Denise Pearson

diversity news
SUMMER REVIEW 2014 £2.00
People in
harmony
face
painting
by siobhan
woodray
Called to
serve the
homeless
diversity
deficit in
business
Denise Pearson
Exclusive Interview
Contents
Toda
diversity news
Summer Review 2014 - Issue: 8
Publisher:
Keith Seville
Editor:
Shirley Anstis
Features Editor:
Mehrunissa Khan
Graphic Design:
Today Magazine
Design Consultant:
Raj KC
Admin Assistant:
Alexandra Gittens
Reporter
Shanice Medford
Community PR
Oscar Manjengwa
Illustrator:
Mark Chandler
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6 Called to Serve the Homeless
Karen’s story
42 Lu Cozma
Local Singer/Songwriter
8 Reading Carnival
Prospect Park, May 2014
44 Face Painting
Meet Siobhan Woodray
10 People in Harmony
Making mixed race matter
46 Travel and Leisure
Temples and Bicycles in Thailand
12 Berkshire Black Business
Motivate and Inspire
48 Diversity Deficit in Business
In the boardroom
14 Denise Pearson
Exclusive Interview
50 Puzzles
Sudoku and Crossword
20 Fashion
Children’s Fashion
51 Horoscope
Check out your star sign
28 Asian Women of
Achievement
Honoured at
National Awards
32 ABI College
Academic, Business,
Innovation
35 Book Review
The Secret
Thoughts of
Successful
Women
36 Karma
Indian/Nepalese
Restaurant and Bar
Today Magazine 3
Our previous edition covered various
social events and community
organisations as pictured below.
Welcome to
Toda
diversity news
Shirley Anstis, Editor
Front cover - Special 2013
Front cover - Spring 2014
Follow Us:
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Welcome to our review of summer 2014. In
this edition we cover education, music, business,
fashion, travel, art, dining and community.
Our cover star is Denise Pearson: from 5 Star
performances to going solo via Thriller Live and
The Voice, Denise has covered the range. She
has decades of experience yet her latest album
‘Imprint’ seems current. She gives us some
insight into her life and work from growing up in
Berkshire to touring with The Jacksons. She is a
hardworking and impressive lady.
Reading Community Carnival reminds us of
the colourful spectacle that is carnival, with its
Caribbean inspired music, food and dance. Many
local people and organisations were involved and
the pictures give you a flavour of the day.
For many, serving their community is a local calling but for one Berkshire
resident, Karen Roach, this meant travelling to South Africa. She shares with us what
her life is like now, the people she serves regularly and how it fits in to her greater
sense of her life’s purpose.
Our business articles on Diversity, and Berkshire Black Business reminds us of the
importance of being visible and successful for our communities and ourselves.
The Asian Women of Achievement Awards demonstrates this.
We also include beautiful images of children’s fashion and appreciate the
expressive art of face painting. There’s time too to explore the fantastic music
of Lu Cozma.
If you fancy a taste of India then you could read our review of the recently
relaunched Karma Restaurant, situated by the river in Caversham. This serves tasty
Indian food, cooked traditionally. Further afield we explore holidaying in Thailand in
our piece Temples and Bicycles.
Do take a look at our book review ‘The Imposter Syndrome’ which is based on
lots of research and explores why gifted and talented people may lack the
confidence to make progress in their lives. First you can see if this sounds like you
and then you can decide what to do next.
Do let us know what you think of TODAY and engage with our twitter feed
@Today_Magazine and on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/todaymag
Enjoy!
http://www.twitter.com/Today_Magazine
Shirley Anstis MA, B.Sc, MBACP
Today Magazine 5
Karen’s story from South Africa:
Called To Serve The Homeless
When Karen Roach was a teenager
in Jamaica during the mid-1980s, if
someone told her she would one day
become a missionary of the gospel
among street people, she might have
laughed them to scorn. She had set her
sights on nursing, or any profession
which would make her rich and famous.
For this Christian woman from the
Caribbean, who is now a missionary
among the homeless in South Africa,
the leading of the Lord has proved to
be quite an amazing adventure even
though the route is sometimes strewn
with colossal challenges. No matter
how stubborn life’s hurdles, Karen is
convinced, now more than ever, that
God will always use her to spread the
gospel to hundreds of people and help
to bring hope and transformation to the
vulnerable and dispossessed.
EARLY YEARS IN THE FAITH
Where did it all begin? “I gave my life
to Christ at age 10 and was baptised
in our local Anglican church, St James
Anglican, St Ann, Jamaica. Apart from
the Anglican church, I found the Baptist
Youth Fellowship to be spiritually
fulfilling and fun, so I would go there
to worship, meet other young people
and sit Sunday School exams,” Karen
recounts. “Church was a major part of
my life and I really felt I experienced
God’s Fatherly love from very young and
wanted to give my life to Him.”
6 Today Magazine
Karen credits her maternal grandmother
for influencing and helping to mould
her faith during her childhood years.
“Sunday School played a very important
part in my early years and some of the
Bible verses I know now were learnt
in Sunday School.” The Inter-School
Christian Fellowship (ISCF) at the
secondary school she attended, St.
Catherine High School, also played a
major role in Karen’s Christian growth.
FIRST CALL TO MINISTRY
After leaving high school, Karen
migrated to the United Kingdom where
she spent many years in the corporate
world as a Project Manager. After three
years of working in the professional
services with PricewaterhouseCoopers
(PwC) in London and volunteering
part-time as a prayer warrior for the
prayer line on Premier Christian Radio,
she began to feel God’s call on her
life to go into full time ministry. She
felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to
pursue Counselling Psychology, as a
vocation. Karen decided to take three
years off from her job at PwC to do her
theological training and deepen the
exploration of her faith: “I really sensed
God’s calling on my life. It happened one
morning after prayer. I began weeping in
worship and had to call a friend of mine
who was training as a minister. He gave
me some options and I decided to enrol
to the London School of Theology (LST)
to study Theology and
Counselling and in my final year
Christian Life and Ministry.”
Since LST, Karen has been exploring
several ways to impact her local
community with the gospel, comprising
voluntary fundraising for various
charities in the UK such as Cancer
Research, and establishing a Christian
counselling service in the UK.
CALL TO HELP SOUTH AFRICA
During 2014, her life was set to make a
move to a new country. When she was
aged thirteen and still living in Jamaica
she was moved by the news coverage
of the atrocities in the then apartheid
system in South Africa and prayed for
God to use her in some way in that
country. “I actually forgot about that
prayer until 2013 when God reminded
me of my heart for South Africa. I
decided to take a year out and explore
this and discover if God was leading me
into future ministries,” she shares. In
January 2014, Karen left England to start
her missionary work in South Africa,
volunteering with an organisation for
the homeless in Cape Town, Bread4Life,
which ministers to and feeds up to 400
people per day.
It is among the poor and destitute in
Cape Town that Karen shares food,
sweat, laughter, tears and the Word
of God. She has sacrificed modern
comforts and the company of family and
friends, so that the glory of God will be
seen in her. “Bread4Life is
a church for the homeless
and we look at the holistic
needs of a person. Apart
from catering to their
physical needs of food and
clothing, we start with
prayer, and then, a time of
worship, preparing their
hearts spiritually. Then, we
offer food, blankets, and
raincoats and other donated
items of clothing,” Karen
outlines. She counsels and
prays with those who need
prayer and encouragement.
The charity with which she is involved
also has measures to rehabilitate the
street people back into society and
help as many as possible to find a
job and home.
“I am so blessed to be a part of this
team and to be able to do much needed
work among the homeless in Cape
Town.” Karen continues to develop her
ministry and has a desire to meditate on
God’s Word day and night. She hopes
soon to be able to stand up, like David,
and preach without preparation but as
a result of such meditation.
PRAISING GOD WITH THE HOMELESS
Karen is often astonished at the
enthusiasm of the street people to serve
God, in comparison to the negative
attitudes of many who have comfortable
lifestyles. “The joyous worship coming
from this group of amazing people is
CHALLENGES OF THE MISSIONARY LIFE
Being a missionary is no easy feat. Karen
has to cope with financial concerns,
racism, intimidation, frustrations,
security risks, health issues and
sometimes an unhealthy environment
- while trying to grow significantly in
her Christian life. Karen explains “The
whole idea of mission is in the testing of
your faith, not only in responding to the
call but in preserving while you are on
course. The biggest challenges for me
are finances and cultural differences but
I have seen God come through time and
time again, usually at the last moment –
at times providing less than I anticipated
but I still trust that whatever situation I
find myself in, He is more than able to
provide and whatever he has provided
is enough for my need. I am learning to
focus on the joys and not the pain.”
