Hello. This week’s news gives you a legitimate reason to doodle, along with an insight into the world of dog agility and a man who has a lot of t shirts. Enjoy.

Bottle-doodle-do

Our Ben W and Simon K like nothing better than a bit of doodling in between looking at important charts, so have come up with an arty competition. All you need to do is get hold of one of our new smoothie of the month bottles, some coloured pens and get drawing your very own fantasy island. There are no doodle don'ts - just be as creative as you like and then upload your entries to our flickr group by 1st July. The top three entries will each win a case of our finest drinks and pride of place on our blog.  

Keeping it local

Time was you knew everyone on your street, waved to the postman everyday and looked forward to the annual postcard from Margate, courtesy of Mrs. Siddles at number 42. Nowadays, people just don’t chat to their neighbours like they used to and it’s a crying shame. Thankfully, one of the pubs round the corner from Fruit Towers is trying to change all that. Everyday, they write up a different street name in the local area on their blackboard and if you can prove you live on that street, you get a free drink on the house. Free pints, a great way to meet the neighbours and a golden opportunity to find someone to feed the cat next time you go on holiday. It’s all about keeping it local.

Doggie dexterity

As well as Morris dancing, ferret racing and acrobatic fleas, the excellent dog agility course will be back at our fete again this summer. It’s run by Betty Curtis, who has been competing for about 10 years and will be bringing her dogs, Ben and Jessie, along with her.  When it comes to competing, Betty prefers short, tight obstacle courses to open running events and always makes sure she rewards her dogs with a homemade liver cake. Her top tips for canine coaching at home are to make sure any obstacle courses are done in a safe environment, to always praise on a positive and above all, to make it fun for you and your dog. If you fancy yourself and your little Coco as future agility stars, then click here to make that dream a reality.

Do your bit

The nice people at Friends of the Earth have just published a handy, new guide to stopping climate change, which is packed full of easy-to-understand facts and simple tips to help make life better for you, the planet and your pocket. Stuff like which setting to use on the dishwasher, how to get the most out your boiler and when best to listen to Gregorian monks chanting with the lights off (8:30pm, Wednesday nights).  We’ve got 5 copies of this helpful, little book to give away.  All you need to do to win one is tell us how you like to do your bit for the planet here.

Well done to Pamela, Jilly and Kathy for confessing their dirty little secrets to win some method goodies in last week’s competition. Click here for some more filthy reading.

And finally...

Hello there. 2008 is just speeding by isn’t it? With the longest day of the year on Saturday, there are only six months left to get all your Christmas shopping done. Better get going.

Treat yourself

A few weeks ago, we asked you what you thought of our big, new thickies and we’ve had some great responses. Caroline has replaced her mid-afternoon biscuit with the vanilla recipe, Mike from Portsmouth has been hiding in carparks to enjoy his favourite and Jen suggested filling the empty bottle with coloured sand to make a stylish paperweight afterwards. If you haven’t had a chance to try them yet, here’s a nice money off voucher (link only available to innocent family via email version newsletter) for you to do just that. You'll need to be quick though as there's only a limited number available. When you’re done drinking, feel free to leave your comments and empty bottle suggestions here.

Feel the fear

And do it on the telly. That’s the motto of our Richard L, who joined us this week after winning Fear Factor. To win this prestigious title, Richard had to hang onto the back of a buggy whilst speeding through sand dunes at 40km/h. He then kindly let his team mates lie in a coffin full of scorpions before rescuing them from being handcuffed in a burning building and then putting the fire out in record time. And after all that bravery, he then treated his missus to a swanky holiday in the Maldives with his winnings. What a guy.

Flea for all

A fete wouldn’t be a fete without a circus of some kind and this year we have Professor Malcolm Jephcotts coming along with his very own flea circus. It’s a family heirloom, passed down from his grandfather to his dad, and consists of some extremely talented fleas. There’s Bruno, who can lift a 2p coin, 70 times his own weight, Trixy who works her magic on the miniature trapeze and special guest star, Fleavel Knievel, who likes being fired out a cannon. We’re locating the dog agility arena in a different part of the park to avoid any walkabout fleas on the day, so make sure you pop along to see Bruno in action and don’t forget to bring your specs.

