Monthly Archives: October 2016

Sisters At War by Milly Adams Book Review

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Sisters At War is the second book by Milly Adams and it is yet another brilliant piece of historical fiction. Sisters at War is like a  Sunday Afternoon. It is like one of those great BBC dramas that you watch with your family that are both entertaining but also filling. They teach you something: entertainment with substance. Warm and life-affirming; it is hard for younger people to fathom wartime. Lucky us, but the previous generations suffered, fought and sacrificed.

Sisters at War is about two sisters. Selfish Hannah and selfless Byrony. Hannah is irritating. You really want to slap her. I think we all have a Hannah in our life. Byrony is the best of humanity. A person of decency and morals. Hannah only cares about herself and stays in Jersey. Bryony is happiest amongst her family and loved ones  and stays at Combe Lodge where everyone is pitching in. The family home has filled with evacuees and Bryony has joined the ATA, helping to ferry planes across the country, whatever the risk.

Sister at War is a wonderful book. A hard to put down book which fills the soul.

 

A compelling new Second World War novel. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Ellie Dean.

Bryony and Hannah are sisters, but they couldn’t be more different, and war has brought even more of a rift between them. Bryony is happiest where her family and loved ones are – at Combe Lodge, the family home – and these uncertain times have brought them all closer together. But Hannah is young and headstrong. No one will stop her from doing what she wants – and this time she’s decided to flee to Jersey.

Even though Hannah has left, at Combe Lodge, everyone else is pitching in with the war effort. The family home fills with evacuees and Bryony is doing her bit, flying planes at the nearby Combe Lodge Airlines.

But despite all that is going on with war, Bryony knows that above everything she needs to reach out to Hannah. Only she will be able to keep her flighty younger sister’s feet on the ground. But is Bryony too late to help her? Will Hannah ever come home?

Sisters at War is available here.

 

Ah, Christmas approaches…        

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One of our toughest jobs here at Frost Magazine is to taste the alcoholic samples we are sent. Oh how we complain, how we hate it… And if you believe that, then what can I say?

Looking for grown-up stocking fillers? Graham’s Ports could be the answer: Graham’s 10, 20 and 30-year-old Aged Tawny Ports are now available in attractive contemporary glass 20cl bottles. Or if you’re looking for the perfect tipple for your Christmas dinner party, this range is great for those wanting to try something new and pair with different dishes.

Available from Harvey Nichols: 10 Year Old (no tube) – £7.49. 10 Year Old in tube – £8.49. 20 Year Old (no tube) – £11.99. 30 Year Old (no tube) – £19.49

They are also available in larger sizes. For instance Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port (75cl) retails at £20.00 from Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s & Ocado

There is an impressive range of other ports, and sizes. Ideal for Dad, Mum and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. For instance:

Graham’s Six Grapes: With its flavour of festive plums with hints of cedar and tobacco this shout Christmas. The Drinkshop.com (75cl) RRP £15.00

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I’m not a whisky fan so Richard Graham, and ex-submariner known to enjoy a single malt, gave these a whirl, and liked them. He thought them honest and true to the single malt ethos.

The Macallan Gold showcases the single malt’s natural colour, with a hint of vanilla, and a great oak aftertaste. Available in multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Saninsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons. RRP £35. www.the macallan.com

Highland Park 12 year old would go a treat with your Christmas pud. It is apparently at the heart of the Highland Park’s core range and Richard found it sweeter, but also smokey, but not too much so.

Available at multiple retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op: RRP £35 www.highlandpark.co.uk

Finally

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Rampur Single Malt Indian Whisky from the Himalayas has launched in the UK.

This whisky is handcrafted and aged in the foothills of the Himalayas. Distilled in India’s oldest distillery this premium malt whisky is excellent. The distilling location of the Himalayan foothills exposes the whisky to polar opposite climate conditions throughout the year (something my son can attest too, having been caught in a freak snowstorm not so long ago). This gives the flavour of Rampur an added dimension and depth. Try it. It’s truly is excellent.

