Enter The Natwest Everywomen Awards.

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ONE MONTH TO GO TO ENTER NATWEST EVERYWOMAN AWARDS.

2012 MARKS A DECADE OF CELEBRATING THE UK’S LEADING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

If you are a female entrepreneur then enter into the Natwest Everyomwn Awards. During the ten years since inception the NatWest everywoman Awards have attracted thousands of entries and celebrated Britain’s leading female entrepreneurs. This inspiring programme has commended both household names such as Karren Brady, Hilary Devey, Dame Mary Perkins, Chrissie Rucker and Cath Kidston, along with a multitude of extraordinary women whose businesses both large and small support Britain’s reputation as one of the best countries for enterprise.

In this, their 10th year the NatWest everywoman Awards are reaching out to women in enterprise across the country to put themselves forward. Supported by government and big business alike, the awards acknowledge the drive and tenacity required for successful enterprise, symbolising UK’s best business success and inspiring and motivating the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

The NatWest everywoman Awards are free to enter and nominations can be made by business owners or those connected to them by 20 July 2012. The core award categories are:

Artemis is Goddess of the Hunt and Protector of Youth. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 25 or under.

Demeter is Goddess of the Harvest. The Demeter Award will go to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 26 and 35.

Athena is Goddess of Wisdom. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged between 36 and 49.

Hera is Queen of Goddesses and her wisdom and ability to inspire provide the basis for this award. This award is given to the most inspirational woman running a business who is aged 50 or over.

Other award categories include:

Iris is Messenger of the Gods, and is awarded to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur who runs a technology business that makes a difference, provides real solutions in the world today and, ultimately, is instrumental in building a smarter planet.

Hestia represents the hearth and home and is presented to a female entrepreneur who runs a rural business contributing to the local economy.

Gaia represents the earth and is presented to a female entrepreneur whose business has a clearly defined social and/or ethical purpose.

Karen Gill MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman says, “SMEs make up over 99% of the total number of businesses in the UK* so in terms of our economic health it is vital that we support and acknowledge their contribution to Britain plc. If we do not take steps to champion female enterprise so that future generations see it as a viable career choice, we will risk irreparable damage to our already fragile economy.

“Over ten years the NatWest everywoman Awards have done just that, recognising scores of women who have achieved business success through hard work, determination and passion and who are role models for future generations of female entrepreneurs.”

*Federation of Small Business, November 2011

Anne Mcpherson, Managing Director, Diversity in Business, NatWest says, “We are delighted to support the NatWest everywoman awards for the 10th year running. Over the years the awards have been a great encouragement to women entrepreneurs. At NatWest we have certainly seen an upturn in women owned businesses in the past few years and we are committed to encouraging more female entrepreneurship. Our 200 Women in Business ambassadors across the country share and understand our customers’ ambitions and provide the coaching and mentoring that helps them fulfill their potential and build successful businesses”.

Nominations are made online at www.everywoman.com/ewawards until 20 July and will be judged by a panel of accomplished businesswomen and entrepreneurs.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on 5 December 2012 at The Dorchester in London attended by celebrities, VIPs and major figures from the worlds of business and politics. ­

UNICEF famous faces join campaigners to speak up for children at Rio

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UNICEF famous faces join campaigners calling on government to speak up for children at Rio

Ewan McGregor, Rio Ferdinand, Eddie Izzard, Keira Knightley & more get involved

Ewan McGregor, Keira Knightley, Rio Ferdinand, Eddie Izzard, Keeley Hawes, Simon Reeve and Martin Bell are just some of the high profile figures who have joined UNICEF UK’s campaign calling on the government to speak up for children at this week’s Rio Earth Summit.

* McGregor, Knightley, Izzard, Hawes and Bell all filmed video messages for UNICEF UK’s Speak Up campaign.
* On 7th June, broadcaster and UNICEF supporter Simon Reeve joined young UNICEF supporters at a Rio discussion event with environment minister, Caroline Spelman.
* On 12th June Rio Ferdinand tweeted a series of comedy twitpics under the hashtag #Rio4Rio, urging his 2.8 million followers to sign UNICEF UK’s Speak Up petition.
* On 13th June, young campaigners met with Nick Clegg in Whitehall and handed him a list of the thousands of signatories who have signed the petition so far.

Rio Ferdinand, a long term UNICEF supporter, caused a Twitter stir last Tuesday when he tweeted a cryptic twitpic which read “Everyone’s asking ‘What’s happening with Rio?’” alongside a picture of him looking quizzical. Only from his later tweets – which included an image of the footballer wearing a feathered carnival head dress – did it become clear that Ferdinand was tweeting to raise awareness of UNICEF UK’s Speak Up campaign to ensure children are at the heart of the Rio Earth Summit’s agenda.

