A BLOG ABOUT A BLOG...

I have started some EXCITING new blogs which I know you'd all LOVE to follow :D:

THE GOSS: http://wannaknowthegoss.blogspot.com/

THE VIEW: http://bartlettsview.blogspot.com/

THE SOUND: http://getthesound.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!

An afternoon with Betty Smith...

Life for Betty Smith, 71, when she was growing up was, in her own words, “not very nice at all”.

Looking at her now, you couldn’t begin to imagine the horrors the Nan-of-four (not Gran- she says this makes her sound old) has been through.

Betty was basically born straight into World War Two – she was one when it started - which meant a life of rations, air raid shelters, bombing and basically all-round misery.
At first she finds it hard to pin-point a particular memory- detailing all about how she used to stay with her ‘Granny Mavermont’ who she says was dumped and brought up in a workhouse – according to ‘her Pat’.

Then, as she fiddles with her antique butterfly brooch, she tells of the hardships of growing up through the war- like the way her and her sisters always had to wash their own clothes, do all their shopping and their cleaning themselves. “We never had anything done for us- we always had to provide for ourselves” said the 4ft 8inch pensioner.

She then breaches onto the subject of how she was evacuated. The way her face changes into a frown as she talks about it shows there is much hurt that lies behind that story. After gentle probing, she starts to reveal the real story…

She talks about the cruel process in which it happens, when she reveals her sisters were picked straight away, but she was left behind. “I didn’t want to say goodbye to my sisters”, she says “I didn’t know what was happening: one minute I was standing with them, and the next, they were being taken away as I started screaming.”

She notes how it’s definitely one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. Even when she was finally sent to her evacuation placement- which was in the countryside of Derbyshire, she was badly treated.

She remembers one instance where she wet the bed, so her strict ‘guardian’ who she remembers just as ‘Mary’, made her sit her on the outside gate to dry off her clothes- leaving her freezing cold. “It’s definitely not an experience I’d like to repeat” said the crossword-addict.

All you can feel is great admiration for this woman, who has gone through so much in her lifetime. It starts to make you think about how teenagers today really don’t know what problems are. Their problems, such as too much homework, seem petty compared to the horrors Betty and her friends had to suffer through.

She sits there with a pensive look on her face “I’m sorry” says the former factory worker “I really can’t think of anything else – us old people are terrible when it comes to remembering things!”
She is assured that she has been very helpful – causing a cheerful, warm smile to break across her wrinkled face. “You young kids today really aren’t as bad as they make out in the papers- your all lovely”

And with that compliment, she sets off, shopping-trolley in tow, to flash the cash at the local Bingo. She likes to live on the edge these days.

Murderer dies after Bournemouth killing spree

Dorset police had to shoot down a crazed murderer today, after he went on a killing rampage around Bournemouth.

Assistant Chief Constable Barry Linden ordered marksmen to shoot Pascal Tonk, 21, after he shot at a policeman, using a bow and arrow.

The maniac had been taking refuge in Talbot Combined School, after he set fire to his family home.

He did this to destroy the evidence after he de-capitated his mother, Ms Louise ‘Lulu’ Tonk, 32, and his pet German Sheppard, Laughing Gravy, by using a machete. Their charred remains were found on the ground floor of the house.

Tonk’s deadly day began at 8am, when police received reports of a break-in at the Chapel Gate Sports Centre. At 9:25am, a Dorset Police spokesperson announced the occurrence- saying that an Olympic-sized bow and arrow had been stolen from the Kieran Verdon archery range.

The perpetrator, now known as Tonk, had smashed a hole through the centre with a near-by JCB, which was being used for a near-by drainage operation.

This was followed by an incident in Horseshoe Common at 9:30am, where a dog was shot.

The Shitzu, named Bouncebackability belonged to Pippa Shufflebottom, 20, who was distraught. She told how Tonk circled her on a bicycle before shooting the dog, then riding off laughing, wearing a baseball cap and a ‘shaggy’ coat. The mobile hairdresser described Tonk as ‘extremely weird’. A vetinary ambulance arrived on the scene to treat the dog’s injuries.

Tonk then went on to shoot an arrow into the eye of Mels Ratue, a Belgian national, as he got off a bus, just outside St. Augustyns Church, Landsdowne, at 10:35. Medics were called to the scene immediately, but the 32-year-old was pronounced dead immediately. His friend, Dennis Landsbert, who was with him at the time was said to be ‘devastated’ at the father-of-two’s sudden death. Both men were on their way to a bonsai convention. Police helicopters caught Tonk fleeing the scene after the incident.

This is when Tonk set fire to his house- which firemen discover at 10am. It took 19 fire engines one and a half hours to end the blaze. Chief Fire Officer, Bill ‘Rocky’ Staten and Dorset Police Constable Alan Rose both confirmed the fire was set by Tonk.

