DARE by the Human League. My memories of the album.

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I remember walking down Eather Avenue in Mansfield Woodhouse in December of 1981 with my new "DARE" LP clutched under my arm.
I was making my way to my friend John Gardners  house and the plan was to get everything ready for the Christmas party that he was throwing that night.
I was 15 1/2 years old and a student at Manor Comprehensive school in Mansfield Woodhouse. I lived on Slant lane and this record, this LP this revelation was to become my musical companion on and off for the next 30 years!.

DARE. Apparently the title was taken from a cover of a Vogue magazine. The pictures of each member of the group annexed in small boxes on the outside and inside the crisp white cover also echo that style of the fashion magazine genre.

DARE. It seems strange to say it, but I never acknowledged the fact that the Leagues biggest single "Don't you want me" was one of the tracks on the LP....strange, because it was in fact their best selling single ever, yet it was viewed by Phil Oakey as being a "Weak" track and thus it sat at number 10 on the track list. Of course this single, which I forgot was on this album!, went on to top the UK charts and amazingly it allowed the group to claim the accolade of having both a number one Album and a number one single in the charts simultaneously!.

Yes, i love this album with it's wonderful stirring synth sounds and its haunting and though provoking lyrics. I have seen the League twice now, once at Rock City in Nottingham and again at the Newark Water festival......and they are still the best group EVER :-)

"I believe i believe what the old man said though i know that there's no lord above, i believe in me and i believe in you and you know i believe in love, i believe in truth though i lie a lot and i feel the pain from the push and shove no matter what you put me through i'll still believe in love"

Note* Old man = Lou Reed!

. Wow...what a ramble that was ! :-)
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Guest Blogger David Haas tells us a little about the importance of fitness in fighting cancer.

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A few days ago I was contact by David Haas who asked if it would be ok to submit an article for inclusion into the S2M blog. Of course I was more than happy to allow him to do so, and so, without further delay, here is David's Article......



The Benefits of Fitness with Cancer Patients


It is difficult for an individual to go through cancer. However, when a person includes a fitness program as part of the treatment regime, it can be beneficial. This improvement helps individuals whether they have just been diagnosed with cancer, going through treatments or in remission. According to the National Cancer Institute, physical activity and fitness provide numerous benefits for cancer patients.  Cancer patients from different walks of life and differing diagnosis’ can all benefit from implementing a routine that suits them and the treatments they are going through. Although exercise is very beneficial for patients, a person undergoing breast cancer treatment should have a different routine than someone going through a rare cancer like mesothelioma. There are many benefits of exercise for patients that can extend even past treatments.


Improved Quality of Life


Cancer patients reported an improved quality of life with a fitness program. This included mental, physical and psychological well-being. As the individual felt better, this boosted the self-confidence as well.


Longer Lifespan


Studies have shown that individuals who exercise on a regular basis have a longer lifespan than people who did not have a fitness program. Along with a longer lifespan, studies have also shown a reduction in the risk of the cancer returning.


Improved Stamina


Cancer patients who engaged in physical activity reported improved stamina levels. There was also a reduction in fatigue levels as a result of a fitness program. The energy levels of the patient improved as they had the energy to attend to other demands, which are required in a cancer patient’s life.


Weight Control


Physical activity also plays a key role in weight control. Individuals who work out on a regular basis either lost weight or maintained a healthy weight for their height and age. However, people who did not exercise regularly reported weight gain due to increased fatigue levels and reduced stamina.


Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases


Studies have shown a reduced risk of obtaining certain diseases with people who exercised on a regular basis. There was a reduced risk of patients getting hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. The improved health as a result of a fitness program also reduced the chances of getting diabetes and heart disease.


Exercise is beneficial for individuals of all ages. This is especially true for people with cancer. In addition to other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, a fitness program can be a beneficial aspect of a mesothelioma treatment regime. It is important to consult with a doctor before starting an exercise program. The doctor will be able to point you to an exercise program that is right for you.


By: David Haas

Many thanks to David for that, and lets hope that he continues to submit many more interesting and informative articles onto the blog in the future :-)

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Breakthrough in Mixed Lineage Leukaemia (MLL) Drug Search

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British scientists conducting early-stage research have found that a potential new drug from GlaxoSmithKline could treat mixed-lineage leukaemia(MLL) - the most common form of leukaemia in babies.

In a study published in the journal Nature, scientists from the British drug maker collaborating with the charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Cellzome AG found that the experimental drug, called I-BET151, mimics a chemical tag which is key to preventing the process of activating the leukaemia genes.

To read the full story click HERE.

