortunately it doesn't recompense for their time and expertise.

Another lack is the loss of social contact with their peers.  This occurs not only through a job but through social activities which the carer no longer has the change to participate in.



Incidentally, the Paignton Carers Centre has recently opened.  It's upstairs in the the library, room 17 (next to room 2, of course!).  The opening hours are 10 - 4 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 - 1 on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Contact telephone number is 01803 208455.  Carer in this context means anyone who looks after or keeps an eye on a friend, neighbour or family member who could not manage without that help.

Healthwatch is also based there (formerly PALS - Patient Advice and Liaison Service), tel: 0800 052 0029.  See: http://www.healthwatchtorbay.org.uk/.


Healthwatch Torbay

Healthwatch Torbay is our independent consumer watchdog influencing,improving and monitoring health and social care services in Torbay. It provides local people, including community and voluntary groups, with a voice to influence the planning, purchasing and provision of these services, supporting the public by promoting better results in health for all and social care for adults.

Healthwatch Torbay aims to:
  • Strengthen the patient and public voice at both national and local level
  • Campaign, promote and present the collective views and experiences of patients, carers and the local population 
  • Influence policy, planning, and delivery of health and social care services in Torbay
  • Signpost and support the public in accessing suitable services
  • Represent the diverse communities across Torbay to ensure they have their say on health and social care issues
  • Work closely with Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission in holding commissioners and providers to account 
  • Continue positive working relationships with a wide range of organisations and groups across Torbay
  • Continue to develop credibility and public trust by responding appropriately to concerns 
  • Continue raising awareness of local Healthwatch via effective communication
  • Develop a well-established brand in Torbay

22 May 2013

Thought of the day:


I saw my friend Diana yesterday and her catchphrase at the moment is: 

"Caught by the Caravan".


She recently went to have her routine mammogram (in Paignton this is at a portable building parked at the local sports centre) and a deep big lump was found which the staff said would never have been found by routine breast examination.  



It was immediately investigated and she is being operated on very soon.  She says that if she hadn't gone for her mammogram she wouldn't have had a chance, so please tell everyone to go when invited for breast screening, you never know if it could save your life!


Further info:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms


Who has screening

The NHS Breast Screening Programme uses breast X-rays (mammograms) to screen all women aged between 50 and 70 who are registered with a GP. They are sent an invitation to go for screening every 3 years. The screening programme is currently extending the age range to include women aged from 47 to 73. Women older than the invitation age range can still have screening every three years, by making their own appointment at their local breast screening unit.
We are sometimes asked why women within the lower end of the age range haven’t had an invitation letter. This is because each local screening unit works through their area over 3 years on a rolling basis inviting women from each GP practice. So by the time 3 years has gone round, they will have covered the whole area and will then start at the beginning again. 
Everyone has at least one invitation before their 53rd birthday. In areas where the age range has been extended from 47 to 73 you will have an invitation before your 50th birthday. If you feel that you may have missed an invitation for any reason it is best to contact your GP and ask them to tell your local screening service.



Also see: 

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/breast-cancer/about/screening/who-is-screened-for-breast-cancer

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Screeningbreastcancer(female).aspx