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	September 07 Newsletter
	Food and Drink Directory Update
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	The eXG Team
	Jo Archer eXG Editor Holly Ellicott Crossed Grain Editor Kevin Monks External Relations Officer Emily Kirk Dietitian

News | Campaigning | Medical Update | What's on | Check it Out

This issue has been sponsored by Pure Spreads

News

Membership Fees

Thank you to everyone who responded to the article in the last edition of eXG and gave us their comments on the potential introduction of membership fees. Such a positive response in support of the work that Coeliac UK carries out on behalf of its membership is hugely heartening.

Below you will find details for the proposed level of membership fees, as outlined at our recent AGM.

Individual*: £20.00
*Adult or Child

Concession**: £10.00
** Concessionary rate applies to students, registered unemployed and pensioners whose main source of income is the state pension.

Family / Household***: £25.00
*** Family / Household includes membership for households which contain more than one person diagnosed with coeliac disease or DH, entitling the family / household to receive multiple copies of Crossed Grain, the Food & Drink Directory and voting rights.

The decision to put the issue of introducing a membership fee for Coeliac UK to a membership vote follows the huge rise in membership of the organisation and the continued decline in the percentage of members donating to the Charity, as outlined in the last edition of Crossed Grain. The introduction of a membership fee will help provide the charity with a far more secure income base and safeguard its future.

All current members will receive the opportunity to vote on the introduction of a membership fee either at a special meeting in London on Saturday 10th November, or by using the postal ballot paper that will be sent out with the autumn edition of Crossed Grain.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns on this matter then please contact Holly Ellicott at holly.ellicott@coeliac.org.uk

Coeliac UK on the Radio

Following our record radio coverage during Awareness Week Coeliac UK's Diet & Health Team continued to keep a profile on local radio in August. Dietitians Emily Kirk on BBC Radio Derby and Nicky Mendoza on BBC Radio Stoke were interviewed about coeliac disease. While dietitian Emma Merrikin recommended a gluten-free meal and discussed coeliac disease on BBC Radio Northampton for its 'Dessert Island Dishes' slot on the Richard & Annabel Show.

Volunteers needed

Every year a huge amount of work is carried out on behalf of Coeliac UK by its dedicated and supportive volunteers. From organising local events, supporting awareness activities and helping out in the Coeliac UK offices, every hour volunteered makes a huge difference in assisting the charity to continue to work to improve the lives of people with coeliac disease and DH.

In October Coeliac UK will be holding its 2007 Volunteers Conference, kindly supported by Juvela, to provide relevant training and give us a chance to say thank you to our volunteers for their continued support.

Volunteering can be both rewarding and help you to develop new skills. If you think you could spare a few hours a month to help support the work of Coeliac UK, please contact Barbara Mayne, Volunteers Assistant at barbara.mayne@coeliac.org.uk

Bread Matters

On Sunday 5th August 1230-1300hrs, The Food Programme on Radio 4 had a feature on baking which created a large response from our membership. Andrew Whitley, baker and author of Bread Matters, said that gliadin (prolamine in wheat) can be neutralized by long fermentation in the presence of lactic acid bacteria (lactobacillus).

Coeliac UK has spoken to Andrew Whitley and agreed that although the current evidence available is interesting, there needs to be more research in this area. At the moment, it is not possible to buy this type of bread anywhere, as the long fermentation needed makes its production impractical. Currently the only bread which is safe for the consumption of people with coeliac disease is that which is made from gluten-free ingredients.

Coeliac UK supporting Europe

Coeliac UK will be attending the AOECS (Association of European Coeliac Societies) Conference in Maribor, Slovenia on 13th September.

The results of a postal survey to members of Coeliac UK on Food Information Needs and the Health Economics Research from the University of Oxford will be presented. There will also be discussions on the development of a Europe-wide scheme for licensing the Crossed Grain symbol in conjuction with the AOECS.

Key Food Sector Conference set to be a huge success

Coeliac UK's first ever conference designed specifically for the food sector, taking place on 6 December 2007, is set to be a huge success. The conference has been organised to promote a clear position on gluten-free labelling and also position Coeliac UK as 'authorative' and 'expert' regarding information on the gluten-free diet.

Further details can be found at www.coeliac.org.uk

Coeliac UK secures London Marathon places for 2008

In response to the great achievement of 2007 runners, Coeliac UK has 5 more places for April 2008. Why not get your running boots out and do something amazing!

In order to qualify, email us by clicking here http://www.coeliac.org.uk/13.asp and selecting 'fundraising' from the drop down menu. We will send you an entry form and, after receipt of response, we will formally enter you into our own draw to be held at the end October/early November. Each runner needs to pledge to raise a minimum of £1000 in sponsorship. To double your chances of running the Marathon, you can apply for an independent place through the ballot system. For more information on how to do this click here www.london-marathon.co.uk

Start the festivities early

Buy your Christmas cards from Coeliac UK and support your favourite charity while you spread some festive cheer.