Karen is also actively involved in
broadcasting on a Christian radio
station in South Africa, CCfm. No
doubt, Karen Roach’s mission in South
Africa will have a lasting effect on those
whose lives are touched by her acts
of kindness and love of God. Equally
important is that Karen’s mission
among the homeless has strengthened
her reliance on God, her commitment
to Him and the spread of the gospel.
Today Magazine 7
Community
Community
something to experience. I marvel at
their request for the opportunity to
sing more worship songs; the clapping
of hands and dancing that emerges
out of those who do not have a place
to lay their head or call home. I am
being humbled. I not only have a new
Greek family in the leadership team but
a family of over 400 in the people we
serve,” Karen relates while fighting
back tears of joy.
Community
Community
READING CARNIVAL
Photos by Raj KC
Prospect Park, May 2014
8 Today Magazine
Today Magazine 9
Community
Community
PEOPLE IN
HARMONY
Making mixed race matter
“It was thrilling to be sat in a
room full of Mixed Race folk and
interracial families, I mean, what
a unique gathering! “
This was the opening feedback
comment by one of those attending
the 2014 People in Harmony Annual
Seminar, held this year at Bethnal
Green. The theme was ‘Mixed Race and
Education’ and the event was opened
by Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal & Bow
and until recently Shadow Secretary for
Education. Sir Keith Ajegbo and Clive
Sir Keith Ajegbo
10 Today Magazine
Webster, two mixed race professionals
with much experience and teaching
practice within the educational system,
gave presentations followed by a
question and answers session with a
panel of mixed race young people and
a poetry reading written by actress
Amaka Okafor.
People in Harmony is a well
established organisation for mixed
race people and families. One of our
main objectives is to influence and
improve ways in which public services
such as education, health, social care
and criminal justice are delivered to
the mixed race population through
discussion and debate, research,
campaigns and the arts.
High quality annual conferences
are organised with themes such as
education, health, social care, criminal
justice and the arts. We have also
hosted public sector conferences
‘Understanding the experience of
mixed race families and young people:
improving services’ and ‘Mixed Race,
Mixed Racism & Mental Health’ for
professional groups such as social
services, education, health and the
police on developing mixed race
sensibilities across public services.
Research by Bristol University in
association with Birmingham LEA1 in
2004 showed that mixed race children
were still disadvantaged in the school
system and we were involved in
campaigning for LEAs and politicians
to take note of the research and to
investigate ways of improving the
education of mixed race pupils.
A recent paper2 reports that
Mixed Black Caribbean/White pupils
in Reading schools are: disadvantaged
at 5 years old and make less progress
in secondary school than similar pupils
nationally; more likely than other pupils
in Reading to be identified as having
special educational needs; at higher
risk of exclusion than pupils from other
ethnic groups and are at a higher risk of
exclusion than pupils of the same ethnic
background nationally. This paper2
considered local data to highlight the
need for Reading schools to take action
on these issues.
People in Harmony need your help
to raise awareness and understanding
of issues affecting mixed race pupils,
students and their families and to
Clive Webster
ensure action is taken. Don’t let these
young people be failed by the education
system.
Become a member, donate
your time, contribute your expertise
and experience.
Understanding the Educational Needs
of Mixed Heritage Pupils by L Tickly, C
Caballero, J Haynes & J Hill, University of
Bristol in association with Birmingham LEA
DfES RR549 2004
1
Indicators of educational disadvantage and
Black Caribbean and Mixed Black Caribbean
and White heritage pupils in Reading, www.
school-portal.co.uk/GroupDownloadFile.
asp?ResourceId=4823394
2
Making mixed race matter
People in Harmony
2nd Floor Road
145-157 St John Street
London
EC1V 4PY
T: 0845 468 0755
W: www.pih.org.uk
E: [email protected]
F: www.facebook.com/PIH.ORG.UK
Charity reg. no. 1045356
Company limited by guarantee
Reg. no. 2424930 in England
Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal & Bow
Today Magazine 11
Community
Berkshire Black Business brings
black and minority ethnic business
owners in Berkshire together to
connect, learn, grow and become
more visible. It is the only minority
focused business community in
Berkshire. We welcome anyone
interested in Berkshire’s Black and
minority ethnic communities.
Black and minority ethnic business
owners generally present in lower
numbers in most business events and
as a result may find it more difficult
to feel connected, to have a sense of
belonging, to be seen for their offering,
to let go of others’ expectations and to
get to a point with others where they
can be known, liked and trusted.
Over the last year we at Berkshire
Black Business have met six times.
Following our launch at Bills restaurant
in Reading we’ve had several talks and
workshops at the Reading Voluntary
Action site in Reading. We’ve looked at
successful networking, branding and
business planning.
These can all be revisited as we continue
to learn and grow. Join our Facebook
group or email to let us know what you
need and want.
We ended our year with a business
showcase where several members from
a range of industries spoke about their
passion and their business.
12 Today Magazine
Berkshire
Black
Business
Networking to encourage, motivate and inspire...
The evening inspired us all to continue
on our business adventure despite the
inevitable challenges. We also shared
tried and tested business tips that have
sustained us so far.
The aim is to create a community
to connect successful minority business
owners who are keen to achieve their
potential and make a positive impact in
their environment as they inspire others
to do the same. It’s about community
and visibility.
By joining BBB you can build
genuine connections, improve your
business skills and extend your
customer reach as you share who you
are, what you do and why you do it.
“Coming together is a beginning;
keeping together is progress; working
together is success.”
Henry Ford, entrepreneur
You can always check out our website
www.berkshireblackbusiness.co.uk for
our latest news and events.
We start 2015 with a goal setting
evening on Thursday 15th January.
Later in the year we are planning
to have a summer dinner event and an
autumn business showcase.
Email: [email protected]
for more information.
Shirley Anstis, Founder of Berkshire Black
Business - @BerksBlackBiz
Toda
diversity news
For every full page advertisement
placed in Today Magazine,
we will sponsor a quarter page
advert for a charity of the
advertiser’s choice!
Urban UK Network has been
hosting events in the Reading area
for over ten years now and
continues to develop work with
diverse communities locally.
• Focusing on Community Development
• Catering to the interest of diverse communities
• Developing the diverse community sector
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opportunities available with Today Magazine,
please contact us on 0870 414 5252,
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Denise Pearson speaks to Shirley Anstis about Five Star,
touring with the Jacksons, being on BBC’s The Voice and her latest album...
I was very excited to meet musician,
songwriter and performer Denise
Pearson to talk about her career and
fantastic new album Imprint. You may
recognise her from being part of the
incredibly successful group Five Star.
Sometimes referred to as the British
Jacksons they had several hits in the
1980’s and 1990’s. The group was made
up of Denise and her siblings Stedman,
Doris, Lorraine and Delroy Pearson.
Their father, renowned musician
Buster Pearson, who played with Otis
Redding, Wilson Pickett, Muddy Waters,
Desmond Decker and Jimmy Cliff, was
the initiating force and manager. From
their first single “Problematic” in 1983
they captured the public imagination. In
1987 their No.1 album “Silk and Steel”
saw them become the youngest group
and first Black British group to top the
UK Charts. The group had six top 10
singles and sold over 10 million albums
worldwide. Both the group and Denise
have been Grammy nominated.
Having taken time out to raise her
family Denise has decided to return
to the industry. It seems coming from
14 Today Magazine
such a close knit family made her
want to create her own and she has
valued being a hands-on mum to her
son and daughter, now aged 19 and 18
respectively. The family lived in the USA
from 1994-2007. I wanted to find out
what sustains her and what its like for
her returning to the industry now.
She attributes her staying power
to “staying young at heart, exercising,
eating good food, always working out
and singing each day – yes singing is
my passion”.
