- Barrie and Tony Drewitt-Barlow already fathers to four boys and a girl
- Have travelled to the U.S. to seek specialist IVF treatment
- 'We wanted girls to balance our family,' says Tony
|
Britain’s first gay fathers have have spent 65,000 travelling to the U.S. so they can undergo IVF treatment which will ensure their next child is a girl.
Barrie and Tony Drewitt-Barlow, from Chelmsford, Essex, hit the headlines 12 years ago when they they became they became the first same-sex couple to be legally recognised in the UK.
They have used a surrogate mother and egg donors to father four boys and a girl, spending more than 1 million in the process, but they are now desperate for another daughter and have looked to overseas fertility specialists so they can choose the baby's sex.
Happy brood: The family laugh while dressing up as the Von Trapps for Closer's Sound Of Music-inspired shoot
It is currently illegal to use IVF in the UK for sex selection purposes other than for medical reasons.
Two weeks ago, three embryos were implanted in a surrogate mother in California that the pair chose to provide their new baby.
Now they are waiting to hear whether she is pregnant with their sixth child.
This time the two men have used a controversial method, costing 65,000 that is allowed in the U.S. but banned in Britain - to make sure the baby will be a girl.
Barrie and Tony Drewitt-Barlow with children (from left) Aspen, Dallas, Saffron, Jasper and Orlando
As three embryos have been used, there is even a chance that the surrogate could give birth to triplet daughters. They already have two sets of twins Aspen and Saffron and Jasper and Dallas.
Barrie, 42, told Closer magazine: 'We would love to have three more girls. Saffron would love to have little sisters to play with.'
The millionaire dad added: 'We can’t wait to spoil our new daughters. I want to buy them pink Prada dresses and babygros.
'We will recycle too. We are going to use Saffron’s old wicker crib from Harrods, which cost 5,000, and divide one of the 100,000 diamond necklaces she does not wear any more into individual pieces for the babies.
'And we want to decorate the nursery as a rainforest!'
Barrie and 47-year-old Tony say that the sex selection technique is only available in the U.S., Mexico, Italy and Thailand.
Tony said : 'If sex selection was not possible, we would still have more children and love them, whatever their gender.
'But the technology is available and we wanted girls to balance our family. It causes outrage but I bet most people would do it.'
Tony added: 'The kids love the idea of getting sisters. They are so close. They are all such different characters, but get along so well.”
Barrie says they will adopt overseas if the current attempt at surrogacy fails to work. Whichever way they achieve their dream of a new daughter, they have promised to spoil the newcomer.
He said: “Saffron’s clothes come from every designer from Gucci and Karen Millen and she has 500 pairs of shoes.
'We spent 50,000 having her room designed like a swanky London flat with a 39-inch plasma TV and furniture from Harrods. The boys are not as bothered about clothes, but we get them the latest iPads and laptops.
The Drewitt-Barlows were the first British homosexual couple to be named on their children's birth certificates
'People say we should not spoil them, but they deserve it.
The pair became famous in 1999 when they became the first British same-sex couple to be named on their children’s birth certificates.
Read the full story in this week’s Closer magazine on sale now
Twins Aspen and Saffronwere born to a surrogate mother in California. After a ruling by an American court, they became the first British children to be registered as having two fathers and no mother.
Four years later, they used the same egg donor and a different surrogate to have Orlando.
In 2010, the couple welcomed their fourth and fifth children, twins Dallas and Jasper, into the world.
They were born to the same surrogate mother who carried Orlando. The couple entered into a civil partnership in 2006.
The couple sold a clinical testing business in 1998 and found themselves swamped by same-sex couples seeking advice. With Tony’s clinical expertise, they set up the British Surrogacy Centre in Maldon, Essex, in February 2011.
Last year, the couple, who have made millions from cosmetic research, were accused of fabricating the test results in clinical trials.
They were also accused of lying to an ethics committee by saying that Barrie was a nurse when he did not hold the appropriate qualifications.
Euroderm Research, which went into liquidation in March 2008, conducted tests for dermatological and cosmetic products. They pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
-
'You molested me!': Footage shows the moment woman freaks...
-
'I am just ill, I am not a monster': Chinese mother-of-two...