Dorset Police are still investigating all evidence in the case, even with the death of Mr Tonk. It has also been confirmed that Chapel Gate Sports Centre is open for business as usual.

Running News Mock

Two pensioners died and over 70 have been injured after dangerous chemicals spilled into Poole harbour after two ferries collided.

The couple, in their eighties, were found by a Danish lifeboat crew, half a mile from the incident- which happened at 9:10am this morning.

The pensioners had leapt off the sandbanks ferry, with 28 others after it started to fill with water from a hole that had been formed by the collision.

They are thought to have been killed by a poisonous chemical, released during the collision. The toxic substance, known as Lindane, is highly poisonous and has contaminated the area- meaning the beach will be closed to all the public for 48 hours.

Fishermen have been informed by the Environmental Agency not to proceed fishing for 2-3 weeks as the surrounding sealife has been destroyed.

Torben Lee, 58, the Environmental Agency Pollution Consultant stated in a press release that chemical boons are being installed around the area, which is controlling the spread of the spillage. They have also instructed pedestrians to avoid the beach for at least 48 hours.

The couple, whose identities are unknown, are thought to be the only fatalities, with Chief Ferry Loader of The Sandbanks Ferry Company, Nick Gosney, 72, said the other passengers have only suffered “cuts and bruises”. Although, Gosney, an employee of the company for 60 years stated that over 70 people have been hospitalized to ensure they have not been harmed by the toxic substance.

The spillage occurred when the ferry collided with the Eltaurus cargo ship. The 20 trucks, which the cargo ship was carrying, were knocked over as water leaked through the openings that were created by the accident. One of the trucks contained the deadly chemical.

The incident was a disastrous start for the ship, which was heading for Cherbourg in France, for what was its first day of function. Bridget Verdan, a spokesperson for Tall-Bay Seaways, the company that owns the ship, commented that the event was “unfortunate” and “very, very sad.”

When questioned on the people who jumped off the Sandbanks ferry, Mrs Verdan said:

“People just panicked and jumped into the water. I’m sure if they didn’t panic they would have been okay.”

Police were on the scene this morning investigating further and still looking for injured parties.

Court Report

On the 12th December, 2008, Carl Anthony Stanley had drank six litre bottle’s of cider and one litre bottle of vodka before heading to Yates bar in Poole town.

He left with a friend; however, somehow they lost each other, so Stanley began looking for other acquaintances.

He saw a young woman, who he though he met, however, they started arguing which resulted in Mr Stanley throwing his drink over the lady. The young lady’s friend saw what was happening, so retaliated by throwing her own drink over Mr Stanley.

This angered Mr Stanley, who then lashed out at the girl- hitting her on the left side of her face. He still had his drink glass in his hand, which he said he didn’t realise, which struck the lady- causing deep lacerations to her face- some of them being up to 3cm long.

She was taken from the bar in an ambulance and treated in hospital, where she received 25 stitches to the left side of her face. She also had many other cuts and grazes to her face.

The nursery nurse is now reluctant to leave the house; with Judge John Harrow claiming she is “moved to tears” every time she looks at her reflection.

During remand, the defendant has been tee-total, which has helped him with his drink problem- showing him this is the route of this incident and his previous conviction.

This previous conviction saw him stab a group of men, after Stanley and his friends had been throwing beer cans at their boat- which caused a fight to break out. He received a six-year sentence for this crime, which took place in 2004- however he only served three years in prison; which meant he had three years of licence- which he was serving at the time of the incident.

Breaking the terms of your licence qualifies for immediate imprisonment, however Emma Southern, who was representing Stanley, asked for Judge Harrow to consider his drink problem as a reason for the crime- and his great effort to overcome his addiction.

Judge Harrow took this into careful consideration- saying alcohol was Stanley’s ‘downfall’. However, he also has to consider the considerable psychological damage to the young lady, as well as his previous convictions and the fact that the crime had no justification.

Judge Harrow had no other option to imprison Stanley immediately- calling him a ‘risk to the public’. Overall, he was sentenced to three years- after reducing his sentence for his good behaviour and the fact that he had admitted a guilty plea straight away- which reduced his sentence by a third. The 36 days he had been remanded in custody for would also be accounted for.

Vox Pop- Assisted Suicide

MS sufferer Debbie Purdy lost her landmark case on Wednesday on legal assisted suicide. The 45-year-old went to the Royal High Courts in an attempt to guarantee her husband wouldn’t be prosecuted if he travelled abroad with her to aid her death. Her case was rejected, meaning she now has to take the trip to Switzerland alone. More than 90 families have journeyed with relatives overseas, where assisted suicide is legal. Although none have been prosecuted, Mrs Purdy wanted assurance that her husband wouldn’t be condemned.

