**NEWS**

Celebrity chef Anthony Worrall Thompson has publicly apologised today for his “stupid and irresponsible action” after he was arrested for shoplifting cheese and wine at a supermarket.

The Tv star, famed for his time on Ready Steady Cook, was cautioned by police after he was caught stealing from Henley-on-Thames Tesco store n Oxfordshire
In a message on his website, Worrall Thompson said: “I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions.
“I am, of course, devastated for my family and friends, whom I’ve let down, and will seek the treatment that is clearly needed.
“I am not the first and I certainly won’t be the last person to do something without rhyme or reason – what went through my head, only time will tell.
“Of course, I must also apologise sincerely to Tesco, with whom I’ve had a long and genuine working relationship, and to all the staff at the Henley branch, many of whom I’ve got to know over the years.
“Once again, I am so sorry and hopefully in the future I can make amends.”

children’s communication charity I CAN has warned that communication with our children is suffering due to parents having to work longer hours to make ends meet in the current economic climate.

The recession has almost three-quarters of uk parents to take on extra work to make ends meet, according to a survey carried out by the charity, 55% of those parents questions admitted that they spent less quality time with their children due to work commitments.  Most parents understand the importance of regular quality conversation with their children, bit 19% said they were so too tired after working extra hours to commit to it, and a massive 35% said they just didn’t have time for it.

 Kate Freeman, I CAN Communication Advisor, said, “Parents want the best for their children and are well-informed about how important it is to chat with children in order to nurture their communication skills. They’re aware of the key milestones at the different ages and stages of development – but their best efforts are being hampered by the recession’s impact on their working hours”.
“We’re concerned at the knock-on effect on young children who need verbal interaction to build their own speaking and understanding skills, especially in the early years. Without these skills they may start school with a lower level of language than expected at their age. The good news is that making time for chat and rhyme will help get children ‘communication fit’ and ready for school”.

To reassure parents  that there are quick and simple ways to help their child’s communication, I CAN have  put together 10 tips on building talking and singing into a busy day for more information visit

 I CAN CHATTERBOX CHALLENGE

Boy Band One Direction were involved in a motor accident last night, leaving three members being treated for neck injuries.

The crash happened in Birmingham, after the boys had played a gig in the city, it is thought that a car drove into their tour bus. Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall HoranZayn Malik and Liam Payne were all checked over and treated at the scene by ambulance crews, police also attended the incident.

Ambulance crews confirmed that three members of the band, were complaining of neck and head pain, but luckily the injuries are not thought to be serious.  Despite the horrendous event, that has been described as “terrifying for all involved”  the group did not let their fans down, and performed as scheduled, at Plymouth Pavilions, although they performed a lighter set than usual.

One Direction Twitter fans, were in a frenzy of worry yesterday, when word got out about the crash. Thankfully the boys are expected to be fully healed within weeks, and it seems the show must go on.

The Mayor’s Midnight Fireworks in London are going ahead again this year, the display by the Thames, attracts huge crowds, usually around 250,000 people, will you be one of them?

This year there will be an exclusive live DJ set from Radio 1’s Nihil, starting at 10pm, and going on after the fireworks display. If you attend you also get to hear the famous Big Ben ‘Bongs’ , then get to see the UK’s biggest annual firework display from the London Eye, alongside a tailor-made soundtrack. No tickets are required for this event.

Go early, be safe, stay together, drink sensibly and make our capital proud.

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE EVERYONE.

Comment and let us know what you are all doing this year.

 

 

 

Knocking X Factor winners, Little Mix off the top spot, the Military Wives Choir has landed the Christmas number one spot in the Official UK Music Charts.

The 100 strong choir was put together by Gareth Malone for the BBC Two series of The Choir. The finale was the wives performing at the Royal Albert Hall. The track Wherever You Are sold an amazing 556,000 copies in the week leading up to christmas, which was more than the other top 12 put together.

The track, which is a charity record for both the British Legion and the SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailoers, Airmen and Families Association , was written from love poems, which were written between the women and their absent husbands, and partners.   The government has pledged a donation of the VAT raised on the single to the charities.

WELL DONE TO THE MILITARY WIVES, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN.

Floyd Mayweather has been sent to jail, sentenced to 90 days, after pleading GUILTY to domestic violence charges, and no contest to harassment Charges.

