FG NEWS!

ISSN: 2053-4426

4 FEBRUARY 2014

FRIENDS

GAZETTE
Y O U R V I T A L A L T E R N A T I V E

NOT GUILTY
Christian activists walk free in landmark victory for freedom of speech
FIVE Christian activists walked free from an east London court today after a battle against the establishment over illegal weapons of torture.
Chloe Skinner, 25, a PhD student from Sheffield; Chris Wood, 27, a vegan/vegetarian caterer from Birmingham; James Clayton, 32 who runs a community centre in Bradford; Symon Hill, 31, a freelance writer from London and Daniel Woodhouse, 26, a trainee Methodist minister from Nottingham were charged with aggravated trespass and failure to leave land contrary to Section 69 (3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1964.
All five pleaded not guilty at Stratford Magistrates Court this week. They told deputy district judge Fern Russell they wanted to highlight their suspicion that illegal arms traders selling instruments of torture were part of the DSEI arms fair in Londons docklands last September. So they sat down on a walkway leading from the Docklands Light Railway to the exhibition hall causing an obstruction and preventing visitors from getting in one of the entrances. D e f e n d i n g a l l f i ve , B e r n a r d Richmond QC told the court: If
Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber" 1

their action stopped the sale of one article of torture and stopped one innocent man or woman being tortured that is a worthy aim. We are in the same position as we have been in the 30s in Germany or any other country. People sometimes have to take a stand. Giving evidence Chris Wood told the court: It was not a plan to get arrested. It was quite confusing, quite emotional. James Clayton said: Repeated violations of the law by companies exhibiting them [instruments of torture] is illegal and immoral. I could not in good conscience as a Christian and as a citizen allow that activity to go on undiscussed and uncontested.

The protestors were issued with a caution and a warning but then moved over a demarcation line on to land belonging to Docklands Light Railway where there were arrested. The court ruled the first caution was invalid after the move and a new caution was not issued. In her verdict judge Russell said: You had complied with the direction to leave and you expected the process to start again. In those circumstances I find that on balance each of you have shown in particular circumstances of this case that you had a reasonable excuse for failing to leave the land as directed by officer Sharpe and accordingly I find each of you not guilty. ! (see feature p. 4)

Sitting down to take a stand ! the scene outside the Excel

FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Arms trade treaty still toothless

AN INTERNATIONAL arms trade treaty (ATT), designed to prevent arms falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals, is still not law because not enough countries have signed up to it. The ATT was adopted by the United Nations general assembly in April last year. It has been signed by 115 states, and has been ratified or acceded to by eight. But it can only enter into force after it has been ratified or acceded to by 50 states. The most vocal and organised opposition comes from civil society groups in the US including the National Rifle Association. The NRA claims the treaty is a back-door attempt to get round the Second Amendment of the US Constitution in a bid to impose domestic gun regulations. !

What church bosses say

Rowan Williams, (left) theologian, poet and bishop, Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002 to December 2012: The worlds conscience is rightly shocked by the use of chemical weapons in Syria; but we need to remember that there are many other illegal forms of weaponry and the international arms trade continues to turn a!blind eye to the promotion and sale of many of these (cluster munitions, for example). I!am very grateful for those who have courageously drawn attention to the scandal of this situation, and to the wider question of the way governments support and subsidise the arms trade. Outrage about one kind of horrific and illegal weaponry will not be taken seriously unless it is part of a comprehensive willingness to tackle all forms of collusion with technologically advanced violence against human beings. ! The World Methodist Council is a worldwide association of 80 Methodist,Wesleyan and related Uniting and United Churches representing over 80.5 million people:!

Conscientious protest . . . !from the top" Chloe Skinner, Daniel Woodhouse, Chris Wood, James Clayton and Symon Hill

Methodist Council passed a resolution condemning the profiteering by governments and companies from the sales of arms. The resolution supports Christians and others who are engaged in peaceful protest against the arms fair. It also urges its member Churches to support and encourage organisations working for peace and dialogue, as well as urging them to disinvest from any holdings in organisations involved in the arms trade. !

