Ahead of Awareness Week the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail featured coeliac disease and reported the recent research finding that it takes an average of 13 years to be diagnosed with coeliac disease and the Daily Express featured a case study. In addition we gained a wide range of coverage in consumer publications such as Boots' Health & Beauty magazine, Asda magazine, Sainsbury magazine, Good Housekeeping, Healthy, Health & Fitness, My Weekly, Junior, The Lady as well as the BBC Good Food website and BBC Health website. A wide range of regional press also covered Awareness Week from the Channel Isles, Cornwall and Plymouth to Cambridge, Birmingham, Derby and Scotland. 

During Awareness Week Coeliac UK worked closely with celebratory chef Phil Vickery who recorded a number of radio interviews which were broadcast across the UK (see below). He also mentioned coeliac disease in a profile in the Body & Soul supplement of The Times, on the 19th May and ITV's This Morning on the17th May featured Gluten-free puddings.

GMTV featured an interview with Channel 4 presenter Cesarina Holm-Kander on 8th May and ITV Central News did a news feature on coeliac disease on the 6pm news show on 18th May which included interviewing two case studies. 
Nutritionist and writer Ian Marber, The Food Doctor, participated in a radio phone-in on the Anna Raeburn Show LBC on 14th May.

Coeliac UK reached a new peak in radio listeners with Phil Vickery and Coeliac UK's Head of Diet & Health recording a number of radio interviews which were broadcast across the UK. These ranged from local BBC Radio stations: Devon, Oxford, Cambridgeshire, Derby, and York to Sunrise FM in Bradford, Northsound Two in Aberdeen and U105 in Belfast.  Norma also recorded an interview for Sky News which was picked up by 22 radio stations from Swansea to Dundee and broadcast to an audience estimated to be 7 million listeners. 

Following on from Awareness Week Norma also joined BBC Radio Berkshire's Nicki Whiteman for her 'health hour' phone-in on 29th May.

This is your chance to let us know which companies you think deserve a 'Thumbs Up' or a 'Thumbs Down'. 
Available to complete NOW! We hope to praise those you think are doing a good job and use them as examples in the industry, when campaigning to those who you think need to improve!
The closing date is on the15th June 2007 and results will be published in the autumn issue of Crossed Grain.

On Sunday 1st July, three members of the Diet and Health team and one very supportive husband are taking part in the British 10K London Run. Kathryn Miller, Emily Kirk, Emma Merrikin and Phil Merrikin are running to raise money for Coeliac UK!
 
If you would like to sponsor the team please click here! 
All Coeliac UK 2007 events will be kindly sponsored by Glutafin.

Coeliac UK will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the University of Sheffield on Saturday 7 July. The day will start with an open forum for members diagnosed in the last 12 months, followed by a discussion session with health & diet advisers and a Governors' clinic. We will have a small number of gluten-free manufacturers exhibiting which will give members and their guests the opportunity to browse and discuss foods with the people behind the products.   A selection of hot gluten-free food will be available to buy on the day and goody bags will be given to everyone who attends the AGM.
 
Our keynote speaker this year will be Gordon Banks MP, who is also the Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on coeliac disease and DH.  He will also give the Elizabeth Segall lecture and Professor Peter Howdle will be signing copies of his newly published book ' Your guide to coeliac disease' - where for every copy sold, 50p will be donated to Coeliac UK.
 
For further information, please refer to your invitation - sent out to all members with the last issue of Crossed Grain magazine, issue no 68.

Sue Kelly ran the Bath half marathon for charity and thought it would be a good idea to try and raise funds for Coeliac UK as "without their support I would have struggled to cope with having coeliac disease".
She contacted her group leader and was given lots of support by her family, friends, work colleagues and members of the local coeliac group through sponsorship and encouragement.
She set herself a target of 2 ½ hours and crossed the line at 2h 31, which she was nearly pleased with (well done Sue).                                 
Sue raised £537.50 and she would like to thank everyone for their support.   Coeliac UK would like to say thank you to Sue as her efforts and fundraising means a lot to us.

You can take part in many of the fundraising events Coeliac UK takes part in, click here for more info, or you can simply sponsor someone who is fundraising for Coeliac UK.

Emma Merrikin, dietitian from Coeliac UK will be one of 40 top speakers at The Allergy Show at Olympia.  The show is running from Friday 15th June to Sunday 17th at Olympia, it features more than 40 free seminars including cookery demonstrations along with 100 exhibitors with lots of gluten-free food suppliers.
Emma will be there speaking to people about how coeliac disease is diagnosed and treated, she will be there on Sunday 17th from 1pm - 1.45pm.
Tickets are £9 on the door or £6 in advance from www.allergyshow.co.uk or 0870 272 0020.

This year's Awareness Week proved hugely successful. Almost 50 Parliamentarians attended our Reception at the House of Commons on 15th May. So a big thanks to all our members who encouraged their MPs to attend. Overall this was a bigger attendance than in 2006 and with more MPs attending this year. The following day on Coeliac UK's exhibition located near MPs offices in Portcullis House helped to raise awareness of coeliac disease with a number of MPs and researchers visiting the stand.