The cards will be available from the first week of October so look out in the autumn edition of Crossed Grain and see the website for more details nearer the time.

Campaigning

The Hospital Food Campaign

Hospital

We are moving forward with our campaign for better gluten-free food in hospitals and care homes. We will be developing gluten-free information packs for Hospital dietitians and a special pack for members who are going into hospital to take with them with information hand-outs for dietitians and ward staff. Celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli, who supported our 2006 Awareness Week Campaign, has also pledged his support to the campaign.

Cross Party Group in Scotland

The inaugural meeting of the Cross Party Group on Coeliac Disease and DH in the Scottish Parliament will be held on 11th September at which the officers will be formally elected. After this the Officers will make a formal application for registration of the Group.

Northamptonshire PCT adopts new prescriptions policy

Following its decision to reverse its policy on restricting gluten-free prescriptions, after several months lobbying by Coeliac UK, Northamptonshire PCT now looks set to introduce a pharmacy-led gluten-free prescribing scheme whereby patients can obtain their gluten-free prescription items more directly from the community pharmacists. This avoids the need for repeated visits to GPs and takes the burden away from the GP. By using the prescription guidelines to determine the quantity it allows patients to choose the type of gluten-free foods they want and thereby extends the range of foods available to patients in Northamptonshire.

Coeliac UK supports the Northamptonshire scheme and is keen to help develop a training model for pharmacists who are involved in gluten-free prescribing in conjunction with local PCTs.

Medical Update

The Iceberg of Coeliac Disease: What Is Below the Waterline?

There are currently two blood tests, antiendomysial (EMA) and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (TGA), that are used in the diagnosis of coeliac disease. These blood tests detect antibodies that are produced by people with coeliac disease when they have gluten-containing foods in their diet.

The aim of this study was to screen a group of people for coeliac disease and then assess if positive coeliac disease antibody tests can be used to assess the severity of the disease. Blood samples from 7,550 individuals between the ages of 45-76 years were tested for antiendomysial antibody (EMA). Out of these, 87 samples were positive for EMA (and hence presumed to be people with undiagnosed coeliac disease). These 87 were then also tested for TGA .

The results showed that people with tests that were positive for EMA and with a TGA level of more than 50% above the average positive value, had lower hip bone mineral density, lower mean haemoglobin (blood iron), lower BMI (Body Mass Index) and lower blood cholesterol.

From this study, the researchers suggest that patients with significantly higher TGA levels (and positive EMA) may have a greater degree of symptoms associated with coeliac disease, and it may also follow that they could also have a greater risk of complications and more extensive disease. Therefore the antibody blood test TGA may be used to predict the severity of undiagnosed coeliac disease.

West J et al; Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2007 5:59-62

Appplications for fellowship

We have collaborated with Core – the charity funding research to prevent, cure or treat digestive disorders – and invite applications for a new three year fellowship into any aspect of coeliac disease. The award is for up to £50,000 per annum salary and £15,000 per annum consumables for three years. We will keep you posted over the coming months through eXG and Crossed Grain.

Fundraising

Recycle and raise money for Coeliac UK

Donate your empty inkjets and old mobile phones and help your favourite charity, Coeliac UK.

We have teamed up with recycle4charity so that your rubbish can raise money. Simply go online at www.recycle4charity.co.uk, fill in your details, and select whether you would like a bag or a bin to put your old phones and printer catridges in. It's that easy! So why not?

What's on

Events 2007

You'll find great ideas, information and the latest in gluten-free food at our regional food fairs, organised by our local support groups. For information on other events please visit www.coeliac.org.uk/events

8th September 2007 Bury St Edmunds Group. The head pharmacist at Boots in Bury St Edmunds will give a talk. British Sugar Sports and Social Club Hollow Road, Bury St Edmunds, 2.30pm.

13th September 2007 Gwynedd Group. Cookery demonstration by Juvella. Penuel Chapel Vestry, Bangor, 7pm.

13th September 2007 West Cumbria Group. Cheese and wine evening. Torpenhow Village Hall, CA7 1HT, 7-9pm

15th September 2007 Clyde Valley Group. Gluten-free meal at the Bentley Hotel, 19 High Road, Motherwell, 6-8pm. Prices from £12. Contact the group organiser to book your place.

20th September 2007 Beds and Mid Herts Group. Lecture by Professor David Van Heel on "New scientific research findings in coeliac disease genetics". Park Hall, Leyton Road, Harpended, Herts, 7.30pm.