Recently the World

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Jilted Valerie visiting India

UK aid workers were keeping their heads down as a media storm errupted over their French counterparts. The controversy came as former French first lady, Valerie Trierweiler visited India in support of French charity, Action Against Hunger (AHH). It coincided with an acrimonious split with President Hollande, after a six year partnership. The relationship was blown apart when photos of Hollande visiting actress Julie Gayet in her apartment a short distance from the lyse Palace were published last month. A spokesperson for the UK branch of (AAH) based in Greenwich said she was unaware of what was happening across the Channel, and
added: We dont have a lot of high profile supporters. During her trip last month Trierweiler (pictured right) visited a shantytown in Mumbai and attended a charity gala dinner amongst other duties, the AAH said. She travelled as a private individual having lost the title of premier dame (first lady) since the end of her relationship with the president. Hollande is set to go on an official trip to Washington later this month and he has not yet confirmed who will accompany him, if anyone. AAH aims to eradicate world hunger and works to treat malnutrition worldwide. Internationally it claims support from a number of celebrities and politicians including the late Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and actors Jeff Bridges and Susan Sarandon. In 2009 it approached former US presidential hopeful and climate change campaigner Al Gore to make a film about hunger. Hollande has striven throughout the affair to separate his private life from his public one, relying heavily on the French publics view that what a politician does behind closed doors is his own business unlike other countries such as the US and UK. !
China Daily

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Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber" 3

DOSA

FG INTERVIEW NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014
A policeman lashes out at a striker in 1984

If he was still alive, hed b# there with me

Arms trade protestor, trainee Methodist minister and confirmed veggie, Daniel Woodhouse, was acquitted of aggravated trespass today $p1%. He spoke earlier exclusively with FG

IVE got a grand dad

who died when I was ten.
He was arrested and put in prison at 18 for not paying the poll tax. He was a big mover and shaker in the miners strikes to the point where, when he died, my mum wanted a quiet funeral. But there were just hundreds of people there. There were several colliery bands there. [Miners leader] Arthur Scargill himself was at my grand dads funeral. My grand dads name was Sidney Richmond and he lived in Forest Town, Mansfield. I said to my mum: Its 50/50 I get arrested [when I went to protest at the arms fare]. If I do its all your fault, because its your genes. Im in an interesting family. Ive got three brothers and sisters who are 14, 15 and 16 years older than me. All my cousins are that age group. Then theres me whos younger. Im just an island on my own. I think Im most like my grand dad. Out of all my cousins Im most like my grand dad. My grandma is still alive. She never really understood what he was doing and why he was doing it. They got married and my grand dad went to war and he came back and he was a different man.

After they got married they moved north to the pits. My grandma was living in Mansfield for years and still has the most amazing Cockney accent. They met in the late 30s when the war was just starting. They got married and didnt spend much time together and he went off to war.

He was on all the pickets [during the miners strike of 1984]. He would have still been working in the first miners strike [1972] and retired in the second. He would have been too old to be involved in violence. But if I was going to put money on it I would say he probably would have been if he was a young[er] man. Daniel Woodhous# But he was certainly involved in picketing. If you go to my grandmas house still there are all these plates from all these unions. He used to go round all the unions and buy whatever he could which I quite liked. When my grannie finally goes theres always stuff that Id quite like to have. Im very pro unions. He was on the Normandy Unions arent perfect. beaches when they were being There was dodgy stuff going on evacuated. And [he felt] he should be but the ideal of the union and what dead. The guy on his right and the they were before Thatcher destroyed guy on his left both got shot. them was great. Grannies name is Margaret Im more like him than anybody Richmond. Shes in her early 90s. else. Shes very frightened of the My family get that. outside world. Scared about money. All my family respect my grand Down to 30k and she panics. dad. Im a very sentimental person. Grand dad refused to have central When I was laying down at the heating because he was a miner and arms fare in front of the arms dealers he was so pro the miners he wasnt I thought about my grand dad. having anything except coal. I always do when Im protesting. It wasnt until he died that my I just think if he was still alive hed grandma had that all pulled out [and be there with me. ! replaced].
4

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Crackdown on health issues as guru makes UK comeback