And finally...

Ever had someone tutting that bit too loudly behind you in a queue? Tapping their foot impatiently while you try to unload your shopping trolley logically? There’s none of that huffing and puffing in this week’s news. Take your time. Enjoy. And put back the crispy pancakes before you regret it.

A little film

You might remember our Andrew D went off to Malawi back in April to work on one of the projects the innocent foundation support out there. He did some excellent blogging while he was away and also made a little video. You can have a look at what he got up to and witness his legendary dancing skills here.

The innocent pyramid scheme

Not one of those dodgy schemes where you sit in someone's living room, eating cheesy footballs and learning how-to-get-rich-quick investing your life savings in hand lotion. No, ours just involves you hanging out with all your mates, their mates and the odd ferret in the park this summer. Simply visit our village fete Facebook event page, accept the RSVP bit if you’re coming and invite all your friends along as well. They in turn can ask their friends, who can ask their friends and so on. Before you know it, it'll be like the biggest school reunion you've ever attended. Except you'll all have been to different schools.

Yorkshire folk

Rich went along to speak at the Yorkshire International Business Conference last week. Alongside the crème de la crème of the Yorkshire business world, he also got to rub shoulders with the likes of Rory Bremner, George ‘Lean, Mean Grilling Machine' Foreman and Elle Macpherson. You can see more photos here. Interesting to note that Rich changed his t-shirt before meeting Elle. Can't think why.

Fancy a ferret?

Last week we introduced you to Maureen the Morris dancer and this week it's the turn of Mal the ferret handler. Before you start writing in to complain, that is his actual job title and not something we made up. He’s been racing ferrets for the last 7 years and has these top tips when it comes to picking a winner:

Look for the pedigree
A twitchy tail, a well groomed coat and a mean look in the eye are all signs of a speedy racer. Ferret blinkers make no difference whatsoever.

Shout encouragement
Banging the boxes just confuses the ferrets. They know their names so call them and they'll come running. This year I'll be bringing Crazy Jack, Eco Warrior, Bad Boy Bubba, Silver Surfer and Kev the Ferret.

The handler's decision is final
I am also the race adjudicator so if there's any bribery to be done, fizzy cola bottles in a brown paper bag wouldn't go amiss.

And finally...

Vinegar is amazing for making fluffy meringues, descaling the kettle and cleaning a limescaley loo. Something to think about next time you’re waiting in the chippy.

Treemendous

A huge thank you to all of you who’ve bought one of our big cartons recently and registered a tree or two on our special tree website. So far, our treeometer stands at over 67,156 trees, which is treerific news. Bad puns aside, there’s still time to get your tree registered and maybe even register one for your mum. Much nicer than nicking the peonies from next door’s garden. And for those of you who are only reading to see if you’ve won the breakfast comp, the answers might just be here.

Hallo hallo hallo

Well, whack me round the legs with a truncheon and call me Bromsnorren. Our drinks are now available in all 14 offices of the Dutch National Police Force. Out in the ‘dam, the Old Bill are known as Zwaantjes (little swans), and Bromsnorren (grumpy moustaches). The latter nickname is attributed to the most famous Dutch policeman, Veldwachter Bromsnor, a moustachioed copper in a sixties TV show, who was quite grumpy. Illuminating Dutch TV trivia aside, we’re just made up that Dutch policeman everywhere are enjoying our smoothies and that all Jeroen’s parking fines have been waived.

Maureen the Morris Dancer

Please say hello to Maureen. Maureen is the foreman of the Morris dancers who are coming along to our village fete this year, which means she’s the lady responsible for teaching them all the dances and hanky flicking. She’s been dancing since 1996 and teaches a mixture of Cotswold dances and other more traditional dances from The Black Book of Morris Dancing. To read more about Maureen and why there are so many badges adorning her and her husband Nick’s waistcoats, have a little look here.

And finally...