Kate Nash provided a stunning performance for an eccentric audience during one of the last gigs of her tour in Belfast.
Kate Nash played to a packed out Mandela Hall on November 16. The 20-year-old singer and songwriter from Harrow, London, wooed her audience with her ordinary but sparkling personality.
Nash sat behind her keyboard at the front of the stage, surrounded by artificial flowers, plastic trees and a pink neon signature sign.
Nash started as she meant to go on as she delved into Mariella, a song about a girl who glued her lips together so that she never had to speak. Throughout the song Nash played the keyboard and sang in a somewhat hyperactive manner, half-speaking half-singing in her signature London accent.
The mood in Mandella hall was light hearted and lively as Nash exclaims “This is my first-ever tour and it is really, really fun.” The audience sang along to Nash’s two chart topping singles, “Foundations” and “Mouthwash.” Whilst they were ordered to remain quiet during some of the more serious songs.
Although many of the songs were relatively unknown the singer kept the crowd entertained as she swapped from playing the keyboard to the guitar throughout her set.
She had an excellent stage-presence and relationship with the crowd as she gave out books to the crowd which included song lyrics, recepies and cartoon sketches. In return she received gifts from some of her manic fans as flowers, cards and even a dress was thrown onto the stage.
Nash is literally a living product of the Myspace revolution. Following numerous successful gigs Kate Nash erected a Myspace site and uploaded her music. She gained an immense audience and global support and even found herself a manager through the site.
It is clear that Nash’s first tour was a success as it sold-out. However, this may have been one of the few chances to catch her in such an intimate venue as she will no doubt be playing at much bigger and better venues throughout her 2008 tour.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Elderly abused at hands of family
One in ten elderly people suffer abuse, often by family members and people who they trust.
Although abuse can be physical, other forms of abuse such as financial, psychological, physical and sexual mistreatment is equally as harmful.
In one case an elderly woman was tricked into selling her home by her daughter. Another case discussed an elderly woman who had been physically and sexually abused by her son.
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable sections of society and are often unable to defend themselves.
These shocking revelations were part of a heart-rending presentation was delivered by Seamus Lynch of Help the Aged at the Coleraine Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening. [Nov, 6].
Lynch said: “The time has come for us as a community to do something about it.”
Help the Aged gained full support of Coleraine Borough Council in their campaign against abuse of the elderly.
Cllr Barney Fitzpatrick, from the Alliance party, raised the case of a 78-year-old Coleraine woman whose family had difficulty obtaining secure accommodation for her in her hometown. She was forced to move to Derry, miles away from her disabled husband who now has to travel in order to see her. Lynch told the meeting that similar situations are widespread across the Province.
Cllr John Dallat, SDLP, acknowledged there should be a change in the attitude many people have towards the elderly. He assured his support for the campaign: “I think we as a council should put into operation our contribution to achieve better care for the elderly.”
Lynch said that the charity wants to raise awareness of the problem and give victims of abuse the courage to report abuse.
He suggested that the council start to show older people they care about them. He stated: “It is confident building measures that are required. If we can show that the council care, the elderly will want to report.”
He asked that councillors do this by addressing the issue of abuse in party literature and showing the elderly that there is support for them within the community.
Alderman David McClarty, UUP, proposed a motion highlighting the issues affecting elderly people. He said: "We have a duty to the elderly, to protect them and enhance what is left of their lives. We should afford them the dignity they deserve."
The meeting agreed unanimously to support McClarty’s motion and the “We Will” campaign. The councillors agreed to raise awareness within the community and to provide support for anyone who comes forward to report an incident.
Although abuse can be physical, other forms of abuse such as financial, psychological, physical and sexual mistreatment is equally as harmful.
In one case an elderly woman was tricked into selling her home by her daughter. Another case discussed an elderly woman who had been physically and sexually abused by her son.
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable sections of society and are often unable to defend themselves.
These shocking revelations were part of a heart-rending presentation was delivered by Seamus Lynch of Help the Aged at the Coleraine Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening. [Nov, 6].
Lynch said: “The time has come for us as a community to do something about it.”
Help the Aged gained full support of Coleraine Borough Council in their campaign against abuse of the elderly.
Cllr Barney Fitzpatrick, from the Alliance party, raised the case of a 78-year-old Coleraine woman whose family had difficulty obtaining secure accommodation for her in her hometown. She was forced to move to Derry, miles away from her disabled husband who now has to travel in order to see her. Lynch told the meeting that similar situations are widespread across the Province.
