50 Great Moments And Memories Of The 1960s, From A British Perspective

50 Great Moments and Memories of the 1960s, from a British perspective - Kindle Edition. 50 Great Moments and Memories of the 1960s paperback details here.

A little ebook I've recently completed. Due to come out on Friday, via Amazon.

Amazon.co.uk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/50-Great-Moments-Memories-1960s-ebook/dp/B072MXLZQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1497350991&sr=1-1&keywords=50+60s+memories

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/50-Great-Moments-Memories-1960s-ebook/dp/B072MXLZQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1497351121&sr=1-1&keywords=50+60s+memories

Book extracts

29. Bob Dylan and the Folk Revival 

Bob Dylan not only revived folk music, but he influenced The Beatles and The Byrds, and countless others, as he brought the protest song into the mainstream. Popular songs, Dylan emphasised, didn't need to be just about love. Blowin' in the Wind, The Times They Are a-Changin' and Masters of War all struck a chord - with fears over the Cold War, and a thirst for a better future all helping to make Dylan a key voice for both youngsters and those sick of the cycle of war. Vietnam also made Dylan look like a prophet.

Encouraged by Pete Seeger, Dylan's fame spread very quickly, though another young folkie, Joan Baez, was already a bigger name by the time Bob and Joan became a couple. Joan Baez saw Dylan's genius at first hand, and recorded some of his songs, while The Byrds produced a whole album of Dylan covers.

Dylan's decision to go electric in 1966 provoked cries of "Judas!" on a fraught tour of the UK, but Like a Rolling Stone gave him his first US number one. The song was acclaimed by many as a work of genius, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Going electric, then, didn't seem to harm Dylan's career at all. A motorcycle accident did, however, halt Dylan's remorseless rise, but, by 1967, only The Beatles really rivalled him as the most important young music act in the English-speaking world.

A raft of gifted singer-songwriters followed in Dylan's wake, including Britain's answer to Dylan - Donovan. Tim Hardin, Phil Ochs and Joni Mitchell also became big names, as some folkies became as feted as pop stars. Something that would have seemed unthinkable a decade earlier.

30. The Prisoner 

Unwavering obedience to authority was really challenged in the 1960s, and, as far as TV shows were concerned, none more so than in The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan was superb in the lead role of Number 6, and he is a character who is taken to a mysterious place called The Village. The place seems idyllic - but only if you try not to leave, and risk being stopped by a Rover...

Number 6 is also unhappy being a number, and is determined not to toe the line. Number 6 has a nemesis as well - Number 2. But, because Number 6 is so strong-willed, a new Number 2 is called in regularly to try and make The Village's most difficult resident an unquestioning robot. Number 6 worked for the security services, but resigned, and the reason he did so is a question he's not keen to answer.

In the beautiful, unusual setting of Portmeirion, The Prisoner was one of the more stylish TV shows of the 1960s. With impressive guest stars, and with its not always being easy to fathom, The Prisoner gained a cult following, and the Six of One official Prisoner appreciation society exists to this day.

More '60s memories from Paul Rance's book: Ready Steady Go!/Top of the Pops/Juke Box Jury; Twiggy https://www.paulrance.com/1960sMomentsMemories.html

Andrew Bruce - Hartlepool Musician, Poet, Writer And Photographer Dies At 54

My great friend, Andrew Bruce, co-founder of The Peace & Freedom Band and Peace & Freedom Press, has passed away. He was the most gentle friend I've ever had.

Andrew was born on July 26th, 1962, the only son of John and Sheila Bruce, and brother of Wendy and Julie. Very proud of his Hartlepool roots, Andrew co-founded Peace & Freedom Press and co-formed The Peace & Freedom Band in the mid-1980s. A humanitarian, free thinker, animal and nature lover, Andrew was a gifted guitarist, keyboard player, poet, writer, and photographer. He was also adding art to his range of skills before he was suddenly taken from this Earth and his family and friends at the age of just 54 in April, 2017. On the page below you will find a selection of Andrew's work, and feel free to share.

https://www.facebook.com/Andrew-Bruce-Late-Hartlepool-Musician-Poet-Writer-and-Great-Soul-888318404657279/

Paul Rance - Easter Weight Loss Miracle

Introduction to Luton Town FC in the 1970s

My latest Luton Town FC-related book is now out on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format. Here's the introduction.

Introduction to Luton Town FC in the 1970s

Luton Town FC in the 1970s was, for the most part, like any other decade for a Town supporter - great highs, great lows, financial difficulties, and waiting for the inevitable sale of the club's best players.

There were, however, two things that made the 1970s slightly different. Firstly, with Eric Morecambe as a Luton Town director, the Hatters could expect a mention on the Morecambe & Wise Show every Christmas! Bearing in mind that half the country's population would be tuning in, any mention was welcome publicity and made Luton seem like a cool club to support. Secondly, in Harry Haslam and David Pleat, Luton appointed two managers who knew how to spot and nurture young talent (Haslam even tried to sign a 17-year-old Diego Maradona, when manager of Sheffield United). While, under Pleat, the likes of Ricky Hill, Brian Stein and Mal Donaghy blossomed, and they would become the base of Luton's greatest side in the 1980s. Consequently, when appointed in 1978, David Pleat became the most significant managerial appointment in Luton's history.

A best of Luton XI from the 1970s would probably have won the League, too! But Malcolm MacDonald, Don Givens and Paul Futcher were never likely to have career-long stays at Kenilworth Road. But, here is a tasty XI made up of players who played for the Town in the '70s: Jake Findlay; Kirk Stephens, Mal Donaghy, Chris Nicholl, Paul Futcher; Ricky Hill, Andy King, Peter Anderson; Malcolm MacDonald, Brian Stein, Don Givens.

In this book, you'll find my personal recollections of the 1970s from a fan who watched in awe games at Kenilworth Road as a 10-year-old, but had become cynical at promotion near misses by the end of the decade. Luckily, I also wasn't really a victim of the rampant hooliganism of the 1970s, apart from getting clobbered with a bicycle chain when a teenager, by another teenager, in a random act of violence when coming out of a testimonial game!

Anyway, if you want to support a team where everything is nice and safe then don't support Luton! Enjoy.

- Paul Rance, April, 2017.