The guru had reportedly undergone treatment in HEALTH questions were banned when Singapore earlier (see Friendly Feedback; p6) and according Gurinder Singh Dhillon leader of Radha to an unofficial email, told distraught disciples in India he Soami Satsang Beas made a public was feeling weak as a result. appearance in the UK recently. At the UK meeting his voice was slightly horse to start Thousands of followers flocked to RSSB Indias UK centre in Haynes Park, Bedfordshire to get a glimpse of the guru for the first time after he revealed he was being treated for throat cancer. A meeting in Thailand was scrapped at the last minute last November due to his condition. (Gurus visit cancelled: FG November 2013) But questions about any progress he may have made were not allowed and rumours that his visit may have included consultations with British doctors could not be confirmed or denied. Despite the official crackdown the guru moved to put his disciples minds at rest when he made encouraging comments hinting at his recovery and entered the large markee with a spring in his step. His words and feisty approach all round produced collective sighs of relief amongst a devoted crowd believed to number upwards of 10,000. Held on a sunny January morning, the impromptu meeting was the first foreign speaking trip of the new year and came as a welcome surprise to anxious disciples. with but within a few minutes returned to normal. One English disciple, who said he was very glad to see that Singh was on the mend, claimed he had been told he [Singh] was receiving treatment in the UK and that this was common knowledge among the gurus inner circle. There was no official comment on this or generally at the time FG went to press. !
Haynes Park in Bedfordshir#

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sales experience essential 'ork from hom# right package for the right perso& email: friendsgazette@gmail.com 'ith a covering letter and full cv
Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber" 5

FG NEWS COMMENT !

4 FEBRUARY 2014

FRIENDLY FEEDBACK
friendsgazette@gmail.com

FRIENDLY COMMENT
We operate under the journalistic editors code of practice. We act as a forum for readers views and opinions in the form of letters and contributions as well as serving as a showcase for the work of professional journalists, photographers and artists. The best way to throw some light on our ethos and direction might be to look at some of the qualities of FGs readers and writers. We are accurate, alternative, compassionate, egalitarian, engaged, fair-minded, fraternal, independent, innovative, non-conformist, openminded, peaceful, responsive, spiritual, tolerant and truthful. We firmly believe that in a free and open society good journalism is always part of the solution, never part of the problem. ! ED

Always the solution, never the problem

Dear Steve, THANKS for the FG. Very interesting! Well done, its nicely written, laid out professionally and easy to read. When we met you asked for some feedback so here is a bit. It seems to me that FG lives up to its name - its for and about Friends, who are mainly satsangis, and its a Gazette which is short news stories. It took me a bit of time to work that out because on the one hand theres an objective article about disciples wailing at the gurus sickness, that could have appeared in virtually any newspaper and on the other there are casual mentions of Sant Mat, kind of assuming that the reader would know about it. Are you aiming it mainly at satsangis or do you want to broaden it more with articles about other paths - I can see there have been some of those previously. For me, its about the direction FG takes - is it embracing all paths which I think would be fascinating to read about - or is it really mainly for us disciples like an unofficial house magazine with the odd mention of other spiritual leaders? ! Roger Tarn Pyrnes-Orientales France Dear Roger, THANKS for your brilliant feedback. Its really made me focus on where were at. I think the best way to explain it is to speak in general terms rather than specifics; so here goes. Friends Gazette is an independent, officially registered, UK publication. We pay no allegiance to any group, sect or organisation.

Your back? We got it!

THE ARMS trade is a sickening phenomenon of our society. Its worth trillions of dollars. Rogue regimes, corrupt governments and terrorist groups would kill to get them - so they can kill when theyve got them. Pretending they can be kept out of these ruthless criminals hands is just kidding ourselves. A friend once told me he could triple his import-export business turnover if he simply swapped his cargo of sacks of grain and wooden trinkets for boxes of guns. So what is to be done? Do we simply sit on our haunches and wring our hands in despair and do nothing? For some of us the answer is a very definite: No way, Jose. Taking their courage in their hands - and it takes plenty - they purposely put themselves in harms way in a bid to draw societys attention to this deadly scandal. Facing arrest, personal humiliation and possible imprisonment they put principle above selfinterest and stand up (or sit down) to be counted. Here at the FG we have only one response - good for you, guys. Keep up the good work. Weve got your back! ! ED
Published by Stephen Ward Publications, London, England. ISSN: 2053-4426