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New Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Information Film with Steve Coogan.

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Very informative video! Well done Steve and the crew :-)

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An immune system engineered to Kill Leukaemia cells....

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PHILADELPHIA — A year ago, when chemotherapy stopped working against his leukemia, William Ludwig signed up to be the first patient treated in a bold experiment at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ludwig, then 65, a retired corrections officer from Bridgeton, N.J., felt his life draining away and thought he had nothing to lose.

Doctors removed a billion of his T-cells — a type of white blood cell that fights viruses and tumors — and gave them new genes that would program the cells to attack his cancer. Then the altered cells were dripped back into Mr. Ludwig’s veins.

At first, nothing happened. But after 10 days, hell broke loose in his hospital room...............

To read the full incredible story click HERE.

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Robin Hood Marathon today. Scarlett's last outing !

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After rather a hectic trip over to Nottingham today to display the car for LLRF I have decided that this would be the last time that Scarlett will be attending shows dressed in her 2010 50th anniversary attire. It's time for a change, and a rest. 4  years promoting the LLRF has been great fun, but now i have other things in my life that need my attention.

Thanks for everyone's support over the years, and don't worry, i will still be "Keepin on Roccin" for some time yet ! :-)

Andy

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An amazing breakthrough in Leukaemia treatment may be available in 5 years.

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A simple injection to cure Leukaemia could be produced within five years after a remarkable breakthrough by a British research team.

They believe they have found a way to trigger the body's immune system to beat a disease which kills 4,000 people a year in this country. The same techniques may eventually be advanced to treat other cancers, such as breast and lung, they say.

The breakthrough follows six years of research, funded by the Leukaemia Research Fund, at London's Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College School of Medicine.

It involves two strands, firstly to 'label' the cancerous cells, and secondly to mass-produce immune cells outside the body which can then be injected to search and destroy the malignant ones. In the future, the researchers hope to use the technique to 'wake up' a patient's own immune system to destroy malignant cells without using donor cells.

Dr Hans Stauss, a tumour immunologist at Imperial, said: 'The possibilities for new treatments are enormous.' The first trial of the injection is about to begin on ten patients.

The 'labelling' was achieved by identifying a single gene which is over-active in leukaemia cells. It is referred to as WT-1. For the second strand, the researchers took white blood cells from healthy donors and isolated the few that mounted the fiercest response against tumour cells in the laboratory.

By cloning them, they were able to produce unlimited supplies of peak performance immune cells, called T-cells. In tests, the engineered immune cells specifically destroyed leukaemia cells and ignored normal cells of the same type.

'That's the beauty of the approach,' said Dr Stauss. 'It is so specific at destroying cancer cells.' He hopes to further develop the technique for after-care to ensure there is no recurrence of the cancer .The timescale is about five to six years before we see it widely used,' said Dr Stauss.

'The principle can be applied to almost all forms of leukaemia. What makes the work even more exciting is that our findings can also be applied to solid cancers, such as breast or lung cancer, where there is similar over-activity of WT-1.'

Lord Winston, director of research and development at the Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'To the best of our knowledge this is the first time in the world that anyone has identified a target which allows T-cells to selectively destroy cells that cause leukaemia.

'Such a breakthrough underlines the vital importance of long-term academic research in the production of new and desperately needed treatments.'

Every year 5,000 cases of leukaemia are diagnosed in Britain and 4,000 victims die. It can be either acute, with rapid degeneration, or chronic, a slowly progressive form of the disease.

In both cases the bone marrow of the patient produces large numbers of abnormal, fast- dividing cells which inhibit the body's ability to produce blood. Chemotherapy is the recognised treatment. Sometimes bone marrow transplants are needed

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15039/Breakthrough-leukaemia.html#ixzz1XSo8sx31


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Sleaford town council vs Tesco act 1

Well well. After a deafening silence for the last 3 years or so the Sleaford town council has at last found a voice and is challenging the proposed building of a Mega Tesco in the town.

They have put the proverbial spanner in the works for the planned development by refusing to sell an area of recreation land which it appears is key to the planned build going ahead......nice :-).

Of course the County Council may still be able to bypass this "hiccup" by way of securing a compulsory purchase order to aquire the required plot....unless of course the people of Sleaford take this opertunity to make a.stand against the "Tescoisation" and ruin of this ancient market town.

Closure of the level crossing and the rerouting of traffic directly to Tesco's store will without doubt sound the death knoll for many Sleaford businesses.

Come on Sleaford lets take heart and  motivation from the town councils brave stance. Grow a pair and let your voice be heard!.