Paperback edition
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1520981457/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_7QZ6ybP1M4M8W

Kindle edition
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luton-Town-1970s-Paul-Rance-ebook/dp/B06Y433FJX/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Paul Rance and the John Peel Letter

Legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel once sent me a letter. Here it is.

Paul Rance Thinking, Then Getting Confused

Keep watching my riveting series of videos, folks...

Paul Rance with the Shaky Hand

Having a laugh with my new Smartphone. People love crap on YouTube, more than thought-provoking stuff, so call it a satirical two fingers...

Paul Rance's New Website: paulrance.com

Yes, a new website launched this week. So, more stuff of mine to entertain ya, bore ya - whatever...

Here it be: https://www.paulrance.com

Being St. Francis - In Crowland, Lincolnshire

These are pretty distressing times if you hate prejudice, and since Brexit and Donald Trump's election, flight or fight comes to mind. I'm in the heart of Brexitland, and people I care about voted for Brexit. So, things have been difficult, as they have strong opinions and so do I. Anyway, I've been busy working on a variety of projects, including a book I've given the provisional title of Being St. Francis.

I've always done my best to respect all living things, and that's what St. Francis was all about. I don't believe in organised religion, but there are good religious figures that we can aspire to. All humans are descended from a tribe in Africa. We're all family, so where does this hatred of foreigners and people of different faiths come from? Fear of something different?

So, would St. Francis feel at home in Crowland? Perhaps, but I feel increasingly isolated, and if you can't beat 'em there's the choice of fighting your corner, or retreating into one's shell.

Love and Peace.

Fighter Jets Noise Pollution Over Whaplode Drove

For two months now the noise from fighter jets has been horrendous over Whaplode Drove. As I type, I'm trying to listen to David Bowie via headphones, and he's drowned out by the hideous din up in the sky.

Almost every weekday there's hours of noise from these planes, and it just seems like the MOD are taking the piss because rural communities don't matter. No doubt there'll be those living in towns and cities who say that it can't be that bad. Trust me, it is. It's like hearing a loud rave of crap music for a few hours every day, with a break at the weekend.

Yesterday the noise was more of a non-stop droning for a few hours, before it stopped well into the evening. The North Sea's a big area, so go and practice over there, RAF! It doesn't feel like you're protecting me - more like making my life a misery!

Unfeeling Monsters by The Peace & Freedom Band

Peace & Freedom Band Co-Founder Paul Rance Hits Out At Tories, Beyonce, Jay Z And Katie Hopkins

Before the Internet arrived, booksmusicfilmstv.com's founder had been involved in the world of underground music and fanzine publishing since the early 1980's. His longest running magazine, Peace & Freedom, was first published in 1984, and began life as an environmental, animal/human rights, music and arts fanzine. The next year he formed the alternative, anarcho underground band, The Peace & Freedom Band.

When I interviewed him in the middle of May, 2015, he was still as rebellious as ever and passionate about animal/human rights and the environment. I took the opportunity to ask him about his musical influences, values, the underground music scene and his views on modern music and the recent general election. He also went on to discuss his dislike of the State and why we need a revolution.

- Andy Bruce.

Paul Rance with his beloved Sparkle in May, 2015

Paul Rance interview extracts

"It seems like it's cool to be hard these days. The Tory elite like showing how tough they can be with poor migrants, the unemployed and the disabled. I find their attitude repulsive, and they remind me of the posh bully, Flashman, from Tom Brown's Schooldays."

"I like The Black Eyed Peas, because they've supported issues concerning animal rights, the environment and human rights, and their music's inventive. But, Jay Z, what's the point? No real talent from what I can see, and he, and the equally odious Beyonce, like wearing parts of dead animals. Unfortunately, the media fawn all over 'em and keep telling us how great they are. No, they're not."

"I fear there's more people in this country who agree with the sick views of Katie Hopkins than we'd all like to believe. Though they tend to be cowards who keep their mouths shut, and then strike when it's voting time. That'd kinda explain why the polls indicated that the election would be close - and it ended up not being close at all. People were too ashamed to admit that they'd be voting Tory. Don't get me wrong, if it was a choice between voting Tory or The Kitten Killers Party I'd vote Tory. But that wasn't the choice, and many people have basically given the thumbs up to austerity, and are saying to the weaker members of society: "F**k you.""

"Politics hasn't really worked in the UK since the 1970s. We've had the poll tax fiasco, now it's the austerity cuts. Too much corruption from people in power, too much injustice - Hillsborough, the Jimmy Savile cover-ups, crooked bankers and politicians, the expenses scandal. The list is endless. People who set standards, i.e. those who make the laws for the rest of us, should be beyond reproach. But they're often as immoral as it gets."

"The problem is that most of the individuals who carry out the state/system's dirty work aren't evil people. Most of them are scared of losing their jobs if they question specific decisions. It's all very clever and sly really, because it's always hard to get at the real bastards - the ones at the top. But, like any machine, it will not last forever and then it'll get really interesting. I want to see it all fall to bits, and then let's start again. It probably won't happen in my lifetime, but it will happen."

Read the full, explosive interview here:  

http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Music/P&FBandPaulRanceInterview.html

BBC's News Coverage Of Anti-Austerity Demo In London Further Proof It's In Bed With The Establishment

It's a pity the ‪BBC‬ concentrated on the nastier elements at the anti-austerity demo in London, rather than what people were actually demonstrating about. But then I don't really watch the BBC news much now, as it's too in bed with the Establishment.

End Austerity Now Demo, London, June 20th, 2015

Charlotte Church Wants To Settle Her Dispute With The Sun's Rentagob Katie Hopkins In Boxing Ring

I hope any match takes places in front of a few thousand migrants, Northerners, the Geldof family, and everyone else Katie's offended. But you can't fit the world's population in one boxing arena I guess. Go Charlotte! ‪#‎CharlotteChurchKatieHopkins‬ ‪#‎CharlotteChurch‬ ‪#‎KatieHopkins‬ ‪#‎Rentagob‬

The Mirror on how Charlotte and Katie may look in boxing gear, if they do eventually square up to each other: http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/katie-hopkins-v-charlotte-church-5678010

Brutus Now Out In Paperback

Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World

Paperback

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BRUTUS-Rabbit-That-Changed-World/dp/1503220974/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416304816&sr=1-1&keywords=brutus+the+rabbit+that+changed+the+world

Amazon.com

http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/cgi-bin/apf4/apf4.cgi?Operation=ItemLookup&ItemId=1503220974&locale=us

Extracts, including some read by the author, and info on the main characters can be found here:

http://www.paulrance.com/Brutus.html

The Short Kindle Novel For The Occupy Generation

Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World

My fairytale, which I hope comes true. Kindle - available for pre-order. Hopefully in paperback fairly soon, too.