I always feel happy when I get the FG

RADHA Swami Ji. First of all wishing you and your family a very happy New Year. How are you, sir? I always feel happy when I get your monthly edition. Thanx. And are you aware Baba Ji [Gurinder Singh Dhillon] had a throat surgery in Singapore? But now Baba Ji is all right and he recovers very fast. My family was in satsang held at Dera, Beas [India] (Disciples in tears as leader reveals he has throat cancer: FG November) where Baba Ji talked with the sangat [congregation] for five minutes and told them: Dont panic and do simran [meditation]. Anyway, how are you doing sir? Happy New Year again, sir. ! Naren Sonkhla Newcastle UK

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Chanting for success?

by Stephe" Ward

Whats not to like?

MY FRIEND Dave gives me a lift. Were in his new 35,000 Jag. Boy-oh-boy, I could do with some success like that! In a west London terraced house nearby the doorbell rings non-stop. There must be around 20 bodies squeezed into the tiny front room. In the bay theres a wooden box on its side. It has a couple of candles, some twisty bamboo shoots, an orange and a pear on either side. In the centre a scroll with some ancient oriental script hangs. We all face it and put our hands together. Then the chanting begins. Its rhythmical, repetitive, hypnotic, compelling and LOUD! Every little while the lead voice, an actress called Dom, who Dave and I picked up on our way over, changes the tune, rhythm and words with an engaging upward lilt. Occasionally I audio-hallucinate a little English phrase laced into the sonorous ancient Japanese. He had - to go in. He had - to go in. Or: This is I eee. And later: Yuka ta, yuka ti. Yuka ta, yuka ti. Add to this a distinctly Irishstyle harmony coming from my right, a faint whiff of smelly feet (we all had to take our shoes off at the door), the intermittent rasp of wooden beads being rubbed together and after about half-an-hour I can definitely feel myself drifting off . . . Soka Gakkai follows the teachings of Nichiren, a Buddhist monk who lived in thirteenth-century Japan. His teachings provide a way for anybody to readily draw out the enlightened wisdom and energy of Buddhahood from within their lives, regardless of their individual circumstances. Each person has the power to overcome all of lifes challenges, to live a life of value and become a positive influence in their community, society and the world. Afterwards theres a discussion, sharing, supportive therapy session call it what you will. A woman with flaming red hair and glasses reveals how she was struggling to cope with a death in the family and associated difficulties and how chanting helped her work my way through it. Is she focussing her witnessing directly at me? Hang on, yes she is. Shes staring right at me! Does she know something I dont - yet? A young Vietnamese woman is returning home soon. Its been ten times more difficult finding a job in London. Is that ten times more difficult than in Hanoi? She doesnt say. For a young smartly-dressed guy with a Catholic background it was just the opposite. A chanting session before a job interview with the council and he landed the post. Hes grateful and over-the-moon! The evening rounds off with a James Taylor song - you gotta friend? If not, you know where to come. !

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Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG TRAVEL NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Historic city to get tram system

PUBLIC transport in Avignon is set to glide silently into the 21st century as the city gears up for a first-ever tram service, Victor Donadei reports from France.
Work on the "250m project ("30m of which has come from the public purse) is set to begin this summer with a hoped-for unveiling at the end of 2016. The 24-metre long electric trams will carry up to 146 passengers each (an average of 45,000 a day). There will be 24 of them running on two lines covering 14.5 kilometres of the historic city once the seat of Papal authority. Twenty-five stops will be spread along the route. Xavier Allard,Vice President of design and styling at Alstom Transport which scooped the contract claimed the trams would recall architectural elements of the city. The new trams are fitted with large windows, air conditioning and a real-time information system. They are also equipped with double doors at the front and rear making it easier for passengers to get on and off. Materials will be 98% recyclable, the company claims. A model (see pic) will be displayed at the foot of the city walls until spring 2014.

The model introduces Greater Avignon's residents to a full-sized replica of their future tram, chosen in September 2013 via a public consultation of 4,000 voters, a spokesman said. Over the past 30 years, a rapidly growing number of French cities have developed modern tramways or light rail networks. At present, there are 22 modern tram systems spread right across the country (excluding the three trams-ontyres services). Many of these are being extended while at least seven other local authorities are in the process of planning or acquiring new tram networks. !

