Knox appears in court again
Amanda Knox, the killer of Coulsdon student Meredith Kercher - has made a tearful plea for freedom.
Her appeal against her 26 year prison sentence is underway.
The American claims she's the innocent victim of an enormous mistake following the murder in Perugia in Italy in 2007.
Knox's friend Maddison Paxton was in court. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:02 pm
Friday, 10 December 2010
Mayor spreads Christmas cheer at Kingston Hospital
Her Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Councillor Chrissie Hitchcock and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ken Smith JP, along with the Mayor’s Chaplain - Reverend Ken Walker from the Kingston John Bunyan Baptist Church paid a Christmas visit to staff and patients at Kingston Hospital today.
Mayor Chrissie Hitchcock and her party were shown around the Hospital by Kate Grimes the Chief Executive of Kingston Hospital and Christopher Smallwood the Chairman of Kingston Hospital – they paid visits to the Surgical Centre, the Neonatal Unit and the Paediatrics Department, they also met with the Chairman and Treasurer of the charity, Friends of Kingston Hospital.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chaplain spoke with elderly patients, Nurses, Matrons, Consultants, and parents of sick babies. The Mayor was amazed by the work conducted to help save the lives of poorly babies on the Neonatal Unit. She also spent time observing the life-saving equipment, some of which has been funded through Kingston Hospital’s official Neonatal charity - Born to Soon.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:36 pm
Pioneering care centre opens in Sutton
A trailblazing new resource centre which is being hailed as the future of care in the UK has opened in Sutton.
The Inclusion Centre will offer individually tailored care to adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.
Opened today by Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow MP, the centre will be the first of its kind in the UK to offer bespoke combined therapeutic and social care.
The project is seen as the way forward in care of this kind as it allows those who attend the centre to live with much more ease in the community instead of at care homes.
Cllr Colin Stears, Executive Member for Adult Social Services and Health on Sutton Council, said: “This is truly a remarkable building. Everything, from the design of the building to the range of programmes on offer, has been thought out so that it maximises the good it can do for residents with profound disabilities.
“Living in the community offers much more freedom, the chance to build relationships and generally a better quality of life. This new centre will now guarantee that these benefits are matched by excellent bespoke care.”
Built in partnership with NHS Sutton and Merton, the new centre boasts a number of innovative features.
It has a unique design of 14 sides, to emphasise individuality, and creates an interior that helps people who use the centre to orientate themselves. It contains a giant internal spiral ramp and lift so that those in large wheelchairs can access different levels.
Three ‘sensory rooms’ with an assortment of lights, sounds and tactile objects provide an excellent avenue for learning and therapy. Uniquely, the site will also offer an aquatic therapy pool as well as healthcare-trained professionals who will run art, drama and music sessions.
Mr Burstow described the centre as a “bridge”, allowing users to access services inside the building as well as opportunities outside it.
“I think we should look at what’s being achieved here and the potential it can open up, and use it as an example for other projects.”
The centre can cater to up to 25 visitors at a time and is expected to run several sessions a day, facilitated by extended opening hours on evenings and weekends.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:12 pm
Re-development plans approved for Wandsworth schools
Wandsworth councillors have approved plans for the redevelopment of two of the borough's schools.
Southfields Community College and Burntwood School in Tooting will be rebuilt.
The work's being funded by the government, and will increase capacity at both schools to meet rising demand for places.
Cannabis factories found across Surrey
Raids carried out simultaneously by police in Surrey has revealed three large scale cannabis factories.
A search in Stoke d'Abernon uncovered 400 cannabis plants, and 450 in Godalming
The third factory was found in the West End, housing 300 specimens.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:31 pm
Chessington residents without power
It may be sunny but it’s been a miserable for dozens of Chessington residents.
139 homes are without power after a underground network fault caused outages in the area last night.
Locals reported hearing a loud bang just before 11pm when properties in Holmwood and Frimley Roads lost electricity.
