Passengers Outraged As Rail Fares Set To Rise Above Inflation Again

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Rail commuters are outraged as the so called ‘green’ government backed an above-inflation rail fair rise for already overpriced, overcrowded trains. Fares are expected to rise at least 8%.

The formula for fare increases is usually RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.

Rail minister Theresa Villiers said passengers were being asked to pay more for the next three years so that the government could “deliver a massive programme of rail upgrades.” However, Villiers was less than impressive while trying to defend the shocking rise in a BBC interview.

Rail fares for Londoners are also set to rise by up to 13% from January 2012, thanks to government changes to the rules on annual fare rise.

“These massive fare rises will be a disaster for people already struggling with rising costs, and risk pricing those on lower incomes out of jobs,” said Alexandra Woodsworth of the Campaign for Better Transport, who was protesting against the fare rises at Waterloo station today.

It is feared that some people will be priced out of being able to work.

Every New Year, train companies are allowed to push up fares based on the inflation rate published the previous August. Today, that figure was 5%.

Previously, the rule was that companies could only increase fares by 1% more than inflation, which would have seen bad-enough rises of 6% next year. But the current government raised the fare-hike limit to inflation-plus-3%, allowing for rises of 8% in early 2012. It also allows for rises of up to 8% above inflation on some routes, giving the 13% figure.

A 13% hike would see the current cost – £3832 – of an annual season ticket from Brighton to London rise to £4291.

The government blamed its lack of finances for the rail fare hike. Rail companies are subsidised by the government, which means unhappy commuters pay for it both through their taxes and when they pay for their fares.

Rail travel is notoriously bad in the UK. Rail journeys from London to Glasgow cost from £100-170 before these rises with trains often so overcrowded, it is usually standing room only. London is not much better, with people paying more money than anywhere else in Europe to ride in a carriage with no air conditioning and in worse conditions than a sardine in a can. Trying to get anywhere on the weekend is worse, as most lines are having maintenance, causing huge service disruption.

The Coalition government has promised to be a ‘green’ government, but rail fares are now so expensive that it is cheaper to fly, I know a number of people who do. Not so green after all.

Rock & Roll 1954 – Alive & Kickin`

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With popular rock and roll music rapidly running out of ideas for new twists and turns to which – let’s face it – was, and still is, a very basic American art form, I say, why bother changing something that’s not for changing anyway?

Great Rock and Roll music, if played and sung right from the soul, can – and indeed will – change the way we feel about almost any subject in life. But its basic function is to make us feel fabulous inside!

I have been a professional musician for over 30 years, working with some great artists. Most of them are huge music fans and it will surprise a few people to find how eclectic most working musicians are in taste and the ways you can find alternate routes into real established artists such as Dylan , Springsteen, and even Elvis himself.

The King alone has a recorded legacy bordering on over 900 sessions, all of which are now easy to access and show another world of rock and roll music – right back to its mid-50’s infancy. But I’m going to try to present some new contemporary bands / singers that still have that same depth or outburst from the soul that all great artists from the 50s , 60, 70s seemed to possess with sheer out the blue inspiration. We’ll call it  EARS TO HEAR`.

 

(Stratocaster pic by Vinicius de Carvalho Venâncio courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net)

New Band, Old Tricks

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Our first trip will be to the Jim Jones Revue – http://www.jimjonesrevue.com/website/home

Here’s a band from the UK that have all the ingredients for the perfecto rock n roll cake. Formed in London around 2008, they are a good introduction if you want to hear just how rock music from the 50s would sound if invented today.

The vocals are ‘on it’, as is the fuzzed-up guitar and abandoned drumming. Very basic music that can give you goosebumps in much the same way Cochran, Vincent, Presley, and Little Richard all have done in the past. A big hunk o’ rock.

Domino: The Spot For Indie

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Domino recording company, London is a good place to visit if you like your sounds indie and easy on the ears, but with a few little touches of brilliance thrown in.

Obviously, you have the big pop names like Franz or the Arctics, but the hidden gems are artists like Cass McCombs, The Kills or Bonnie Prince Billy and a host of others which you no doubt will discover once you click onto their website at  http://www.dominorecordco.com

It’s all very tried and tested music, and easy to listen to in the best possible sense.  If you dig pre-Space Oddity Bowie or Aphrodite’s Child, Bobby Vee/Vinton/Rydell  or even very early XTC, this site’s music will fire you up no end. There are some fabulous tunes to be had which will lead you to other bands and sites of a similar nature.