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG COMMENT NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Going underground? Take Lizanne Cashins advice and look on the bright side ...
DAYLIGHT bounces shadows around the iconic buildings surrounding the Thames, but we struggle deep underground submerged in our own thoughts. Pressed between a sheet of glass, speckled with layers of fingerprints and an angry rucksack-wielding commuter, you look over with discontent. This journey is always a pain, you mumble to everyone while they look about as happy as the latest YouTube sensation. Welcome to London! All my worries, fears and problems surround me growing more colossal as the carriage constricts. Im trapped in a familiar corner; alone with no phone signal, no one to talk to and a heap of problems. I check my make-up. Then I scan the carriage, everyone here is dressed nicely in bright clothes, their hair and make-up? Perfect. I feel worse now. Everyone else seems so put together. As the tube jolts away from Victoria I draw my focus to a young woman, then an old man and another woman. I look past the public faade, I watch lines etch across their faces as theyre lost in thought. I see downheartedness in their eyes, just the same as they must see in mine. As we pull into the next stop a young woman smiles at me, her cheeks are rosy and her eyes vivid and welcoming. She has dark wash jeans on with a white top and a camel fedora, simple, enchanting and effortless. I want to be like her. She jumps off on to the platform at the next stop. Flashes of red, blue and white engulf my sight as she disappears. Thats when it happens, the change! Glimpsing that unknown woman gives me a new found confidence and with that confidence those problems I was facing before disappeared. It was almost a wakeup call. I didnt want to trudge through my day like everyone else. I wanted to go to sleep and to wake up in the morning smiling. I wanted to be happy, why shouldnt I? And now I can. We do all of the right things, but our metaphoric blue skies gets clouded by reality. I know and still learn that negativity is temporary and we control how much we let it affect us. Even in the depths theres always blue sky above! !

FG advertiser praised by group

A LONDON social-group leader has heaped praise on an FG supporter and advertiser after a great meetup at his restaurant. The Discover London group gathered at Diwana Bhel Poori House, Brick Lane, recently to soak up the East End atmosphere, enjoy a delicious meal and challenge each others board gaming abilities. In a text to FG, organiser Jordan Dolan (pictured left at the head of the table) said: [It was] great. Im hopeful well be able to build up a good relationship with the friendly team there. Food was excellent. Manager Zaana Al-Thani, known as Miah, said: We are happy to be of service. They are welcome back at any time. !

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Honey and apple juice come under watchdog microscope

VEGGIE favourites like honey and apple juice are among items to be examined by the UK food watchdog amid public concern about contaminated imports. Food originating outside the UK may not be subject to the strict hygiene laws in force here and unscrupulous suppliers can be less than truthful on the label it is feared. The main culprit is meat which has been found to carry bird flu virus and foot and mouth disease. But apple juice can contain high levels of arsenic and honey has been fingered as a cause of botulism (food poisoning). The study will be carried out by The Food Standards Agency, in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA) and will look at the geographic origin of foods claiming to be from the UK. Samples already taken from shops, restaurants, cafes and wholesalers will be analysed. Results are expected to be published in April. In a recent report the FSA said: The country of origin label is an important indicator for consumers of both the quality and safety of food. Honey can become contaminated with germs from plants, bees, and dust during production and also during collection and processing. Botulism has been reported in infants given honey by mouth. Last summer high levels of arsenic were found in apple juices by the US Food and Drug Administration, the equivalent of the FSA across the pond. In very high doses over a short period of time, the chemical can be deadly. At low doses over a long period of time, arsenic can increase the risk for lung and bladder cancer, cause skin disorders, developmental effects, diabetes, and problems with the heart and brain, it warned. ! spiritual leaders. But the government has earmarked 480 of a total of 1,200 for demolition because they are structurally unsafe and have outlived their 60year life. The bungalows will be rebuilt to modern standards with their facades being retained, as far as possible, for posterity. !
Above: Mystic Krish ! the young Krishnamurti Below: Bungalow Bill ! one of the doomed homes.