If you're sick and tired of the system this book's for you. If you're a person who cares about all life and the Earth this book's for you. If you like a mix of the dark, humorous, erotic, philosophical, futuristic and a world-changing rabbit this book's for you! 'Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World' looks into a future that's not too far away, and one which offers hope to those who feel there is none.

Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brutus-Rabbit-That-Changed-World-ebook/dp/B00NTBDRRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411466312&sr=8-1&keywords=brutus+the+rabbit+that+changed+the+world

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Brutus-Rabbit-That-Changed-World-ebook/dp/B00NTBDRRA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411466567&sr=8-2&keywords=brutus+the+rabbit

Amazon Canada
http://www.amazon.ca/Brutus-Rabbit-That-Changed-World-ebook/dp/B00NTBDRRA/ref=sr_1_1/187-2659332-7319018?ie=UTF8&qid=1411466699&sr=8-1&keywords=brutus+the+rabbit

Paul Rance Reads Care Home Fees Corruption Blues

KEITH LEVENE DONATES HIS VINTAGE SUPRO GUITAR IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL RECORD STORE DAY

Clash/Public Image Ltd. founding member  Keith  Levene  has  donated  a  vintage  Supro  guitar  to  raise awareness of the April 19, 2014 global Record Store Day. The black and white guitar will be given away a promotion the Mike & Jenyr’s  Q106.7 FM radio program celebrating Record Store Day.

“I’m getting involved in this way because I want to do everything I can in support of what, unfortunately, appears to be a dying but very important industry,” declares Levene.

“A music lover simply cannot have the same unique experience in some bland corporate chain that can be had in a mom-and-pop type record store establishment.  I have personally  spent  countless hours at  record stores and then at home listening to vinyl, and enjoying the artwork and liner notes that accompanied the music,” adds the legendary guitarist.

Although Levene has owned and used countless guitars over the years, his Supro  is  special  to  him  as  it  was  used  to  compose  music  for  his forthcoming  album “Commercial  Zone  2014”  release  –  a  project  which represents more than three decades of his work.

In 1982-1983, Levene started composing what was intended to be PiL’s fourth album, the Commercial Zone.  However, lack of support and creative differences over that album led the fiercely independent Levene to leave PiL  and  abandon the project.  A  crowdfunding  campaign,  which will  run through April 28, 2014, has been established on Indiegogo to help bring the project  to  market.  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keith-levene-s-commercial-zone-2014-initiative

“I acquired my Supro not at a music store chain but at a mom-and-pop vintage  store  and  it  helped  me  finish  unfinished  Commercial  Zone business.  Now, hopefully, it will help bring some commercial business to independent record stores,” Levene says.

For further information, contact Kathy DiTondo at kathy197778@gmail.com, or go to www.keithlevenelive.com

Keith Levene playing his Supro

Robert Wyatt - Pigs...(In There) Video

Soft Machine legend Robert Wyatt's disturbing discovery in the 'idyllic' countryside.

The First 10 Poetry Tips...

The first 10 poetry tips from '101 Poetry Tips', which is available on Amazon. Paperback details here.

101 Poetry Tips Ebook (Amazon.co.uk)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CNRB6QK?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B00CNRB6QK&linkCode=xm2&tag=peacefreedpre-21

101 Poetry Tips Ebook (Amazon.com)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNRB6QK?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00CNRB6QK&linkCode=xm2&tag=thedoctowhofa-20

1. Don't pester people with your work. If a poem's been accepted don't then bombard a publisher with several submissions in a week or month. Also don't send whole manuscripts to small press publishers with no return postage, as many are struggling financially as it is.

2. Don't forget to practice writing poetry. As the great golfer Gary Player once said: "The more I practice, the luckier I get." In the case of poetry that should read: "The better I get."

3. Don't believe the myth about how magical a poet's life is. It's hard graft for little money for all poets initially, and involves gradual steps towards success - unless you really are one of those loathsome geniuses who finds it easy and who is quickly appreciated.

4. Don't copy Byron's lifestyle - unless you want to have the paparazzi outside your front door 24/7.

5. Don't ignore constructive criticism, but judge whether it's fair comment. Violence rarely solves things...

6. Don't use too many big words in your poems as it'll seem like you're pretentious.

7. Don't stick to one poetic form, but experiment with several, which will then help you find out which are the best poetic forms for you.

8. Don't go anywhere without a notepad. Inspiration can come at any time.

9. You don't need to set a time period regarding when to finish a poem. If it's midnight and you're tired, consider it finishing it the next day.

10. Don't sulk if your work gets rejected. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and all that.

Keith Levene - Commercial Zone Campaign

PiL legend Keith Levene's new project - get involved!

 

101 Poetry Tips Kindle Book Introduction

'101 Poetry Tips' Introduction

After producing my first collection of poetry in 1980, when I was 20 years old, I've gone on to select and publish hundreds of poets from around the world via Peace & Freedom Press magazines, paperbacks and booklets. I'd like to think that I've learnt something along the way! '101 Poetry Tips' is intended to help you get the most out of your poetry writing. Good luck!

 

101 Poetry Tips - Kindle

Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CNRB6QK?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B00CNRB6QK&linkCode=xm2&tag=peacefreedpre-21
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNRB6QK?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00CNRB6QK&linkCode=xm2&tag=thedoctowhofa-20

Nonsense Creatures For Children Aged 3 To 120

12. The Three Humped Camel Car of Cairo

Three Humped Camel Car of Cairo,

Was more careful than a tyro,

Children sat on his humps,

And there were never bumps,

Camel Car took bridges real low.

1 of the 12 Nonsense Creatures Limericks and Illustrations by Paul Rance.
Book 1 out now on Amazon. For children (and adults) of all ages.  

