Stars ‘give it up’ for Lent fundraiser

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The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) launches its annual Lent campaign, ‘give it up!’ today. With backing from X-Factor host Dermot O’Leary and Coronation Street’s Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) the charity is urging people to give something up and make a difference for those living in some of the poorest communities in the world.

Lent is embraced by many as an opportunity to re-ignite those failed new years resolutions, to kick start a new health regime or kick out an old bad habit.

The official start of Lent, Ash Wednesday will see CAFOD is calling on people in England and Wales to give something up and donate the money saved to support their work in over 50 countries fighting poverty and injustice.

Life-long supporter of the charity, Dermot O’Leary is going all out, giving up chocolate, crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks, he said:

“I have been supporting CAFOD’s Lent fundraising since my school days and it’s just such a great and simple way to raise money. You only have to give up one thing, one thing, and you can make a massive difference to someone else’s life.”

Fellow TV star Ben Price is also joining the effort, giving up his daily diet coke and encouraging others to get involved.
“Over the years I have heard of CAFOD supporters giving up all sorts for Lent, from chocolate and magazines to Facebook and beer, raising millions of pounds in the process. Anyone can get involved and all donations, big and small, really can help transform lives.’
If you already live vice free or on a tight budget, you could get sponsored to give up an activity instead, like playing computer games or tweeting. You could even hold your own fundraising event; for further hints, tips and support just visit the ‘give it up!’ website.

As well as raising vital funds this Lent supporters can take action by backing ‘Get down to business’, a campaign supporting small businesses in the poorest countries. This campaign calls on the UK Government to support millions of vulnerable people as they work to lift themselves out of poverty by ensuring that overseas aid and trade policies put them first.

Daniel Craig Dresses Up As a Women To Promote Equality

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It sees 007 star Daniel Craig undergo a dramatic makeover as he puts himself, quite literally, in a woman’s shoes. Directed by acclaimed ‘Nowhere Boy’ director/conceptual artist Sam Taylor-Wood, scripted by Jane Goldman (‘Kick Ass’) and featuring the voice of Dame Judi Dench reprising her role as ‘M’, the film will be screened in cinemas and streamed online in a bid to highlight the levels of inequality that persist between men and women in the UK and worldwide. It is the first film featuring Bond to be directed by a woman.

Weareequals.org

LONDONERS CASH IN ON THE ROYAL WEDDING

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  • Gumtree sees influx of Londoners renting their rooms and houses over the wedding weekend

With the sound of Royal Wedding bells almost in the air, Londoners living near the royal procession route can also hear the sound of cash jingling in their pockets.  Gumtree.com has seen an influx of ads from people renting out their London rooms or homes over the Royal Wedding period – often charging as much as £2,000 for the whole week.

Homes and rooms on or near the royal procession route, or within walking distance from Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace, are charging a hefty premium – with many ads on the online local notice board detailing the short walk that renters can take to catch a glimpse of the wedding action.

Rental prices per week range from £1,000 to £2,500 to rent the full property.  Others who are staying in London have advertised to sublet a single spare bedroom, with the note: “Willing to negotiate a price for the whole property (2 double bedrooms) for the entire weekend”.

Adverts currently on the site include:

·                  £850pw, Luxury 2 bed flat walking distance Royal Wedding Westminster Abbey London http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/73742252.html

Top Tips for subletting your home for the Royal Wedding weekend

  • Be honest when describing your home, include photos on the ad so that potential renters know exactly what to expect
  • Include details on how to get to the key sights over the wedding weekend, include tube stops, bus routes or approximate walking times
  • Remember to mention the facilities and mod-cons in your property – holidaymakers will be looking for a home-away-from-home rather than a hotel, so remember to mention your HD TV/cable package, blue ray player, dishwasher, state of the art cooking facilities, etc. in your ad – and why not leave out your DVD collection for the option of a quiet night in?
  • Get to know your renters by email or telephone before you commit and meet them beforehand if you can – this will help build trust and peace of mind while you’re away, and also help make local recommendations
  • Create a rule book for your renters that are clear and easy to understand e.g. no smoking indoors, or no pets allowed, don’t use the washing machine after 10pm or the neighbours will complain, etc.
  • Compile a folder with everything your renters might need: instructions on how to use the household appliances, restaurant recommendations, locations of nearby shops and pubs, telephone numbers for local services
  • Lock away any valuables or high-value items
  • Inform your friends and neighbours of your house rental plans

Sam Taylor from Gumtree.com said:  “Despite the building excitement about the Royal Wedding, Londoners have begun to realise that if they rent out their property over the wedding weekend, it can fund a holiday to more exotic climates.

Luxury hotels are charging in the region of £3,000 – £5,000 for the long weekend – so it’s easy to see why self-catering options are proving popular.

Those lucky enough to live in central London are sitting on very easy money so should consider cashing-in on their postcodes for a few days if they are planning on going away – or even renting out a spare bedroom if they are staying in the city for the celebrations.”