Last days of the Raj

Colonial quarter of Indian capital to be demolished NEARLY 500 historic bungalows built in Delhi by British architect Edwin Lutyens are to be bulldozed because they are no longer fit for purpose.
The bungalows were built to house government officials during British rule of the sub-continent and marked Delhis take over from Calcutta as the Indian capital. Although Lutyens is said to have been a racist his wife Emily was an ardent follower of Indian philosopher and mystic Jiddu Krishnamurti and a strict lacto-vegetarian. The bungalows are now used to house top politicians of almost all Indian political parties and their families as well as highranking civil servants and foreign visitors on their way to visit modern-day Indian

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

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FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Get away to bonnie Scotland!

Rennaldburn self-catering farmhouse

Rennaldburn is a 17th century farmhouse which sleeps seven to eight. We also rent individual rooms ~ and can provide a veggie or vegan breakfast if requested the previous day. We are Buddhists and revere all life - so we do not take hunters or anglers. Best rates. Reductions for FG readers. Find us on: www.gonebeyond.co.uk Eskdalemuir, Langholm. Tel: 01387 373277

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

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FG NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

London group to capitalize on FGs alternative buzz

A FRIENDLY and informal group of young Londoners is to join forces with the FG in a bid to give their members the inside track on the capital.
Discover London (DL) is part of the MeetUp organisation which was set up in New York in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
It has already used one of FGs regular advertisers as a venue for a successful evening and more are planned (see story on page 9) Organiser and founder of DL, Jordan Dolan, said: We are happy to work together with Friends Gazette which has a great ethos and hope it will be mutually beneficial. DL, which consists of a range of people from different backgrounds, was formed in October last year since when it has grown to a membership of more than 700. The group regularly attracts six or seven new members a day and aims to break the 1,000 barrier by the summer. Members go on visits to various parts of the capital, with recent events including a board game session in east London, ice skating in Canary Wharf and Christmas shopping in Hyde Park. Many of its members are vegetarians and/or vegans with an interest in alternative living in the capital. They will all have access to the FG in future as well as past editions through scribd.com The FG also aims to run regular reports on LG activities and its planned social and other events. Jordan, 25, (pictured above) a selfconfessed animal lover and keen poker player, added: Discover London is a relaxed, friendly and informal group for everyone and

Compassion in your hands with

IRIS CHAPPLE
WHEN nail care products ar# tested on animals top manicuris( and showbiz consultant Iris Chapple gives them the thumbs down. Now, especially for th# FG, Iris is taking time out of her busy schedule to pass on her invaluable help and advice to our readers. Says Iris: I ALWAYS like to approach hand and nail care from the natural angle. The holistic approach is much better these days. You now can get very natural oils and creams for very little money. There are some good products which arent necessarily packaged as beauty items. Try almond oil, for instance, from a chemist like Boots or even a high street super" market. Use this on your nails every night before you go to bed and you will notice a fantastic improvement " they will be more healthy and flexible. If your hands are chapped and sore try Vaseline. My mother always used to use it. Its brilliant and you can also use it on your feet to get rid of cracked heels. It works and it doesnt cost a fortune! ! If you have any questions for Iris she would be only too pleased to help. Contact her on: friendsgazette@gmail.com Mark your email for Iris

anyone who would like to explore the fantastic city of London and make friends in the process! It doesnt matter if you are new to the city or a seasoned Londoner; the group will arrange regular meetups and activities you can come along to. Ideal if youve recently moved here and youre looking to meet new people. Meetup is an online social networking site that triggers real-life group meetings. It operates in various countries around the world. Members find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as politics, books, games, movies, health, pets, careers, lifestyles or hobbies. Following the September 11 attacks, the sites co-founder Scott Heiferman publicly stated that the manner in which people in New York City came together in the aftermath of that traumatic event inspired him to use the Internet to make it easier for people to connect with strangers in their community. !

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

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FG PEOPLE NEWS!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

What are they up to?