The energy supplier says they’re working as quickly as possible to get it back up and running.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:28 pm
Fresh appeals for missing Surrey man
Police in Surrey are renewing appeals for help to find an 87-year-old man who has been missing for a week.
Eric Burley, from Ewhurst failed to return home after attending an appointment at Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford.
Police have been unable to trace Mr Burley or his red Nissan Primera.
He was wearing a black bomber-style jacket with a white pattern, navy blue trousers and black and tan deck shoes.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:27 pm
Southwest London and Surrey Schools receive good news
The latest Ofsted results have been released – and there’s good news for Southwest London and Surrey’s schools.
Of twenty councils to receive the highest rating by the school inspectors – nine are in the capital.
They include Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea.
Sutton Council also achieved a rating of ‘excellent’.
While Surrey and Ealing were just behind – being judged as ‘performing well’.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:44 am
Local students face a fresh shock over tuition fees
As students prepare to take to the streets to protest in London against the tuition fee rise – it’s been revealed they may be even harder hit.
A study by the University and College Union’s found that they’ll need to raise fees by a thousand pounds more than expected.
Just to break even Tooting’s St George’s Medical School, Epsom’s University for Creative Arts and Roehampton will have to charge more than £7,000.
Egham’s Royal Holloway, Kingston and Surrey Uni’s will also have to charge more than six and a half thousand.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:42 am
Power outage in Chessington
We’ve had early reports of a power outage in Chessington.
Locals have reported seeing sparks at the substation and hearing a loud bang just before 11 last night.
According to the energy supplier there’s been an underground networks faults and Holmwood, Frimley Road and Albury Roads are without power.
There’s no word yet on when the problem may be fixed.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:40 am
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
True message of Christmas comes to Surrey and SW London
Commuters across the country will be reminded of the real Christmas message with the launch today of a hard hitting national advertising campaign.
More than 2,000 billboard posters featuring a baby scan of Jesus, with the words, ‘He’s on His Way – Christmas starts with Christ’, will appear on bus stops and around towns and cities from the 13th to 27th of December.
The poster depicts Jesus in the womb – with a halo and is part of a national initiative by Churchads.net (Formally Church Advertising Network CAN) an ecumenical group that includes most of the UK’s mainstream churches.
Their ‘Christmas starts with Christ’ campaign includes a series of hard hitting radio adverts and tells the Christmas story in a modern setting. One takes the form of an Airport Announcement and the other an answer phone message from Joseph.
The Churches Advertising Network has been producing striking (and sometimes controversial) national campaigns since the early 1990s. Most famously with the controversial image of Jesus in the style of Che Guevara in 1999, with the caption, "Meek. Mild. As if."
Although the main focus of the campaign is in the UK, there has been global interest and requests for posters and advice from the USA, Canada, Argentina, Jamaica, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Australia, Germany and Russia.
Share knowlegde: win cash
This Christmas, residents in Richmond upon Thames can win £100 to spend in a sustainable restaurant or a hamper full of eco-goodies, simply by sharing their best Christmas leftover tips.
A lot of food gets wasted at Christmas - it’s estimated that residents in West London will throw out 16,500 tonnes of perfectly edible food over the festive period costing each household around £50.
The West London Waste Authority has launched a competition for residents to swap their best recipes for making the most of their leftovers. All you need to do is send in a recipe using at least two items of leftovers from your Christmas dinner. A panel of judges will then pick the best recipe.
The closing date for entries is 23 January 2011. Send your recipe (with full instructions) to [email protected] or by post to Waste Minimisation Coordinator, WLWA, Mogden Works, Modgen Lane, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7LP. Make sure you also include:
• your name, • your address and contact details, • what you had for Christmas dinner, and • a photo of you with your leftovers meal (optional).