-
Father 'beat man to death after catching him molesting his...
-
Airline offers passengers luxury private suites complete...
-
Choose easy! The woman who used TurboTax to falsely claim a...
-
Horror at 7-Eleven as woman becomes human fireball after...
-
No, they’re not photographs: Astonishing acrylic...
-
Woman, 24, 'posed as teenage boy to trick girl, 15, into...
-
Tragedy as two girls, both 5, drown in backyard pool while...
-
'I'm going to beat this': Good Morning America anchor Robin...
-
Disabled girl, 16, found starved down to 23 pounds by her...
-
Armed Russian police raid homes of anti-Putin activists in...
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Wimbledon 2012: Andy Murray says playing Queen's will help title bid - The Guardian
Andy Murray hopes a successful defence of his Aegon Championships crown at Queen's Club will help him end Britain's long wait for a Wimbledon champion next month.
Murray will have to wait until Wednesday before he begins his defence of the Wimbledon warmup tournament after heavy rain hit Queen's on Monday, but he is ready to start the grass-court season with a bang.
"I've always liked to go in to a grand slam having played a couple of matches on the surface," said Murray, who is due to face either Nicolas Mahut or Guillermo Garcia-López after receiving a first-round bye. "That's why it's good for me to play here at Queen's.
"I've won Queen's and I have always enjoyed playing here. I like the surface, the courts here are pretty much perfect grass courts and I have great memories from here.
"I won my very first ATP match here when I was 18 and since then I've just really enjoyed coming back and I've got great results here."
Murray has warned Nadal and Djokovic not to expect to walk Wimbledon because of their exploits in Paris.
"You'll very rarely see someone make the French finals and then win on grass the next week," said Murray, who has won at Queen's twice in the last three years. "It's a hard thing to do and it takes a bit of time. The surface change is hard. You try and take each match as it comes but changing surfaces is not that easy."
Murray's French Open campaign looked in doubt when he suffered a back spasm during his second-round game against Jarkko Nieminen but he recovered and went on to make the quarter-finals where he lost to the world No6, David Ferrer, in four sets.
"I didn't want to lose early at the French Open but I managed to get a couple of days off, which I hadn't had in three and a half to four weeks. I really needed that for my back and it's felt much better. I've had a couple of good practices on the grass and it's felt fine.
"I think the French Open went really well considering how it started out. I wasn't feeling particularly well obviously after my second round match. Quarter-finals for me on probably my least favourite surface is not terrible. I would have liked to have done better but it was OK."
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Will it ever end? South East battered by THIRTY-SIX hours of continuous rain... submerging streets and sparking flood alerts in 46 areas - Daily Mail
- More than 40 flood alerts in place
- Check MailOnline's 'flood warnings widget' for live updates
- Brighton one of worst hit with nearly three times average rainfall for whole month in 11 days
- Torrential rain causes seven-mile long traffic jam on M3 leaving commuters three hours late for work
- Nearly 500 homes in Oxford hit by power blackouts
- Much of Riverside Caravan Park on Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, underwater today
- RSPCA stage dramatic two-hour rescue after herd of cattle left stranded in flooded field in West Sussex
- Butlins holiday camp re-opens after flooded roads closed
- More than 70mm of rain fell in parts of country yesterday
- But the first two weeks of July are going to be scorching...
By Amy Oliver and Chris Parsons
|
Forecasters today predicted that the unrelenting rain which has been battered Britain shows no signs of easing off - with another four inches of wet weather expected in the South East tonight and tomorrow.
Forty-six areas have been put on flood alert today after nearly a month and a half's worth of rain fell on parts of the South East in 36 hours.
The South West and mid Wales have been worst hit by the rain which has battered Britain and in Wimbledon, London, it has been raining continuously since 4pm on Sunday.
Elsewhere Brighton has had nearly three times the average rainfall for the whole month in 11 days, and the Environment Agency still has flood warnings for the region.
Up to 30mm of rain is expected to fall in the next three hours while tomorrow up to 60mm could fall in parts of Cornwall.