Her family were somewhat
surprised when she decided to be a
contestant on the BBC show: ‘The
Voice’, since she might be expected
to be a coach. She embraced the
opportunity to reintroduce herself to
11 million viewers and was very pleased
to meet Tom Jones. It was her cousin
Paulette Pearson who reminded her that
she could be a mum AND a singer and
no longer had to choose. This decision
inspired ‘I found my flow’ on the
Imprint album.
After The Voice she got signed to
Universal for six months then moved
to Baronet Entertainment. She is very
pleased that her Dad got to see her
performance on The Voice and he was
very proud of her. The whole family
came round to watch it and celebrate.
It was a big decision for her but she is
really glad she did it and has no regrets.
Her route back into the industry
started once she was introduced to
music publishing company Phrased
Differently. Denise attended their
writers’ retreats in Gothenburg where
she met Jessie J and Charlie Dore
who wrote the hit ‘Refuse To Dance’
for Celine Dion. This then led to her
performing in Thriller Live at the Lyric
Theatre followed by its European and
World Tour. Performances in Respect La
Diva (Whitney Houston and Maria Carey
songs) at the Garrick theatre would
follow and this would eventually lead to
her participation in The Voice.
What was it like for her performing
in the theatre? She agrees it was
challenging in many ways.
DP: Learning to act, lots of changes
of costume in speedy time. I was
sweating in my sequins and diamantes
Today Magazine 15
Features
Features
Denise
Pearson
16 Today Magazine
profile and get the record companies
interested. I love the writing, singing
and being in the studio but I am quite
a private person outside of that. Dad
contributed so much to our career
through his experience and wisdom
and we were blessed to have that. I still
remember some of what he used to say
but I do have good guidance around too
from Baronet Entertainment.”
Denise’s latest album – Imprintis a great collection of well-crafted
tunes covering pop, rock and R’n’B
genres. I wanted to know how it all
comes together?
For Denise “Everything just fitted.
I did want that acoustic sound. ‘Kiss and
Tell’ is a kind of 1960’s tune. Then ‘Freak
Dance’ came about and it just matched
with ‘Kiss and Tell’. Even in Five Star I
would be the one
writing the rock tracks or the
RnB tracks.”
During her time in Five Star,
songwriting and musical arrangements
were part of what Denise did so this
was not new to her. Nevertheless her
Gothenburg retreats helped to create
the right space for this. She did the
retreat “three times, one week each
time. ‘Kiss and Tell’, ‘Here I AM’, and
‘Close To Nowhere’ all came out of
those retreats. Normally I would sit in
the room, write and produce myself so
I was wondering how I would cope with
live writing with a track guy, a melodist
and me as lyricist and melodist in the
room. But I did it and it was wonderful –
just bouncing off each other.”
Denise seems quite a private person
and I wondered what it was like for her
to share so much of her life in her songs.
She thinks that “if you write about life
people relate to it because we’re all
living, loving, hurting and happy so I
think when you write about your own
personal experiences or feelings there’s
always someone out there who
can relate to it so I
like singing from the
heart, it’s true”.
The songs have
great melodies and
are beautifully sung.
I suggest that Imprint
is as unique to her as
her fingerprint, a sort of
personal stamp of who
she is now and she goes
on to say, “It was the
perfect title, my personal
journey, a part of me.
The words to the title
song ‘Imprint’ are exactly
how I feel about my dad.
Holly Lemar, Olly Jacobs
and I wrote it. You can
get away as easily as you
think but your impact and
a connection remains. With
‘Freefall’ it’s about finding
love and being in love for the
first time and letting go, even
if it’s a rollercoaster.”
I wondered if she saw
going on BBC’s The Voice as a
similar leap of faith captured
in the single ‘Freefall’.
DP: Yes I think the braveness of it is
similar. I get that from my mum who is
very courageous and was always at the
school for Sted … always there to fight
his corner. Even at 5 feet 2 inches! All 3
girls are strong Pearson women.”
I picked out a few of the words
in her songs such as “moon… stars…
heavens… redeeming.. believing..” – and
wondered how that fitted into her world
view. She is not religious “but I was
always spiritual, I believe in God and try
to do the right thing.” Our conversation
reminds her of a Jehovah Witness lady
called Jenny who used to come round
to their home when she was a child and
their mother would make them sit and
listen to her.
So, with my counsellor hat on I
see the album as a journey of finding
herself, coming into Denise - what does
she think?
DP: Well I think it’s made me
stronger as I go out and sing. I was so
nervous and unsure of myself at the
start in a way but when I listened to the
master version I was so pleased with it. I
think I’m getting to know me more.
I could not conclude our interview
without asking about her experience
on tour with The Jacksons. Denise
gets the giggles as she remembers
how privileged she felt having “front
row seats to the daily sound check.
Wonderful! It was a dream come true.”
It seems that like all siblings they have
their individual characteristics with
Marlon bringing humour, Jermaine
using his charm, Jackie being a
beautiful dresser and Tito having the
business awareness.
Did it bring back memories of
touring with her family?
DP: I remember my dad saying we
should all stick together. We have had
money and mansions and lost it, but
as long as we had the family it didn’t
matter what went up and down.
Denise was a great interviewee and
answered all my questions honestly.
When I asked how she recharged herself
she did not hesitate to share her love
of cartoons and her daily watching of
these. Of course she keeps up with the
grown up news as well but I couldn’t
help but see it as a wonderful antidote
to all the terrible global news we
hear regularly. Films such as Frozen,
Despicable Me, and Toy Story come
highly recommended. Exercise, singing
and chores are other parts of her daily
routine when she is at home.
And is there any truth about her
crashing an expensive car as a child?
With much laughter Denise responds,
“Yes, I did crash the Lamborghini into
the Ferrari as a child.” She was in
their driveway.
We speak more of her touring with
Billy Ocean and how his Caribbean
music mixes with her pop/rock/r’n’b
tracks. She tells me about the set she
used with him.
DP: I open with Kiss and Tell which
is 1960’s, then I Found My flow which is
jazzy, then Freefall, Chic is pop, then the
Five Star medley: Can’t Wait Another
Minute, Rain or Shine, System Addict
and Higher Love. So there is variation in
mine and they mix well.
With her knowledge of quality
music over a long time I wanted to
know which artists she enjoys and who
she would collaborate with. Denise
loves listening to India Arie, for her
empowering words and her melodies.
She also enjoys Nat King Cole, early
Mariah Carey, early Celine Dion, and
Whitney Houston. With regards to
collaborations she would love to work
with India Arie, Lionel Richie and was
a little giddy at the thought of working
with Smokey Robinson (ooh ah)
A lot has been said about women
in pop recently: how they present
themselves and how they are treated in
the industry and in the press - I wonder
how she feels about this.
DP: It’s a fickle business and can
drive you crazy so you need to stand
back and see what you’re putting out
there. I’ll always stand by something I’ll
be proud of and remain fully clothed.
You can be rebellious in different ways.
Denise looks great so I wanted to
know about her fitness and beauty
regime. Her approach is around
enjoying her life, relaxing when she can
and sometimes staying in to recoup her
energy. She does not wear makeup at
home, which gives her skin a chance
to breathe. She exercises to keep her
weight down, uses cocoa butter on her
face, makes homemade soups, drinks
lots of herbal tea, eats lots of vegetables
and passes on sugar.
Today Magazine 17
Features
Features
falling off from all the dancing.
It requires lots of stamina. You’ve
got to think ahead but still remain in
the moment.
For a brief period In Los Angeles
Denise was in a band called Tre’sor
(three girls who are sure of themselves)
but the collaboration didn’t really work.
How is she finding performing as a solo
artist now?
DP: When I did Thriller there were
some solo parts so I could ease myself
back into it. Also, on The Jacksons’
Unity Tour I performed with two other
dancers. Now it’s just me but I am loving
it because I love the material of the new
album. Once I have that feeling inside –
you can do anything once you love what
you do. I am very happy being a solo
artist now.
As well as
being a solo
artist she’s also
had to adjust to
not having her
father around
as manager or
mentor since he
passed away. He
died in October
2012 and she
went on The
Jacksons’ tour
in November
2012. After
that she went
straight into
pantomime
– playing
Cinderella
in Milton
Keynes.