Available from: The whisky Exchange www.thewhiskyexchange.com £41.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steripod Review: Why You Should Protect Your Toothbrush & Put The Seat Down When You Flush

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steripod-review-keep-your-toothbrush-cleanIt is the season for colds and flu. Viruses are rife in the winter. These can be passed on via infected droplets lurking in the air or on shared objects and surfaces.  A major culprit for contamination is our toothbrushes so what can we do to guard them against germs? According to a recent study at the University of Manchester, there are more than 10 million bacteria on your toothbrush right now. That means there are considerably more bacteria on your toothbrush than your average toilet seat – which has 50 bacteria per square inch, or average public lavatory floor – which has 2 million bacteria per square inch.

Most people don’t realise that every time you flush the loo, an aerosol spray of tainted water is released with droplets able to land as far away as 10 feet. Researchers from the University of Alabama found that brushes stored in the bathroom – in other words all of them – are contaminated with faecal matter lingering in the bristles. Toothbrushes aren’t particular about whose faecal matter it is, so it’s likely it won’t just be your own that is going into your mouth every time you clean your teeth. (I expect you will never flush the toilet with the lid up again!).

It is likely your toothbrush will be exposed to numerous invisible contaminants in the months that you use it, including a high proportion of pathogenic nasties such as E.coli and Staphylococci. Airborne bacteria are not the only pollutants which sully your toothbrush.  Germs and bacteria can pass from surface to surface, spreading the likes of oral herpes (cold sores), candida (oral thrush) and the HPV virus.

Protect it

Fortunately, you can safeguard your toothbrush with a Steripod toothbrush protector which clips on to any manual or electric toothbrush, creating a protective ‘pod’ (rather like a crash helmet) which surrounds the brush head and shields it from both airborne and cross contamination.  Steripod is designed to safeguard a toothbrush, protecting it against environmental contamination, the use of thymol encapsulated in plastic dotted with tiny holes releases vapours providing a fresh environment in which to keep your toothbrush.

Steripod has been specially designed so that air can circulate freely which means your toothbrush can dry naturally – contaminants require a moist atmosphere to multiply most effectively, so the drier your brush, the lower the risk of bad bugs on your bristles.  It does not require batteries or cables, meaning that it’s easy to protect your brush.

Here are dentist Mervin Druin’s top tips to ensure your brush remains as hygienic as possible.

  1. Don’t flush where you brush 

If you store your toothbrush near your toilet make sure you close the lid when you flush to minimise the dispersal of contaminated water droplets.

  1. Rinse thoroughly after use

Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under running water after use, making sure that all toothpaste has been removed. Shake off as much excess water as possible.

  1. Store it upright

Store your brush in an upright position – never in a bathroom cabinet where air cannot circulate as this could promote bacterial growth.

  1. Replace your toothbrush regularly

Make sure to replace your toothbrush and Steripod every 3 months – buy them at the same time. If like many of us you need a reminder www.steripod.co.uk can send you a gentle email nudge every 80 days to remind you that your pod and your brush need an update!

And if you’ve been suffering with a cold or flu it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush rather than risk reinfecting yourself.

  1. Don’t share it

Never be tempted to share a toothbrush, even with your loved one. And avoid contact with other toothbrushes that may be stored in the same vicinity.

Get your pod on   

Steripod comes in a wide range of colours so you can identify your brush from other bathroom sharers. A pack of two gives six months protection and costs £4.99 from larger Boots stores, Boots.com, Amazon.co.uk, Superdrug, ASDA, Boyes Stores and selected independent pharmacies.   For more information visit www.steripod.co.uk

It is almost Christmas and this great little gadget would make a perfect stocking filler. The smell was a bit strong when we first opened it, but it subsided. It is a great idea and it really works. In fact, tt is such a great idea we are not sure how no one thought of it before.

 

Preventing Food Poverty with Wok for 1000

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Studies have shown that we are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effect food wastage is having on the environment. Not only is this causing a massive blow to our economy, but we are also wreaking harm to the environment by increasing our green-houses gasses significantly. As well as this, a study has shown that approximately 870 million people go hungry each day so as well as food wastage being detrimental to the environment, we also find ourselves in a moral dilemma. Remarkably, the wonderful team at School of Wok have come up with a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to help us make some small differences to combat this downward spiral we find ourselves in by making sure this doesn’t have to be a laborious task.