Scroll down for live flood warning widget
Lapping waters: Felpham Way, in Felpham, Bognor Regis, was underwater today as were any unfortunate cars left parked on it
A river runs through it: The A259 Felpham Way in Felpham, Bognor Regis, resembles a river complete with floating cars today after the heavy rain
Messing about on the river: Locals wade through the flood water in a boat along the road in Felpham near Bognor Regis, West Sussex, today
In Felpham, Bognor Regis, the A259 Felpham Way resembled a river between the houses today after flood water rose almost waist-deep in places. Cars lay submerged and abandoned, while residents were spotted making use of boats if they had them.
The Environment Agency has issued more than 40 flood alerts across England and Wales, and five more severe flood warnings in the region. The South East is set to bear the brunt of the weather with 33 flood alerts followed by the Anglian region with five alerts in place.
The wet weather is set to continue for the coming days, and could take a turn for the worse on Friday.
Julian Mayes a forecaster for Meteogroup, said: 'The reason it has been so wet in the South is because the jet stream has switched from its normal position just to the north of Scotland to down over southern England this month, and depressions follow that feature.'
Water cycling: A man makes his way along the flooded road in Felpham, Bognor Regis today after the South East and mid Wales were worst hit by the rain which has battered Britain
No signs of receding: Resident John Sanson looks at the flooded road in Felpham Bognor Regis, from a safe vantage point today
On the other hand, Scotland is enjoying unusually dry weather for this time of year.
Glasgow has had 28mm (1.1in), and Oban, normally one of the wettest parts of the western Highlands, has had 9mm (0.4in) this month.
'It's a reversal of the average weather pattern,' Mr Mayes said. 'Normally it gets wetter as you go to the North West. This month it gets wetter as you go south.'
The South East has the most flood warnings in place today and was one of the worst affected areas yesterday. Flood waters coursed through homes, down roads and even closed a hospital yesterday. More than three inches, or 80mm, fell in parts of the country after the rains began on Sunday night.
Water world: Much of the Riverside Caravan Park on Shripney Road, Bognor Regis lies underwater today after the region was hit with nearly a month and a half's worth of rain in 36 hours
Floating city: The Riverside Caravan Park in Bognor Regis is subject to a flood alert from the Environment Agency today
Closed: Bracklesham Caravan Park on the edge of Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, has been forced to close after being badly flooded
Not so Smart... A couple braved this flood in Hadham, Hertfordshire in their Smart car and miraculously made it through without conking out today
...Unlike these two: Two cars sit in the flood water in Hadham after not quite making it through the water today
DON'T WORRY, JULY'S GOING TO BE A SCORCHER
Those reaching for the how to immigrate handbook should be aware that scorching weather is predicted for the first two weeks of July AND for a two-week spell in August.
Long-range weather forecaster David King said London was set to 'swelter' during the second week of the Olympics, with temperatures hitting more than 30C.
Wimbledon will also bask in sunshine during the second week of the tournament - but only after rain has washed out the first week of tennis. Mr King, whose meteorological skills were used by the royal family when planning Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, said: 'Unfortunately this wet weather and cold easterly wind is going to stay with us now until the end of June.
'But the heat will arrive in the first week of July and last right through to the 15th. Temperatures might even get to 30 by the middle of the month.'
And despite the recent deluge of rain, Mr King said the hot, dry weather predicted for July and August would mean the drought in the South East was likely to continue into next year.
The 72-year-old amateur forecaster, who uses phases of the moon and his observations of nature to predict the weather, said by the end of the summer the drought would be worse than that of 1976 - when some households were even left without tap water.
Mr King, whose forecasts focus on London and the South East, also said there won’t be a repeat of last year’s glorious autumn.
He said: 'The first two weeks of September will be pretty good, but then rain storms will come in.'
In Wiggonholt, West Sussex nearly a month-and-a-half's worth of rain has fallen in just 36 hours. 72mm fell in the 36-hour period since Sunday evening. The average rainfall for the area is 52.9mm
The avevage rainfall for the whole of June in the South-East is just two inches, or 50mm.
The Environment Agency warned of further rain across the South East today and unsettled weather for the rest of the week. Although there was a lower than forecast amount of rain overnight, more heavy rain is expected into the weekend, it added.