Visit www.westlondonwaste.gov.uk for competition terms and conditions or to find out more about reducing food waste this Christmas.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:38 pm
Kingston GPs to lead NHS reforms
Kingston GPs are one of the first groups in London who will take the lead in the Government’s plans for commissioning health services, following an announcement today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
The 28 Kingston GP practices have already taken strides to establish a shadow GP consortium, working with NHS Kingston, the Kingston Council and local patient groups.
The latest announcement follows an application to the Department of Health, and means Kingston can lead the way to shape the future of healthcare.
The Kingston consortium is one of just eight groups of GP practices who have formed consortia in the capital, and is among the 52 from across England. The groups selected, known as pathfinders, will be the first to take on commissioning responsibilities as part of the Government’s plans set out in the NHS White Paper Liberating the NHS: Equity and Excellence. The pathfinders will work together to manage their local budgets and commission services for patients direct with other NHS colleagues and local authorities.
Kingston GP, Dr Charles Alessi, had led the pathfinder bid for the Kingston consortium. He said: “This is the start of a new journey and an exciting time for the NHS. We believe that removing management tiers and putting the clinician-patient relationship at the centre of commissioning means we can get better outcomes for patients.”
David Smith, chief executive of NHS Kingston, said: “We’re delighted that Kingston GPs will be leading the way in taking forward the NHS locally. It’s because of the close working relationship between GPs, PCTs and the local authority that we’ve been able to make such fast progress in Kingston. Ultimately our aim is to commission the best possible services for local people, and we will be supporting the GPs in the transition to establishing a consortium.”
The pathfinders will now begin testing the new commissioning arrangements to ensure they are working well before more formal arrangements come into place. By being in charge of the decisions that affect their patients, the pathfinders will be able to commission high quality care that is tailored to the specific needs of their patients and the wider community.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We want to create an NHS that puts patients at the heart of everything it does and is focused on achieving health outcomes that are amongst the best in the world.
“Already leading the way and making this happen are the GPs selected to be pathfinders. I am delighted by the response and the evident enthusiasm for taking these ideas forward.”
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:35 pm
Hounslow now home to one of the first GP pathfinders
Hounslow’s Great West Commissioning Consortia (GWCC) has been successful in achieving pathfinder status as announced today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
Being among the initial 52 GP consortia from across England that have been selected means the GWCC will be one of the first to take on commissioning responsibilities. This forms part of the Government’s plans set out in the NHS White Paper Liberating the NHS: Equity and Excellence. As a pathfinder they will work to manage local budgets and commission services for patients direct with NHS Hounslow and the London Borough of Hounslow.
All 57 GP practices In Hounslow are members of the GWCC, covering the entire registered population. NHS Hounslow is working to support the GWCC to become operational in shadow form early in the New Year before they begin to take on statutory responsibilities from April 2013.
Dr Nicola Burbidge, GP at the Wellesley Road Surgery in Chiswick and Chair of the Great West Commissioning Consortium, said: “It is fantastic news that our Hounslow GP consortium has been selected as a pathfinder. This will allow our GPs to put in place health services that achieve better health outcomes for the people of Hounslow. GPs in Hounslow are keen to take on additional responsibility for commissioning services, in line with the proposals set out in the NHS White Paper.”
Dr Burbidge added “Over the last few months we have worked closely with NHS Hounslow and are taking an increasing role in shaping and making decisions on service improvements including a new community dermatology service and a new Referral Facilitation Service that will handle all referrals, including consultant-to-consultant referrals. We are applying to have delegated responsibility for prescribing and planned care budget from April 2011”posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:32 pm
Kingston police appeal for witnesses after a woman was attacked
Kingston police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was brutally bashed on a bus.
36 year old Nova Willet was punched and kicked and had her head smashed on the hand rail of the number 85 bus on the afternoon of September 19th.
CCTV pictures have been released of her attacker.
He’s described as black and between 5ft10 "- 5ft11 inches tall, approximately 35 years old, with short afro hair.
He was headed in the direction of Roehampton with a child in a buggy.