 

Gumtree.com anticipates a similar trend to take place this summer in south-west London for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2011, and the London Olympics 2012.

 

 

Londoners Life 10 – By Phil Ryan

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Londoners Life 10 – by Phil Ryan

We often hear of problems in London with parking. The main gripe of drivers being that Councils are now just using high parking charges as a revenue generator. And it is clearly true despite the Councils mealy mouthed explanations. My favourite being that it stops commuters driving to Tube stations and clogging the local roads (this slightly shot down by the fact that parking restrictions are on every single street in every single borough now miles from any tube stations) I tell people you can drive in London you just can’t actually stop anywhere!

And if ever proof were needed recently that champion of fairness and kindness Baby Shrek look alike Brian Coleman the Leader of the Council in Barnet even laughingly said he felt they were never knowingly underpriced. This as he announced they were doubling parking charges for residents in his borough and it was just tough! But this time the residents are taking Barnet Council to court saying it’s unfair. Good luck to them. As a London driver I’m used to being abused and lied to – so it’s nice to see some Londoners fighting back. Of course they’ll lose. It’s the London way. The fix is in. But hey if it makes one idiot local councillor pause for thought it’s got to be worth it.
London sadly has a history of shooting fish (ie all London taxpayers) and in a barrel in this way. In other words once they realise they have a monopoly and there is nothing Londoners can do they rip us off. Higher prices for nothing in return. TFL are a great example of this. Prices go up and up on the Underground and then incredibly the service just gets worse and worse! And travelling conditions are really horrible lately. Squeezing people in like a game of Twister on amphetamines. The tube is getting more and more like one of those Japanese game shows without a prize at the end. And Londoners grimly put up with it. Why? No alternative. Monopoly. The Oyster card now a badge of endurance.

And whilst on Transport issues I notice the Boris Bikes are suddenly coming in for scrutiny. The scheme apparently costing the taxpayer some mad sum of money anytime someone makes a journey. Why is it so expensive you ask? Because of the company behind it and the mug contract signed by TFL and the Mayor. It’s funny how London politicians vanity projects seem to get pushed through despite apparent layers of ‘scrutiny’. Green is always good is the mantra. No matter how ineffective or expensive. After they added up the costs it turns out that the bikes would be cheaper to the public purse if they are just left in the racks and the riders are carried around by slaves in those sedan chairs. And as for the cycle highways ie blue lines painted on the road. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!
Please don’t get me wrong. I do love the idea of a bike scheme. But not the ludicrous costs. But I must calm down. The sun is out – the Royal parks are still free and looking glorious and the hints of spring in London are everywhere. Daffodils on roundabouts etc.
Fashion Week is over and new spring looks are appearing but the biggest sign is the re-appearance of the outside table.

Londoners can’t resist them. That Parisian air of lolling about watching the world pass by. Admittedly you also get large Buses and Lorries as well. So you can choke on your cappuccino as you ogle the passing public. I don’t get it. Who wants to sit on a pavement? Pollution falling over you as you sip your overpriced beverage.

But hey it’s that cool al fresco London experience. Despite it being five degrees, everywhere I go hardy souls are out with their new shades and iphones blabbing away. And it could just be me but where are all these tiny dogs coming from? They are everywhere. It seems de rigueur now for designer shaded girls and boys to currently accessorize with an animal that looks like an angry rat in a fur wrap. These sharp toothed little rodent dogs perch quiveringly under their owners chairs snapping at anyone who passes by. I’m still trying to work out their function. They’re skin and bone so they score low on the cuddle factor. They can’t do tricks as they’d break. I guess they could be a good defence animal as they can easily be hurled at a mugger. The element of surprise of being hit at fifty miles an hour by a small snarling rodent a great deterrent. (Kidding) Or are they just loyal companions? The jury is still out I think.

But spring is evident in the air. It’s charity time. All the great and the good are filling our airtime with their appeals. Exhorting us to open our wallets. It’s all in a good cause. Red nose this. Flowers for that. Without people dressed as clowns outside Waterloo rattling buckets it seems as if London would cease to function. But Londoners are generous. So when they’re outside in artic conditions sitting at their table drinking a cappuccino with an angry demented rat on a string what happens? Some person dressed as a giant Yellow Cat strides up demanding money for underprivileged trees. Does it bother them? Does it faze them? No. It’s a London thing.

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY SUPPORTS BUAV CAMPAIGN TO END CRUEL COSMETICS TESTS ON ANIMALS

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LONDON: Sir Paul McCartney has declared his support for BUAV’s No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end animal testing for toiletries and cosmetic products sold in the EU.

Sir Paul said: “Animals should not suffer in the name of beauty. Testing toiletries and cosmetics on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Join me in signing the BUAV’s petition to ensure the sale of cruel products in the EU is outlawed by 2013. Say NO to Cruel Cosmetics.”

 

Despite UK and EU bans on the use of animals to test cosmetics and toiletries, cosmetic companies are still allowed to sell products within the EU that have been tested on animals in other parts of the world.