28th September 2007 Wakefield and District Group. Soup and breadmaking evening. Demonstration by Glutafin. Horbury Community Centre, Cluntergate, Horbury.

Juvela are delighted to be sponsoring Coeliac UK's 'What's on' section on eXG for 2007. To find out more information on what's on in your area click here!
To keep up to date with Juvela's whereabouts click here

Check it out

Pure Spreads

When Matthews Foods created Pure spreads they left out the dairy, artificial additives and hydrogenated oils, leaving them full of goodness.

Pure Soya, Sunflower or Organic all taste great spread on bread or toast and are perfect for baking too. So even if you suffer from food allergies or intolerances, with Pure you can still enjoy your favourite foods.

For advice on dairy free living and gluten and dairy free recipe ideas, visit us at www.puredairyfree.co.uk or call 0800 028 4499

Glutafin

At last - Northern Ireland is getting fresh. Fresh bread is heading across to Northern Ireland!

It's been a long time coming but Glutafin Select Fresh White Bread is finally making its way to Northern Ireland. Now, people with coeliac disease in Northern Ireland will finally be able to sink their teeth into their favourite sandwiches, made with soft slices of our gluten-free fresh bread. To celebrate, we're giving people who live in Northern Ireland the chance to try a loaf for free to see just what they've been missing! Click here for more information.

Juvela

Back to School.......
After a disappointing summer lets hope September brings us a ray of sunshine to help us enjoy our packed lunches in the playground!

To ensure the contents of your lunch box puts a smile on your face, come rain or shine, Juvela are giving away 1000 free samples of their delicious, soft fresh bread for perfect sandwiches!

Or, if you fancy a change, also up for grabs are 1000 free samples of Juvela's mouthwatering Tuc© style Savoury Biscuits, perfect with ham, cheese or just as they come!

JUVELA Giveaway!
To choose your free lunch box filler- click here.

The entire Juvela Range is available on prescription. For more details contact: info@juvela.co.uk or call 0151 228 1992 or see www.juvela.co.uk

Pure Spreads

Trufree

Simply scrumptious snacks

Whether it be pre dinner drinks with nibbles or a savoury snack 'on the go' you can't go wrong with a bag of our new lightly salted Pretzels. Baked to perfection these crisp and crunchy wheat free and gluten free pretzels come in convenient grab size bags.

Our new pretzels are available now! And to celebrate the launch of these superb snacks, we have 500 free samples to giveaway exclusively to eXG readers. To claim your free sample, click here.

We have also just launched our new Mini O's, delicious crunchy chocolate biscuits with a creamy vanilla filling - for more information click here.

Johnsons Provisions

Johnsons, who brought you Glutabye from France, now introduce fabulous Farmo mixes, pasta, breadsticks and more from Italy.

We have 3 boxes of Farmo goodies to give away! Send your e-mail to info@johnsonsprovisions.co.uk to enter our draw.

Website: www.johnsonsprovisions.co.uk Freephone: 0800 688 8969

PGR Healthfoods

Rizopia Gluten Free Organic Brown Pasta is now available in Lasagne and Fantasia shapes (Children's Pasta).
It is full of all the goodness of whole grain organic brown rice. It is healthy, natural and easy to digest.
Available from Health Food Shops.
For more information please visit PGR Health Foods at www.pgrhealthfoods.co.uk

Glu-2-Go!

New Smooth Chip Shop Style Curry Sauce now available!

As well as our popular Fish & Chip Shop Batter Mix which is authentic, crispy, golden, delicious and easy to use.

Enjoy all your favourites with Glu-2-Go!

Visit our website www.glu2go.co.uk to purchase online. Telephone: 01324 717273

The Ingredient Company

Fibrex, a naturally gluten-free fibre (67% AOAC) from sugar beet, can supplement your diet.
Use in bakery and meat products or sprinkle at breakfast.
Find recipes and order from www.theingredient.co.uk.
2 x 200g packs £2.20 + £2.00 P&P

Chateau De Villars

Relax with a full board, gluten-free, weeklong holiday.

We're sponsored by Juvela. Professional and experienced. Beautiful rooms and grounds. Your 'home from home'.
Trips included. 50 minutes to Limoges airport. 2008 Schedule available. www.chateaudevillars.co.uk

Dietary Card

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 or call 01506 635358.

Gluten-free Foods Direct

GFF Direct offers a quick and easy way to purchase over 650 gluten and wheat free products, from our website www.gffdirect.co.uk or by mail order or phone. Call 01757 289200 for a fast friendly service or visit our dedicated gluten and wheat free shop in Yorkshire.

News | Campaigning | Medical Update | What's on | Check it Out