Sarah, Duchess of York current events 13: February-October 2009

[udyusa]

I looked. I read it. It will be interesting to say the least, to see how Sarah will look IF she manages to lose the weight she purports to want to lose. We shall see... Thank you for the information, Elspeth! *flowers*

[di-fan72]

I admire her for taking this step. The thought only makes me tired (all the exercise and dieting she has to do). I am really courious what will be the outcome. I wish her good luck.

[iowabelle]

I'm sorta concerned for her. She looks a little larger than she has been (in the dinner with Prince Andrew photos), but I wish she'd stop talking about radically altering her lifestyle to fix the weight problem. I think all of us (the pound challenged of us, anyway) know it just doesn't work to get radical about it. She's done so well for so very long, I feel disappointed for her (same as I do when Oprah has a visible problem).

[Ella Kay]

I'd be really shocked if either Sarah or Andrew remarries, honestly. For one -- and this isn't meant as criticism -- I think she'd be reluctant to give up the use of the moniker "Sarah, Duchess of York." She's very identified with that name, and I don't think she'd want to lose it.

[ada]

Originally Posted by Ella Kay

I'd be really shocked if either Sarah or Andrew remarries, honestly. For one -- and this isn't meant as criticism -- I think she'd be reluctant to give up the use of the moniker "Sarah, Duchess of York." She's very identified with that name, and I don't think she'd want to lose it.

Uses her title to the MAX. She would have to recreate herself.

[rmay286]

Also, a spokesperson for Geir Frantzen said a while ago that he had a "long-term partner" back home in Norway. I think Sarah said the same thing in an interview, so I can't see Sarah marrying him. She says she isn't able to find a partner, but sometimes I wonder if she deliberately only sees men she knows won't marry her. I'm not even sure Sarah's relationship with Geir is romantic, or if they're just friends. I remember when Count Gaddo della Gherardesca was called her boyfriend, yet I think he was separated but not divorced from his wife. And when he was asked about his relationship with Sarah, he gave some cryptic comment such as, "we're friends with a deep connection."

[iowabelle]

Sarah was on The Today Show yesterday (Friday) for a segment they've been running called Duchess for a Day. She goes out and interviews people who should be honored for community activities and then brings them back to the studio for special rewards. Haven't seen the other segments but it was interesting.

[udyusa]

I am sorry I missed that. There has been nothing said about it in the papers here in Michigan or on the News, for that matter. It would have been interesting to see Sarah; although I have to confess that I rarely get up that early to watch TV. :-( Thank you for the head's up on Sarah, iowabelle. (I would have gotten up early to see Sarah...)

[Ella Kay]

Let's see if this works ... the video of the segment is up on the Today Show website: msnbc.com Video Player

[di-fan72]

Originally Posted by Ella Kay

Let's see if this works ... the video of the segment is up on the Today Show website: msnbc.com Video Player

It worked! I watched it. Thank you Ella Kay for the link!

[udyusa]

Way too many "We's", imo. Well said, ada. I think I will pass on getting up early to see anymore...

[MelinaB.]

I heard she's one of the producers of the "The Young Victoria" film.Sarah also helped a lot by providing precious info about Q.Victoria.Her daughter,Beatrice,has a small part in the movie as well,she appears at Q.Victoria's wedding.

[queenofthelight]

Duchess of Hoodies: Fergie tackles the 'Shameless' estate for TV | Mail Online (11/08/2009)

[Skydragon]

from the article-

She's now on my payroll, a mum of three, with a criminal record for assaulting another mum. Like her, I've made mistakes. I wanted to give her another chance.'

No Sarah, not quite the same. She doesn't appear to have any idea of reality for many of these people. She wants to try helping out at CAB or any of the advice centers that really help those who are in need!

The hoodies I spoke to thought I was a toffee-nosed git and were effing and blinding.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by queenofthelight

Duchess of Hoodies: Fergie tackles the 'Shameless' estate for TV | Mail Online (11/08/2009)

What's her GOAL for these people? Any word or article on that?

[Ukroyalist]

Originally Posted by Russophile

What's her GOAL for these people? Any word or article on that?

I would assume that the goal is for these people to start to reinvest some pride into their community and manage the project themselves. That was the vision behind her previous project in Hull and I would assume that the Duchess has located an area where any investment has failed in the past due to the attitudes and lifestyles of residents.
I got the impression from the article that the Duchess works with residents desperate for change and empowers them to make those changes.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Russophile

What's her GOAL for these people? Any word or article on that?

I have no idea and probably the people she is supposed to be helping don't know either!

Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson fright as gun blast hits project - mirror.co.uk

wanted to help "broken Britain" because there were too many young people with knives.

Oh please ......

[Wisteria]

It seems that someone doesn´t want Sarah Ferguson´s help/interference.


I wish she would take up a cause that the people being helped can appreciate, perhaps she could include "too many young people with guns" with the "too many young people with knives".
Well there is one benefit out of all this, it makes Sarah feel good about herself.
It reminds me of someone I knew who was always telling people what a good person she was "I give to the poor, you know"..

[rmay286]

Originally Posted by Russophile

What's her GOAL for these people? Any word or article on that?

These quotes are from the Manchester Evening News:
The Duchess on the estate - Showbiz - News - Manchester Evening News

Inspiration comes from a visit to Julie Bascombe, a Blackpool resident who turned her community around by setting up a youth centre called Dreamscheme.

Bringing together the mothers of Northern Moor, the Duchess helps transform a council owned building on Sale Road into a community centre.

That's Sarah's goal...to build a sense of community in crime-ridden neighbourhoods. She wants to build a community centre because a youth centre in Blackpool is credited with improving the quality of life there. The quotes below explain what Sarah is doing to achieve her goal:

"I inspire people to get on and do things by rallying the troops. I’m an enabler. What saved people after the Blitz was a cup of tea and a biscuit. It was the community centres and village halls where you could go and talk and someone would listen to you.

“If we communicated more, there would be fewer problems. So I want to set up community centres to bridge the gap between young and old, and Northern Moor housing estate was my blueprint.”

Sarah knows she will be accused of being the privileged ex-royal who puts on a show of helping disadvantaged people for the sake of her public image. She responds to that type of criticism below:

Asked if she was concerned that she would be accused of being patronising, the Duchess told the magazine: “Of course. I’m accused of everything right, left and centre. Patronising would be sitting in London, telling Dawn what to do. The bottom line is that if Dawn says she needs £40,000 for the centre, I go and raise it. That’s my job.”

[Ukroyalist]

I really admire her. The Duchess is helping people in a way she's comfortable with. And if she's helping her profile at the same time then good for her!