Heavy rain is expected to continue today across the southeast and parts of East Anglia likely resulting in flooding, especially in Sussex and Hampshire. Around 15 to 25mm of rain has been forecast in the worst affected areas in the South today.
Met Office forecaster, Dan Williams, said: '15 to 25mm isn't particularly significant but when it comes on top of the rain we've already had it is significant and increases the potential for flooding.'
He added the continuous rain was 'reasonably unusual but not unprecedented' for this time of year.
Julia Simpson, the Environment Agency's regional duty manager, added: 'Some rivers have stabilised but others are yet to peak as the water moves through, so we could potentially see further flood alerts and flood warnings being issued.'
The torrential rain caused a seven-mile long traffic jam on the busy M3 motorway this morning leaving commuters three hours late for work.
Two lanes were closed on the Southbound carriageway between Fleet and Hook, Hants, as flood drains blocked.
Motorist Dan Newson, 24, said: 'I was travelling to work at around 5am, it usually takes no time at all to get there but I was almost three hours later for work.'
A Tesco supermarket’s bakery in Cosham, Hants, was evacuated after isles flooded due to a drain inside the store spouting out water.
As river levels continued to rise to dangerous levels today, nearly 500 homes in Oxford were hit by power blackouts.
It meant a cold breakfast and no hot water for families in the north of the city around the Summertown area. Southern Electric spokesman Hannah Gleave said about 470 homes in the area had been affected, with power going off at 6am.
And yesterday a seven-strong team of RSPCA officers staged a dramatic two-hour rescue after a herd of cattle became trapped in a flooded field in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex after the River Arun burst its banks.
Inspector Rosie Russon, who led the specialist water rescue team, said: 'The farmer was really worried that they were going to drown because the water had reached 5ft and was still rising.
'The cattle were stuck on a small patch of the field and we had to persuade them to walk through 5ft of fast flowing water to get to the gate and out on the lane so they could be moved to another field.
The dreadful conditions are set to continue into tomorrow as well. Showers, some heavy are expected to hit northern and western parts of the UK and there’s also a risk of thunder for Wales and in the south west.
Wet play day: A seagull swoops in to a flooded public park in Worthing, Sussex, after rain continued to pound the region today
Wading in June: A couple wade through flood water at Barnham near Chichester yesterday after heavy rain led to widespread flooding across the country
Not 99 weather: A trio trudge along Brighton seafront as the rain lashes down today. Parts of Sussex have been the worst affected in the deluge
cow-tastrophe: A herd of cattle had to be rescued from a flooded field in West Sussex, yesterday by the RSPCA after the River Arun burst its banks
Spraying the roadside: A car drives through a large puddle on a road amid persistent rain in the village of Winchfield, Hampshire, today
Dangerous: The standing water was a hazard on the road in Winchfield as cars and lorries were forced to slow down to cross it today
Hazardous: A lorry prepares to negotiate standing water on the A33, which is closed due to flooding in Chineham near Basingstoke, Hampshire yesterday. The Environment Agency has put out more than 40 flood warnings across the country
Be aware: The map on the left shows the rain concentrated in the South East while the map on the right shows the majority of red flood warnings are located in the South East and East Anglia today
The sun may show itself briefly on Thursday but it will be replaced by persistent rain for those in the south west and south Wales through
the day. And on Friday an area of heavy rain is expected to move northwards across the UK. The south can look forward to frequent heavy downpours with a risk of thunder.
Yesterday, Butlins holiday camp told holidaymakers not to come after many of the roads in and out of Bognor Regis were closed by police due to the adverse weather and heavy flooding.
It managed to reopen to guests today after the worst of the water receded.
Meanwhile, scientists are to investigate whether severe flooding has polluted land with toxic metals.Parts of Ceredigion in mid Wales were flooded by 5ft of water, with record high river levels in parts on Saturday.
A major clean-up operation continues in Aberystwyth and the nearby villages of Talybont, Dol-y-Bont and Llandre and other areas affected by the flooding. There are fears that some areas could have been contaminated with harmful metals from abandoned mines.
A team from Aberystwyth University is to survey the catchment areas of the rivers Leri, Rheidol and Ystwyth.
Mark Macklin, a professor of physical geography at Aberystwyth University, said the force of the flood waters could have eroded river banks which stored harmful metals, including lead and zinc.