Adastra Medical attended both the reception and the exhibition with the Biocard coeliac testing kits. Twenty-nine people were tested at the reception and a further eighty-seven at Portcullis House on Wednesday.

On 14th May Gordon Banks tabled an Early Day Motion, on the early diagnosis of coeliac disease. The motion was tabled with six names and MPs were encouraged to add their signatures to the motion over the two days. Within a week 87 MPs had signed the motion to show their support.

The motion reads:  EDM 1449:  Early Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease

That this House recognises the work of the charity Coeliac UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group on coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis and congratulates them on helping to raise awareness of coeliac disease, a debilitating illness that affects 1 in 100, although fewer than 20 per cent have been diagnosed; expresses concern that many people with the disease do not receive early diagnosis; and urges the Government to promote measures to ensure GPs receive more appropriate training and support to enable them better to recognise the disease and so promote early diagnosis.

Now that Awareness Week is over we are turning our attention to future campaigns. In recent months we have been asking people to send in their experiences in hospitals.  We aim to launch a campaign to try to improve awareness of coeliac disease and the importance of the gluten-free diet among hospital staff and caterers.

The main cause for ongoing gut symptoms in patients with coeliac disease (CD) established on a gluten-free diet (GFD) is continued or unintentional gluten intake.  However, there are also other causes of chronic diarrhoea in patients who are successfully following a GFD. The pancreas is an organ that makes digestive enzymes; one possible cause of persistent diarrhoea is a condition called 'exocrine pancreatic insufficiency'- where the pancreas does not make enough of these enzymes.  

The aim of this study was to assess whether exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a cause for continuing symptoms in adults with biopsy proven CD, compared to controls i.e. patients with gut symptoms who do not have CD. The researchers set out to determine whether pancreatic enzyme supplementation improved gut symptoms in coeliac patients with chronic diarrhoea. In total 259 patients were included in the study (50 of which were controls).

Pancreatic insufficiency was measured by stool levels of an enzyme called faecal elastase -1 (FEl-1), which is made by the pancreas. Patients with low levels of this enzyme were offered supplements.  Stool habit, stool frequency and body weight, before and after treatment with pancreatic enzyme supplementation were recorded. 

The results showed that low levels of FEl -1 were significantly more frequent in patients with chronic diarrhoea who had CD compared to patients who did not have CD. 18 out of 20 patients with CD on a GFD who had diarrhoea and low levels of FEl-1, experienced significant improvement in their chronic diarrhoea and subjectively reported improvement in consistency/urgency after pancreatic supplementation. No significant body changes were observed.

The authors conclude that low faecal elastase is common in patients with CD and chronic diarrhoea, suggesting exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In this group of patients, pancreatic enzyme supplementation may provide improvement in symptoms.

Leeds J.S et al; (2007) Alimentary Pharmacolology & Therapeutics 25, 265-271

Slovene Celiac Disease Society together with Department of Paediatrics at Maribor Teaching Hospital are organising a simultaneous meeting of AOECS (Association of European Celiac Societies) and medical professionals in September 2007. This is a meeting where experts with special interest in coeliac disease and scientists who conduct intensive research in all aspects of the disease can discuss important issue with the leaders of all the European patient organisations such as better quality of life for patients with coeliac disease. Click here to read what will be discussed at the meeting.

Here is just a sample of what is going on over the next few months but there is so much more happening in and around your area. To find out dates, times, details and other events please click here.

9 June 2007 Cleveland Group
Cookery workshop in conjunction with Juvela, morning session, 10.00am -12.00pm, afternoon session, 2.00pm -4.00pm.

9 June 2007 East Kent Group
Join us for a bring and share picnic at Pegwell Bay Country Park, A256 Ramsgate to Sandwich Road, from 2.30pm.

16 June 2007 Clyde Valley Group
New members' meeting with advice from the committee on basic cooking skills and visit from Lifestyle at Wishaw Old Parish Church, Main Street, Wishaw between 2.30pm-4.30pm - all welcome. 

20 June 2007 Beds and Mid Herts Group
Coach trip to Cromer followed by meal at The Plough at Marsham, Norfolk for gluten-free meal.

20 June 2007 Wolverhampton Group
A meeting for those diagnosed within the last 3 years.  Gastroenterologist, Dr Rostami and CUK dietitian, Norma McGough, in attendance to answer your queries.  The Maltings Day Centre, Herbert Street, Wolverhampton. 

21 June 2007 Cardiff and East Wales Group
Boots the Chemist - product night at Boots, Queen Street, Cardiff from 7.00pm.  Dietary Specials in attendance with products to sample. 

23 June 2007 Bath and West Wilts Group
Come along and support our first Food Fair at Bath City Football Club, Twerton Park, Twerton, Bath BA2 1DB from 10.00am - 4.00pm.

23 June 2007 Middlesex South Group
Barbecue at the Staines Sailing Club, Chertsey Lane - 2.00pm-4.00pm.  Admission by ticket only.