Paul Rance rediscovered Edward Lear in 2009, and began creating his own nonsense creatures - in the form of illustrations and limericks. Originally published in 2009, and now currently available only through Amazon, here are the first batch of limericks, which should appeal to children aged 3 to 120.

Show More

Show Less

Amazon.co.uk

Paperback
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1481272470?ie=UTF8&tag=peacefreedpre-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=1481272470

Kindle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nonsense-Creatures-Limericks-Illustrations-ebook/dp/B00AQL52PG/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358360930&sr=1-2

Amazon.com

Paperback
http://www.amazon.com/Nonsense-Creatures-Limericks-Illustrations-children/dp/1481272470/ref=la_B004P2ALYY_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1357048205&sr=1-4

Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Nonsense-Creatures-Limericks-Illustrations-ebook/dp/B00AQL52PG/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358360348&sr=1-2&keywords=nonsense+creatures+limericks

Thelma Rance Biography - Chapter 17 Extract

Extracts from Chapter 17 of 'Mother Becomes Stardust'. See my other blog posts for more details about this book, which is about my late Mother's struggle with the twin effects of breast cancer and a stroke.

Chapter 17 - Chinks of Light (extract)

I would walk up to Cedar Falls with stuff like The Sex Pistols 'Pretty Vacant' on the MP4 player. It'd get me to get me pumped up as I strode towards the home. It'd feel almost like a marching song at the beginning, and prepare me for any confrontations.

Mum has another hospital appointment, on October 4th. Dad was buried 10 years ago on this date, so another thing to think about.

The writing work had been picking up again, but in the morning I get an email from a writing website informing me that they're letting most of their writers go. You couldn't make it up really. No wonder the doctor in the hospital asks if I'm okay, as I'm obviously looking stressed.

At Cedar Falls, Mum enjoys her orange juice: "Oooh. Lovely." Since her stroke, Mother seems to be more enthusiastic about things she likes, and more angry about things she doesn't.

Mum, up until her stroke, had a photographic memory. She was a big film buff, as well as having wide-ranging musical tastes. Mum would rattle off names of obscure film stars from the '40s and '50s, and name films that they were in. I remember telling her that Morrissey, whose first name is Steven, was named after B-movie actor Steve Cochran. Mozza has said that he didn't think anyone would know who Cochran was, but my Mum did.

There's still good signs re Mum's fight against the dreadful disease. I'm regularly told that the cancer that's already there can only be contained and not eradicated. I'm aware of that, but I appreciate the honesty.

I've bought a Charlie George autobiography for Vaughan, my bus driver and Arsenal fan, as a leaving present. Another driver I liked, Mick, had left in July. I tell Mum: "Reading about (former Gunners star) Charlie George. Do you remember him?" Mum: "Yes, I remember him." She actually remembered a lot of football stars from the early 1970s, especially players at Arsenal, Leeds United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Spurs, and Chelsea - though she wasn't into football. Mum had a soft spot for gentleman footballers, including Bobby Moore, Bob Wilson and Frank McLintock. But Mum also liked George Best...

The Breast Cancer Bombshell

More extracts from my book, 'Mother Becomes Stardust', which is about my late Mother's brave fight during her final months on Earth - and what I also often experienced within the system.

Chapter 10 - Cancer (extract)

Cancer, the real c-word. The word itself still strikes terror in people. On March 8th I was talking to Anita, a nurse at Cedar Falls, and she let slip that my Mum had terminal breast cancer. She presumed I knew...

That my Mum had cancer had been known for months, but nobody explained this to me. I'm my Mother's only child and easily her closest blood relative, but that didn't seem to matter. On my Mother's Service Option Form it stated quite clearly that, in the client group, my Mother was classed as suffering from "frailty/temporary illness". Being terminally ill is not a "temporary illness". Whether Social Services were as ignorant of my Mum's condition as I was is open to question. Going back to Mum's Reassessment of Needs form I again looked up "fumigating mass", but I came to realize that it should have read "fungating mass". The verb 'fungate' means: "To grow rapidly, like a fungus." For example, cancer. The reassessment was dated November 12th, 2010. All these months I had been thinking: "At least Mum hasn't got cancer..."

After hearing the news, if a truck had hit me I wouldn't have felt it. I said to nurse Mary that "The brown stuff is going to hit the fan", and, bless her, she was outraged on my behalf that I hadn't been informed of my Mother's condition. She rang the doctor concerned, and I was then given a copy of my Mother's Inpatient Letter, which certainly explained things more clearly. It had also earlier been deemed, by the Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust panel, that my Mother's prime need was social rather than health. My Mother had inoperable breast cancer and couldn't walk since her stroke. I've learnt since my Mum's death that, depending on what prime need is deemed appropriate, there can be differences with how a patient's care is funded. When needs are deemed as social then loved ones are expected to pay more.

I possibly wouldn't have signed Mum even going into temporary care if I had known that she was terminally ill. I also wonder how ill you have to be to stay in hospital exactly. If Mum was going to die, I and she would have wanted it to have been at home surrounded by her two beautiful cats. That wish was denied her.

'Mother Becomes Stardust' is available through Amazon in Kindle and paperback format. Check my other blog entries for more info.

Hurricane Sandy May Become America's Biggest Ever Storm

Hurricane Sandy, aka Frankenstorm, may become the biggest storm ever recorded in the United States. Though, on Sunday, considered a category one storm, Hurricane Sandy is certain to cause major flooding issues along the eastern seaboard due to its sheer size.

Sandy is expected to make landfall in the US either late on Monday, or early Tuesday. Several states have already declared a state of emergency, and New York City has closed its subway, rail and bus services from Sunday evening. States of emergency have been declared, due to Sandy, in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Though winds may exceed 70mph, it's really flooding and high tides that are of most serious concern, as Sandy will merge with another more wintry storm. With Halloween and the US Presidential Election days away it's another example of Mother Nature not wanting to be outdone.

Hurricane Sandy has already caused dozens of deaths in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The danger zone for US citizens ranges from North Carolina to the New England states, and the cities affected could be New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

The First Few Paragraphs...

...of 'Mother Becomes Stardust'

1. Friday the 13th Does Its Worst

Thursday evening, August 12th, I watched a DVD of the Alfred Hitchcock classic, 'Notorious', with my Mother. I said to her after the film had finished: "We'll watch the extras later." Later never came, as this was to be my Mother's last evening in the family home.