He told BBC Wales: 'Much of Ceredigion was affected by metal mining, but most of it finished before the start of World War One. As a result of the mining, rivers and river banks in the area have been contaminated from the mines themselves right the way down to the sea.
'There are concerns that farmland has been contaminated and this could pose a risk to animals and crops. We’ll take fresh flood deposits, such as silt, and they will be chemically analysed. We will, hopefully, have some answers in a month or so.'
West Sussex was hit hard yesterday, with at least 26 apartments flooded in Littlehampton and firefighters receiving 200 flood-related calls.
The basement of Worthing Hospital was also under water, forcing emergency patients to be diverted to neighbouring Brighton and Chichester for several hours.
But the disruption from the deluge was not contained to the south coast. In Leeds, heavy rain caused drains to back up and roads and homes to flood, with water up to four feet deep.
Overflowing drains also caused 20 beaches on the Kent coast to be closed when raw sewage ran into the sea.
The occupants of two cars had to be rescued from floodwater just half a mile from each other in Southwick, Hampshire, in separate incidents.
A man was rescued from his 40ft barge after rising river levels pinned it against a pontoon in Worcestershire.
Rain-cation: Bedraggled tourists cross a Union flag-lined Mall in the downpour as heavy rain hit the capital causing miserable conditions for many yesterday
Dark and stormy: The UK is shrouded in rain clouds on a weather map this morning
SEND US YOUR PICTURES
Have you taken any good weather pictures? From flooding in your area to people splashing in puddles we want to see them. Send them for publication - with plenty of caption detail - to the Mail Online on the email address: mailonlinepictures@dailymail.co.uk
And in Bracknell, Berkshire, Fox Hill Primary School was closed on the first day back after half-term as its drains could not cope with the rainfall.
Sports fans also suffered disappointment with all the first-day matches at the Queen’s Club tennis tournament in London postponed and cricket abandoned at the Test match between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Rita Haskett, 69, who came from Taunton, Somerset, to watch the tennis, said: ‘This is the third time we have come to Queen’s and this is the worst weather we have had. It just hasn’t stopped raining.’
Elsewhere, the RSPCA said it was working closely with fire services to rescue stranded animals, including 20 cows at Cuckfield Road near Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, left marooned on a river bank.
Gemma Plumb, of forecasters Meteogroup, said there would be more rain and overcast skies for the rest of the week.
Incredibly, despite the torrential conditions, the Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the year. Between January and May, 392.5 millimetres of rain fell across the country, compared with an average of 439 millimetres.
In southern England – including drought-hit areas in East Anglia, the South East and the Thames Valley – 281.8 millimetres of rain fell from January to May. The average is 303.2 millimetres.
Meanwhile, a special disaster fund is to be set up after more than 1,500 people were moved from their homes and 150 rescued in Mid Wales over the weekend.
No, not Spain but Cornwall: A woman makes the most of the sunshine before the next shower on Gylly Beach Falmouth today
Brooding sky: But revellers may not be out in Falmouth for long as dark clouds start to gather today
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Essex County rugby team wins state title - Newburyport Daily News
Rugby
Mass. Rugby Organization
The Essex County Bulldogs Rugby Football Club claimed the Massachusetts Rugby Organization's state championship with a 14-13 win over the defending champion Berkshire United Rugby Football Club Saturday in Pittsfield.
In 2008 the Bulldogs had just 22 kids playing flag rugby against each other. By 2010, they fielded a U19 team and began competing against other programs across Massachusetts.
Last season the Bulldogs lost their first match of the season to Berkshire by more than 40 points. That season, they improved enough to earn a berth in last year's state tournament, advancing to the finals versus Berkshire. The Essex County club was within 20 seconds of claiming last year's state championship. Berkshire scored in the final minute, winning the title 17-12.
Earlier this year, both teams met up again at Amesbury Sports Park in a regular-season match that ended in a 20-20 tie. After that match, the Bulldogs were perfect, scoring over 170 points against Seacoast RFC, Portland Maine and Arlington Catholic High School. Meanwhile, Berkshire did equally well.
Going into the state finals last weekend, the Bulldogs and Berkshire were ranked number one and two, respectively.
