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Donna Ferguson

Cambridge, United Kingdom
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About Donna
Donna Ferguson is an award-winning freelance journalist, specialising in celebrity interviews, personal finance, education and lifestyle pieces for national newspapers. My articles appear regularly in The Guardian, The Observer, The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times. I also write for The Times, The Mirror and The Telegraph. My most recent articles are listed on journalisted.com and you can tweet me @DonnaLFerguson.
Languages
English
Services
Feature Stories Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast) Fact Checking
Skills
Finance Arts & Books Film & Theatre
+2
Portfolio

Cambridge college unmasks alumnae who were Bletchley Park codebreakers

17 Mar 2024  |  aol.co.uk
Newnham College, part of Cambridge University, has revealed the identities of 77 alumnae who worked as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The revelation is part of a college exhibit and roll of honour, the result of five years of research by college staff and Bletchley Park. The women, who were recruited for their language skills and mathematical expertise, played a crucial role in deciphering Nazi messages and breaking Enigma codes. The research uncovered the secretive recruitment process, often facilitated by influential women at the college. Many of the codebreakers, such as Jane Monroe, kept their wartime roles secret, adhering to the Official Secrets Act.

Annotated version of Andreas Vesalius’s masterwork on human anatomy up for auction

15 Jan 2024  |  ca.news.yahoo.com
A rare edition of 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem,' annotated by its author Andreas Vesalius, known as the 'father of modern human anatomy,' is set to be auctioned at Christie's in New York. The book, which revolutionized medicine in the Renaissance, was discovered to be annotated by Vesalius after its purchase by Canadian pathologist Dr. Gerard Vogrincic. Prof. Vivian Nutton of the UCL Centre for the History of Medicine confirmed the annotations' authenticity. The book, previously housed at the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, is valued at up to £1m and offers insights into Vesalius's thoughts and corrections for a potential third edition, which was never published due to his death.

Annotated version of Andreas Vesalius’s masterwork on human anatomy up for auction

15 Jan 2024  |  theguardian.com
A rare edition of 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem,' annotated by its author Andreas Vesalius and valued at up to £1m, is set to be auctioned at Christie's in New York. The book, a cornerstone in medical history, was discovered to contain Vesalius's own annotations by collector Dr. Gerard Vogrincic. Expert Prof. Vivian Nutton confirmed the annotations, which provide insights into Vesalius's thoughts and corrections. The book, which challenged the prevailing medical authorities of its time, is considered Vesalius's final revisions to his work, as he died before a third edition could be published. The annotated copy has been studied by scholars and was housed at the University of Toronto's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.

Author behind new Jodie Comer film on motherhood in an apocalyptic London

14 Jan 2024  |  theguardian.com
The End We Start From, a new survival film starring Jodie Comer, is set in a flooded, apocalyptic London and goes on general release in UK and Irish cinemas. Based on Megan Hunter's 2017 novel, the film explores the intimate experience of motherhood amidst a climate catastrophe. The film, directed by Mahalia Belo and adapted by Alice Birch, aims to contribute to the climate crisis conversation emotionally and beautifully. It features a strong thread of hope and love despite the dire situation, with a focus on the protagonist's strength derived from motherhood. The book is published by Picador, and the film's release coincides with recent scientific warnings about rising sea temperatures and freak weather events.

Social justice doesn't pay the bills - activist Peter Tatchell lived on £6k a year for decades

23 Dec 2023  |  thisismoney.co.uk
Peter Tatchell, a human rights campaigner, has lived with financial hardship, earning an average of £6,000 a year while facing violence and death threats due to his work. Despite the challenges, he finds the emotional and psychological rewards of his activism outweigh the physical deprivations. Tatchell, who grew up in a poor family in Melbourne, Australia, moved to the UK at 19 to avoid conscription for the Vietnam War. He has contributed to significant human rights advancements, including the fight against HIV/AIDS and LGBT+ rights. Now 71, he is the director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation and has started saving for retirement. He advocates for a wealth tax to support the NHS and social care and donates to human rights causes, such as supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Tatchell is featured in the Netflix documentary 'Hating Peter Tatchell' which chronicles his 56 years of activism.

Pro-Palestine protesters assemble in London as police jostle with far-right groups

11 Nov 2023  |  theguardian.com
A pro-Palestinian rally in London expected to draw hundreds of thousands clashed with far-right groups near the Cenotaph. Police engaged with counter-protesters, some holding Israeli flags, who were attempting to reach the pro-Palestinian march. Over 2,000 officers were deployed for the event, with exclusion zones set up to protect Remembrance Day events. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, one of the organizers, emphasized peaceful marching and public safety. Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley and politicians like Theresa Villiers and Nicholas Soames commented on the situation, with Soames advocating for a ceasefire in the conflict. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held discussions with Rowley to ensure public safety during the weekend's events.