She recalls
“I had to
learn lines,
open the
show, and
that kept
me busy
through Christmas and
New Year. Then I stopped moving and it
all came back”.
What’s it like for her to be making
music and performing without his
guidance? She shares that “It’s different.
Nowadays you have to build your
Features
Features
Denise Pearson at Hammersmith
Apollo supporting The Jacksons
So, what’s next for Denise?
She wants to keep singing, making
music and putting it out. If she retires
she’d like to write words and melodies
for adverts and other artists. She is
inspired by the great melodies of the
1980’s and admires truly talented artists
like: Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross,
Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder. Given
the chance she would like to make a
record in the vein of Connie Francis,
Patsy Cline and Brenda Lee – 1960’s
artists.
Whatever she does I get the sense
Denise is motivated to do her best. “Oh
yes” she says, “I will do my best. Easy
does not register in my life.”
It was lovely to spend a couple
hours with Denise Pearson and find out
more about this successful and talented
lady. Now that she’s found her flow I
anticipate many more albums and tours.
You can find out more on
http://www.denisepearsonmusic.com
and order Imprint on iTunes.
Shirley Anstis
18 Today Magazine
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Fashion
www.isossychildren.com
Fashion
20 Today Magazine
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Fashion
www.isossychildren.com
Fashion
22 Today Magazine
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Fashion
www.isossychildren.com
Fashion
24 Today Magazine
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Fashion
www.isossychildren.com
Fashion
26 Today Magazine
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LEADING FERTILITY EXPERT AND INTERNATIONAL
KICKBOXING CHAMPION HONOURED AT NATIONAL AWARDS
High flying Asian women who
have battled to overcome obstacles
in business, the professions, sports
28 Today Magazine
and culture recognised at the Asian
Women of Achievement Awards 2014
in association with the Royal Bank of
Scotland. A leading fertility expert was
one of 17 women recognised for their
outstanding careers at the Asian Women
The other 2014 winners were:
Entrepreneurial Asian Woman of
Achievement - Shazia Saleem, founder,
ieat foods, a “very commercially aware”
businesswoman who started her first
enterprise at the age of 16, she has
launched a range of traditional British
and Italian halal dishes.
Young Asian Woman of
Achievement - Divya Reddy, production
technologist, Shell UK, for being
“a trailblazer in a male dominated
industry”, and Nehal Bhogaita,
community support worker and beauty
therapist, Action Deafness and Femi
Health and Beauty, who was highly
commended for having dedicated her
life to inspiring people with disabilities.
Asian Woman of Achievement
in Sport - Joint winners, Shehneela
Ahmed, lawyer football agent, Platinum
FA, for being “an enabler within the
sports industry” and Samera Ashraf,
Kickboxer, ISKA.
Asian Woman of Achievement in
the Media - Poorna Bell, lifestyle
editor, The Huffington Post, for her
hard work in highlighting and
campaigning on issues such as forced
marriage and domestic violence
amongst the Asian community.
Professional Asian Woman
of Achievement - Yee Yee Low,
senior concept engineer, Shell, who
demonstrates real self-motivation and
drive and has a clear focus on helping
people in the UK who haven’t got access
Liz Hurley
Today Magazine 29
Social Events
Social Events
Awards 2014
of Achievement Awards on Wednesday
4 June attended by guests including
awards patron Cherie Blair, Her Royal
Highness Princess Badiya bint El Hassan
and Elizabeth Hurley.
Professor Geeta Nargund,
consultant, medical director and CEO
at St George’s Hospital, Create Health
Clinics and Create Health Foundation,
was presented with the RBS AWA
Chairman’s Award, the most prestigious
accolade of the awards. Geeta was
recognised for her work in the fertility
field, and her potential to have such
a huge impact not just domestically,
but globally, as she works to make
treatments more readily available
to women.
An internationally renowned doctor,
innovator and campaigner who is
committed to making fertility treatment
safer and more affordable both in the
UK and in developing countries, the
judges were left with no doubt that
Geeta deserved the highest award on
account of the results she’s already
achieved as well as her determination
to keep doing more.
Taking home the Asian Woman of
Achievement in Finance Award was
Valerie Dias. Having achieved so much
in her career at Visa Europe, she uses
her position in finance to make a real
difference in the wider world, using
her organisation as a vessel through
which she has been able to safeguard
children and young people. The judges
said “aside from her work at Visa, she is
an incredibly generous person with her
time and does a great deal of mentoring
and voluntary work”.
Samera Ashraf took the Asian
Woman of Achievement in Sport Award
in recognition of the tremendous battle
she has fought against stereotypes
to cement her position within the
martial arts community. Samera has
overcome significant adversity in her
life to get to where she is today, and
is now committed to helping others,
particularly through her work with
Shakti Women’s Aid.
Founded by India-born author
and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE
in 1999, and held in association
with The Royal Bank of Scotland,
the Asian Women of Achievement
Awards are the most important and
established programme to recognise the
contribution of Asian women to Britain’s
economy and society.
Social Events
to opportunities, or don’t think they
have, to achieve great things
for themselves.
Social and Humanitarian Asian
Woman of Achievement - Sharmila
Nikapota, for her commitment to
helping her daughter and others
suffering from rare skin disorders. Highly
commended in this category was Rewati
Prabhu, co-founder and board member,
Jagriti Yatra, who’s amazing work for
Jagriti Yatra helps inspire young women
from across India.
Asian Woman of Achievement
in Arts and Culture - Nisha Tandon,
executive director at ArtsEkta, one
of the only organisations in Ireland
promoting ethnic arts, culture and
heritage; and Arumina Kumar, artistic
director, Arumina Kumar Dance
Company was highly commended.
Asian Woman of Achievement in
Public Service - Shemiza Rashid, teacher
and broadcaster, Luton Sixth Form, for
fighting for ethical, environmental and
poverty-driven issues.
Asian Woman of Achievement in
Business - Karina Govindji, managing
consultant, client development, Gallup,
who has overcome many difficulties
in her personal life to carve out a very
successful career, whilst remaining
passionate about giving back to her local
community; Kamal Parmar, director,
Saints of Tarporley Services, was
highly commended for building a very
successful business against all the odds.
Asian Woman of Achievement in
Finance - Valerie Dias, chief officer, risk
and compliance, Visa Europe and highly
commended within the finance category
was Laura Chow, head of charitable
programmes, RBS, described as “very
impressive” and someone who “is using
banking for social justice.”
Pinky Lilani said: “Being able to
shine a light on the magnificent
achievements made by these women
is what the awards are really about.
I am delighted to see that the calibre
of women being nominated for,
and winning, the Asian Women of
Achievement Awards has remained so
high for the 15th consecutive year.
It’s so important that we continue to
recognise the often under-reported
work that is being done by the
impressive female leaders in the
country’s Asian communities, and it’s
for this reason, I’m delighted
30 Today Magazine
to bring together so many people
who are dedicated to celebrating the
achievements of these
amazing women.”
Cherie Blair, patron of the Asian
Women of Achievement Awards, said:
“Each of the women named as a winner
on the night showed something special
that really caught the judges’ eyes.
Covering diverse topics from finance
and business to sports and media, the
awards are a great way to recognise
the huge impact that these women are
having in their field.”
Chris Sullivan, Deputy Chief
Executive, RBS, said: “All of the
women have displayed real drive and
determination, which has paid dividends
in the results that they’ve each
achieved. RBS is proud to be part of the
Asian Women of Achievement Awards,
through which we hope to bring to the
fore the vast opportunities open to
Asian women in the UK today.”
The Asian Women of Achievement
Awards are hosted by Caspian Media
and Real Business, in association with
The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Dame Kelly Holmes
Education
Education
How do students find you?
They find us online at our website
and recommendations from former
students. We would like to be better
known in the Thames Valley. We have a
highly equipped building in Reading and
one in Acton, West London.
Shirley Anstis interviews Nick Goddard of ABI College;
a private learning institution
Tell me about ABI college
The college started as Queensland
College in 2004 and was then renamed
ABI (Academic, Business, Innovation)
College a few years ago. We are
academic in our practice, focused on
business management leadership, and
we are innovative in our use of best
practice. Our courses are practical
or vocationally oriented leading to
great employability. Work experience
is integrated into health and social
care management or hospitality
management as some students are
already doing part-time work in that
area. They can then use their newfound
management skills to get to the next
level. We are open to working with
more employers by providing learning
opportunities that may well be outside
our regular HND program. From
September 2014 we will be starting
a degree program in management
and leadership in conjunction with St.