It’s all rock n roll and these are the best at what they do – full stop!

My 9-11: One Man's Journey Through September 11, 2001

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My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001′ Launches With a Book, Gallery Show & Soundtrack

Multi-Media Art Retrospective to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks Will Also Raise Healthcare Funds for First Responders and Families

Music and celebrity portrait photographer and author, Richard Agudelo, presents, My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001. This multi-media arts retrospective includes a book that contains never before published images from Ground Zero, captured moments after the attacks. These powerful images will be presented in a photography exhibit at NYC’s new Charles West Gallery. In addition to the book and gallery show, 13 diverse musicians have contributed original works to the My 9-11 Project soundtrack. All net proceeds from the My 9-11 Project efforts will be donated to first responder charities including the FealGood Foundation

The beautifully crafted book presents 144 pages, containing 40 images that include 23 never before published pictures that were taken 20 minutes after One World Trade Center collapsed. The photographs are accompanied by a vividly detailed 11,000 word narrative that gives a glimpse of the chaos and heroism at Ground Zero immediately following the towers downfall. Contributors to the book include 9-11 first responder advocate, John Feal of the FealGood Foundation and World Trade Center Health Organization’s leading expert, Dr. Jacqueline Moline. All the names of victims lost on 9-11 are also included in a commemorative section.

“My 9-11 Project began to take shape after I returned from an annual check-up at the World Trade Center Health Organization,” explains author, photographer and founder of My 9-11 Project, Richard Agudelo. “I saw the suffering of many first responders and over the years have witnessed the untimely deaths of too many of these heroes,” Agudelo adds, “My 9-11 Project not only aims to raise funds to help prevent more of these deaths, but also helps to provide a larger platform to bring light and conversation to this unfortunate circumstance.” Agudelo further states, “We not only need to honor and applaud these heroes, we need to take care of them, just as they did for us.”

My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001 has been brought to light by efforts and funding from Barry Leistner and Koenig Iron Works, Inc. in New York City. “When I met Ric Agudelo, he was looking for a gallery space to show a project he was working on to commemorate September 11th,” explains Barry Leistner, president of Koenig Iron Works. “Once I started to hear the details of this amazing project, suddenly I knew exactly how I was going to honor the friends and loved ones lost on 9-11,” further explains Leistner, “I was not only going to get Ric a space to launch the My 9-11 Project, I asked to personally help and became Co-founder and Producer of the multi-media project.”

ABOUT MY 9-11 PROJECT

My 9-11 Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides monetary assistance to various organizations that push to alleviate the financial burdens of the September 11th first responders who suffer from health ailments due to the time spent at Ground Zero. My 9-11 Project also aims to generate general public awareness about the many health issues that plague these heroes. Funds will be raised through multi-media arts projects which will also support and nurture NYC downtown artists. My 9-11 Project was founded by photographer Richard Agudelo and philanthropist Barry Leistner. For more information on My 9-11 Project, please visit www.My9-11Project.org.

Prose & Cons Casting and Update

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Prose & Cons update….

So, we are on IMDB! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2014324/ We are really excited now. We are tweaking the script, casting actors, getting ready for a funding blitz. )If you would like to become a producer contact us at frostmagazine@gmail.com)

Lots of people have asked me about casting, and hundreds of people have already applied. I have put a few of the characters we are casting below, but there is more. Feel free to apply, and if you are a filmmaker or actor who has something worthy of being in our film section then email frostmagazine@gmail.com.

The film has no funding at the moment so it is completely a collaboration. No one is getting paid anything, however, if we get funding; you will be paid. I know its annoying but Richard and I are not rich so we can’t fund our own projects.

Thank you!

Company: Run Pictures Film Company

Production Name: Prose and Cons

Production Type: Film (Feature)

Location: London

Salary: Pay depends on whether we get funding!

Production Details: We are doing a feature film, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2014324/ It will be entered into festivals. We are trying to get funding but if we don’t we will be making it for no money, no one will be paid, we have cameras and location, etc, all for free.