 

An import and sales ban on animal tested products in the EU is due to come into effect in 2013. However, concerns have arisen that there may be a delay of up to ten years for this to be implemented. In response, the BUAV has launched the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign calling for the ban to come into effect as planned in 2013.

 

If the ban were to be delayed, hundreds of thousands of animals will continue to die in cruel cosmetics tests for beauty products sold in the EU. Thousands of people across the EU have already signed the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign petition, including Sir Paul McCartney, to be sent to the European Parliament. You can sign the petition at www.nocruelcosmetics.org.

 

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of BUAV, said: “We are delighted that Sir Paul has joined our campaign to end cruel tests on animals for beauty products.  Please sign our petition to the European Parliament at www.nocruelcosmetics.org. Together we can show there is no public appetite for animal tested cosmetics and urge the European Parliament to vote against delaying this ban”.

 

Celebrities, politicians, cosmetic companies and citizens of Europe are being urged to sign the Euro-wide petition.

 

 

Spotted! Elle MacPherson

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Host of Britain’s Next Top Model, Elle Macpherson, was spotted in stylish Chelsea Brasserie, The Ebury on Pimlico road, dining on a goat’s cheese salad with friends. The restaurant is known for its fashionable crowd, which might have been why Ms Macpherson, who is on the look out for contestants in the newest series of her show, paid a visit.

Become a Cannes VIP and Star in a film for Stella Artois

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Would you like to star in a film that will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival? Actors all over the globe dream of an opportunity like this.

Stella Artois has launching the ultimate film fan’s competition offering would-be stars the chance to play Jacques d’Azur, the legendary ‘King Of Cannes’, in the highly anticipated biopic of his life. In addition to playing the leading role in the film, the lucky winner willalso attend the prestigious Cannes Film Festival where the movie will premiere, and will receive movie star treatment throughout their trip. Would-be leading ladies need not miss out on all the fun – the online casting call alsooffers the opportunity to audition for a starring role playing opposite the legendaryJacques d’Azur.

Following Jacques d’Azur’s mysterious disappearance in 2010, Stella Artois launched a search for his rightful heir who was treated to Jacques’ week at the Cannes Film Festival.

Having been missing for over a year, Jacques is presumed dead, and all of Hollywood eagerly anticipates the movie of his life. But the greatest challenge still lies ahead – noactor can be found to play the leading role.
Stella Artois is now kicking off the search for the perfect leading man, using the latest in digital technology to ensure would-be Jacques’ from far and wide have the chance to audition.

The winner of this once in a lifetime opportunity will jet off to Cannes to film their part,and will then be treated to a five star experience befitting their newfound celebrity.
In true film star style, the premiere will be followed by a star studded party at Chez Jacques’, Stella Artois’ luxury, invitation-only lounge at the Carlton Hotel’s exclusivebeachfront property in Cannes.

To enter, budding movie stars will need to film their scenes on their webcam and this footage will then be seamlessly added with the leading lady’s scenes to produce a casting film which would-be Jacques’ can share with their friends and family online. On April 1st, all submitted casting tapes will be put before our panel of distinguished judges who will select a short list of 200 Jacques’hopefuls, to be announced on April 5, 2011. The star of the film will be chosen from this short list.

Visit www.stellaartois.com for details and to apply. Good Luck!

Paul Costelloe – LFW – The Review

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The newly rescued Paul Costelloe opened London Fashion Week with a collection that mixed fun and sophistication for his Autumn/Winter 2011 range.

Bright candy coloured hues of pink, green, orange and yellow sauntered down the catwalk alongside checked tweeds, metallic jaquards, and pchycadelic prints – all keeping with this season’s top gun fashion trends of the sixties and seventies.
The sixties silouettes and details that prevails as being one of the hot trends of this year, played a significant part in Costelloe’s collection.  On women, trapeze coats, boxy jackets and tweed bomber jackets were teamed with skater skirts and accesorized with bright opaque tights and nude platform courts.
Sixties baby doll dresses with peterpan collars and mock button plackets came in bright and checked tweeds, bright watercolour prints and metallic brocade. In the fashion hype for deep stitch detail and colour blocking, Costelloe procured his collection with a flow of bold, statement making pieces.
Detailing came in the form of pleats; most notably at the waist and neckline. With the instilled brightness of the collection, some may have found this a less noticable factor – but us at Frost, found it simply divine.
The Female and Male Fashion show, showed the female models dressed in matching red bobbed wigs in perfect accompaniment with a mix of soft lilac and traffic light Red shades of  lipstick – intrinsic to the quality of Costelloe’s shows.
Menswear styles were slightly more muted and resembed lounge wear, aside from the brightly hued check jacket, the subtler designs included velvet jackets and belts – in keeping with the signature sophistication of the Costelloe Man.

The brand was recently rescued from administration by Cesar Araujo, the owner and chief executive of Portuguese supply group Calvelex, who has set up a new UK based company named Couture Brands.