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News from December 1995

[archive index] Students' survey - sex, drugs and Jesus - (18/12/95)

A recent survey of 1,000 undergraduates made by the student papers Varsity (of Cambridge) and Cherwell (of Oxford) found the following:

of those who responded...

12 per cent had used ecstasy (double last year's figure)
half had used cannabis (same as last year)
1 in 7 used amphetamines (1 in 12 last year)
1 in 3 said they were virgins
3 per cent claimed to have more than 10 sexual partners
most popular book - the bible
top hero - Jesus

- based on a story in the Cambriodge Evening News of 12/12/95

The Cambridge Evening News' Opinion columnist in that edition showed concern about 'evil pushers' preying on vulnerable youth and quoted a phone number to ring if readers could supply information to 'shop him or her'. The number is 0800 555111. ECOLN wonders who is going to shop the super-power scale pushers such as Margaret Thatcher (a tobacco industry director).

[archive index] Residents canvassed on straw burning power plant in the fens - (18/12/95)

The councils of the the villages of Mepal, Witcham and Sutton which surround the site of a proposed straw-burning power plant are gauging the opinion of their residents about the project so that the results can be presented to a meeting of the District Council planning committee early next year.

A different draft of the plan proposed by the European Development Corporation was rejected earlier this year.

Opposition to straw burning power plant in the fens - 10/4/95.

[archive index] Wards close to fund care plan - Ely - (18/12/95)

44 out of 47 beds for the long term care of the elderly at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely will no longer be available when two wards are closed down. The Ł1.3M expected to result from the closures will be used to fund care in the community schemes and the building of nursing homes. A further Ł12M has been applied for from the Government by the Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority.

There is only one residential nursing home in Ely at present. Elderly people requiring residential care will be means tested and have to pay a contribution accordingly.

- based on a story in the Ely Standard of 14/12/95.

[archive index] Animal discoveries - (18/12/95)

The Symbion Pandora made the national news this week after having been discovered by Danish scientists. The creatures which live on the lips of Norwegian Lobsters have been described as a new phylum of animals.

Last Saturday's 'Cambridge Evening News' told of the identification of a 'mythical beast' by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (based in Cambridge) and Swansea University. The creature, a Bryzoan less than one millimetre long, floats on the surface of the sea around Antarctica in colonies of up to 1000. Nearly 5,000 similar species have been found on ocean floors. It was anticipated that a floating form of the creature would be discovered.

A zoologist from Cambridge University discovered that the female of a species of bird related to the dunnock sings to attract mates. It said in the 'Cambridge Evening News' of 11/12/95.

[archive index] Addenbrookes short of beds - (11/12/95)

During the weekend GPs were asked to send patients elsewhere since Addenbrooke's became overwhelmed by a sudden outbreak of illnesses including 'flu and people suffering from respiratory problems exarcebated by the weather.

- based on a story in the Cambridge Evening News of 9/12/95.

[archive index] Cambus bought out by Stagecoach - (11/12/95)

Cambus, Cambridgeshire's most successful bus company since deregulation employs nearly 800 staff and has assets of around Ł5M. Stagecoach paid Ł12.6M for the company.

- based on a story in the Cambridge Evening News of 7/12/95.

[archive index] Local government spending for next year - (6/12/95)

Last Friday the government announced next year's spending targets for Cambridgeshire.

Next year's Standard Spending Assessment - Ł402M (This year's - Ł380M).
Minimum SSA required to 'stand still' according to finance officials at the county council -Ł411M.
Spending on police to go up by six per cent.
Education - Ł237.3M.
Social services - Ł77.6M.
Fire - Ł12.9M.
Highways - Ł27.4M.
Council tax to go up by at least Ł18 (Ł29 in Cambridge).
- based on information in the Cambridge Evening News of 1/12/95.

[archive index] New hospital opens in Newmarket - (4/12/95)

Newmarket's new hospital received its first patient last week. Phase one of the development has a physiotherapy department, occupational therapy, chiropody, rehabilitation services and GP referal beds.

[archive index] Cambridge man fits Soyuz - (2/12/95)

Last Thursday's 'Guardian Online' described how Michael Foale has been selected to replace an American astronaut bound for the Mir space station via the Soyuz spacecraft. The American was found to be two inches too tall to ride on the Soyuz according to the makers' specifications. Foale started intensive training at Star City last week.

Michael Foale studied at Cambridge University and is Britain's first male astronaut.

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