Ms Willet – who suffered internal bleeding from the attack – says noone on the bus tried to help her.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:31 pm
Wandsworth pedestrian crossings to stay
Transport for London has dropped proposals to remove eight pedestrian crossings in Wandsworth.
It's after a successful lobbying campaign by the council.
The list of crossings earmarked for removal included pelican and toucan crossings outside Wandsworth Town rail station.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:29 pm
Police appeal for witnesses after Chessington shooting
Police are urging witnesses to come forward after a shooting in Chessington.
A 56 year old man was shot twice in the stomach on Elmcroft Drive yesterday morning.
He’s in a stable condition in hospital.
A dark gray estate-type car was spotted nearby and two men were seen running from the scene near the Ace of Spades roundabout.
No arrests have been made.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:28 pm
Woking MP thanks his people
A Tory MP for Woking is giving thanks this Christmas to his constituents for their support
Jonathan Ward was voted in in May, and recognises that the Coalition Government has faced problems since the election
In an open letter to residents of Horsell, he expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he has received since taking office
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:24 pm
John Terry to face Marseille in the Champions League
Chelsea captain John Terry is in the squad for their final Champions League group match at Marseille tonight.
He's been sidelined for three weeks with a trapped nerve in his leg but came through Saturday's draw with Everton unscathed.
Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka are being rested tonight.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:24 pm
Does it really need hospital treatment?
Don’t go to A&E unless you really need to – that’s the message from Ashford and St Peter’s hospital
The emergency department has had a week of intense activity in the recent winter cold snap
The hospital is urging the public to use other services to ease numbers admitted to casualty.
Walk-in clinics, a visit to your GP or Calling NHS Direct could be more appropriate treatments for a lot of the attendances the hospital has seen recently.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:36 pm
Kingston Hospital has the best maternity services in London
Maternity services at Kingston Hospital have been rated the best in London
Only four out of 22 hospitals in the capital fared better than the national average
Kingston received the highest praise, with 86% of mothers rating overall care excellent or very good.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:35 pm
Beatles classic inspired by girl from Weybridge
The Beatles classic Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds was inspired by a girl named Lucy from Weybridge.
Lennon penned the song in 1967 after his son Julian drew him a picture of his friend at nursery Lucy O’Donnell.
It appeared on the Sergeant Pepper album but was never released as a single.
However Elton John took it to number 10 in the charts when he covered it in 1974.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:34 pm
Macca to play homecoming concert in Hammersmith
Sir Paul McCartney is set to play two Christmas "homecoming" concerts in Liverpool and also London.
The former Beatle has announced he's taking his band to the Hammersmith Apollo and Liverpool Academy for gigs with an "intimate vibe".
His first UK gig will be on Saturday 18 December at the Hammersmith Apollo - a venue he first played with The Beatles in 1964.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:33 pm
Family appeal for return of stolen iPod
A heartbroken family are appealing for a stolen iPod holding treasured photos to be returned.
Lisa Turner believes the black ‘classic’ model was stolen when her dad went back to the Royal Marsden Hospital for cancer treatment.
Micheal Turner’s iPod went missing after he went for a CT scan in the Sutton hospital in November. He died a few days later.
Police say the iPod may have been sold on in the past couple of weeks.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:32 pm
Sutton homes recovered from tenancy cheats
More than 20 houses in Sutton have been recovered from tenancy cheats.
The houses were being sublet, or not being used as the claimants main home.
The 24 properties will now be offered to homeless and needy families.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:30 pm
Travellers set to stay in Leatherhead
Travellers living on land in Leatherhead may end up staying there permanently after no other suitable sites could be found.
Temporary planning consent has been given for caravans at a site in River Lane which will expires next May.
Mole Valley Council looked at 41 other sites but found no alternative options.
Councillors will consider a report later today .
If members agree there is no other land, the River Lane families may seek consent to stay there permanently.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:30 pm
Green Battersea
Battersea is becoming greener.