London’s pro-Palestine march live: 126 people arrested as police highlight ‘deeply concerning’ rightwing violence

11 Nov 2023  |  theguardian.com
During a pro-Palestine march in London, 126 individuals were arrested amidst concerns of rightwing violence highlighted by the police. Clashes occurred between police and counter-protesters in Parliament Square, where offensive chants were reported, and a Palestinian flag was destroyed. British Transport Police conducted an arrest phase at Waterloo station but made no arrests as protesters dispersed. The march concluded in Nine Elms with organizers requesting the crowd to disperse peacefully.

Beach trampoline operator jailed over death of girl, 3, in explosion

10 Nov 2023  |  theguardian.com
Curt Johnson, the owner of an inflatable trampoline that exploded and killed three-year-old Ava-May Littleboy, has been sentenced to six months in jail for health and safety offences. The incident occurred in July 2018 at Gorleston beach in Norfolk. The court heard that the trampoline lacked a safety valve and had been found unsafe just days before the accident. Johnson and his company, Johnsons Funfair Ltd, pleaded guilty to the offences. The judge also disqualified Johnson from being a company director for five years and fined his company £20,000. Ava-May's parents expressed their devastation, and Johnson's barrister conveyed his deep regret and apologies.

Lisa Cameron, SNP MP who defected to Tories, ‘forced into hiding’

13 Oct 2023  |  theguardian.com
Lisa Cameron, an SNP MP who switched allegiance to the Conservative Party, has been forced into hiding due to threats of violence following her defection. Cameron and her family relocated to an undisclosed location in Scotland after receiving menacing emails. She cited a culture of aggression and intimidation within the SNP, psychological coercion, and the mishandling of complaints against fellow SNP MP Patrick Grady as reasons for her departure. Her move has been met with criticism from SNP figures, with First Minister Humza Yousaf suggesting she should resign from her position.

‘Biggest walkout NHS has ever seen’ will put patients at risk, health body warns

19 Sep 2023  |  ca.sports.yahoo.com
The NHS Confederation has warned that the upcoming strikes by consultants and junior doctors in England will put patients at significant risk, potentially affecting cancer patients the most. The strikes are expected to result in a record number of cancelled appointments and operations. The government plans to consult on imposing regulations to ensure minimum service levels during strikes, which could lead to clinicians losing their jobs if they participate in industrial action. The British Medical Association has indicated that strikes could be avoided with a credible pay offer. NHS Providers estimate the cost of industrial action to be over £1bn, impacting hospital budgets and potentially leading to further cuts.

Caribbean nations set to demand royal family makes reparations for slave trade

12 Sep 2023  |  ibw21.org
Caribbean nations are preparing to formally demand apologies and reparations from the British royal family for slavery. They will also approach Lloyd’s of London and the Church of England for their roles in the slave trade. The reparations commissions plan to send letters by year's end. King Charles III's ancestors were implicated in slavery, and while he supports research into the monarchy's links to the slave trade, he has not formally apologized. Lloyd’s has apologized for its role, and the Church of England has expressed shame for its past investments in slave-trading entities. Caribbean representatives intend to bypass the UK government, which has been unreceptive to reparations, by directly contacting the institutions involved.

Premium bonds: is it worth investing now the odds of winning are better?

02 Sep 2023  |  theguardian.com
The prize fund rate for UK's premium bonds has increased to its highest level since March 1999, now at 4.65%, improving the odds of winning. Despite this, many bondholders have never won a prize, and the question arises whether premium bonds are still a worthwhile investment compared to savings accounts with rising interest rates. Personal stories from bondholders vary, with some experiencing significant wins that changed their lives, while others have never seen a return. Expert analysis suggests that for certain taxpayers and savers, premium bonds remain an attractive option, especially considering the tax-free nature of the prizes.

The pet I’ll never forget: Sylvester the dog adored my mum – and his memory comforted me when she died

21 Aug 2023  |  theguardian.com
The author recounts the cherished memories of their family dog, Sylvester, who was adopted on New Year’s Eve 1990 and became deeply attached to the author's mother. Sylvester's antics, such as playing with a basketball, brought joy to the family, and his death 15 years ago was a significant loss. The author's mother passed away earlier in the year, and the love for dogs she instilled in the author has been a source of comfort during the grieving process, especially through the bond with the author's new dog, Rosie.

Articles by Donna Ferguson for The Guardian

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