Mark and St. John where students will
complete their final year.
What is your role in the college?
I am part-time and responsible for the
quality of qualifications and quality of
the student experience. I was previously
Associate Dean and Head of Social
Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University.
I had been a professor of agricultural
and environmental history. I continue
to work for Anglia Ruskin university
through chairing PhD examinations. I
am also a coordinator of reviews for the
Quality Assurance Agency. This is not a
conflict of interest as it is peer review
and having a role in another college is a
good thing. It is quite different to school
inspections and based on partnership
working rather than an auditing
framework. We still need to meet
minimum standards.
How do you measure your work
at the college?
I continue to improve on our good
practice, get a wider perspective on
what we deliver and enhance my role
in advising the college.
You are also responsible for student
experience, how do you measure this?
We look at student feedback, how
they’ve received feedback from
professors, whether they have
had support and assistance with
any problems they have had, their
encounters with other students – the
whole experience alongside getting
their qualifications.
What is special about your college?
We have small classes. Although we
have no sporting and extra curricular
activities this allows us to keep our
costs low and affordable. We also
have a flexible program to facilitate
working students who may also have
family commitments.
Who is your typical student?
We attract returners to education in
midlife, typically those in their thirties
but we range from 20’s to 60’s. Our
student profile has changed over the
last 3 years as a direct result of new
government legislation. Five years
ago we had mostly overseas students
but recent government policy towards
international students and part-time
working have had repercussions.
International students are still welcome
and we aim to maintain our diverse
mix of students.
32 Today Magazine
Who are your competitors?
Both further education colleges and
universities offer HND courses but we
really try to offer students a competitive
package. We do HND and MA courses
plus the BA coming on stream. Subjects
are health and social care management,
business management, business and
computing & hospitality management.
Everyone has an interview with the
college before starting so they know
what the course involves and whether
they are geared up for it. Many people
do not have standard qualifications at
the start and it’s important to assess
that they are prepared for the course –
so that they are set up to succeed. We
are definitely competitive on fees as we
keep our overheads low. We have lots of
part-time staff who may also be juggling
business and family and can bring these
experiences to their work. We try to
find the best course fit for students so
they do not need to attend everyday.
However although lectures may only
take 2-3 days per week private study
will take another couple of days.
Are staff expected to do research
and continue learning?
We have staff members who are
completing PhD’s and some who have
retired early from academic life only to
be drawn back into it for a love of the
field. Staff are encouraged to continue
learning and go on conferences
regarding developments in their own
subjects or the latest teaching styles.
Some continue to study educational
management and MBA’s too.
How is a private college different
from other further or higher
education institutions?
Since all HE provision now have a
fee attached the difference is not that
great. Students can get student loans
to carry out their studies wherever
they study and there is no need to
pay it back until they reach a certain
wage. Those earning less than £13,000
can still get qualifications without
paying fees.
Today Magazine 33
How has the recession affected you?
The recession has not really affected
us as loans and maintenance grants
are still available. In some sense a
recession gives people an incentive
to increase their skills; and lower
paid workers are more likely to qualify
for grants.
How do you see the future for
the college?
Hopefully we will develop the range of
courses that we do and become better
known in the Thames Valley Area.
We will also increase our online
provision. This does not give the full
student experience of meeting others
and engaging in discussion but fulfils the
needs of some people in mid career.
The Open University have pioneered
this and it’s a successful model.
We currently have 200 students;
previously we had nearer 500 when
there were more international students.
They came from 43 different countries.
Many were from Nepal as our founder
is Nepalese. There were some agents
and feeder colleges involved but this is
changing. We would like more students
from the Thames Valley who may have
different qualifications as long as they
have the ability, determination and
commitment to succeed.
Overall we are local, flexible, with 10
years experience and commendations
for good practice. We give people
a second chance at getting higher
qualifications and value our diverse
student body.
Shirley Anstis
ABI College
80 London Street
Reading, Berkshire
RG1 4SJ
T: 0118 956 9111
W: www.abicollege.org.uk
34 Today Magazine
The secret thoughts of
successful women
I came across this book when I
attended a personal development
course recently. It addresses the
recurring issue of “why capable people
suffer from the IMPOSTER SYNDROME
and how to thrive in spite of it.” The
writer aims the book at women but
makes it clear that men,
especially those from
minority groups, may
also experience this. She
begins the book with
numerous examples of
“intelligent, competent,
talented women who
feel anything but.” She
links to lots of relevant
research and makes good
use of real life examples.
She quotes both Kate
Winslet and Don
Cheadle who despite
their talent express
feeling like a fraud.
She suggests that
there are many reasons
why some people will feel
like an imposter despite
their competence and
achievements.
She believes that these
feelings may thrive
because:
• We are all raised in
imperfect families and
those early experiences
remain into adulthood.
• If you are a student
or in a new job/role/
industry then you are
being monitored and
assessed continuously.
• Some adversarial organisational
cultures like academia and business can
contribute to this.
• If you work alone you can lose
perspective and demand too much
from yourself.
by Valerie Young
• If you work in a creative field then
what you produce is public and there
are people who are paid to critique your
work – and you.
• If you are a stranger in a strange
land then that outsider feeling may
contribute to feeling like an imposter.
This could be working outside of your
culture, class or country.
• If you represent your whole social
group then you may feel extra pressure
“to carry the competency torch for one’s
entire gender, race, sexual orientation,
disability or religion.”
Having identified the reasons why
some people experience imposter
feelings she goes on to explain the
societal context that contributes to this.
She encourages the reader to see the
impact this is having on their life and
begin to take steps to
make changes.
Some of the effects of
feeling as an imposter leads
people to over-prepare,
hold back, maintain a low
or ever-changing profile,
use charm to win approval,
procrastinate, never finish
projects, and self-sabotage.
By doing this they may
avoid negative feedback and
scrutiny but they are putting
themselves under enormous
stress, won’t have the chance
to learn from their mistakes
and will never know how far
their talents could take them.
The remainder of the
book seeks to help the reader
recognise the reasons why
they feel like an imposter
and provide them with some
tools to see things differently.
In her chapter on ‘the
competence rule book for
mere mortals’ she quotes the
writer and filmmaker Julia
Cameron: “Perfectionism is
not a quest for the best. It
is a pursuit of the worst in
ourselves, the part that tells
us nothing we do will ever be
good enough.” She goes on to
show, for example, that there
is a place for hard work and a place for
asking for help. The point is to be aware
of what is impacting on your behaviour
and make a choice about how to go
forward. If you recognise this situation
then this book may be of benefit to you.
Shirley Anstis
Today Magazine 35
Book Review
Education
At ABI we have a governing counsel
with outside people from industry and
education sitting on it. There is a senior
management team and an academic
board. There is also a staff-student
courses committee. The College was
very well praised for this in their last
peer review with QAA. Pearsons also
review us in their role as an awarding
body for HND’s. As well as the QAA
reviews we undergo annual monitoring.
Cuisine
Cuisine
Karma in universal language stands
for action, work or deed. It simply
means the future of an individual
is the result of the action of that
individual. Good deed and good intent
contributes to good karma and future
happiness. With this belief here at
Karma we serve authentic Nepalese/
Indian cuisine in a peaceful, relaxed and
calm environment. With great food
comes along even greater service and
we personally make sure that all our
customers are fully satisfied and happy
so that we have the pleasure to serve
them now and in the future.
Buddhism of Nepal most likely
developed along the lines of North
India, and Nepal has been heavily
influenced by Indian culture whilst
retaining its own unique identity. The
geographic and demographic diversity
along with its colourful history has
developed the Nepalese cuisine into
36 Today Magazine
a rich fusion of Indian and Tibetan
flavours. Here at Karma we aim to
provide you with authenticity whilst
continuing the evolution of Nepalese
cuisine with your health in mind. We
cook cholesterol free cuisine, and
ensure that the salt, fat and calorie
content of our meals is optimised for
taste and for your heart.
