Birmingham, Alabama

CHIEFS ADMIT BRUM SKYLINE MIX-UP

Birmingham UK

A bracing beach walk has long been believed to be a tonic.

The Lincolnshire seaside resort of Skegness attracted many visitors in the first half of the century thanks to a poster celebrating the quality of its sea air.

But scientists have warned that a coastal stroll could mean breathing in noxious chemicals. Smoke from vessels at sea or in port is affecting the air quality of coastal cities, they said.

Researchers identified 'primary sulphate' in ship emissions, consisting of tiny sulphur particles less than 1.5 microns across. Breathed in, they can lodge deep inside the lungs and pose a serious health hazard. Some scientists believe they may cause lung cancer.

Primary sulphate, or S04, is produced when ships burn a cheap sulphur-rich fuel called 'bunker oil'. The particles are believed to be especially harmful to human health because of their small size.

Dr Gerardo Dominguez, a member of the UCSD team, said the research showed that the potential risk from ship emissions was important and should not be ignored in the future. It is estimated that ship pollution may be responsible for up to 60,000 deaths a year worldwide.

U.S. scientists from the University of California at San Diego found ships emitted far more sulphate than previously realised. Their analysis, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, separated primary sulphate from ship smoke and other sources.

Air samples showed 44 per cent of the sulphate polluting coastal California could be traced to ships.

Britons also have cause to be concerned as the English Channel is the world's busiest shipping corridor, with hundreds of ships passing the South coast every day.

(Fom Mail Online)

Skegness Pier circa 1922

Hassall’s original masterpiece hangs in a place of honour in Skegness Town Hall. It was formally given to the town by British Railways, along with the copyright in 1966.

The artist died in 1948, eighty years old and penniless.

Cars kicked by camels and damaged by nut-wielding squirrels have been revealed among some of Britain's most bizarre insurance claims.

The incidents show motorists should not only be worried by fellow drivers, but should watch out for mother nature, naked people, and sheer stupidity.

Among the claims revealed by insurance company www.elephant.co.uk, motorists have cited naked pedestrians jumping on top of their car, as well as decomposing carrots smeared across the road.

One female driver managed to fill her tank with the wrong substance after mistaking shampoo for a container of petrol.

A Harrier jet was blamed for an incident when a motorist reported his windscreen melted when the aircraft crash landed nearby and burst into flames.

Another windscreen was destroyed by a squirrel throwing a nut from a tree overhead.

Animal attacks contributed to a wide range of damage claims, with CCTV revealing footage of a rowdy camel passing by, kicking out, and damaging a car parked at a garden centre, while another vehicle was battered by a weary horse who decided to sit on the bonnet for a rest.

One car was damaged when a naked pedestrian jumped on the bonnet, leapt onto the roof, jumped up and down and then ran away, while in a separate incident a car was hit in the read when the driver behind was distracted by four women in mini-skirts walking along the pavement.

Perhaps the most unlikely culprit singled out in the claims was a pile of decomposing carrots which caused a driver to skid and lose control of his vehicle.

Brian Martin, managing director of Elephant.co.uk, said: "From nut-wielding squirrels, naked pedestrians and aircraft, it seems it's not just other motorists that drives should be watching out for.

"These strange incidents go to show drivers need to be aware of their surroundings all the time."

(Telegraph)

NEW WAY TO KEEP FIT

A bizarre Government-funded campaign is being launched to encourage people to exercise while they’re waiting for a bus.

According to the campaign’s organisers, those minutes spent at the bus stop watching the traffic go by could be spent more usefully – by standing on one leg, pointing your toes or clenching your buttocks.

But the latest attempt to get Britain fit has been slammed by an MP as ‘a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money’.

And one angry passenger said last night: ‘Fares are ridiculously high as it is. So why don’t they use the money they’re spending on this nonsense to cut the cost of bus travel?’

Leaflets and posters setting out six Pilates-style exercise moves to do at the bus stop are being distributed to passengers travelling on buses between Blackburn and Manchester.

Anyone concerned about looking ridiculous as they balance on one leg in the middle of the street are reassured that the exercises are ‘discreet’ and that ‘there will be others doing just the same all along the route’.

Part of the Every Stop Helps campaign, the leaflet tells passengers: ‘Healthy living is all about having a good diet and getting the right amount of physical exercise.

‘Make exercising on the X41 part of your everyday bus travel. The exercises are easy, fun to do and discreet!’

The campaign is part of a project funded by the Government’s Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Organisers claim it will help people with busy lives to fit exercise into their day and avoid health problems such as heart disease and obesity.

But Tory MP Philip Davies lashed out at the move. He asked: ‘Is this April 1st? The Government is virtually bankrupt and yet it is spending its last few pounds encouraging people to do Pilates at bus stops.

‘It is the nanny state gone completely mad and a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money.’

However, Les Lumsdon, director of the Institute of Transport and Tourism at the University of Central Lancashire, which is promoting the scheme, said: ‘The response from passengers has been very positive.

‘Many people have busy lives and struggle to fit regular work-outs into their day. We’re giving them the information needed so they can choose to add value to the time spent using public transport.

‘Eventually, we’d like to see Every Stop Helps extended to other bus routes and train journeys.’

And Russell Revill, managing director of the bus company Transdev, said: ‘We thought it was a good idea. Doing exercises while waiting for the bus is a good way to pass the time and beneficial to your health, too.’

(Mail on Sunday)

"Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain . . . "

'TELEMEGAPHONE' BROADCASTS YOUR CALLS FROM THE TOP OF A NORWEGIAN MOUNTAIN

A "telemegaphone” that broadcasts phone calls from the top of a mountain is proving a cathartic outlet for frustrated phone users with something to get off their chests.

The 23-ft high device – a cross between a telephone and a megaphone – has been erected overlooking one of the most picturesque fjords in Norway.

People calling the phone’s number, if they are lucky enough to get through, have their messages projected live from the Bergskletten mountain across the Dalsfjord and over the nearby village of Dale.

The art installation was opened earlier this month with a live performances of a specially-composed Telemegaphone Concerto from singer Bora Yoon, calling from Brooklyn, New York.

Local villagers were then given the phone’s number 30 minutes before it was published to the rest of the world on the internet.

“People eagerly forwarded the number to friends and relatives, and shortly afterward a deep, male voice sang a slow, sad tune,” wrote Erik Sandelin and Magnus Torstensson, the Swedish artists and designers responsible for the work, on their blog.

“Everyone looked at each other to see who was the caller. Everyone shrugged. The Telemegaphone was no longer in our control.”

The installation, which is intended to challenge ideas of remoteness in an age of modern telecommunications, is powered by a wind generator as there is no electricity source on the mountain.

It is open for calls every day and night until Sep 6. The number for international callers is 004790369389.

(Daily Telegraph)

What would YOU say from the top of the mountain?

Perhaps just on Christmas Day though.