I'd never seen what all the fuss was about regarding Friday the 13th - until August 2010. I woke up late on that day and saw that the time was 10am. It was a time my Mother and I would normally be on our way to the nearby town of Spalding to do some shopping. Not this time. I couldn't find my Mother anywhere and, when calling her, I received no response. I went into her bedroom and found Mum collapsed by the side of her bed. She could have been lying like that for hours. All the signs indicated that she had suffered a stroke.

This was confirmed when I called 999. I was asked, by a helpful guy, to try and get a series of responses from my Mother. She made drunken responses, but her smile reassured me.

The paramedics arrived very quickly and got Mum to Peterborough District Hospital in Thorpe Road just as quickly. It's a distance of some 16 miles. I remember that the driver looked like a New Age traveller and that we talked about music. A surreal image, but this was just the start of a what would be nothing less than a surreal journey for the next 18 months.

'Mother Becomes Stardust' is available at Amazon. Links to both the paperback and Kindle versions of the book can be found on the Amazon pages below:

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-ebook/dp/B00946Y1VA

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-Paul-Rance/dp/1479237930

John's Lennon's Best 10 Songs - in My Opinion

Below is a list of what I consider to be John Lennon's 10 greatest songs.

1. Imagine (1971)
2. Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)
3. A Day in the Life (1967)
4. Help! (1965)
5. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1967)
6. In My Life (1965)
7. Across the Universe (1970)
8. Happy Xmas (War is Over) (1971)
9. Love (1970)
10. Jealous Guy (1971)

Check out our Beatles Portal

What's Not in the Book...

Thanks for those of you who have bought 'Mother Becomes Stardust'. This article includes some stuff that's not in the book.

http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/MumAndI.html

A Thank You

Thanks to everyone who showed my Mum and I kindness over the past two years. I've mentioned as many people as possible in the acknowledgements section of a book detailing my Mum's final months - 'Mother Becomes Stardust'.

The book is now out on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com in both Kindle and paperback format. Click the 'look inside' link on the Kindle links, and then scroll down to see the names mentioned in the acknowledgements.

Amazon.com paperback
http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-Paul-Rance/dp/1479237930/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347110309&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Mother+Becomes+Stardust+paperback

Amazon.com Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-ebook/dp/B00946Y1VA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347110200&sr=8-1&keywords=Mother+Becomes+Stardust

Amazon.co.uk paperback
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-Paul-Rance/dp/1479237930/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

Amazon.co.uk Kindle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mother-Becomes-Stardust-ebook/dp/B00946Y1VA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347110039&sr=1-1

Introduction to 'Mother Becomes Stardust'

On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 my beautiful Mother, Thelma Rance, was laid to rest in the Lincolnshire village of Whaplode Drove. She was buried next to my Father, Peter, who had died in September 2001. The last 18 months of my Mother's life had been traumatic, as first she suffered a stroke and then it was discovered that she had terminal breast cancer. This is a story about my Mother's brave fight and my fight against a system which made things as stressful as possible.

If you believe the scientists we are all made from stardust - literally. My Mother always loved looking at the stars, and as life is cyclical it's nice to think she is now among the objects she so admired - as eternal stardust.

- Paul Rance, August 30th, 2012.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the kindness of the following over the past two years: Colin, Myrie and Edie, Joyce and Susan, Norman, Wendy and Mick, Leila and Nicholas, Chris, Richard and family, Brian, Cynthia and Maurice, Iris, Andrew Bruce, Andrew Savage, Andy Xport, Francesca, Dorothy and family, Rosemary, Irene and Bill, Christine and Richard Bruness, Irini Kotroni, Danielle Olivia Tefft, Mary McGihon, Dave, Shaheen Darr, Larry Burke, Shelly Starkey, Joanne Lynch, Pat West, Tony and family, Rill and family, Valerie and Bertha, Joyce Wilson, Dot, Janet, Hilda, Belinda, Beryl, Ric Klass, Ingrid Riley, Gwynn Watt and Jane Foulger, Leilani Holmes, John Smither, Pat, Margaret, Wendy and family, Greg Brian, Julie Bodeeb, Denise Perrin, Cardinal Cox, Esther Newton, Steve Sneyd, Daisy Hickman, LuRain Penny, Jaipi Sixbear, Vaughan, Hugo, Malcolm, Ali E. McCartney, Lady Samantha, Dan Reveal, Cassie Antares, Bethany Marsh, Theresa Wiza, Susan Elliott, Kira Stann, Natasha Head, Langley Cornwell, Maria Roth, Mary Oberg, Bridgitte Williams, Parm Gill, Tina Twito, Donna Morreale, Diane Zoller-Ciatto, Shana Dines, Valerie-Ann Risely, Bridget Ilene Delaney, Kimberley Beckom, Han Van Meegerin, Loki Morgan and Patti Walden. The staff at Tanglewood Cedar Falls, the nurses at the various Peterborough hospitals, Leanne and staff at Debonair - and the kindness of strangers.

300 Up at Helium.com

I achieved my 300th published article at Helium.com recently. Of all the writing sites affected by Google's Panda they seem to be the most innovative as regards fighting back. Expect interesting new developments from Helium in the New Year.

Helium increased their open assignment prices for the Christmas period from $2.00 to $2.50 per article, which was a nice touch. But it's revenue share which writers need to concentrate on at Helium.com. You're unlikely to make more than a few dollars a year on any one article, but, if you're in for the long haul, you'll earn more there than the one-off article payments on other sites.

Lion Hug Video With Music By The Peace And Freedom Band

An uplifting vid of a lion hugging and kissing his saviour in an animal sanctuary in Cali, Colombia. Music extract - 'When Butterflies Cry' by The Peace & Freedom Band (written by me).

Lady Samantha

Lady Samantha is one of my favourite creatives. She can be wacky one minute, then throw you with something out of the blue like this, re her recollections of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

http://brainystorms.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-shameless-plugging.html

The blog of Lady Samantha covers lots of things, because she knows lots of things. If she's not careful her brain will explode because she has so much stuff in there. Happened to a Russian chess player once. The knowledge had nowhere else to go!

http://brainystorms.blogspot.com/

Murdered By The State Introduction

My intro to my Kindle eBook of various poems - Murdered By the State.