We understand if this is not for you, but please realise that if we don get funding, it is not just the actors not getting paid.

Paula: female, artistic, good at writing poetry, agoraphobic, anti-social, melancholic, slightly unstable, has to be okay with not showering everyday and looking a bit dishevelled. We are flexible on age. Gender; female Min Age 29 Max Age 40

Spud: Sarah’s best friend: Description25-35, must be able to drive a car. No exceptions.

Spud (not her real name, she loves potatoes) is a screenwriter about to make it big and go to Hollywood. She is best friends with Sarah. Spud has an on/off thing with Jamie.

Jamie: Male, 25-39, eccentric, slightly dim but warm and loving. Terminally unemployed. Loves Spud.

Two Dog Walker: We need two dog walkers with good comedy reactions for one day filming. Any gender.

Sarah’s Publisher; any gender. 35-45. Literary agent. A little heartless.

George White; Male, 45-55, TV presenter, think Philip Scofield but arrogant. Or any American TV anchor.

Anna Whiteman ; 25-35, Female. TV Anchor/presenter. Presents own TV show with Matt. 25-35.

We have more roles to cast but that’s it for now.

Wendy's Baby Diary: 19 Weeks – Who's Holding The Baby?

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Childcare

This week, I’d like to discuss the emotive issue of childcare – who to leave your baby with, from what age and what your options are.

Parents

There is an argument for mums to look after their children full time until they go to school and I think that is what my mum did for me. You could even home school if you wanted to continue being with your children full-time and believed that was in their best interest.

I’m finding the childcare situation hard. I love being with my son and he is my responsibility. At the same time, childcare is so demanding that, occasionally, I want a break to be ‘me’ again and not the constant food source / entertainment / companion. We’re in a fortunate situation that Dillon’s grandparents want to babysit for us when they can, but we are also looking into a nursery place for when I go back to my studies and to work.

Nursery

The advantages of a nursery are that your child learns to socialise with other children from a young age, to share, to interact and be stimulated, even educated. I think the main disadvantages are going to be if it’s not a good nursery. There is also the cost (up to £60 a day), which is hopefully outweighed by you being able to earn a salary.

Another consideration is the waiting list. I had no idea how long it can take to get a place. It can take up to months, especially for popular nurseries.  Some mums even sign up for a nursery place while they are pregnant! I was told the best start date for a baby is September / October, because a bunch of kids leave in September when they start school and all the younger age ranges move up a class. By January, most nurseries are full again.

Relatives

Relatives may have no charge attached but it’s important to not take them for granted. Some grandparents almost want to be a parent again and they may offer full time childcare, and in some situations this is the only viable financial solution for a family.

Nanny

Other options are a childminder or a nanny or au pair but I’m not looking for full time childcare and I don’t want someone looking after Dillon in our home. I think the main disadvantage of an individual is if they wanted to be abusive or neglectful there is no-one around to notice. At a nursery, there are a lot of staff and more controls are in place over professional standards of care and competence.

The only way you can tell if a nursery is right for you is by visiting a nursery in person. I went to see two last week and both were well advertised, one was rated Good in an OFSTED report, the other OUTSTANDING and within the first ten minutes of being in each nursery I knew that one wasn’t right for my son and the other one was.

Babies’ age

In terms of age, I’m looking for Dillon to start at nursery two days a week from six months old.  Maternity leave in the UK is allowed for up to 12 months, so six months may seem very young, but some nurseries accept babies from six weeks old. I was told that the average age for babies starting at nursery is currently between nine and 12 months old. A benefit for starting childcare at six months or earlier is that the baby is not so attached to the parent that they get upset when you leave them.

Whether Dillon misses me or not at nursery, I know I will find it hard to leave him there. But I want to provide for him and I want to be a good role model. I hope it all works out.

What the baby has been doing this week

Dillon is a smiler. For the first few weeks of their life babies only smile when they pass wind! and they start to genuinely smile from between six and eight weeks old. I wish I had written down when Dillon first smiled or laughed, but it is genuinely delightful when he does and he has been doing so for a good six weeks, maybe longer. He responds very well to people smiling at him if they hold their faces close and he imitates other people’s laughter.  In the past couple of weeks he has noticed our dog fetching balls and toys and this makes him laugh.