UNICEF supporters Keira Knightley, Eddie Izzard, and Keeley Hawes joined UNICEF Ambassadors Ewan McGregor and Martin Bell in recording special video messages stating that they are “speaking up for children at the Rio Earth Summit.”

Rio Ferdinand said:

“Speaking as a Rio, I know life isn’t all carnivals, beaches and playing football. At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro global leaders will discuss the future of the planet and we want them to think about the world’s children. That’s why I’m speaking up for children with UNICEF UK and hope that everyone who follows me on Twitter will do the same.”

Simon Reeve said:

”We have to think more long-term and protect our planet for future generations. And so of course we have to get youngsters and children involved, and make them central to the debates and discussions that take place in Rio.”

Eddie Izzard said

“There is a massive opportunity for the UK government to put children at the heart of the Rio Earth summit. Children should be at the top of the summit agenda.”

Sign the Speak Up For Children petition at www.unicef.org.uk/speakup

Rihanna and Katy Perry spotted having a secret tea party on the tube.

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Today, new, spoof paparazzi shots, from famous celebrity lookalike photographer Alison Jackson, have emerged showing Katy Perry and Rihanna enjoying a secret tea party together in London. The duo posed as part of Breast Cancer Care’s summer fundraising campaign Strawberry Tea.

The pop princesses and best friends snuck away from the demands of their hectic touring schedules to relax and savour the good things in life – British strawberries, cupcakes, a pot of tea and a good catch up. Spotted first in the sunshine on Clapham Common, they were also caught on the tube (we all know Rihanna loves the London underground!), and taking a leisurely ride in one of London’s famous black cabs. The girls certainly know how to make chari-tea fun!

Breast Cancer Care’s Strawberry Tea campaign, sponsored by Seasonal Berries, runs from 1 June to 31 August. It is a great way to raise money to help Breast Cancer Care support the 50,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.

Hold a Strawberry Tea just like Katy and Rihanna. Gather friends or family, buy some British strawberries, pop on the kettle and ask everyone for a small donation. Where will you hold your Strawberry Tea this summer?

Register now for a free Strawberry Tea fundraising pack full of ideas and tips. Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/strawberry or call 0870 164 9422.

Photos by Alison Jackson

Lovebox 2012.

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The 10th anniversary of Lovebox at Victoria Park, East London was a bloody amazing day. I went on Sunday and here are my highlights.

Chic
Nile Rodger’s is responsible for most of the greatest songs since the 1970’s and Chic had all of Victoria Park dancing and singing. At one point thousands of muddy, tipsy Londoners were all singing ‘Like a Virgin’ in unison. A moment I will always remember.

Sam Sparro
Performed with a peacock headpiece and wearing a black suit. He took the blazer off to show a corset. He was an amazing performer. Brilliant songs, great stage performance and during his rendition of his classic ‘Black & Gold’ he jumped into the crowd and rocked out to his own music. Possibly the coolest person EVER.

The Rapture
Brilliant live.They do the Misfits theme tune. You will know their songs even if you don’t know them. Everybody loved them.

Chrystal Fighters
I have never heard of this band before but they ROCKED. Search them out. They are brilliant live. When they came our and started drumming everyone was grooving.

Chaka Khan
Was amazing and had the whole crowd singing ‘I’m Every Women”. She had the most powerful amazing voice and came out singing into a gold diamante microphone. In my short-sightedness I thought it looked like an ice-cream initially.

Lana Del Rey.
I have no idea why Lana Del Rey was on the second stage. She is a stunning and original performer and pretty much everyone made their way to the stage to see her sing. She captivated the entire audience and even came off the stage to shake hands with festival goers. She is just as beautiful and stylish up close. A true superstar who has been unfairly attacked for being wooden and not being able to sing in the past: none of that is true. She has style and substance.

Grace Jones
Was Grace Jones. She gave an amazing, out of this world performance and brought the house down.

My only gripe is that you cannot bring food or drink into LoveBox with you. There is also no re-admission. The food can be quite pricey but there is everything from salads to Ostrich burgers. Lovebox is the full festival experience without the camping.

A lot of people on Twitter said that they were not at Lovebox because they couldn’t afford to. Hopefully next year the economy will pick up and all of London can experience a music festival without leaving the greatest city on earth. Luckily I won tickets at the Sure Maximum/Handpicked Media event.

I found out from this good article how LoveBox got its name.

Armando Iannucci Versus Alastair Campbell: Who Won?