The State doesn't care about individuals. The State cares about the State. People around the world have woken up to this realization late in 2010 and early in 2011.

From cradle to grave we are never truly free. We are forced to go to school, we are often forced to work in dreary jobs - sometimes for decades. But we have been the authors of our own misfortune by not fighting back. Many people's spirits have been broken by the State as a consequence.

The systems around the world are broken. Just maybe Dylan's hope for change will finally come to pass. The State has killed too many - both literally and emotionally.

- Paul Rance, February 17th, 2011.



Murdered By the State (Amazon.com)

The A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima - Photograph By Peter Rance (1930-2001)

More of my Dad's photos here.

Christina Rossetti's Poem Remember; For All Our Departed Loved Ones

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you planned:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve;

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.
 

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

The Peace & Freedom Band Nature Video

A video of a 1988 song by The Peace & Freedom Band. Music by Andy Xport (who produced it), with lyrics by me - originally from a poem of mine from around 1980. The song featured on The Peace & Freedom Band album, Life, released in '88.

Adele Becomes A Vegetarian

British singer/songwriter Adele has announced that she has turned vegetarian. Speaking on BBC Radio 1, the Londoner said that she felt a pang of guilt looking into her pet bulldog's eyes when she ate meat, as it reminded her of what other animals went through to feed humans.

More here:
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/09/singer-adele-goes-veg-because-her-dog

Hartlepool Nature And Animal Photographer Andrew Bruce

Hartlepool photographer Andrew Bruce has recently been photographing a variety of animal subjects, including his sister's baby rabbits.

As a long-time vegetarian and lover of all animals, Andrew's feel for his subjects comes through in his enchanting photos.

See his gallery here:

http://www.x53web.co.cc/~andy/

Lack Of Sleep And The Creative Flow

I've not been sleeping too well lately, mainly due to my cat Sparkle waking me up early in the morning. I can't say that not getting my eight hours a day in has harmed my creative output, but does insomnia itself aid the creative process?

Sparkle: "To hell with your creative genius, I want to get even fatter!"

Freddie Mercury Would Have Been 65 Today

Queen's Freddie Mercury, arguably rock's greatest showman, would have been 65 today. It shouldn't be forgotten that he composed the odd blinding tune, too, most notably Bohemian Rhapsody... And he played a mean piano.

Live Aid was Freddie's finest moment. A day when humans around the planet pulled together - for once. Here's Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Ga Ga for starters.

Queen at Live Aid, July 1985

Queen discography on booksmusicfilmstv.com
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Amazon/queencds.htm

American Poet, Writer And Artist Susan Elliott

Susan Elliott was my first friend on Associated Content if I recall correctly. She's a gifted poet and artist, and her writing and art advice articles are probably the best articles of their type I've read on AC.

Susan's blog
http://susanspoeticblogosphere.blogspot.com/

Lack Of Page Views For Writers On Writing Sites - Glitches Or Something More?...

I've recently started putting up writing articles on my website, booksmusicfilmstv.com. It's been interesting to compare the amount of hits I get, as opposed to the amount of hits I get on various writing sites.

I post links of my writing articles on Twitter, and the comparisons between the results from various sites pose some questions.

Curiously, similar writing articles on my website get twice as many hits as similar articles on some other writing sites. Despite Google's Panda causing mayhem recently, some of the writing sites I write for still get many more visitors to their websites than mine, so why the differences?

Glitches are the most obvious cause, especially for webpages laden with ads. But I hope that's all it is... For the record, the sites that get comparable hits to booksmusicfilmstv.com are Helium and HubPages.

George Gently Tiny Review

George Gently was good again tonight on BBC1. I never guess who the murderer is. Nice to hear Cream's We're Going Wrong, but a strange choice of music, as the murderer/ess (not saying which, for those who haven't seen it) was led away.

Martin Shaw is never less than excellent in anything he appears in, and strange to see Neil Morrissey as an embittered, lecherous, boozed up middle aged  radio/TV personality.

George Gently on booksmusicfilmstv.com:

http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Drama/GeorgeGently.htm

Luton Town Manager Gary Brabin Perfects The Shaven-Headed Look

Shaved my head recently. I intimidate myself, let alone anybody else. Luton Town manager Gary Brabin perfects the shaven-headed look. My cut is not quite so fine, so his razors must be more lethal. I nearly did a van Gogh on my ear, so a bit nervous about giving the noggin too fine a cut. Though maybe the Brabster's hair just fell out?...

Looking at this menacing picture of Gary, after Luton's lack of ruthlessness at both ends of the park, maybe he should come out to play.

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/Brabin-says-bloopers-are-creating-video-nasties-03092011.htm

Video: Spalding Guitarist, Dave 'The Furry Man', Sings

Recorded the voice of this legendary Spalding character singing 'Lemon Tree' on August 3rd. I tried to stop him halfway through, but he wasn't having any. Only had a fuzzy photo to work with, so had some fun with the video effects in Windows Movie Maker. Dave doesn't believe in chords and notes. He says he has his own style, and it's amazing he's still with us. He was living in a Moulton Chapel bus shelter, suffering with cancer - in the middle of winter.

Google's Panda Is Killing Writing Sites - And Writers

Now I love pandas, who doesn't, but Google's quadruped I find hard to love.

As a writer for Demand Studios, Wikio Experts, and a former Music Contributor at Associated Content, I've recognized that, financially, those sites have been hit hard by Google's Panda and its mysterious algorithm.

As a consequence, a lot of writers are now enduring financial hardship, and many will become unemployed. Sites like Helium are trying radical new things to keep going, but it's beginning to seem obvious that writers are going to have to start helping themselves.

This means getting a personal website or blog, and getting material out through Amazon's Kindle. Good luck everyone, and welcome to this harsh new reality.

Monty Panesar Hopes To Save Luton Town FC

English cricket's star spinner and Luton Town fan Monty Panesar hopes to get his hands on some of Allen Stanford's cash for the lucrative Twenty20 international, in Antigua in November.

The game between England and a Super Stars XI will be worth $1million a man - for players on the winning side! Hopefully, speaking as a Luton fan, Monty will be selected, as he says: "I'd buy Luton Town Football Club if I won the money."