Following on from their previous (CSR) initiative which invited guests to cook double the portion to donate to food banks, Wok for 1000 is the follow-up, one of kind, very first large-scale cookery event and will be showcasing this Tuesday November 1st at Borough Market. Hosted by Jeremy Pang and his School of Wok, they are inviting you to sign up in groups of ten, if you’re part of a small business or incentive, and help to produce 1000 meals. This event is designed to build awareness of the ongoing issue of food poverty across our country and demonstrate how we can work to address this issue in future. The most wondrous part is that you not only get to enjoy a cookery class with Jeremy himself and enjoy your meal after, you will also be producing 1000+ meals which will be delivered across the capital to various different food banks.

The event will feature;

3 hour cookery class with Jeremy Pang and School of Wok expert Chefs.

A sit down meal for all participants

Prizes, goody bags and give-aways from participating sponsors

Following on from the lunch, 200 or so charity beneficiaries will also be invited to Borough to enjoy the freshly cooked meal. Participants will be welcome to stay and volunteer here as well.

Prices will be £100+Vat and ALL Proceeds will go be donated to charity Plan Zheroes working to achieve zero food waste and hunger.

Find out more about Plan Zheroes here: https://planzheroes.org/#!/

For more info for Wok for 1000 visit;

https://www.schoolofwok.co.uk/partners/wok-for-1000

Ice cream for the festive season

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Judes ice cream toddy pecan

Two new flavours from Judes

Christmas is just a few weeks away and you need something to go with all those mince pies and Christmas puddings. If you like ice-cream then Judes have a couple of new offerings that are ideal for the festivities.

Brown Butter Pecan (£3.00 for 500g) is full of swirls of caramel, lovely buttery flavours and chunks of real caramelised nuts. It is absolutely delicious and is made with stacks of fresh milk and natural ingredients.

If you like the flavour of whisky, the firm also has a Hot Toddy ice cream (£4.79 for 500g), made with cinnamon and Laphroaig single malt whisky. Again, it is just the sort of thing to serve in depths of winter, preferably in front of a blazing fire or – if you can’t manage that – a warm radiator.

Gransthread

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One way to spend a Friday      by Milly Adams

Him indoors and I had  returned from Krakow with the grandchildren on Thursday evening but desperately wanted to make it to the rally at Parliament Square in support of Sgt A Blackman, so leapt onto a train the next morning, and then dashed down Whitehall, following the river of green and red berets as ex-marines, ex servicemen and supporters like us, rushed along, pitching, up, just in time.

In time for what? Sgt Alexander Blackman was jailed for life in 2011 for killing a Taliban Insurgent in Afghanistan. His appeal lawyers, originally alerted by Frederick Forsyth to what he felt was an injustice, argue he should have been convicted – at worst – only of manslaughter.

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It transpires that Forsyth paid for the initial assessment, since when funds have been raised by the public to pay for legal support, with strong help from the Daily Mail. Without exception, the speakers were excellent but in particular, Jonathan Goldberg, the QC who is  leading  the appeal team, shone as he explained succinctly and clearly the  8 points on which he feels that if there is any justice, the verdict of guilty of murder should be overturned.

He explained that had these points been made at  the original trial,  a verdict of manslaughter –  at worst – instead of murder, should have been brought in. In January 2016 the CCRC decided Sgt Blackman’s case was worthy of the highest level of priority for consideration at the Court of Appeal. Since then, it has suffered what Richard Drax MP called – from the podium –  outrageous delays.

The demeanour of the ex and current soldiers, including I was delighted to see, Gurkhas, was dignified, as they were directed to stand easy behind the hollow square by the Sgt Major, or so I presume he was – as his voice carried without trouble.  Before the proceedings began, a cavalcade of bikers arrived, some ex-Marines I believe, and some supporters.

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I was talking to an ex serviceman  who told me the conditions under which Sgt Blackman and his men had been operating in Afghanistan. He also told me of the body parts of killed Marines which are routinely strung as trophies in the branches of trees by insurgents, and the horrific tortures captured Marines endured. War is a grim and dirty business, one that our military performs to the best of its ability, in spite of its ever criminally decreasing strength, if you look at the destabilisation of the balance of world power. It is the most professional army in being, the best disciplined, the most loyal, but they must truly wonder why they bother.

I am a supporter of Words for the Wounded, founded by saga author Margaret Graham, and at WforW we know exactly the toll paid by our soldiers for their role. A role in which the reward seems to be too often that of a  scapegoat, or egrigious hounding by legally aided lawyers on the  Ihat trail. That particular issue is far from over.