One of the main attractions in
Caversham is River Cruising that departs
from Caversham to Maple Durham,
Shiplake or Henley-on-Thames. This
experience can be shared at our
restaurant with the rooftop terrace
looking over the River Thames and
beautiful swans with a glass of your
favourite cocktail which will be as
enjoyable as when you are cruising.
In Caversham there are many
restaurants that have been serving
the locals with top quality food and
entertainment. Here at ‘’Karma’’ with
the same features we also have one
more advantage than the rest due to
our spacious restaurant size. Many of
our existing customers have benefited
from this and also used Karma as
their venue for different celebrations
from birthdays, wedding receptions,
professional gatherings and many more.
We make sure that every celebration
that takes place here is made special,
and private for all our customers.
Lastly, though there are already
many restaurants nearby and customers
have a lot of options to choose from,
Karma is open to serve everyone with
the best that everyone deserves in a
tranquil environment. We are not here
to compete with our competitors and
work against each other but to work
with each other. We want to add value
to Caversham’s trade and community
simply because we believe in ‘’KARMA’’,
what goes around comes back around.
Photos by Raj KC
KARMA Restaurant and Bar
Today Magazine 37
Social Events
Social Events
One family decided to hire out the
whole of Karma Restaurant and Bar in
August to celebrate their Mother’s 70th
birthday. Due to licencing restrictions
the Bar is manned and the takings stay
in control of the owners, so be sure to
cough up enough money to the owners
to make it worth their while and be
prepared to spend heavily at the bar.
Today Magazine was granted
exclusive access to the private 70th
birthday celebration located on Bridge
Street, Caversham, in Reading as it
was hired out to host this very special
occasion. The invited guests were
family and close friends only.
38 Today Magazine
Photos by Raj KC
Private Party
Today Magazine 39
Photos by Raj KC
40 Today Magazine
Today Magazine 41
Social Events
Social Events
Music
Music
LU COZMA
Today Magazine meets up with local singer, songwriter Lu Cozma to talk
about her musical career spanning two decades.
The songs that you sing when you
perform, are they songs that have
been written and composed by you
or by others?
I’ve mostly striven to perform my
own stuff or the stuff that I write in
collaboration with others. I prefer to
sing my stuff rather than do covers but I
have been known to put a few unusual
covers in or reinvent something. I
guess, because of the choice I’ve made
to perform original material, it has
become quite a delicate thing to work
well. Unless you are sort of pushed by a
record company or a record label then
you are struggling to get your own stuff
out there and heard.
42 Today Magazine
Have you ever approached a record
company for a record deal or have you
been approached for a record deal?
I’ve approached record labels in years
past but the difficulty in that is getting
your material to the right person and
to the right person that believes in your
product or who gets what your music is
about. The timing is absolutely crucial.
So what I’ve decided to do is not wait
on a record deal. I’ve independently
released an album and have just set up
my own record label with collaborator
Steve Askew and released under our
own label. We are self-funded, selfnoted and self-managed. This has great
advantages in that you are in total
control of your
own product and
your own brand
but it’s still a bit
tricky because
you still need the
mechanical cogs
of the machine
to distribute and
to publicise and
push to radio
stations. So there
are pros and cons
whichever choice
you make, but I do
like having control
of making my own
cover for my own
CD and having
total say on what
album tracks are
going on and how
we’re going to
execute them. It’s
even important to
be free with how
I perform them
because image is
so crucial these
days. It seems
image takes precedent over anything
musically to be honest. When you’re
self-releasing you have control on all
aspects of your product.
Tell me some of the places where you
have actually played live? What is the
largest audience that you have
played in front of?
I’ve done some lovely festivals in the
UK, in the last several years. One of
the best was Rhythm of the Worlds in
Bedfordshire. It is really diverse and
there are lots of stages with interesting
types of music. It is big with about
20,000 people at any given time
but it’s still got that community feel
and identity to it. I’ve done a lot in
Bedfordshire and North Hants. I’ve done
some festivals abroad too. I did a great
one in Poland some years’ back and that
was very big actually. So it could range
from thousands to hundreds to tens, it
depends on the venue. I quite like the
intimate ones to be honest because
you can really get the energy from the
audience and when you’re singing you
can actually feel the communication.
I can’t really describe it, you can get a
better raw sense of energy from the
audience in smaller venues whereas at
festivals you get a sea of people, which
is really exciting but it’s just a multitude
of people. In an intimate setting you
can look at somebody and really
communicate but in a large festival you
can’t see anyone’s eyes to connect to.
They are different.
What do you think these reality music
programmes have done to live music?
Well I think I’m going to get a bit
controversial; I think it’s a reflection
of our society which is just turning
out mediocrity. It’s just simple, easily
digestible and easily spat out music.
It’s not based on talent or musicality or
how well you can construct or compose
a song; it’s just about whether you look
right or if your age is right. Whether
you can be a product for 6 months and
then gotten rid of so another person
can come in and take over. I think that
it’s just a reflection of what is going on
in this day and age. It’s our throw away
society where nothing has longevity or
any long-term purpose.
Do you think any of the acts that come
from reality programmes are good?
I think there has been some talent
although it doesn’t float my boat to be
honest so I don’t watch it. But I think
it’s all about sensationalism and about
somebody’s tragedy that will propel
them to get through to the next round
or not, so it’s not even based on true
talent. It’s about whether they have
had absolute suffering in their life to
some degree or other and I find that
quite objectionable actually. But that
is not to say that there aren’t some
really wonderful vocal artists out there
that can find a career in singing and
would have never had an opportunity
to do, so it’s not all bad. But I’m just
quite disappointed in the industry
on how quickly they build up artists
then just spit them out. There was a
time when British music was steeped
in political unrest and political
outspokenness and, in its own way
it’s been its own revolution in music.
It was a reflection of what was
politically going on in the country
at the time. You have the punk
movement, post punk and the new
wave and all these interesting eras.
And what have we got now?
Absolutely nothing! It’s just bland,
beige tat, it’s kind of similar to politics
I guess. What’s there that people
really want to shout about?
What do you do when you’re not
doing music?
I really enjoy being with people
that appreciate and respond to
encouragement and that want to tap
into their own creativity. I like learning
with people. I would never profess to
become a teacher or an instructor but
I enjoy the process of exploring new
creativity with others because that
means I can always learn.
What does the future hold for you?
I think I really want to immerse
myself in more exploratory vocal
projects. I’d really like to do some
multimedia work with vocals and
music. Audio-visual work interests
me too. I definitely like working with
people in the community where I can
tap into creativity and explore creativity
through play, storytelling, drama and
music. So there is lots of things I’d like
to be involved in.
You can find out more about Lu Cozma
at her website http://www.lucozma.com
and get a copy of her EP Lockdown
from iTunes.
Today Magazine 43
Art
Art
Face Painting
Today Magazine gets an insight into face painting with
local artist Siobhan Woodray
at that time I wasn’t registered as a face
painter and I didn’t have my own paints
or paint brushes. Eventually I wanted
to be more professional so I now
have these and I’ve always enjoyed
doing this.
Why did you start facing painting and
what inspired you to do it?
I always liked to draw, I drew a lot and
just kept it going, exploring different
ways of art. I got into face painting
about two and a half years ago when my
friend and I decided that I could try to
paint her baby scan on her belly whilst
she was pregnant! It turned out really
well and from there I decided to try face
painting. Whenever my friends came
round I’d always ask them if I could
paint their face. Then people started
inviting me to go to different fairs to do
face painting on children and adults but
Do you have any fears?
No, not really. I think the main thing
would be if someone was to sue me, but
I am insured so that’s not a real worry. I
guess I’d be worried if a parent started
moaning at me for something.
Siobhan Woodray
44 Today Magazine
How do you check for allergies?
I would normally do the check on their
arm. I do skin checks on the child or
adult if the parent/adult isn’t happy
and would like to check if their skin
would react to the paint. If a child/ adult
has anything on their face such as sores,
or cuts then I just have to say no.
Who do you enjoy face
painting the most and why?
I prefer to do adults because
they sit still and I can do a
lot of detail and still be free
to draw how I like. For
example, when I find adults
who are happy to have their
face painted they tend not to
tell me what they want.
I prefer to do a painting
that I think looks good on
them instead of doing what
they want.