Mayweather is said to have had an argument with his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris, after she informed him, she was seeing somebody else, which resulted in hair-pulling, punching and arm-twistiing of Josie Harris by Mayweather while two of their children watched in September 2010.
welterweight world boxing champion Mayweather was also ordered by Las Vegas Judge Melissa Saragosa to report to jail on 6 January, while the 34-year-old must also complete 100 hours’ community service. And was ordered to pay a hefty fine.

Famed as much for his obscurity and anonymity as he is for his artwork, you have got to admit, Banksy is one of this generations most influential artists. His name  is recognised by our youth as much as our older generation, and Lets face it, most teenagers would not have heard of  René Magritte or Merello but they are likely to have heard of this risk taking street artist.

Outside art pieces from the graffiti artist have been appearing since the eighties and he is still going strong, yet we still seem to know very little about the artist himself, and that is just how Banksy seems to like it, Google his name, you will see pictures upon pictures of his artwork, but his face is not one that appears often in the image results. This is one of the very few pictures of him floating around the internet.

Banksy

According to author Tristan Marco , and his book Home Sweet Home, Banksy was born in 1974,  grew up in Bristol and trained as a butcher, but got involved in graffiti in the late 80’s.  How much of this is true we really do not know, as he keeps it all cloe to hs chest, he claims on his website that he neither uses Facebook or Twitter. What we do know, is that most, if not all of his outside artwork leaves a strong message to the government that he adamantly disagrees with their stance, that graffiti is vandalism as opposed to art.

His distinctive style, uses spray paint, large rollers and stencils, he displays his work on public surfaces, even going as far as to build his own walls and prop pieces to display it.

His Official website  has a questions and answers page and here is how he has answered a few of those questions.

 

Is it cheating to use stencils?
Stencils are good for two reasons;
One – they’re quick ; two – they annoy idiots.

Why are you such a sell out?
I wish I had a pound for every time someone asked me that.

Is Banksy just a big brand these days? Do you even paint your own pictures?
It’s not supposed to be a brand, which is why people in advertising think it’s such a good one. I paint it all myself unless its illegal, in which case I’ve never seen any of it before, your honour.

Whatever the truths or myths surrounding this man, he has undoubtedly, left his mark on this world, as one of the most innivative artists of his time, and i am sure he will be addorning our treets with more of the same for years to come.

See Banksy’s latest contibution to his outside art collection.

 

 

A painting of a Biplane has appeared in  Liverpool’s City centre, believed to be the work of street artist Banksy.

The artwork has been found on the wall of a car park in Runford Street.

 Authenticating a Banksy art piece is very difficult, but a picture of the biplane, flying away from trail of smoke has been posted on the official Banksy website.

A Gunman has opened fire in to crowds of people in the centre, of the Belgian city of Liege, Killing at least three people and at lease 75 people are wounded.

Witnesses say that the man threw grenades onto a crowded square, from the rooftop of a building, before ending the traumatic events, by taking his own life.  The man has been named as   33-year-old Nordine Amrani, Known to Belgian police for firearms offences     He was known to police for previous firearms and drugs offences. It has been confirmed that he acted alone.

There is no official confirmation on any other deaths, although BBC News, has reported that there may be more possible deaths, including that of a baby girl.   The area, involved in todays events, was bustling with christmas shoppers earlier today, shopping and walking  around the christmas market , when Amrani began his shooting spree, and throwing grenades into the crowd. People including young children, began running nd screaming to find safety.

The Belgium Monarchy, King Albert and Queen Paola came to pay their respects. 

Although Amrani is known to police and it is believed he spent around 58 months in prison for offences connected with firearm, authorities say they do not know the motive of reason for todays attack.

Our thoughts go out to all the families involved.

 

 

 

A You Tube video that allegedly shows 34-year-old Emma West, racially abusing fellow passengers on a tram, swept the world last week and now the woman at the center of the controversial viral video, that has sent anger waves around the world, has been arrested and remanded in custody.

Emma West appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in south London charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

A video allegedly showing the 34-year-old, of New Addington, racially abusing fellow passengers whilst a young child sat on her lap, on board the busy tram has been viewed more than 11 million times since appearing online on November 27.  She was arrested last Monday after the footage was posted on YouTube.   A bail application was made by West’s solicitor David Ewings, but it was denied by the magistrate Ian McNeal.

She was remanded in custody to appear by video link, as there is fear for her safety for a committal hearing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on January 3.  West has not yet pleaded.