Sunday December 11, 2011

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A fabulous festive fundraiser for Marist Friends

£1.30 €1.75

Dermot O’Leary cries fowl this Christmas Page 3

Some 500 Marist families, governors, teachers and Sisters got themselves into the festive spirit as they enjoyed their school’s annual Christmas fayre.

The live Nativity Scene was also very popular, with a real donkey, cow, sheep and goat (and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus of course) situated in the grounds of the school in Sunninghill, Berkshire.

“With 20 local businesses participating with gifts for early

Christmas shopping, together with plenty of activities and games run by the girls, the event was a fabulous fundraising occasion for all,” said Julie Gillborn, Vice Chair of the Marist Friends Association.

There was also an obligatory appearance from Father Christmas himself, who got through a very busy day in his grotto with the help of elves and friends from the school’s year five (pictured).

Free morning-after pill plan branded‘misguided’

By Ben Glaze and Lee Siggs

A pro-life group has criticised a move by an abortion agency to provide free supplies of the morningafter pill over the Christmas period.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) has launched a service where women can request the pill over the phone and get it delivered free of charge to their home. The abortion charity claims the move will help women prevent unwanted pregnancy over the Christmas and New Year period.

The controversial move has been described as “misguided” by pro-life charity LIFE.

The morning-after pill acts by preventing the ovaries from releasing ova but it is also believed to have an abortifacient effect in certain cases by preventing the embryo from successfully being implanted in the womb. It can have this effect for up to 72 hours after intercourse.

BPAS claimed women face barriers obtaining the pill, including not being able to get appointments, some health workers refusing to provide it and the £25 cost if bought direct from a pharmacist.

It says these issues are made worse at Christmas, when chemists and surgeries may be closed.

Continued on page two

Bird-brained sequel keeps Feeton move Pages 16-17

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