Are you looking to make a career out of
face painting?
I wouldn’t say that it’s the only thing that
I’d want to do full time. I have parties
booked every two weeks and I love it plus
I enjoy it so much. It gives me a little extra
money so that’s great. I wouldn’t want it
to be a job because I see it as more of a
hobby, just something I enjoy doing parttime.
Does the background of a child or adult
change the way you use the paint colours
on their skin tone?
No, not at all. The paints are suitable
for everyone.
Would you like to add anything else?
Literally when I paint I go into another
place, that’s the best thing. When I do
face painting at parties I don’t care
who is around me or who else is in the
room. Once I get going, the time just
flies by when I paint because I get stuck
into it. Plus it’s just so fun to do and at
the same time it is relaxing. The only
thing that distracts me is at parties
where the kids really want to see what
I’m painting on other people’s faces so
when they are queuing to watch they
might accidentally nudge me, and the
painting will get ruined.
Shanice Medford
Facebook: Babybumpandfacepaintinguk
Instagram:@babybumpandfacepaintinguk
Photos by Raj KC
What has been your biggest highlight
in face painting so far?
Just being able to be creative, paint
drawings and have fun with art and
colours. There is a lot of freedom in it
plus I like meeting new people.
Today Magazine 45
Today magazine spoke to Alison Buchanan
about her recent trip to Thailand.
Having visited many of the
traditional tourist sites previously she
had been keen to explore other parts.
She chose to see historic ruins in
the ancient city of Ayutthaya, 50 miles
north of Bangkok. The city of Ayutthaya
was founded by King Ramathibodi I in
1350 and was the capital of Siam until
its destruction by the Burmese army in
1767. Part of the Ayutthaya historical
park was designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1991.
This saw her and a friend travel by
local train and bicycle. Unlike taxis or
minibus this gave them a chance to be
with locals, be in control of their route,
and where and when they stopped.
The train journey from
Hualamphong train station in Bangkok
to Ayutthaya takes ninety minutes and
a one-way 3rd class ticket - on wooden
seats with one fixed fan - starts at 20
Baht (£0.40). The most expensive tickets
cost 4 times as much.
46 Today Magazine
On arrival at Ayutthaya train station
they headed out of the main entrance
and took the short walk to the pier
where a ferry takes passengers across
the Pasak River – 4 Baht each way.
Once over the river it is very easy to
hire bicycles from various guesthouses.
She advises shopping around for the
best fit to feel comfortable on your
bike. Be sure to check the brakes too
and do not expect to get a helmet. The
traffic isn’t busy, but it can be a little
unpredictable so keep your wits about
you when crossing junctions. Bikes rent
for around 50 Baht (£1.00) for the day
so a bargain way to get around and be
independent, rather than only seeing
what a Tuk Tuk driver wants you to see.
Once there you can visit the
temples, the old ruins and those where
monks live today. The admission to the
main 3 temples is 50 Baht (£1.00) per
person for each temple, whilst many of
the others are free. If you are short of
time or can’t cope with the heat then
these 3 stops will give you a
good flavour.
1. First, visit Wat Si Sanphet and the
Royal Palace where you will find plenty
of places for souvenir shopping, lunch
and elephant rides!
2. Then, across the road and set in the
historical park, is Wat Phra Ram with
its Ayutthaya style stupas. Next to the
temple is a large park and lake Beung
Phra Ram.
3. Finally, visit Wat Ratchaburana and
nearby Wat Mahathat where you can
see the iconic head of the Buddha tree.
Back in Bangkok the exploration
continued with a night cycling tour of
the city with Grasshopper Adventures.
This evening adventure started at 6pm
with a group briefing and bike fittings.
By staying mostly off the roads they
wind their way through small lane ways,
past ancient temples and canals to see
the heart and soul of Bangkok.
Travel
Travel
Temples and
bicycles in Thailand
Three highlights from the night
cycling tour:
Tammasat University
They cycled at around sunset, to get
to the ferry and cross the Chao Phraya
River, Thailand’s largest river. Once
across the river you can use the quiet
back roads to Wat Arun, the Temple
of the Dawn. At night Wat Arun is
spectacularly lit and free of the throngs
of tourists who flock there daily. After
enjoying the quiet ambiance of the
temple you ride alongside the river
passing a Chinese temple, Christian
church, and another Buddhist temple.
Very picturesque.
Visit the Flower Market
Crossing back over the Chao Phraya,
this time by bridge, they stop at the
flower market which is at its busiest at
this time of night. The market is a riot
of colour and also a great place to snack
on some of the local delights from the
many street stalls.
Wat Pho
The final stop is Wat Pho, another
spectacularly lit temple. The highlight
here are the four burial stupas of the
first four kings of the Bangkok kingdom.
Because it is nighttime the temple is
peaceful and quiet.
The journey finishes
as they head back to
the starting point, the
Grasshopper Shop. They
cycle past the Grand
Palace to find themselves
in Sanam Luang the
well-known leisure park.
This place comes to life
in the evening with an
impromptu market. There are lots of
junk and trinkets for sale, all laid out on
simple mats - a true flea market. From
there they head back to the Khao San
Road area which is just starting to build
up for another big night out for the
backpackers who stop over there.
This was her third visit to Bangkok
in the last 10 years and she says the
evening bike tour is without doubt one
of the best things she has done there.
The equipment is excellent and she felt
very safe cycling as most of the time
they were on very quiet back streets
with virtually no traffic. Occasionally,
they might need to swerve to avoid a
domestic animal. Generally, their guide
made sure that the traffic stopped on
those rare occasions crossing busier
roads. She loved seeing the temples
lit up after dark, without the tourist
crowds. She says it felt like a real
privilege to walk round and have their
own private tour, watching the monks
go about their business as they set up
for a royal visit later that week.
So whether you’re touring by
day or night; on bicycle or bus; in the
markets or the temples; there’s a lot to
experience in Bangkok.
Shirley Anstis
Today Magazine 47
Business
Business
Diversity deficit
In the boardroom
Recently the Business Secretary
Vince Cable launched an initiative calling
on Boards to employ at least one nonwhite director by 2020.
The government move comes
following a survey of Britain’s top 100
companies by recruitment consultants
Green Park that revealed “more than
half of FTSE firms have no non-white
leaders at board level.”
Green Park also said that Britain’s
corporate “diversity deficit” could put
UK companies at a serious disadvantage
in both domestic and global markets.
Recent research by the consultants
McKinsey & Company in its Diversity
Matters survey of 366 organisations
and thousands of executives in the UK,
US, Canada and Latin America found
a statistically significant link between
firms with a more diverse leadership
and better financial performance.
“I personally don’t agree with
quotas just because there could be
negative repercussions.” Karen Blackett,
MediaCom
UK firms that had a 10% higher
gender and ethnic or racial diversity in
their management teams were found to
have on average 5.6% higher earnings
than their competitors.
Meanwhile, companies in the top
quarter of racial or ethnic diversity were
30% more likely to have above-average
financial returns compared to others in
their sector.
However, it is crucial to point out
that this correlation does not establish
a causal link. In other words, it does not
prove that firms are more profitable just
because they are diverse - there could
well be other factors at play here.
McKinsey is rightly cautious about
reading too much into its figures,
merely saying that the existence of the
relationship is statistically significant and
consistently present in the data.
“There is a significant correlation
between diversity and performance,”
says UK managing partner, Vivian Hunt.
“We don’t claim by any means [the
data] is perfect but it demonstrates the
correlation.”
‘Future-proofing’ business
Many in business feel that it does
make commercial sense to recruit at all
levels from as wide a pool as possible.
“When businesses open themselves
up to a wide range of opinions,
backgrounds, ages, genders and
sexualities - it enables innovation and
counters group think,” says Simon
Walker, Director General of the Institute
of Directors (IoD)
“There’s no mandate to hire
anybody, it’s only a mandate to consider
someone.” Robert Johnson, Chairman
of RLJ group
“Commerce is now a truly global
affair, but sometimes it seems that
companies have failed to grasp this
when it comes to their own staff,”
he adds.
Karen Blackett makes the point that:
“If you can have people on your boards
that can build empathy and understand
the target audience, you’re futureproofing your business.”