Sleaford Vintage and Classic Car and Bike Show 2011

For a change this year I did not take Scarlett to this annual show, and instead, for a change, i took my father in laws 1972 VW Beetle 1300.

Due to building work at St Georges college, this year the show was held in the car parking area at the Sleaford Town Council offices on Eastgate and to be honest it seemed to be just as good a venue as the regular location.

Anyway, a great day was had by myself, mini me and his grandad, and, apart from a slight hiccup when mini me decided to fall over and remove a lot of skin from his knees and hands, the day was very very enjoyable. Sadly Tom's Beetle did not receive any awards or prizes, but we did get our pictures taken by both local newspaper photographers so there is a good chance that we may get a mention in the local press!.

Here are a few piccies that we got of the event.....

Nexy year I will get organised and make sure that a special car and a half make an appearence at the show :-)

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Red arrows pilot lost in Bournemouth airshow crash

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Latest reports regarding the Red Arrows crash at Bournemouth Airshow say that the pilot is believed to have perished when his Hawk aircraft hit the ground due to unknown circumstances.

I hope the reports are wrong but looking at the BBC footage it seems there was very little time for him to eject.....but we really hope and pray that he did.

Update:

Sadly it has now been confirmed that the body of Flt Lt. Jon Egging (Red 4), known to his colleagues as "Eggman", was found by locals from the village of Throop in the river Stour shortly after the crash.
This was the first fatal crash involving the Red Arrows for 33 years since March 1978 when a Folland gnat was lost along with its pilot. Jon was 33...

Condolencies to his family and friends at this difficult time.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/behindthescenes/red4.cfm

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Genetically Modified 'Serial Killer' T-Cells Obliterate Tumors in Leukemia Patients

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ScienceDaily (Aug. 11, 2011) — In a cancer treatment breakthrough 20 years in the making, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine have shown sustained remissions of up to a year among a small group of advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with genetically engineered versions of their own T cells. The protocol, which involves removing patients' cells and modifying them in Penn's vaccine production facility, then infusing the new cells back into the patient's body following chemotherapy, provides a tumor-attack roadmap for the treatment of other cancers including those of the lung and ovaries and myeloma and melanoma.

To read the full story click HERE.

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Scottish university reveals new drug to combat leukaemia and it's found in.. Irn-Bru !

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THOUSANDS of cancer patients could be cured by a lifesaving new drug - linked to Irn-Bru.

The drug is a form of quinine - a bitter flavouring found in the fizzy pop and tonic water - which is used to treat malaria.

Scottish doctors working on a cure for a common leukaemia have discovered it kills the most stubborn cancer cells, and believe a cure is now close.

You just could not make this sort of story up !. Lets hope it is as effective as they think against Leukaemia. I hope it doesn't give patients a glowing orange tan as a side effect.....although it would save some a fortune at tanning salons!

I really love Irn-Bru :-)

To read the full story click HERE.

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Scirocco Register National Meet 30th July 2011

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A very nice video made by my good friend and co-driver Glen Place....

Great weekend people. Same again in 2012? :-)

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Taking care of children afflicted with leukaemia in India

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Husain, a boy hardly of eight years, was asked to be taken away from the Indo-American Cancer Hospital when he began to have seizures. For, his parents could not afford the expensive treatment for his Leukaemia.

The boy was taken to Gandhi Hospital from where he was referred to the MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre. Here, the treatment is absolutely free and efforts are on to put him on the track of recovery.

Lakshman Reddy, a 14-year-old tribal boy from Khammam, was brought to NIMS by the ITDA officials, where he was diagnosed with Leukaemia and referred to MNJ Institute. An orphan, he is now recovering in the Paediatric Oncology Ward, and is known for his erratic behaviour. He smokes, throws tantrums and occasionally refuses to take food and medicines.

To read the full report click HERE to view the HINDU website.

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Scirocco Register another great success, and a nice surprise for me!

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Yet another great owners club meeting at RAF Cosford was enjoyed by a record number of Scirocco lovers this weekend and a fantastic time was had by all.

The good news for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research was that after a quickly organised raffle to win a laptop was arranged the generous folk of the Scirocco Register donated a grand total of £115 (including straight donations). Fantastic :-)

Acording to my good friend Glen Place the total number of Scirocco's attending the event went up from 53.5 last year to 55.5 in 2011 (The .5 is of course Scarlett's Trailer!).

In conclusion then it was a weekend of Brilliant weather, brilliant cars, an excellent (if slightly basic!) campsite,fantastic venue and wonderful friendly Scirocco friends.........Amazing :-)

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