Led by coaches Dave Hill, Chip Lynch, Joe Stanley and Dennis Donnovan, the Bulldogs scored five times, including one successful try each from Amesbury's Matt Bell and Masconomet's MacKenzie Cashin, topping Worcester RFC in the semifinal by a score of 29-11.
On the opposite field, the speedy Berkshire club ran past the Springfield Rifles RFC, posting a 29-0 shutout, leading to a rematch of last year's championship.
In the final, Berkshire jumped out to a 5-0 lead on the first drive of the match, before Amesbury's Connor Norton pushed the ball in for the Bulldogs. Masco's Andrew Swimm gave the Bulldogs the 7-5 lead with the two-point goal kick after the try. Late in the first half, Berkshire's speedy backfield outran the Bulldog defenders for another try, and then added another three points with a goal kick to close the half.
The second half became a defensive grind with neither team giving much ground until the Bulldogs pushed the ball down the field in the final minute of the match. With 22 seconds left, Norton got his second try of the match, and Swimm nailed a tough goal kick to give Essex County a one-point lead. A frantic push by Berkshire was defended by the Bulldogs, giving them the championship.
Post 150 Junior Legion Baseball
Newburyport 5, Gloucester 4
Evan Habib pitched four innings, allowing six hits for Newburyport. He had six strikeouts. Tim Englehart pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits. He had three strikeouts. Justin Snyder was 2 for 2 with a home run. Leighton Paradis was 1 for 3 with two RBIs.
Source: www.newburyportnews.com
Wimbledon - Watson handed Wimbledon wildcard - Yahoo! Eurosport
Heather Watson and Laura Robson are among the wildcards in the women’s draw at Wimbledon.
Fellow Britons Naomi Broady and Johanna Konta have also been handed first-round places for the Grand Slam which begins on June 25, according to the LTA.
In the men’s draw, Britons Jamie Baker, Oli Golding, Josh Goodall and James Ward have been handed wildcards.
The 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Belgium's David Goffin, the lucky loser who took a set off Roger Federer at the French Open, have also been given wildcards.
Hewitt, 31, has dropped to 176 in the world after career-saving toe surgery in February.
Veteran German Tommy Haas will also feature at the grasscourt tournament after he was included on the list. The last male wildcard and two outstanding women's spots will be announced on Friday.
Virginie Razzano, the Frenchwoman who beat Serena Williams in the first round in Paris, received one of the women's eight wildcards as did Kazakhstan qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova who reached the French quarter-finals after ousting champion Li Na.
The low-ranked British ladies will join top-100 players Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha in the main draw at the All England Club.
British number three Watson impressed in reaching the second round of the French Open at Roland Garros – having come through qualifying – where she lost to Julia Goerges.
By contrast top-ranked Briton Baltacha and number two Keothavong lost in the opening round.
World number four Andy Murray is the only British male to start in the main draw by right.
Ward, Baker and Goodall are ranked British numbers two to four, while 18-year-old former child actor Golding is not in the top 10 yet.
Men's wildcards:
1. Jamie Baker (GBR)
2. David Goffin (BEL)
3. Oliver Golding (GBR)
4. Josh Goodall (GBR)
5. Tommy Haas (GER)
6. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
7. James Ward (GBR)
8. To be announced
Women's wildcards:
1. Naomi Broady (GBR)
2. Johanna Konta (GBR)
3. Virginie Razzano (FRA)
4. Laura Robson (GBR)
5. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
6. Heather Watson (GBR)
7. To be announced
8. To be announced
Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Big Brother Ashleigh gives Essex a bad name, says 'TOWIE' Amy Childs - Digital Spy
Source: www.digitalspy.co.uk
Kent remains on flood alert after heavy overnight rain - Kent Online
Comments |
Read all comments on this story.
Heavy rain floods a road in Northfleet. Picture: Genny Jones
A weather warning remains in place for Kent today as the River Darent continues to be on flood alert.
Forecasters at the Met Office say they rain will last until at least lunchtime - and some showers could be heavy.
Water levels on the River Darent from Westerham to Dartford - including Otford, Eynsford and South Darenth - remain high after heavy overnight rain.