The press and TV were there in force but whether it will get through the editors’ beady eyes is another matter. No one expected it to be mentioned on the BBC or Sky news.

It was inspirational, and I felt proud of our military in all its forms, as Margaret Graham did when she was ‘In Conversation’ with General Sir Richard Shirreff at the Yeovil Literary Festival. Richard Shirreff  agreed that our military is the best in the world.

The Marine Corps motto is “always faithful,” (Semper Fidelis). It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what. I’m struggling to believe the country deserves that level of commitment anymore. Sgt Blackman certainly does, as does the Marine Corps.

Good luck to them all, especially Mrs Blackman, exemplary in her dignity,  and my thanks for reminding us of what is important.

Milly Adams: author of Sisters at War pb £5.99

www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

www.justiceformarinea.com

An Alternative to a Pantomime By Milly Adams

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I like a good pantomime myself, but I know many would prefer this:

Muted – A New British Musical

The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU

Wednesday 7th December 2016 – Saturday 7th January 2017

Interval Productions present new musical Muted, described by Stephen Fry as ‘stunning’ and Mark Shenton (The Stage) as the British equivalent to Rent. Written by Sarah Henley, with music and lyrics by Tim Prottey-Jones (Once, Phoenix Theatre; Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre; finalist on ITV’s Superstar) and Tori Allen-Martin, Muted is a story of grief, guilt, self-discovery, forgiveness and the thing we can’t do without – love.

Muted tells the story of teenager Michael Brookman, an exceptional singer whose band is on the brink of stardom. However, after the sudden death of his mother in a hit and run accident, Michael quits the band and stops speaking entirely. Three years on, Michael still hasn’t uttered a word and those around him have no idea what to do. Jake, Michael’s former band mate, is trying to hold everything together as the band’s shot at the big time comes along. But there’s a catch: the record label wants Michael back as the band’s frontman. Lauren, Michael’s ex- girlfriend who is now in a relationship with Jake, attempts to bring Michael back from the edge. In doing so, long-forgotten feelings are unearthed and uncomfortable truths force their way into the opening. Perhaps some cracks are just too big to paper over.

Tickets are available priced £22.50 (£18.50 concessions) Previews are priced at £14
Ten £10 tickets are available at each performance for under 25s Available from http://bunkertheatre.com/ and 0207 234 0486.

 

 

Ageing, Physical Activity, Recreation and Wellbeing   Review by Milly Adams  

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Ageing is at the forefront of much discussion these days. We all have the potential to live a long time, but will we do it ‘well’?

This book discusses the issue, and makes suggestions as to how, and what we should be doing. It is suitable for – well, I’m not sure, but groups of some sort, certainly for professionals. Either way it is an interesting read, if you have time out of your active ‘third age’ doings. It presents a collection of studies focusing on the effectiveness of different methods that promote an active lifestyle among communities and older people in general.

The contributions draw upon qualitative and quantitative paradigms that have ‘active ageing’ at the core of their investigations. The book imparts knowledge about recent advances in physical activity, recreation and wellbeing initiatives that will benefit the academic community and the wider public.

It will also dispel myths about ageing and physical activity, ‘trouble’ popular notions of ageing, and present different intervention strategies and approaches that will serve to improve older peoples’ lives and develop an understanding of active and healthy ageing.

It seems to me that ageing is something that increasingly by-passes the ‘third agers’. Many are too busy doing other things to worry much about it, even into their eighties. If my friends aren’t cycling  for charity, and/or learning to tango, or starting writing careers, trotting off on demonstrations or whatever, they are swanning off on a low cost walking holidays, or joining U3A for a totally reasonable fee and making use of their free courses including archery, croquet, walking. Use it, or lose it, or so I think this book is saying. For those less mobile, the book highlights options.

A fascinating project, and timely. I enjoyed it, and learned from it.

  Editor(s): Barbara Humberstone, Maria Konstantaki

Contributors: Sue Stuart, Ray Batchelor, Melanie Parris, Maria Konstantaki, Jonathan Lewis, Jay Patel, Fiona McCormack,

ISBN-13: 978-1-4438-9104-2 ISBN-10: 1-4438-9104-5

HB: £47.99