Classes

We’ve recently signed Dillon up for baby sensory classes and also to swimming classes starting in September, so I’ll report on those when they start. I went to a free taster class for the baby sensory and it was very good for the children, a lot of songs, baby signing, toys, a puppet show, a light show (felt like an early introduction to children’s theatre!) and a chance to meet other mums and have a chat. Dillon spent the hour staring at everyone and everything and slept really well afterwards.

Until next time – if you work with children, please be good to them!

© Wendy Thomson

Wendy Thomson is the editor of www.femalearts.com an online publication which promotes women in the arts and in business.

Sophie Mitchell Tweet Yourself Thin: Sunday

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Frost hopes you have enjoyed the week of ‘tweet yourself thin’. Lots of healthy eating, and hopefully you lost a few pounds.

Best Breakfast Burritos
Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 5 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients

Small handful of fresh coriander leaves
3 spring onions
1 tbsp of pickled jalapenos
2 tomatoes
100g tinned beans (like pinto or borlotti)
8 eggs
100g grated cheddar
4 wholemeal or seeded tortillas

Chilli sauce to serve with chicken

1. First add the coriander leaves, jalapenos and spring onions to a blender and blitz until fine. Then
transfer the mix to a bowl.

2. Lay the tortillas on a clean work surface and spread a spoonful of the coriander mix on each one.
Then sprinkle over the cheese.

3. Whisk the eggs together and season. Dice the tomatoes, then heat up a frying pan and add the
tomatoes and beans, cook for 5 minutes in a little olive oil, then add the eggs, stirring occasionally
cook the eggs for about 5 minutes, do not overcook them.

4. Divide the eggs between each tortilla and then roll up the tortilla. Heat a large frying pan up and
fry on each side, then serve.
Barbecued Lemon and Oregano Chicken Legs with Green Olive and Basil Salad
Serves 4
Prep time 20 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes

Ingredients

5 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 lemons
100ml white wine
1 tsp dried oregano
8 chicken legs and thighs
Salad;
1 tin of artichoke hearts
100g pitted green olives
2 heads little gem lettuce
Small handful of shredded basil
Dressing;
75ml olive oil
25ml white wine vinegar
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp honey
Sea salt and pepper

1. Mix the white wine, garlic, oregano, olive oil and then mince the garlic and also add. Cut the
lemons in half, squeeze in the juice and chuck in the lemon skins as well. Mix then add the chicken
legs. Cover and leave for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220C or get the BBQ ready.

2. Pour the chicken marinade and the lemon pieces in a roasting tray, season and place in the oven.
If barbecuing, season the legs and thighs and then place on the barbecue, brush with some extra
marinade occasionally. They will take about 30 minutes in the oven (or basically just cook until
golden brown with clear juices). On the barbecue they should take about 20/30 minutes, just make
sure you turn them.

3. While they are cooking make the salad. Drain the artichokes off and pat dry with some kitchen
towel. Then cut in half and add to a large bowl, then cut the olive in half and add. Take the little gem
and trim the base, then break into the natural leaves. Mix together with the olives and artichokes.

4. To make the dressing simply whisk all of the dressing ingredients together, then drizzle to
personal taste over the salad.

5. When the chicken pieces are cooked, pile up on plates with some of the lovely salad on the side.

Spiced Pollock, Roasted Butternut Squash and Chickpea Salad
Prep time 15 minutes
Cooking 10 minutes
Ingredients

4 fillets of OCADO Pollock
1 tbsp tikka masala paste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 packet of Waitrose butternut squash peeled slices (350g)
250g rocket leaves
1 lemon
150g chickpeas
1 tsp mango chutney
100ml natural yoghurt
1 tsbp of chopped fresh mint

1. First place the fillets of Pollock into a bowl and spread in the spice mix, make sure it gets all over
the fish on both sides, then preheat the oven to 250C.

2. Pop the butternut squash on to a tray, drizzle with oil, season and roast for 20 minutes, until
golden round the edges.

3. While the squash is cooking mix the chickpeas, mango chutney, yoghurt and mint together and
season.

4. Heat the grill up and place the fillets on a baking tray, season and then grill for about 6/8 minutes,
depending on the thickness, until cooked throughout.

5. Pile up the squash, salad, and then fish, top with a big scoop of the chickpea mix and serve.