30 June 2007 Bournemouth and Poole Group
Cookery demonstration and mini food fair - 2.30pm start.  Juvela, Lifestyle Bakery and local gluten-free produce to taste and buy.  Contact group organiser to book your place.

30 June 2007 Lincolnshire Group
The group's annual awareness day with invited manufacturers, teas, tombola and a dietitian on hand to answer your questions at Ludford Community Centre. 

1 July 2007 Beds and Mid Herts Group
Junior summer party, with entertainment and gluten-free food, at Great Ashby Community Centre, Great Ashby Way, Stevenage.  Contact the group's junior secretary for full details.

To keep up to date with Juvela's whereabouts click here.

Bolognese Sauce
A supper classic. Serve with Glutafin Spaghetti or layer with Glutafin Lasagne sheets and a White sauce made with Select White Mix. Top with fresh grated Parmesan for a delicious lasagne.

In brief...

Cooking time 45 minutes  
Preparation time 10 minutes  
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients...

• 1 x 15ml tbsp olive oil  
• 1 onion, finely chopped  
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed  
• 1 x 5ml tsp mixed herbs  
• 1 carrot, coarsely grated  
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped  
• 350g/12oz lean beef (minced, pork or chicken is also fine)  
• 400g/14oz passata sieved tomatoes (canned chopped tomatoes are also an alternative) 
• Salt and ground black pepper

Method:

1. Gently fry the onion, garlic and herbs together in the olive oil for 5 minutes to soften.
2. Add the remaining vegetables. Fry for a further 5 minutes
3. Stir in the mince and cook until browned (2-3 minutes).
4. Add the tomatoes, season well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes stirring occasionally

Serving suggestions

Serve Bolognese Sauce sprinkled with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Tip:

• Use a mix of fresh oregano, thyme and parsley for a fuller flavour
• Add 2 rashers of finely diced  smoked back bacon to the frying onion and garlic for a richer tasting Bolognese
• Serve the Bolognese sprinkled liberally with fresh grated Parmesan

Thank you to Glutafin for sponsoring this recipe. You can go to their website and view more here.

Give in to your cookie monster!
Gluten-free chocolate biscuits are a right not a privilege! That's why we're giving away 2,000 free sample packs containing 2 of our most tempting choccie biccies: Glutafin Chocolate Chip Cookies and Glutafin Milk Chocolate Digestives.  With all you cookie monsters out there, they won't last long, so click now for yours.

ENJOY A GLUTEN-FREE HOLIDAY at LA BELLE DEMEURE

Featured in Irish Coeliac News

Delicious food
Excellent service
Lovely location in SW France
www.glutenfreeinfrance.com Tel 0870 7605042 or 0033545326849.

Halfway Inn, A3052, near Sidmouth.
A very extensive menu of gluten free food
B&B and good full English breakfast.
Gluten free Sunday lunches,

Tel: 01395 232273 – www.halfwayinnsidmouth.co.uk

Summer and Fall holidays in France. Gluten-free at our Dordogne Chateau.  Come visit our new covered terrace at the Lodge. Sit by the new pool house. Relax and Rejuvenate! A few en suite rooms remain for 2007. 
Call on +33 (0) 553 54 88 64 www.chateaudevillars.co.uk 

With over 550 products in own range GFF Direct is a supermarket for Coeliacs. Our full range can be viewed at www.gffdirect.co.uk or at our very own shop in North Yorkshire. Our team will be exhibiting our unique brands at the Allergy show in London this month so we hope to see you there. Please call 01757 289200 for further details or a mail order catalogue.

In a recent survey over 8 out of 10 people with coeliac disease preferred Rizopia Organic Brown rice pasta to their normal pasta.

Available from all health food shops.

For more information please visit PGR Health Foods at www.pgrhealthfoods.co.uk

www.GlutenFreeFrance.com

Exquisite 'Maison Charentaise' near picturesque historic Cognac, SW France. Luxury B&B for 6 adults and 5 children, evening meals available upon request.
Gluten-free meals from local fresh produce. Convenient for Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Poitiers and the A10. Outdoor heated 10 x 6m pool. 45 mins from sandy beaches.

Walk to the village restaurant & bar.

Summer's here and the time is right ... for getting in holiday gear.
 
DietaryCard offer widely recognised, wipe clean, highly durable translations of your dietary needs in credit-card format. We've been taking the ordeal out of ordering at home or abroad since 1999.

Put peace of mind in your pocket today at  www.dietarycard.co.uk  01506 635358

Gluten & Wheat-free Fish & Chips, Onion Rings, Chicken Goujons, Fritters and much more... Authentic, crispy, golden, delicious and easy to use batter mix. Enjoy all your favourites with Glu-2-Go.  Visit our website or contact us on 01324 717273. www.glu2go.co.uk

Over 500 free-from products only a click away!  This week save 15% on Glutabye products and Proceli small packs.

Buy online at www.johnsonsprovisions.co.uk visit our shop near Brighton or call our freephone number 0800 688 8969.