Genesis Live Earth Review; Genesis CDs, DVDs & Books

Genesis Live Earth Review; Genesis CDs, DVDs & Books

Andy Poseidon Bruce's New Age Directory

Hartlepool legend Andy Bruce's Ascension New Age Directory is smacking the opposition. See it here:

http://www.ascension-newage.net

Andy Warhol Books

Andy Warhol, silver screen...From Pop Art to giving a leg up to The Velvet Underground, Warhol was the most important art figure of the second half of the 20th Century. Check out just some of the books about and by him at Amazon.co.uk.

From A to B and Back Again Author: Andy Warhol
I Shot Andy Warhol Author: Mary Harron, Daniel Minahan
Andy Warhol's Colors Author: Susanna Rubin

The Time Tunnel Episode Guide Now On booksmusicfilmstv.com

Summaries of all 30 episodes of the classic '60s sci-fi series The Time Tunnel, plus the  main cast list, have been complied by Paul Rance for booksmusicfilmstv.com here:

The Time Tunnel Episode Guide

Songs Of The Humpback Whale

Sounds to move you.

(Amazon.co.uk)
Songs of the Humpback Whale

(Amazon.com)
Whalesong

Save The Humpback Whale - A Personal View By Paul Rance

Not since 1963 have humpback whales been slaughtered, so a sarcastic congratulations to the Japanese for taking us back in time.

Read more here.

Spare No Pity For Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton recently whined about being hounded by the British media. Well, when you see this hideous, cruel young woman stag hunting with the always cruel royal family, then she deserves, at the very least, to be the quarry of the paparazzi.

Hate Britain - Re The Murder Of Rhys Jones

The murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones didn't really prove to me that Britain is sick, as I've thought it's been sick for years. It just proves it's sicker than I thought!

There's more of a nastiness now in society, than when I was 11, and when I was kicking a ball about, I just had the worry of a grumpy neighbour confiscating my ball.

I was in a gang as a teenager, but it was just macho posturing. No guns, no knives, no fighting. You can blame the current climate on a lot of things, but it comes down to respect. If you can't respect the life of an 11-year-old boy, what the hell can you respect?

I don't really know what makes the minds of these kids tick, but YouTube are quite happy to give 'em a voice here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LWk3mXooTQQ. This vid was featured on the news a few days ago.

I'd rather look at this tribute site to Rhys by his friends:
http://pic1.piczo.com/LovingMemoryOfRhys/?g=29378596&cr=1

Shambo’s Pals Killed

Skanda Vale didn't really bother to protest too much this time. The Welsh Government Assembly thugs have probably broken their spirit. And, you know what, they're probably proud of themselves.

Now Britain is useless at stopping gangs of toerags roaming our streets, killing children, but we're world champions at pitiless bureaucracy.

RIP
Bhakti
Dakshini
Shambo

Latest Skanda Vale statement, with photos of these truly beautiful animals: http://www.skandavale.org

Foot-And-Mouth Paranoia

Foot-and-mouth is rarely a fatal disease in animals, so the obvious question is why does paranoia break out every time there's an outbreak of the disease in the UK?

The answer, of course, is about protecting the meat industry. You rarely hear, in news reports, anything about the poor animals, but a helluva lot about farmers scared of losing money.

Yangtze River Dolphin Extinct - Thanks To Man

In Beijing they were counting down to the Olympics, when some depressing news came out about the Yangtze River dolphin.

It was recently announced that the human race was to blame for the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin, nicknamed 'Goddess of the Yangtze'. This is believed to be the first large mammal to have been wiped out by man - in this case through overfishing - in modern history.

This endearing dolphin lived on this planet for 20 million years.

Britain's Shame3 - British Government Animal Experiments Ruled Unlawful

BUAV - British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection - took the British Government to court over cruel animal experiments, and have won a partial victory at least. I recently heard about monkeys still being scalped in the 'civilized' UK.

More at Yahoo! News here:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20070727/tuk-animal-experiment-ruling-unlawful-6323e80.html

Britain's Shame2 - Shambo RIP

The Welsh Assembly Government finally took the life of the beautiful Shambo.

The people responsible for Shambo's death have no respect for anyone's beliefs but their own. I've never really supported ALF and the more militant animal rights supporters, but I am beginning to lose patience with being a peaceful animal welfare campaigner and getting nowhere.

The poet Shelley (himself a veggie) said of animals being used for food: "If the use of animal food be, in consequence, subversive to the peace of human society, how unwarrantable is the injustice and the barbarity which is exercised toward these miserable victims. They are called into existence by human artifice that they may drag out a short and miserable existence of slavery and disease, that their bodies may be mutilated, their social feelings outraged. It were much better that a sentient being should never have existed, than that it should have existed only to endure unmitigated misery."

Shelley also came out with the "rise like lions after slumber" phrase, and it's about time animal lovers did so. Do nothing, and bad things are allowed to happen.

Shilpa Shetty Condemns Circus Cruelty

Bollywood film star Shilpa is one real*ty TV personality who isn't a brain dead, uncouth, shallow moron. She recently supported a PETA campaign against circuses, saying: "These once dignified animals only leave their cages, which are barely larger than the size of their bodies, for a few minutes each day to be forced into the ring to perform tricks which make no sense and are upsetting to them. The best way to help animals suffering in circuses is to boycott the circus. I thought I should stop that. If I can make a little difference to their lives, why not go for it?"

Shilpa Shetty page at booksmusicfilmstv.com here:
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/MovieStars/ShilpaShetty.html

Best Friends Animal Society

Permission to CROSS POST this message from Best Friends!! If you can help, donation info is below!


Our paypal account is roxyjasper@earthlink.net and donors must note that the donations are for Liz Johnson.

Thanks so much,
Jessica Cliver
Best Friends Animal Society
Los Angeles Programs

jessicac@bestfriends.org
www.bestfriends.org
www.network.bestfriends.org
www.myspace.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

"A better world through kindness to animals."