The area is to get 150 new trees thanks to a £25,000 grant.
The money has been awarded by the Greater London Authority in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
The trees will be planted to the north of Clapham Junction Station, within the boundaries of the railway line.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:29 pm
Police appeal for driver after Wandsworth death
Police are appealing for the driver of a BMW to contact them over a death in Wandsworth.
Anthony Young was killed in a car accident on Trinity Road on the 22nd of October.
A Dark BMW was seen stopping at the scene and offering help before driving away.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:02 pm
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
St Peters hospital issues a plea to patients
Don’t go to A&E unless you really need to – that’s the message from Ashford and St Peter’s hospital
The emergency department has had a week of intense activity in the recent winter cold snap
The hospital is urging the public to use other services to ease numbers admitted to casualty.
Walk-in clinics, a visit to your GP or Calling NHS Direct could be more appropriate treatments for a lot of the attendances the hospital has seen recently.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:07 pm
Police investigate shooting in Chessington.
A drive by shooting has taken place in Chessington.
The 56 year old man was shot on Elmcross Drive this morning.
He is in a serious condition in hospital with 2 gun shot wounds to his torso.
An eye-witness has told the Surrey Comet it was a drive-by shooting, but this has not been confirmed by police.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:01 pm
Top result for Kingston hospital
Maternity services at Kingston Hospital have been rated the best in London
Only four out of 22 hospitals in the capital fared better than the national average
Kingston received the highest praise, with 86% of mothers rating overall care excellent or very good.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:50 pm
Battersea goes greener
Battersea is becoming greener.
The area is to get 150 new trees thanks to a £25,000 grant.
The money has been awarded by the Greater London Authority in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
The trees will be planted to the north of Clapham Junction Station, within the boundaries of the railway line.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:48 pm
Sir Paul plays Hammersmith
Sir Paul McCartney is set to play two Christmas "homecoming" concerts in Liverpool and also London.
The former Beatle has announced he's taking his band to the Hammersmith Apollo and Liverpool Academy for gigs with an "intimate vibe".
His first UK gig will be on Saturday 18 December at the Hammersmith Apollo - a venue he first played with The Beatles in 1964.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:44 pm
Woking game OFF tonight
Woking's match against Thurrock tonight has been postponed.
The decision follows a pitch inspection.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:28 pm
Doing business in Teddington
Doing Business Together (DBT) held its inaugural grassroots forum at the Lensbury Conference Centre in Teddington on Friday. Zac Goldsmith MP and Vince Cable MP introduced the event, which attracted over 150 guests.
DBT is a new forum, whose aim is to help SMEs manage their own businesses better and obtain the finance and credit they require. The group has gained support from 35 leading UK organisations, from the Federation of Small Businesses to the CBI. It has also won the backing of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Commenting, Zac said : "I'm thrilled to support this cutting edge campaign to help improve the relationship between lenders and SMEs. That’s obviously crucial at a time where credit has been so restricted. The fact that DBT has the support of everyone from the Federation of Small Businesses to the CBI, from Richmond’s Chamber of Commerce to many of the main banks, and now the Government, shows how seriously this is being taken. DBT wants to encourage SMEs to boost their chances of obtaining the finance and credit they need by maintaining up-to-date accounts. It is logical that when risk underwriters have clear information on where a company is heading, they are more likely to be confident in its capacity to survive and even flourish."
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:33 am
Monday, 6 December 2010
Have a very Dabee Dooba Christmas!
23 year old Nick Morrell, who is still living in Kingston with his parents, decided to write a Christmas Song with his best mate...
He wants to know if it's good enough to reach number 1 in South West London.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:59 pm
One
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and your area.
If you have a press release
or would like to send in news then pop off an e-mail to [email protected]
Rod Bradbury
News Editor
Rod enjoys and plays all sports and could have been a cricketer if hadn't taken his eye off the ball at a crucial moment.