Cllr John Dallat, SDLP, acknowledged there should be a change in the attitude many people have towards the elderly. He assured his support for the campaign: “I think we as a council should put into operation our contribution to achieve better care for the elderly.”
Lynch said that the charity wants to raise awareness of the problem and give victims of abuse the courage to report abuse.
He suggested that the council start to show older people they care about them. He stated: “It is confident building measures that are required. If we can show that the council care, the elderly will want to report.”
He asked that councillors do this by addressing the issue of abuse in party literature and showing the elderly that there is support for them within the community.
Alderman David McClarty, UUP, proposed a motion highlighting the issues affecting elderly people. He said: "We have a duty to the elderly, to protect them and enhance what is left of their lives. We should afford them the dignity they deserve."
The meeting agreed unanimously to support McClarty’s motion and the “We Will” campaign. The councillors agreed to raise awareness within the community and to provide support for anyone who comes forward to report an incident.
Shocking student debt levels
Students are reaching record debt levels of almost £6,000 per year and many will leave university owing more than £17,500 according to a survey.
Being a student is synonymous with being in debt. Juggling financial concerns with study is a fact of life for the majority of students at University.
The survey that was carried out by Push.co.uk, shows a shocking and bleak financial outlook for students who began University in the first year of the Government’s top-up fees. The survey highlighted that these students incurred debts of £5,586 in their first year, 25.5% more than that of students who began University in the previous year.
Johnny Rich, Series Editor of Push.co.uk said: “It is easy to become immune to stories about student debt, but this increase is not just another rise. Some students are facing real financial hardship.”
The Student Loan Company provides students with an undoubtedly cheap form of finance. However, even with repayments, which are set at 9% of income above £15,000 these loans will take many years to repay.
Although students may be happy to avail of such a cheap form of finance it is obvious that this debt will have a long-term effect. Graduates who want to get an early footing on the property ladder will find repaying their student loan a particular struggle.
For a graduate earning £20,000, whose income increases at 4% per annum, it will take some 13 years to repay a student loan of £10,000 and 21 years for a loan of £20,000.
A study by financial experts on uSwitch.com estimates that it will take the average student 11 years to clear their debts.
Many students are taking on part-time work in order to help finance their studies.
Student, Siobhan Gallen said: “I worked part-time in a shop to fund my education. I ended up getting a 2:1 but if I hadn’t had to work I think I would have got a first.”
It is clear that the rising debt students face is having a negative impact on their studies. Many students are working in paid employment when they have university work to complete and therefore their marks are paying the price.
There are some steps that students can take in order to reduce their debts. UCAS.com provide some advice for students who are trying to budget.
Use your student discount card. In some shops when you show your student card or NUS card you may be entitled to discounts for various products, which could help save money.
Secondly, there are many opportunities for part-time work at the university or college where you study - every higher education institution has a students' union, which employs both undergraduates and postgraduates, so you could earn money whilst becoming involved in the current issues that affect student life.
Try to avoid cash machines that charge for withdrawing money. Some cash machines will charge you £1.50 so you could be losing valuable cash for no reason. There may be a no-charge cash machine just around the corner, so it is wise to find out which ones charge and which don't.
Insure your property. Students run a very high risk of burglary, so insuring your property is a must. You can choose what you wish to cover, such as clothes, TV and iPod, for example, and the cost depends on where you are living and what you insure.
Being a student is synonymous with being in debt. Juggling financial concerns with study is a fact of life for the majority of students at University.
The survey that was carried out by Push.co.uk, shows a shocking and bleak financial outlook for students who began University in the first year of the Government’s top-up fees. The survey highlighted that these students incurred debts of £5,586 in their first year, 25.5% more than that of students who began University in the previous year.
Johnny Rich, Series Editor of Push.co.uk said: “It is easy to become immune to stories about student debt, but this increase is not just another rise. Some students are facing real financial hardship.”
The Student Loan Company provides students with an undoubtedly cheap form of finance. However, even with repayments, which are set at 9% of income above £15,000 these loans will take many years to repay.
Although students may be happy to avail of such a cheap form of finance it is obvious that this debt will have a long-term effect. Graduates who want to get an early footing on the property ladder will find repaying their student loan a particular struggle.
For a graduate earning £20,000, whose income increases at 4% per annum, it will take some 13 years to repay a student loan of £10,000 and 21 years for a loan of £20,000.
A study by financial experts on uSwitch.com estimates that it will take the average student 11 years to clear their debts.
Many students are taking on part-time work in order to help finance their studies.
Student, Siobhan Gallen said: “I worked part-time in a shop to fund my education. I ended up getting a 2:1 but if I hadn’t had to work I think I would have got a first.”