There is much debate to be had on this sensitive subject. Beryl Smith, 82, a retired voluntary worker from Endfield Road in Moordown commented: “I don’t think he should be prosecuted, she should have her husband there with her in her dying moments.”

Oliver Kasmir, 18, agrees: “People should be able to choose what they want to do; if she wants her husband there, he should be there. It’s meant to be a free world after all.” The hospitality management student said that if her husband wasn’t allowed to travel, then Mrs Purdy may suffer more heartache: “The government shouldn’t be able to dictate what people can do with their lives.”

Mr and Mrs Eaton, NHS workers from Corhampton Road in Christchurch, took an alternative view, both firmly disagreeing with assisted suicide in general. Mrs Eaton, a 54-year-old nurse said: “It’s not our right to choose whether we live or die” and her husband, a 59-year-old paramedic agreed declaring “It should be illegal abroad, as well as here.”

Some people are in doubt on the distressing subject, Lucy Jones, 20 said: “She should be able to do what she wants, God gave us free will, then again, maybe she should let life take its natural course.” A friend of the Law student, Lauren Graimes, 18, agreed saying: “It’s God’s decision when we die, not ours.”

Andrew Davis, 68, didn’t have a strong view either way. The retired insurance manager from Cardiff commented it was a “personal choice” for each human being and that it was “down to each individual’s situation”. Whereas, James Dunkin, a 24-year-old retail worker from Wimborne Road, was adamant that everyone should have their own choice: “that’s what makes us human.”

Mother of three, Linda Wallis said: “It is not law in this country to allow people to assist suicides. My personal feeling is that if a person is dying an awful death then someone should be allowed to help them end their life when they choose.” The 57-year old cook from Frost Road, Kinson added: “Why should terminally ill patients’ families have to watch them suffer in pain and die an awful death?”

So, overall, the feelings on assisted suicide are varied, however the strong consensus is that everyone should have their own choice when it comes to death.

True sign of Love

An anonymous male has paid to have his sorrowful appeal to his girlfriend splashed over a Billboard just outside St. Pauls Place, Bournemouth. The regretful gentleman, who only refers to himself as ’your baby’, has paid a sum of between around £500 and £1500 to have the billboard displayed for a month.

In the sign, which is addressed to ‘gorgeous’, the unknown gentlemen says how ‘stupid, self and wrong’ he has been and asks his betrayed lover ‘please for give me’. When questioned on the perpetrator’s identity, a spokesperson from Titan UK commented that they were unable to give the gentlemen’s details or the exact sum for what he paid for the Billboard.

The sorrowful billboardLauren Graimes, 18, a Business Student commented that she thinks the sign is “really sweet” and that it shows “true regret and thoughtfulness” from the mysterious male. However, Michael Smith, 44 said he though it was a “waste of time
The sorrowful billboard and money- he should keep his private affairs to himself”

The sign, that has about three weeks left of display, has been attracting great interest amongst passers-by- who stop to read the regretful plea; with the public wondering just who this forlorn fellow is, what’s he’s done and most importantly- whether his jilted lover has forgiven him.

Running News Mock

Two pensioners died after dangerous chemicals spilled into Poole harbour after two ferries collided.

The dead couple, in their eighties, were found by a Danish lifeboat crew, half a mile from the incident- which happened at 9:10am this morning.

The pensioners had leapt off the sandbanks ferry, with 28 others after it started to fill with water from a hole that had been formed by the collison.

They are thought to have been killed by a poisonous chemical, released during the collision. The toxic substance, known as Lindane, is highly poisonous and has contaminated the area- meaning the beach will be closed to all the public for 48 hours. Fishermen have been informed by the Environmental Agency not to proceed fishing for 2-3 weeks as the surrounding sealife has been destroyed.

Chemical boons are being installed around the area by the Agency, which is controlling the spread of the spillage.

The couple are thought to be the only fatalities, with chief loader for Sandbanks ferry, Nick Gosney, 72 saying other passengers have only suffered “cuts and bruises”. Although over 70 people have been hospitalized to ensure they have not been harmed by the toxic substance.

The spillage occurred when the ferry collided with the L Taurus cargo ship. The 20 trucks, which the cargo ship was carrying, were knocked over as water leaked through the openings that were created by the accident. One of the trucks contained the deadly chemical.

The incident was a disastrous start for the ship, which was heading for Cherbourg in France, for what was its first day of function. Bridget Verdon, a spokesperson for Tall-Bay Seaways, the company that owns the ship, commented that the event was “unfortunate” and “very, very sad.”

When questioned on the people who jumped off the Sandbanks ferry, Mrs Verdon said:

“People just panicked and jumped into the water. I’m sure if they didn’t panic they would have been okay.”

Police were on the scene, investigating further this morning and looking to speak to any witnesses.