When it comes to broadening
Britain’s boardroom diversity, many
are looking to the United States and in
particular, American football’s so-called
Rooney Rule that has helped change
the make-up of management within
the sport.
Under this rule, when National
Football League (NFL) teams recruit a
new head coach they have to interview
at least one black or African-American
candidate.
The rule could soon be in place in
the sporting arena in England too, with
Football Association chairman Greg
Dyke saying a form of the rule to boost
the number of black and ethnic minority
coaches in England might be ”a good
way forward.”
American football’s
Rooney Rule explained
• The Rooney Rule says that NFL
teams must interview at least one
ethnic minority candidate when
recruiting new head coaches or
general managers
48 Today Magazine
• It allows the teams freedom in who
actually gets the job
• It was established in 2003 after the
firing of two African-American head
coaches - Tony Dungy and Dennis Green
• The rule is named after Dan Rooney,
chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers,
who is credited with spearheading
the change
Employment gap
The media magnate Robert
Johnson, chairman of the RLJ group
and the US’s first African-American
billionaire, is calling for US firms to
consider more non-white candidates
for jobs.
He wants US companies to
interview at least two African-American
candidates for every job opening at vicepresident level and above.
“The idea is to create something
called enhanced best practice,” says Mr
Johnson, best known for founding Black
Entertainment Television, the first cable
television network aimed at
African-Americans.
“You do this because it is in the best
interests of your company, best interests
of the community, and the best interests
of diversity in this nation.
“Without that I don’t believe you
can ever close the employment gap, the
wealth gap and the talent gap between
white Americans and black Americans,”
he says.
“The idea is to say to all Americans
that this country would be better off
if you made sure that the 30 million
African-Americans be given a fair
chance to succeed in jobs and business
opportunities.”
But this is not a call for quotas,
he says.
“If they are talented, they get the
opportunity, if they’re not talented, you
don’t hire them. There’s no mandate
to hire anybody, it’s only a mandate to
consider someone for a job.”
Mr Johnson says he has been
pleased by the political support his
proposal has received from both
Republicans and Democrats.
Widening the net
Back in Britain, Karen Blackett
agrees that a UK corporate version of
the Rooney Rule could be beneficial.
“I think the Rooney Rule could be
an interesting model,” she says, “That
doesn’t influence outcome. What it
does do is influence input.
“I personally don’t agree with
quotas just because there could be
negative repercussions.
“I do believe in making sure you
widen the net, because at the end of the
day you want the very best candidate.
“You need to make sure you’re
fishing [in] not just one part of
the pond.”
Today Magazine 49
Sudoku
Sudoku Rules: Each column, row and block must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 and no two numbers in the same
column, row or block of a Sudoku puzzle can be the same.
Crossword
34. “They went ___-way”
38. “Gentleman’s Agreement”
Oscar-winner Celeste
40. Sound of a punch
42. Q.E.D. member
43. Brand of smokeless tobacco
45. Was worried
47. 1051 on monuments
48. She lost her charges
51. Parrot
54. Russian emperor
55. Diploma recipient
58. One running easily
62. Chihuahua cat
63. Springtime celebration, to
some
66. Terminated
67. Process in a blender
68. Former filly
69. Buntline and Rorem
70. Range fixture
71. IDs sought by phishers
Across
Down
1. Barely passing marks
5. Old Parisian money
10. Yemen capital
14. Flexible, as an electrical outlet
15. Chicago-based TV talk show
16. Transport on rails
17. Kids’ game similar to
“Simon Says”
19. Autobahn car
20. Ballade signoff
21. ___ acid: vitamin C
23. ___ buco: veal meal
26. 1962 John Wayne film set in
Africa whose title is Swahili
for ‘danger’
27. Pugilist’s weapon
32. “So ___!” (“Me, too!”)
33. Where Durban is
1. Knight’s lady
2. B-school subj.
3. 1999 film directed by Ron
Howard
4. Fishy bunch
5. Voting yes
6. 33,45, or 78, briefly
7. Venezuelan copper center
8. Negative votes
9. Showy
10. ___ ball rolling (initiate)
11. Popular vacation isle
12. Very depths
13. Friends in Florence
18. ESPN anchor Rich
22. Kiln for drying hops
24. Pierre’s state: Abbr.
25. Do better than, onstage
27. Contemptuous comments
28. Not a good way to run
29. “___ & Stitch”: 2002 film
30. Like a visit from John Paul
31. Broccoli piece
35. Epee ou pistolet
36. Snow job
37. “Take___from me”
39. Nose offenders
41. Insect snares
44. In ___ of
(substituting for)
46. Versatile worker
49. Vagrants
50. Introductions
51. Exhort
52. Ache for
53. Couldn’t take
56. Strung tightly
57. Bronte’s ‘Jane ___’
59. High-tech appt. books
60. Make in income
61. Bakery purchases
64. Letter before “cue”
65. Above, in poetry
ARIES: (21 March - 19 April)
LIBRA: (23 September - 22 October)
It’s time to stop wallowing in self-pity. Things are
not as bad as they may seem. A Leo friend helps
you un-load at this time. Be careful not to reveal
too much. Exercise helps get anxiety out.
Watch not to overspend on a shopping excursion
this season.
Take a mental-health day from work this season
and visit a favourite bookstore. Good news comes
over the phone. Romance is tricky this season.
Search further than words for the truth. Honesty
equals power. A Scorpio is holding back on you.
Your financial situation calls for a reality check.
TAURUS: (20 April - 20 May)
SCORPIO: (23 October - 21 November)
Don’t let your stubborn side get the best of you.
It’s time for common sense to prevail. Take a long
lunch at work, if it means keeping your temper
in check. Dress sharp in the office. A Capricorn
will notice. A social celebration at the end of this
season helps lighten your mood.
Don’t jump into relationships without thinking.
Passion mixed with stubbornness can lead to poor
decisions in love. Visit a distant family member this
season. It will take patience and trust to rebuild
broken bonds, but it’s worth your while. Tension
builds at work.
GEMINI: (21 May - 20 June)
SAGITTARIUS: (22 November - 21 December)
Exercise, exercise, exer-cise, Gemini. This
season will wear you down without it. Friends
and colleagues call on you from all angles – be
prepared. A Virgo comes to you for career advice.
Share the benefits of your experience. Make plans
to see old friends now.
An old schoolmate invites you to a big celebration
this season. Bring a date. Maybe the Libra who’s
been catching your eye at work? Go for it. Dress to
kill. Take time out this season to catch up on letter
writing and phone calls. A Scorpio plays a role at
this time.
CANCER: (21 June - 22 July)
CAPRICORN: (22 December - 19 January)
Take a chance on a blind date. Don’t jump the
gun and rush to judgment; there’s more there
than meets the eye. Tolerance is called upon by
a female Aquarius now. Listen carefully before
you offer advice. Start plans rolling for a tropical
vacation later this season.
It’s time to let those around you know just how
much you appreciate them. Make a special trip
to the stationery store and buy some greeting
cards, or better yet, make your own. Relaxation
is key at home. If you’re planning a special event,
remember to schedule some breaks.
LEO: (23 July - 22 August)
AQUARIUS: (20 January - 18 February)
You seem to be caught up in things that make
others happy, while putting your own interests
on hold. Romance is a concern now. Use your
sensitivity, charm and your inner, lion’s courage
to change your situation.
Protect your sanity this season. A heavy workload
requires that you schedule your time carefully.
Sleep will help keep you smiling and keep your
patience running. It’s time to get rid of belongings
that just eat up space.
VIRGO: (23 August - 22 September)
PISCES: (19 February - 20 March)
Things could seem crazy at home and you might
have to put your own needs on the back burner
for a while. Prepare for an athletic competition
this season – don’t neglect sleep. Watch your
diet, especially now. Stay away from junk food
and caffeine.
This is a season with ups and downs. Don’t let a
sour mood ruin a good time. Pay close attention
to a loved one’s needs. A special date puts a smile
on your face. Dress to thrill. Leave a weekend open
for impulsive plans. Try to spend more quality time
with family.
For solutions, please visit our website: http://www.todaymag.co.uk/puzzle-solutions-summer2014-edition
50 Today Magazine
Today Magazine 51
Horoscope
Puzzles
Horoscope - Summer 2014
Puzzles
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