The Environrment Agency said the flood alert will be in force until at least 3pm.
The Environment Agency has issued 45 flood alerts, with more than 38 in the south east.
Meanwhile, Kent County Cricket club have moved tonight's Friends Life t20 match against Sussex Sharks to the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, after flash flooding in Tunbridge Wells.
Motorists are also being told to take extra care on the roads. There were delays on Kent's motorways this morning as traffic was slowed down by heavy spray.
Heavy rain flooded the junction of St Marks Avenue and Beresford Road in Northfleet.
A tree lies in the middle of the River Medway in Maidstone
And a tree ended up in the River Medway, in Maidstone, close to the bridge that is part of the gyratory road system.
The swollen river has claimed part of the footpath near the Kentish Lady mooring.
A fallen tree also blocked The Square, in Hadlow, at about 9am today.
Have you taken any pictures of heavy rain or flooding? Tweet us @Kent_Online or email them to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk.
Monday, June 11 2012
Print Article
Buy a KM PictureThe KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.
Comments (2)
Post a Comment
-
Judge_Mental wrote:
As the water companies prefer to give dividends to their shareholders rather than building reservoirs and adopting sound water management principles, nature has made its own arrangements for water storage.
12 Jun 2012 5:59 PM
-
mars 40 wrote:
And we are on drought restrictions! come on Southern water/South East water and Thames water stop being greedy, i have so much water stored i won't need to touch the hosepipe this summer at all?
11 Jun 2012 10:29 AM
Source: www.kentonline.co.uk
Margate GP told patient 'his only hope was Jesus' - BBC News
A Kent GP said to a vulnerable patient that he would "eternally suffer" if he did not put his faith in Jesus, a medical watchdog has been told.
The General Medical Council (GMC) heard Dr Richard Scott, whose surgery is in Margate, told the 24-year-old patient that he would not give him medication.
A GMC panel in Manchester heard that the patient was told "his only hope of recovery was through Jesus".
Dr Scott disputes the account of the consultation in August 2010.
The remarks were said to have made at the end of a consultation at the Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate.
After discussing medical matters Dr Scott said, as a committed Christian, he had simply offered the patient the chance to talk about the role faith may have in helping with his problems.
At the four-day-hearing, Andrew Hurst, counsel for the GMC, claimed the doctor had told the man, known only as patient A: "He did have a cure, which would cure him for good.
"His one and only hope of recovery was through Jesus.
"If he did not turn to Jesus and hand him his suffering he would suffer for the rest of his life."
Anonymous witnessDr Scott disputes the account given by the patient, described by the GMC's own lawyer as a man with a "troubled psychological history".
When the case was first heard in September it was adjourned after the patient refused to give evidence.
The GMC heard that the patient had agreed to give evidence by phone on condition he was given anonymity and without the public or press present at the hearing.
Dr Scott said he was being denied a proper hearing after the GMC agreed to the patient's request on Monday.
An application by Dr Scott's lawyers for an adjournment to seek a judicial review to try to overturn the rules was rejected by the GMC's Investigation Committee.
Radio transcriptsMr Hurst pointed the GMC committee to transcripts of comments made by Dr Scott on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show and on Nicky Campbell's show on BBC Radio 5 live, speaking of his faith and its use in treating patients.
He said medical rules stated doctors "must not express to your patients your personal beliefs, including political, religious or moral beliefs, in ways that exploit their vulnerability or that are likely to cause them distress", and good medical practice stated the "first duty" of a doctor is the care of a patient".
The GMC was criticised over its alleged "persecution" of Christians after the case was first heard last September - which it rejects.
Mr Hurst said the GMC did not have any bias for or against any religion either way and medics could talk about faith - but Dr Scott had simply "crossed the line" and gone too far.
"The GMC's position is not one that is hostile or opposed or biased against Christianity or any other religion," he said.
"Nor does it seek to promote a wholly secular society."
He was then asked by the chairman of the committee who had prepared the transcripts of the radio programmes to be used in evidence against Dr Scott.
"The National Secular Society," Mr Hurst replied.
The case continues.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
This is wrong on so many levels.
- paulus..., staffordshire, 12/6/2012 17:41
Report abuse