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The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell had a Twitter spat after the writer and comedian accepted a OBE.

It was announced that Iannucci would be given an honour on the 16th of June, but Campbell, who is often thought to be the inspiration for The Thick Of It’s Malcolm Tucker let his feelings against the decision be known on Twitter.

Iannucci’s work included The Day Today, I’m Alan Partridge and In The Loop. His latest project is called Veep, set in the offices of a fictional US Vice President, is currently being shown on US TV channel HBO and is set to be broadcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic from June 25.

Who do you think won?

Is Xenophobia Ever Okay?

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On Friday (15/07/2012) I was reading the Evening Standard, I always read the Evening Standard. It’s London’s paper. I also read Sebastian Shakespeare’s column. He seemed smart and witty but what I read on Friday shocked me, not only because of its ignorance but also because of its xenophobia. It was pretty close, if not on the button, of inciting racial (xenophobic, whatever you want to call it) hatred. This is what Sebastian said in his column:

Now we have to cough up to send Scots to Oxford

This may turn out to be the last straw for the Barnett formula. Oxford University is offering up to £22,000 to Scottish students to encourage more applications. Given that Scots pay no fees at Scottish universities, they are unlikely to apply to an English university where fees are £9,000 a year, so the logic goes — hence the need for a subsidy to lure them south.

Excuse me, but why can’t Oxford spend its money subsidising impoverished English students rather than impecunious Scots, who already benefit from a free education? The Scots rely on a huge subsidy from the English taxpayer (the gap in public spending between Scotland and England has risen to a record £1,600 per person a year), which goes toward financing their education system. Now we’re being asked to cough up all over again so they can educate their offspring south of the border. And there was I thinking the whole point of our subsidy was to keep the Scots in Scotland.

I have highlighted the comment ‘keep the Scots in Scotland.’. This is particularly offensive. If you replace the word ‘Scots’ with anything else (Jew, African, etc) you realise just how wrong it is on every level. How the hell did that get past the Evening Standard’s editors?

I am Scottish although I also have English, Lithuanian and Italian blood. I grew up in Scotland and I also paid for my own college education. So did my friends. I didn’t go to University but if I had wanted to I would not have been able to afford to do so.

You have to ask yourself if Scotland really is a socialist paradise why there are so many poor people there who cannot afford to educate themselves out of their situation.

It is also one thing to go to University, but a complete other to go to Oxford.

As for Oxford University: congratulations. What a wonderful and stunning thing to do. I feel they believe in a truly United Kingdom and don’t judge people just because they were born North of the border. Let’s hope other people follow their example.

Surfdome Festival Guide

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I went to Lovebox yesterday and I wish I had seen Surfdome’s Festival Guide first.

Online lifestyle retailer Surfdome.com‘s must-have Festival Guide for Summer 2012. Covers all the top events in the UK from urban treats to rural raves, beach party beats to the best rock ‘n’roll, the Guide also lists Surfdome’s summer festival essentials, including the best in festival fashion, camping and (of course!) wellies.

Check out the Festival Guide here: http://www.surfdome.com/lifestyle/festivals2012/

and shop Surfdome’s extensive Festival Department here: http://www.surfdome.com/Festival-586/

Jack Osbourne Reveals He Has Multiple Sclerosis

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the son of Ozzy and reality TV star, has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The star was talking to Hello! magazine and said that ‘While I was waiting for the final results, I got really, really angry.

The timing was so bad. I’d just had a baby, work was going great – I kept thinking, “Why now?”

‘Then I got really sad for about two days, and after that I realised, being angry and upset is not going to do anything at this point – if anything it’s only going to make it worse.

Adapt and overcome’ is my new motto.’

The 26-year-old recently became a father for the first time and he discovered he had the disease after losing 60 per cent of vision in his right eye.

His fiance Lisa has been very supportive. Lisa gave birth to their daughter, Pearl, two months ago.

Lisa told Hello! ‘Jack will have to change his life for the better – get healthier, not get stressed.’

Sharon and Ozzy Osborne told how they are struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis.

Sharon said: ‘I keep thinking, “what did I do wrong? What did I eat or drink when I was pregnant?” I feel like it’s somehow my fault.

Father Ozzy added: ‘If it was me, you’d think: “Ozzy had a reputation and it caught up with him,” but Jack is such a good guy.’

Sister Kelly took to her Twitter page this morning to urge fans to support her sibling, writing: ‘Please support my brother @mrjacko in not only his bravery but honesty! i love you so much jack & I’m so proud of you!’

After it was made public, Jack tweeted: ‘Thank you all so much for the kind and inspirational words. It means a lot. #adaptandovercome.’