Medvedev - a new generation veggie?
VEGETARIANISM could be on the up in Russia, the FG can reveal. According to reports from the International Vegetarian Union, a 60,000-strong Russian-language vegetarian group has been set up on VK - their version of Facebook. The group could be following in their leaders footsteps. Kremlin gossip is that president Dimitri Medvedev has declared he is giving up meat. According to ecorazzi.com Medvedev tweeted last March: I decided to become a vegetarian. Asked by a Kremlin journalist how serious he was in light of the fact he once tucked into a cheeseburger with president Obama, he is reported to have replied: Absolutely serious. Vegetarianism [is] a distinctive feature of the new generation of politics. ! Woodhouse, a trainee Methodist minister and Christian activist, said before the show: They want to know if he [Kalashnikov] can be blamed for the deaths of people killed by terrorists and rogue gunmen using the A-47. I will be taking the line that he cannot be held personally responsible for what people do with his invention. If you buy a tee shirt from the high street you cant be blamed for every sweat shop in the world. !

Why kick a moo cow?

THE HEAD of an ethical dairy project is appealing for sponsors to help fund its work. The Ahimsa Dairy Foundation is a not-for-profit company producing slaughter-free milk and milk products from its dairy herd in Kent. Director Sanjay Tanna who claims to have many vegan supporters said: Many people want to support our cause. We always welcome more. Money raised will go towards ever-increasing vets bills or help cope with a rise in the price of hay. !

TOP TV and film actor Jay Simpson is set to step into Martin Shaws shoes as shooting for the teaser for Nigel LesmoirGordons film Nothing and Everywhere gets underway (FG October 2013). Shaw, starring in 12 Angry Men in the West End and promoting his BBC George Gently role, is not available for the short but is still committed to considering a part in the movie itself. Simpson whose show reel shows him playing alongside the likes of Cameron Diaz (Theres something about Mary), David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Philip Glenister (Life on Mars) will play the part of Russian gangster Tigran Gevorkian. Filming, set to start next month, will take place in the 606 Club in Chelsea; a flat in Lant Street, Borough and a car park rooftop in Peckham Rye, south London. Casting director is Deborah Ward. !

Actor Jay walks right in

A VEGETARIAN preacher was set to speak on radio about the legacy of Mikhail Kalashnikov who died last December. Kalashnikov gave his name to the automatic rifle he invented, the weapon of choice for terrorists and crazed gunmen. Daniel

I dont like Mondays . . .

A French singer described in the London Evening Standard as sultry pulled in the crowds recently at a memorable Shoreditch gig. Scores of fans piled through the doors of Charlie Wrights jazz club to hear Ondine James deliver her very own versions of classics including Je ne regrette rien! Ondine is about to put out an EP (extended play record) so jazz freaks can soon take her home with them (on peut dire). Ondine has gigged at The Cockpit Theatre, Ronnie Scotts and The Elgin, as well as Le Baiser Sal in Paris. A trained pianist, she studied singing under Abdul Salam Kheir. She is an FG reader. !
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Sultry Ondine makes waves

Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

HISTORICAL FEATURE!

4 FEBRUARY 2014

Secrets of a forgotten people

Is Byzantium a dirty word? FGs Achilleas Mavrellis finds out
PEOPLE always react when I mention the B-word. Vampire movies? they ask, raising an eyebrow.
Sometimes they even get riled. For good reason the bizarre Byzantines had some interesting stuff going on: ! an inquisition-like religious conflict called Iconoclasm, in which people of all walks of life disagreed bitterly over the adoration of painted Christian images ! quite different notions of compassion and sexuality to today (maiming and torture were tools of public power) ! internal conflict in spite of, or perhaps because of, their desire to maintain and reconcile their ancient classical heritage with Christian values ! a deep pride in being Roman, long after the city of Rome fell, even though they had become completely Greek-speaking by the 9th Century ! living amidst geopolitical conflict, what with Vikings and many different Slavic tribes rolling in from the north, all sorts of central Asian rulers with designs on western territories, not to mention growing cultural differences with western European Christianity. Perhaps most significantly, the Byzantine Empire was the first medieval polity in which women not only had occasion to govern, but were recognised fully as rulers in their own right. Few women sovereigns elsewhere had this kind of recognition until quite far into the last millennium. There are probably two camps of non-vampire reaction to the B-word. One camp responds passionately about this lost empire, in an idealistic sort of way. According to them, and judging by an impressive legacy of fine architecture and religious art, Byzantium was a glorious, ordered haven of pious worship, surrounded by dastardly enemies that set upon and destroyed it. If only we could go back to the golden days of the Byzantine Empire, they lament, then all would be well with our modern world. In the other camp are people who know almost nothing about Byzantium. They usually have some vague notion of a schism with the Pope, some idea of complexity and intrigue (for which "Byzantine" is a synonym in modern English), and numerous misconceptions of sexual overindulgence and cowardliness. The main confusion starts with this idea that Rome declined and fell. Indeed, the city of Rome fell early in the fifth century, but Constantine had already transferred the seat of power eastwards, and so the Roman Empire in fact continued and flourished anew in what we now call Constantinople (or Istanbul, to use its modern name) for another thousand or so years. I'd like to establish a more balanced view to do with
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Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

