Lover by Anna Raverat. A review by Frances Colville

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Frostie

What happens when the relationship you thought was solid, even if not earth-shattering, comes to an unexpected end, leaving you with two young children to care for (and explain things to) at the same time as the job you loved starts to become complicated and untenable? In her new novel, Lover, Anna Raverat tells the story of Kate and how she copes with just that situation. T

he book begins with a Charlie M Schulz quote: Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.’ which sets the scene and tone nicely.

Kate is a well-drawn character with whom it’s not hard to sympathise and her story is told with sensitivity and intuitiveness. And while it’s not a wholly original plot, there is enough individuality here to make this novel a good read.

Lover by Anna Raverat is published by Picador and available in hardback and as an ebook from 10 March 2016

Words for the Wounded Host Their Annual LitFest Literary Festival

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Frostie

Great excitement – Words for the Wounded which raises funds for wounded troops and veterans by creating opportunities for aspiring writers and readers is holding its annual LitFest again on April 16th.

The WforW LitFest Day will be held as always at the lovely Downley Community Centre, School Close, Downley, High Wycombe HP13 5TR
10.00am to 5.00pm.

As everyone knows by now, the three grannies, Margaret Graham, Jan Speedie (both Frost Magazine writers) and Penny Deacon absorb all the costs of the charity and therefore 100% of everything they raise goes to where it should.

The speakers this year are: Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author and a patron of WforW – Elizabeth Buchan talking about her work.

Jemima Hunt, editor and literary agent, and director of The Writers’ Practice with advice on editing your work and attracting an agent.
Tracy Baines, successful women’s magazine short story writer with tips about getting published.

Further excitement as Catherine Balavage, blogger and editor of Frost Magazine will be joining the day to talk about blogging, running a magazine, and her various successful books.

Paul Vates, the brilliant actor, and friend of Words for the Wounded, will be reading from the work of our speakers.

Sharon Bennett will be displaying her art.

Cost £35 (which includes lunch with wine, morning coffee and afternoon tea)

For Tickets, send a cheque or postal order to: (cheques payable to Words for the Wounded)
Words for the Wounded
12 Woodcote Green, Downley, High Wycombe, HP13 5UN
Please include a SAE

Trains from London are frequent, and there are taxis for the 10 minute journey.

www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby Reviewed By Frances Colville

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Frostie

It’s a growing trend to write fiction about the women behind famous men, and a brilliant idea to extend this to write about the women behind fictional characters too; in this case the women connected to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby puts together the scraps of information we learn about these ‘background’ women in the Arthur Conan Doyle stories and gives them a detective adventure of their own.

Both Martha Hudson and Mary Watson are believable characters and the plot is a good one, though not perhaps quite of the standard of an original Conan Doyle. The book doesn’t have the same period feel as the Conan Doyle stories either, but then why should it? It was written a hundred years later and doesn’t make any pretentions to be the same as the originals.

As far as I can tell, without extensive knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes books, it fits in well and I didn’t come across any annoying anomalies. In short, it could have happened! I enjoyed it very much and I particularly liked the way the scene is now set for further adventures by the same pair of intrepid female detectives.

The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby is published by Pan Macmillan and will be available in paperback from 25 February 2016

Does Your Child Need Urgent Medical Attention? By Dr Kathleen Thompson

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Frostie

Healthy children, who have died following a short but severe infection have hit the news recently.

The problem is that young children can become sick within hours. Most recover equally quickly—but, despite best care, some don’t, particularly if they have meningitis or other overwhelming infection.

One year-old William Mead died of sepsis, apparently after ‘111’ staff didn’t appreciate how ill he had become. I won’t comment without knowing all the facts, except to say it can be difficult, sometimes even for experts, to assess whether a small child is seriously ill.

However, as an ex-paediatrician, I do have concerns about telephone diagnosis, whether the 111 service, swine-flu helplines, or GPs asking parents to hold the telephone over a child’s chest so they can hear their breathing (yes I have known this to happen). Professor Neena Modi, a senior paediatrician, has also publically voiced similar concerns recently.

Small children have an immature immune system, and consequently don’t react to, or show signs of, illness in the same way as adults. Whenever I was asked to see a sick child, my first concern was whether they needed immediate emergency treatment, or whether I could take my time, asking more questions and making a detailed examination. The signs in the Table would help me decide, and sometimes I just knew from experience. I remember assessing a new-born baby, who simply wouldn’t stop crying. Something wasn’t right. We did some tests on the special baby unit—he had meningitis and needed urgent antibiotics. Happily he made a full recovery.

I am not suggesting that every crying child needs an urgent medical assessment—just that signs of illness in babies and toddlers can be subtle, and experience helps.

So how does a parent know whether to seek urgent medical help?

