Open mic night at The Talbot

Laky, the entertainer

Talent and modesty often don't go hand in hand, however the artists performing at The Talbot pub on open mic night have an abundance of both.

Each act receives a free drink after they perform. The first act I saw was a guy called Stu with fluffy dark hair that hung off his face and an attractive emo style. As he sung softly into the mic I was greeted by the organisers of the event, Mary Sheehy and Jon Brough, a couple who are passionate singers themselves.

This is the second open mic event they held at The Talbot, where any musician can go on stage. The plan is to hold one every second Thursday of the month for as long as there is an audience. I have a feeling they have no idea what they've gotten themselves into, as I don't see it ending for a very long time.

Mary and Jon sung some songs including "Stand by your man" by Tammy Wynette, with John playing the guitar. On stage it's clear to see the couple have a good musical relationship reflecting their personal one.

One performer who really was surprising was Jonesy, a man with wild long white hair, looking like a true heavy metal fan. He sat down and strummed the guitar at what seemed like the speed of light, his music was high energy, but at times his voice softened and was soothing. He said he had been a drug addict for 30 years and had cried out to God before his prayers were answered.

Another performer who left a strong impression on me was Bournemouth university student called Lacky. He made the audience crack up with laughter with improvised lines like, “I wrote myself a Valentines card when I was drunk the other night.” Along with his sense of humour was undeniable talent. He sung with a difficult to place style that can only be described as rock with a twist of Red Hot Chilli Pepper inspiration heard through the fast singing and punchy guitar chords. He can often be found performing in places such as the Buffallo Bar, Inferno and Bar Me in Bournemouth.

Not one musician who took himself seriously on the night could be described as less than a competent performer.

The Talbot pub in Winton, with a very exclusive and friendly atmosphere, is very much underrated. It’s only a 20 minute walk from the university so it’s ideal for students at the Talbot Campus.

CCTV 'vital' in fighting Crime

33 ARRESTS were made and 76 people were charged with various offences as a result of CCTV evidence in Bournemouth last June.
Police are adamant that without CCTV, fighting crime would be a more difficult job. Martyn Webster, Dorset Police’s CCTV Liaison Officer, said:

“These results are testament to the efficiency of the CCTV system itself and the people we have in place operating it. I hope that by releasing these statistics month after month, they serve as a warning to anyone thinking of coming into the town with the intention of committing crime or disorder.”

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community, agrees with PC Martyn Webster and said:

“Bournemouth Borough Council is committed to tackling crime and the CCTV system plays a vital role in ensuring people feel safe. Our investment of £2.2 million in the town’s CCTV system is paying off and these arrests highlight the efficiency of the joint working between the council and the police.”

However Councillor Lisa Northover says:

“At the end of the day a person can do all of those things that CCTV can do, so to look at spending money is something that needs to be thought about, rather than spending a large amount of money on CCTV.”

The Government has set aside £150 million for CCTV scheme funding across the country this year. In a few weeks the scheme will be in place in Charminster and CCTV in Winton will go live by the end of year.

Trauma exercise: hypothetical situation, involving actors as witnesses

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT:

Carrie Stevenson, volunteer ambulance worker from Camden

Carrie Stevenson, survivor of the Stamford Bridge bombings

I have been a volunteer rescue worker for St John’s ambulance for five years. I would never have imagined that I would be needed for something as huge as helping with the aftermath of the bomb.

When I heard the explosion I was at the other end of the stadium, directly opposite the worst affected area. I heard a loud sound and then I saw smoke but no flames. I heard screaming, with smoke and dust everywhere. I saw body parts from all the way where I was sitting at the other end of the stadium.

I don’t know what people looked like exactly - I don’t want to remember. I just recall some had their clothes ripped off from the blast and some people were left in their underwear. The other ambulance workers helped me to leave the grounds and when I left the area I saw around 30 people had been killed.

It was an important match so there was more security than there normally is, so we were expecting some incidents with the football fans. We were never expecting to be needed for something like this. I only had basic training for my volunteer work with the ambulance, the training doesn’t cover how to help people when there is a terrorist attack.

I’m usually an insurance broker during the week and I just work as a volunteer for the ambulance at the weekends. My work with the ambulance is to help people but I couldn’t do anything, I was absolutely helpless. All I could do was inform the manager about the explosion. I was unable to help him because I hurt my ankle and I was in shock. I can’t even remember how I managed to hurt my ankle.

Stroke technology saves lives

Alan Johnson informing the public on strokes

ROYAL Bournemouth Hospital has introduced a new system that will save time and the lives of stroke victims.

The hospital is the second hospital in the country with the new telemedicine system. Patients who suffer from a severe stroke can be treated from their homes, saving the time it would take for the doctors to reach them.

With strokes time is important as for every minute that passes two million more nerve cells die in the brain therefore the earlier the patient is treated, the better.

The on-call stroke doctor uses a laptop and a £30,000 camera system to see and communicate with a patient. The system also allows him to scan the patient’s brain.
Yesterday the Department of Health launched a three year campaign to promote public awareness about strokes. In the UK, strokes are the third leading cause of death and the largest cause of disability in adults.

The public will be informed about Face, Arm, Speech and Time, F.A.S.T. This will help people to recognise the symptoms of strokes and realise the urgency needed in treatment.

Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, said:

"Despite a big improvement in services, stroke still kills over 67,000 people in the UK each year and leaves thousands more disabled. In many cases, death or disability from stroke can be avoided.

"This campaign will help make sure stroke victims and the people around them are able to recognise the signs and the need for fast emergency treatment."

Cat Walk went purrfectly

Students having fun dressing up

FASHION students from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth did a walk from Bournemouth pier to Boscombe pier and back dressed as cats last Monday.

Up to 25 students took part in the walk to raise money to attend the London Graduate Fashion Week which will be held at Earl’s Court from June 7 to 12.

The show is sponsored by fashion shop River Island and only a select group of fashion colleges in the country can attend.

The ‘cat walk’ will also raise money for the students to fund their own fashion show at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth on June 25.

Fashion students Tom Wakefield and Charmaine Skelding arranged the walk.

Miss Skelding said:

“Compared to last years’ cat walk it’s been a great success. We raised roughly £2600 which is about four times as much as last year. We still have more money to raise but we’re off to a flying start.”

Mr Wakefield said it will be a great opportunity for industry professionals to meet the students and the students will have a chance to show off portfolios in an industry environment.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the amount of money we raised. Attending the LGFW fashion show is s an amazing opportunity as one winning designer will be chosen who will receive a £20k cash prize and also an apprenticeship with a reputable luxury fashion retailer.”