FG ! HISTORICAL FEATURE!
people, not wars, and psychology rather than majesty one in which Byzantium is seen for what it was a New Rome The Eastern Roman Empire (a more accurate name for Byzantium) had more than its fair share of hardy folk, as well as splendour and magnificence. There are a number of instances of ordinary people enduring bravely in difficult but exciting times. The Byzantines or New Romans, as they would have called themselves showed great endurance in the face of adversity, sometimes rising to the highest positions in society because they dared to try. Indeed, a goodly portion of Byzantiums hundred or so Emperors were foreigners or not of dynastic stock. The New Romans were quite pious in deportment, sometimes murderous inas practice, andassistant obsessed Fan Yi, 35, (above) works a personal to an occasionally by religious zeal (this was the thing' American businesswoman in Tian Jin, a city 'in near Bei for Jing. lots of different kinds of ethnic groups, Christianity Having lived and studied in the Unitedas States for coalesced outshe of a vast some miasma of subtly different takes several years holds opinions which are by on its original message). Chinese standards, radical; such as preferring to wait to they were also admirably courageous, and boldly findBut love instead of marrying for marriages sake. human, in a way which seems be lost to us blas postShe expresses the appeal of to upholding traditions moderns. through the monarchy, saying: If you read the history books of China, you!realise!how far away we are from our own history. American culture prefers fast and easy, and theyre sometimes really rude. Being more in touch with history helps to keep old things in our society - like politeness and respect. Theyre old, but theyre also very important. When asked if she thought having a queen or a king was better, she says she believes that everyone is equal.! She says that the female queen in Britain is a famous image, and that they were the first society to give women such a place of power, adding that Chinese

OCTOBER 2014 2013 48FEBRUARY

women (here she speaks on the behalf of half-a-billion people) regard British women as being!lucky.!
Im not the Queen # says four#year#old Yue Yue $below%.

Homage to Diana a! Prince George baptis"

Visit Achilleas website and YouTube channel for more background information, or sample his novel set in 9th Century New Rome for a fascinating insight into this historic period and a graphic account of what it must have been like living among these forgotten people. ! Achilleas Mavrellis (pictured above) is an author and historian. Yue Yue, 4, (above) says that he doesnt know what he onQueen, a self-declared mission to bring the splendour thinksHe of is the or Kate Middleton, because !I've never met her.!He that he knows about royal and majesty of says the Bysantine Empire, whichthe he believes birth !because hislost, nursery who teaches of his class to have been back teacher, into the consciousness the basic American-English, brought in sweets to celebrate 21st century. and showed them the family tree of the royals, with He describes himself as a Dionysian at heart, Prince George newly added on. passionate about dance, wine Yue Yue also adds:!Id like to beand the Mediterranean new babys friend. Then I could go to Bu-Kin-Han Palace and play with Title page Queen of Lieshave the historical novel by him.!He is undecided if China should a monarchy Mavrellis; $top%not the author; $top left% th# too, saying:!I Achilleas dont know, Im a child, the Queen! Bysantines a aslong they might lived; $he left% a& When asked, he provides list ofhave activities illustration )' ww.empireforever.co.u * thinks the Queen spends her fro time on, including !

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Anyone can be complicated. Simplicity? Thats hard! ! Roger Cordrey; florist and Great Train Robber"

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