The Table provides pointers, however, you know your child, and, even if they don’t shown any of these signs, if you are worried, you must insist they are seen by a doctor—better to ‘waste someone’s time’ than miss a serious infection. As a personal example, I was convinced one night that my young son had meningitis. I rushed him to A&E department, where he made a miraculous recovery, just before my colleague came in to examine him. Embarrassing, but I would do it again.

So if you are worried, what should you do?

Options include:

Phone your GP
Phone 111 and ask to see a doctor that day (or within the hour if you are really worried)
Go to your local A&E department (check first that it is open).

If all else fails, and your child is getting worse, dial 999 for an ambulance.

Although it is important that you are aware of these signs and what to do, please do remember, though, that overwhelming childhood infections are relatively rare. Most infections are not serious, and most times your child will be dancing around the next day.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

Further information:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/spotting-signs-serious-illness.aspx

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120704/Signs-that-a-child-is-seriously-ill-Interview-with-Professor-Middleton.aspx

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

One in Five Women have felt Sexually Discriminated Against in the Workplace

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Frostie

Some bad news on the equality front: a third of working women have experienced discrimination and harassment in the workplace, according to research.

They’ve been spoken over or had opinions dismissed in meetings, received unwelcome comments on their appearance or clothing and been called “woman” and “clever girl”.

The poll of 2,000 working women revealed many have had their work and achievements hijacked by male colleagues or have experienced unwanted touching, brushing or stroking from other members of their team.

One woman lost her job after refusing a marriage proposal from her line manager while another was frequently ordered to make her male colleagues their drinks.

Another reported a male employee was taken on to do the same job as her – and later discovered he was being paid £1,000 more.

And a female shop worker ended up getting unwanted texts from a security guard who went into the manager’s office and took her mobile phone number from personnel records.

Georgina Calvert-Lee, Senior Litigation Counsel at law firm McAllister Olivarius, which commissioned the research to understand better what women are facing in the workplace, said: “It’s sad to hear that these kinds of things continue and are so widespread. It confirms what our clients tell us about their own experiences.

“We’re sure many women will feel as though they are the only ones having to deal with situations like this.

“But we’re certain there will be women out there who don’t actually realise they’re experiencing sexual discrimination or harassment.”

“Sometimes it can feel a bit daunting speaking up; especially if you’re afraid of losing your job for standing your ground.

“But the only way these situations are going to be solved is by making others aware of it and not suffering in silence.”

Of the 42 per cent of women who have ever taken maternity leave, one in 10 said they felt discriminated against when they returned to work.

One mum explained that once she had returned to work after maternity leave her job had ‘disappeared’, and she was given menial tasks which weren’t enough to fill the day.

Another respondent said her manager had told her there was no point in promoting young female staff as “they all leave on maternity anyway”.

One in six women in management said they have been called ‘bossy’ when instructing another member of staff.

Four in 10 women have experienced colleagues trying to turn workplace conversations into sexualised ones.

In fact one in five have felt sexually discriminated against in their current workplace at least once.

Twenty four per cent of women in work have never sought help for the bad experiences they’ve had in at work – but have considered it.

And because of this, many women believe it would make sense to make sure sexual discrimination should be discussed in the work place so it’s recognised a little easier.

Georgina added: “Women who have experienced sexual discrimination and harassment don’t need to suffer in silence.

“It’s illegal, and you can get help. Good companies want to fix it. Other companies can be persuaded by legal action”.

McAllister Olivarius is an international law firm representing people who face discrimination in their professional lives.

TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASSMENT INCIDENTS IN THE WORK PLACE FOR WOMEN

1. Been spoken over of had their opinion dismissed in meetings

2. Received unwelcome comments on appearance or clothes

3. Been called “woman”, “clever girl” or other dismissive terms

4. Been asked to make tea or run errands more than male colleagues

5. Felt unable to complain about being treated unprofessionally for fear of being accused of being oversensitive

6. Been referred to as ‘bossy’ due to instructing another member of staff

7. Been judged / commented on for their sexual attractiveness

8. Having credit for their work taken by male colleagues

9. Been assumed to be the assistant / PA or lower ranking member of staff

10. Experienced unwanted touching, brushing or stroking from other colleagues

Not Working by Lisa Owens Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Frostie

Which of us hasn’t dreamed of quitting an unsatisfactory job to find out what we really want to do with our lives and careers? This is just what Claire Flannery decides to do, but despite excellent intentions to get fit, improve her general knowledge, read Moby Dick, get to grips with modern art and the world economy, she soon finds that having too much time on her hands is not entirely a good thing and that without a job to define her and map out her daily routine she is floundering.