Save Shambo the Bull

Save Shambo here:
http://www.skandavale.org/shambo.htm

Cutty Sark Gutted

Distressing to see this beautiful old clipper in such a mess. If you want to help, visit:
http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/

Doctor Who Series 3 Reviews at booksmusicfilmstv.com

Smith And Jones
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/SmithAndJones.htm

The Shakespeare Code http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/TheShakespeareCode.htm

Gridlock
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/Gridlock.htm

Daleks In Manhattan/Evolution Of The Daleks http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/DaleksInManhattan.htm

The Lazarus Experiment
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/LazarusExperiment.htm

Tell a friend about Freecycle!

Neat idea this one.

http://www.freecycle.org/

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the left. You may then go directly to your local group by clicking on "Go To" or you may immediately joining by clicking on "Join." It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for the local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group.

Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

Our main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.

Non-profit organizations also benefit from The Freecycle Network. Post the item or items you want to give away and specify that you wish the gift to go to a nonprofit cause. It's entirely your choice! It's a free cycle of giving. The Freecycle Network is incorporated as a nonprofit organization and is tax-exempt under the IRS 501(c)3 ruling.

Think globally, recycle locally. The Freecycle Network is open to all communities and to all individuals who want to participate. Freecycle groups are moderated by local volunteers from across the globe who facilitate each local group - grassroots at its best!

Tell a friend about Freecycle!

Jonny Still Good

Jonny Wilkinson made an awesome return to the England rugby union team last Saturday, in England's 42-20 win over Scotland in the 6 Nations, after over three years out. Champions of any sport just have a different mentality, and so, for Jonny, coming back to a struggling England side at Twickenham was obviously not going to faze him.

It takes a lot to get this cynical old git excited (and my silent friend Helga has a puncture again), but Jonny Wilkinson did the trick. Brilliant kicking, brilliant handling, 27 points, and even the officials decided to reward his efforts by giving him a try - which even my dodgy peepers could see wasn't.

Jonny seems a nice bloke, too, and he must be good on the guitar now. He's had plenty of time to practice...

Jonny Wilkinson Biography

http://www.helium.com/items/2241454-biography-of-rugby-superstar-jonny-wilkinson

Turkey Massacre - Britain's Shame1

I agree with this Animal Aid statement 100%. The soulless turkey slaughterers said the killing was "going very smoothly". Spare a thought for these poor creatures tonight - the turkeys, of course.

Animal Aid statement on Bernard Matthews bird flu outbreak

With government-appointed killing gangs preparing to destroy as many as 160,000 birds at a Bernard Matthews Suffolk turkey farm, it is time for the intensive poultry industry to acknowledge that its own ruthless animal production and slaughtering systems are the root cause of the deadly new strains of bird flu.

The global poultry industry has so far succeeded in diverting blame for the Avian Influenza outbreaks onto wild migratory birds. But with the migratory season over, industry apologists are devoid of excuses.

In its natural state, the influenza virus has existed for millions of years as a harmless, intestinal infection of aquatic birds such as ducks. In poultry, bird flu has gone from a rare disease that occurs once a year to a far more lethal condition that is striking more and more frequently. The deadly H5N1 strain emerged in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then, lethal outbreaks have hit the Far East, China, North America and Europe, including Norfolk and Fife. Millions of birds have been brutally destroyed and more than 100 people have died, mostly in Asia.

Broiler sheds are perfect breeding grounds for the new, deadly viral strains and there are any number of ways that they can spread across countries and continents - not least through transportation of chicks and poults, poultry products, feed and equipment.

Countries that have not yet developed a large-scale intensive poultry industry have been largely spared. Despite poultry sheds being nominally sealed off from the outside world, diseased material can easily enter them. An expert in the field, Dr Mohammad Yousaf*, has indicated that H5N1 and other such strains can find their way in through faecal traces or moisture in the air - or through the medium of feed, water, supplies, cages, clothes, delivery vehicles, mammals and even insects.

That a Bernard Matthews production unit should be hit by bird flu comes as no surprise to those who have monitored the company’s activities over the years. Undercover investigations in 2002, 2005 and 2006 produced evidence of crowded, dirty conditions with severely injured, diseased and dead birds.

In September last year, two of the company’s workers at Beck Farm, Haveringland were convicted of battering turkeys with a broom handle, used like a baseball bat. The solicitor defending the men described the conditions in the unit as "appalling" and said: "You can see why people move to an organic, more open type of farming."

Intensive farms, like those that Bernard Matthews run, are little more than disease factories. Overcrowded, filthy conditions, and stressed animals are a recipe for an outbreak.

The first priority of the meat industry and its government allies has been to insist that poultry products are safe to eat and that the public should continue to buy and consume them. Cooked chicken and turkey might be purged of viruses but how safe are the bodies of dead birds - fresh from supermarket chillers - that reside in millions of fridges around the country?

The birds in that Holton shed, whose fate under ‘normal’ production regimes would be appalling, are set to endure even greater suffering. Government ministers indicated in recent months that they would be prepared to allow mass asphyxiation of birds under just these circumstances.

Animal Aid is calling for a boycott of all chicken products as a means of waking up the government, the industry and the consumer to the vile and deadly nature of intensive animal production in the UK.

Notes to the Editor
For full background and interviews, contact Andrew Tyler on 01732 364546 (out of hours 07918 083774)
ISDN line available for broadcast-quality interviews.

Reference:
* Avian influenza outbreak hits the industry again, Dr Mohammad Yousaf, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, World Poultry, Vol 20 No 3 2004.* Avian influenza outbreak hits the industry again, Dr Mohammad Yousaf, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, World Poultry, Vol 20 No 3 2004.

© Copyright Animal Aid 2007

Source link:
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/pr_factory/ALL/1504//

Poets & Folkies By The Score

Everyone loves lists, don't they? Here's a couple, though not definitive.

A list of English-speaking poets, and links to their books:
http://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Poetry/EnglishSpeakingPoets.htm

A list of hundreds of folk artists, and links to their music:
http://booksmusicfilmstv.com/Music/FolkMusicIndex.htm

George W. Bush - Comic Genius

This previously appeared on my MyWasteOfSpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/stickybanananana

It can be argued that the American President has produced more (unintentioned) laughs than any other comic in the 21st Century. But, even before he became President, Dubya was making 'em roll in the aisles. Here's some classics from his pre-President days.

"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe."
"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people gong to the polls."
"It's time for the human race to enter the solar system."
"One word sums up, probably, the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'."
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
"People that are really weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history."

So many more, but I've only got so many hours in any given day.