It is clear that the rising debt students face is having a negative impact on their studies. Many students are working in paid employment when they have university work to complete and therefore their marks are paying the price.
There are some steps that students can take in order to reduce their debts. UCAS.com provide some advice for students who are trying to budget.
Use your student discount card. In some shops when you show your student card or NUS card you may be entitled to discounts for various products, which could help save money.
Secondly, there are many opportunities for part-time work at the university or college where you study - every higher education institution has a students' union, which employs both undergraduates and postgraduates, so you could earn money whilst becoming involved in the current issues that affect student life.
Try to avoid cash machines that charge for withdrawing money. Some cash machines will charge you £1.50 so you could be losing valuable cash for no reason. There may be a no-charge cash machine just around the corner, so it is wise to find out which ones charge and which don't.
Insure your property. Students run a very high risk of burglary, so insuring your property is a must. You can choose what you wish to cover, such as clothes, TV and iPod, for example, and the cost depends on where you are living and what you insure.
Monday, November 5, 2007
NHS leaving students in despair
NHS patients unable to find a dentist are being forced to go private or to carry out dental work themselves, according to a survey published by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH).
The survey revealed that of 5,000 patients interviewed 78% felt they had been forced to leave the NHS and go private because their dentist stopped treating NHS patients, or because they could not fine an NHS dentist. Only 15% of private dental patients said they left because they believed they got better treatment.
Shockingly, 6% said they had treated themselves, including pulling their own teeth, as they were unable to get professional treatment. Many patients have claimed they treated themselves either due to cost, or because they could not find an NHS dentist in their area.
Official figures show that there are 4,000 more dentists with NHS contracts than there were a decade ago. However, this may be misleading as dentists are free to split their time between NHS work and private work.
Of 750 dentists questioned 45% are not accepting any more NHS patients and 47% do not offer all treatments to NHS patients.
In April 2006 a new NHS contract was introduced which aimed to make things simpler for patients and dentists. The new system consists of three NHS price bands:
1. £15.90 for an examination with x-ray and scale and polish (if necessary)
2. £43.60 for one to six fillings
3. £194 for crowns and dentures
Due to the NHS price bands, dentists receive the same payment for carrying out one filling as they would for carrying out six. Therefore dentists are less likely to accept NHS patients who need a lot of work done and many patients are being forced to go without.
Most University students are NHS patients as they are unable to afford private dental care.
The CPPIH survey has highlighted the problem NHS patients face. But for many students the problem with NHS dental care is all too familiar.
Within the survey a dentist commented, "We do not want to accept new patients who have a large amount of work to do as we do not get paid any more to restore a mouth requiring a large amount of work than a mouth requiring only one or two restorations."
Although some patients have the option to go provate when they cannot obtain treatment, students cannot afford such luxury on the small amount of money they receive as a student loan. Consequently they are often forced to go without vital dental care.
The survey revealed that of 5,000 patients interviewed 78% felt they had been forced to leave the NHS and go private because their dentist stopped treating NHS patients, or because they could not fine an NHS dentist. Only 15% of private dental patients said they left because they believed they got better treatment.
Shockingly, 6% said they had treated themselves, including pulling their own teeth, as they were unable to get professional treatment. Many patients have claimed they treated themselves either due to cost, or because they could not find an NHS dentist in their area.
Official figures show that there are 4,000 more dentists with NHS contracts than there were a decade ago. However, this may be misleading as dentists are free to split their time between NHS work and private work.
Of 750 dentists questioned 45% are not accepting any more NHS patients and 47% do not offer all treatments to NHS patients.
In April 2006 a new NHS contract was introduced which aimed to make things simpler for patients and dentists. The new system consists of three NHS price bands:
1. £15.90 for an examination with x-ray and scale and polish (if necessary)
2. £43.60 for one to six fillings
3. £194 for crowns and dentures
Due to the NHS price bands, dentists receive the same payment for carrying out one filling as they would for carrying out six. Therefore dentists are less likely to accept NHS patients who need a lot of work done and many patients are being forced to go without.
Most University students are NHS patients as they are unable to afford private dental care.
The CPPIH survey has highlighted the problem NHS patients face. But for many students the problem with NHS dental care is all too familiar.
Within the survey a dentist commented, "We do not want to accept new patients who have a large amount of work to do as we do not get paid any more to restore a mouth requiring a large amount of work than a mouth requiring only one or two restorations."
Although some patients have the option to go provate when they cannot obtain treatment, students cannot afford such luxury on the small amount of money they receive as a student loan. Consequently they are often forced to go without vital dental care.
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