The opening pages – a bizarre conversation with a passing stranger about the buddleia growing on the roof of her house – set the tone well for this first novel from author Lisa Owens. It’s a funny, observant and very perceptive view of the mundane ordinariness of daily life. And at the same time a poignant and intelligent discussion of some of the bigger issues we face.

Written almost like a diary and broken up into chunks of various lengths often with amusing headings, it’s easy to read and very easy to enjoy. But there is more to it than that and as you read it you’ll be left pondering questions and answers, and relating the narrative to your own life.

My first impression was that the ending didn’t work as well as it might have done. I’d expected something more definite to happen; for there to be a bit more resolution. But on second thoughts not knowing all the answers is just what real life is like – isn’t it?

Either way, it would be hard not to appreciate this novel. And I’ll look forward to the next from Lisa Owens.

Not Working is published by Picador and will be available in hardback on 21 April 2016.

Not Working by Lisa Owens is available here.

One in Five Brits Have no idea How to Make Pancakes

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Frostie

Happy Pancake Day! Will you be making your own? If so you are ahead of one in five other Brits. Pancakes are Britain’s most ‘faked’ dish, according to new research.

One in five Brits has no idea how to make them and admits to passing off store-bought and ready-made pancakes as their own.

And the humble pancake is the nation’s number one faked food – ahead of gravy, sauces, cakes and soup, according to a survey of 2,000 adults by Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

The main reasons cited for food fraud were lack of skill (20 per cent) and lack of time (12 per cent).

Lyle’s Golden Syrup spokeswoman Sara Harrison said: “We understand people are time-poor and are therefore turning to pre-made pancakes, so let’s celebrate panfakery. Whether you’re faking it or making it, we want to spread Lyle’s smiles this Pancake Day.”

Top of the pancake toppings this Shrove Tuesday are sugar (68 per cent), golden syrup (48 per cent), maple syrup (43 per cent) and ice cream (34 per cent).

The ten most-faked dishes in the UK:

1. Pancakes

2. Gravy

3. Sauces

4. Cakes

5. Soup

6. Mashed Potato

7. Pasta

8. Bread

9. Pie (sweet or savoury)

10. Chocolate Mousse

In a bid to help busy Brits spread smiles this Pancake Day, Lyle’s Golden Syrup has launched the UK’s first ‘PanMail’ delivery service, offering time poor Brits emergency supplies of pancakes and delicious Lyle’s Golden Syrup delivered straight to their door.

Visit @WeLoveBaking on Twitter to find out how you can receive your own PanMail delivery this Pancake Day.

The Boy From Nowhere Gregor Fisher By Mary Higgins

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Frostie

Last Christmas I bought my mother a book.

So what, I hear you say.

Well, she is practically blind and cannot now read.

‘I shall read it to you,’ I promised.

The book is ‘The Boy from Nowhere’; the story of one of Scotland’s best loved comedy actors: Gregor Fisher of Rab C Nesbit fame.

Gregor, along with Telegraph columnist Melanie Reid, researched his past, sifting through the layers of lies and deceit surrounding his life and the reason why he came to live in the village of Neilston, with his aunt Cis, at the age of three.

I chose this book because we live in Neilston and remember Gregor growing up in the village; a likeable boy who always had a story to tell; we would sit on the roundabout in the swing park listening to his soft voice and laughing at his jokes

The book is riveting from the start, with an honesty which is both disturbing and refreshing.

The descriptions of his life back in the 50s and 60s have stirred memories of my own childhood in the village reminding me of how difficult life was back then.

A picture is painted of a very happy childhood – happy, that is, till he finds out that Cis, the woman he calls mum, isn’t his mother at all – But, in true west of Scotland style, he quickly gets over it and doesn’t let it spoil his happiness for long.

Although the family were close and the atmosphere was loving, the people he called mum and dad were, like most inhabitants of the west of Scotland at that time, undemonstrative. This lack of physical contact caused Gregor a few problems when he finally arrived into the touchy feely world of show business. But, like a true Scot, once again he got over it.

He was accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and, after a laugh-out-loud moment when he has to wear tights and a leotard, he settles in but his lack of confidence meant that he never felt that he belonged.

His career really took off when he was offered an acting job and an equity card. This opened up all kinds of possibilities for him. He was off on his journey as an actor, forging lifetime friendships along the way.

I am well into the story now, reading one or two chapters per day, only stopping when my voice becomes hoarse; reading aloud takes a bit more effort than reading to oneself.

I feel an excitement when I reach for the book, The Boy from Nowhere has awakened memories and feelings within me which I haven’t touched on for some time but, each evening, I look forward to switching off the TV and with the face of a young Gregor smiling out at me, I wait till my mother settles back into her chair in anticipation then open at the page we finished on the night before and begin.

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