Lucy Mayer
Lucy is the Senior Broadcast Journalist at Jackie and also the Travel Editor. Find out more about her on the Presenters page.
Leigh-Ann Gerrans
Leigh-Ann loves news and current affairs. She started life in Zimbabwe, but lives in Clapham. She's embraced life here and loves making the most of everything the area has to offer.
Sarah Onions
Sarah was schooled in Kingston and she likes jogging around Bushy Park.
Mike Oban
Mike enjoys playing and watching sports and is a budding football coach.
Deborah Martin
Deborah may have started life on a farm in Ohio, USA, but is a long time resident of South West London. Her current loves are fusing glass, good meals out, and dancing.
Dave Stevens
Dave never cooks and likes a glass of red wine while not drinking Guinness. He is also a chocoholic.
Natalie Osborne
Natalie presents both news and travel - more on Presenters page.
Andrew Catford
Andrew is Wimbledon born, loves challenges: trekking Nepal, diving with sharks, snowmobiling the Arctic. He says there's nothing better than being just outside your comfort zone as you're only here once.
Alex Loveridge
Alex loves watching tennis at Surbiton and Wimbledon and also plays a bit too. He swims at Richmond, but not in the Thames.
Paul Francis
Paul grew up in Fetcham and now lives in Teddington with his wife, two cats and a dog. He supports Fulham and plays in a band.
Haz Childs
Haz is from Hampton and loves all genre in music, but has a soft spot for reggae and Bob Marley.
Emma Adams
Emma used to walk past Jackie when she was younger and wonder what it looked like inside. Now she knows.
Sharmeen Ziauddin
Sharmeen lives in Worcester Park and loves lie-ins, kittens, books, politics, make-up and anything with sugar in it, but hates Monday mornings with a vengeance.
Juliette Ivie
Juliette says she's generally one of those people who hates to miss out on things, so she can sometimes be quite hard to pin down! She's probably at a gig, theatre, bar, pub, or on a walk.
Scott McGee
Scott has lived around Kingston all of his life, but has a special connection to Richmond Park. He loves watching sport.
Iona Stewart-Richardson
Iona enjoys writing plays, poetry and kayaking.
Ed Drake
Ed was born and raised in South West London. Having competed in alpine skiing at the Olympic Games, he’s a lover of speed on a motorbike, car or on skis.
Grace McGachy
Grace wants to be the next Mary Berry, failing that, she's happy being a journalist! She recently started a vinyl record collection and loves old movies.
Katie Shanahan
Katie is a Kingston girl who loves sport. She’s played hockey for England, but now enjoys cycling in the Surrey Hills with a good coffee and cake to finish.
Adam Shaw
Adam is passionate about football and Jaffa Cakes.
David Walker
David presents both news and travel - more on Presenters page.
Holly Snelling
Holly would love to have a job that pays her to travel round the world and is a firm believer houmous goes with almost anything.
Sandra Aggrey
Sandra wants to travel the world in 60 days.
Shona Duthie
Originally from Scotland, Shona has lived in London since 2015 and is passionate about football.
Tayo Andoh
Tayo used to watch Sir Trevor McDonald present the news and that inspired her lifelong dream of becoming a broadcast journalist. She is also a keen baker.
Aimee Miller
Aimee is fascinated with Asian cultures and languages and dreams that one day she'll be working in North East Asia. You can often find Aimee awake in the dead of the night with her head in a horror novel.
Helena Lambert
Helena was born in Hammersmith, plays the violin and loves to travel.
Abbey Thorogood
Abbey lives in Epsom and loves writing, travelling and going to the theatre.
Saskia Lumley
Saskia studied English at Oxford University and used to work in PR.
Danielle Boxall
Danielle lives in Epsom Downs, she enjoys music and loves discovering new artists both new and old. She likes history and politics and has a special interest in the 20th Century.
Anna Kretschmer
Anna is an amateur ballerina and ballroom dancer. She also enjoys reading, sewing, and looking after her cat Bess.
