#tavistock

Munchy has found a burger with fries.

The North London NHS hospital’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) closed its doors in 2024 over criticism in an interim report by Dr Hilary Cass. Formerly the only gender clinic in England providing healthcare for trans youngsters, Tavistock faced incredible pressure in the lead-up to its closure over claims that hundreds of patients filed formal complaints regarding its “unsafe” model of care.

Ive got my ftm voice training appointment today

Fuck knows what they're gonna do cos my voice has deepened loads on t but they could change the tone of it

By Gabrielle Wilde 16/05/2025 

It has emerged that the NHS will now treat children of all ages for gender dysphoria, removing a previously proposed minimum age limit of seven years old

A former nurse at the Tavistock gender clinic has claimed there is "no such thing as a transgender child" while expressing concerns about how children are being taught about transgender issues.

Sue Evans, speaking on GB News, said the ideology of transgenderism has been "pushed into the mainstream" and is now taught in schools, with books in nurseries telling children "you don't really have to be a boy or a girl".

Speaking on GB News, Sue Evans said: “I think what would have happened for years is that children, of course, when they're first in the world and learning about the world and learning about their own identity, they would have spoken with their parents, and they would have learned about boys and girls and mummies and daddies.

“I think that the issue that we have now, it's slightly complex, but I think because of the way the ideology of transgenderism has been pushed into the mainstream; it's taught at schools, there are books at nurseries saying you don't really have to be a boy or a girl or you might be in between, it's given young children a very confusing language and ideas.

“In a way, I think they're being taught this. And it's not to say that in the past, children wouldn't have maybe come out with something about wanting to be a boy or a girl, whichever they weren't.

"But parents would have dealt with that in a low-key way, and maybe explore them as you would any idea.

"But really, there is no such thing as a transgender child. Having said that, I do indeed meet children and young adolescents who really do feel very, very uncomfortable with the sex that they are.

“So whatever we call it, there are people who are really uncomfortable with their identity.

"The Cass report was a large report done several years ago after I did blow the whistle, and then we had the court case with Kiera Bell at the High Court for the judicial review.

But she did a really important piece of work to look at the evidence base for this idea of treating because I felt very uncomfortable with younger people being given hormones. I thought it was very wrong.

"But she didn't get everything right, so I think it was a really important piece of work. And of course, that's just in my opinion.

“If she'd asked me, I would never have really gone along with the idea of developing more hubs similar to the Tavistock.

"They may well have, at the moment, better educational work going on with the staff who work there.

“But my worry is always that if you create this speciality, then somehow you've given the message to these children, if you've got this idea about yourself, you've got to go off to a special clinic.

“I think that the gender dysphoria or the transgender idea is a symptom of something else that's going on with the child."

I really was hoping that we could always deal with this at primary and secondary level within the community mental health teams.

“But of course, there someone else would say, oh, but they're captured and that's true for some reason. This particular idea, this ideology, whatever you call it really caught fire.

"And so it became very contentious to say well, there might be something going on with this child. You were told, ‘you've got to believe them’. It's a problem.”

Her comments come as it has emerged that the NHS will now treat children of all ages for gender dysphoria, removing a previously proposed minimum age limit of seven years old.

According to reports published in the last 24 hours, nursery-age children who identify as transgender will be eligible for gender treatment on the National Health Service, including therapy and counselling.

An inside source at the health service revealed to OB News that NHS England had "caved to the pressure" of transgender activists in making this decision.

The change follows a consultation process on draft guidance that was published in 2023.

Pumpkin carving is such a wonderful Halloween tradition! It brings families together for a fun, creative activity and leaves you with some fantastic spooky decorations to boot. But with Halloween is over  it’s important to remember that we don’t need to let our pumpkins go to waste. Did you know that in the UK alone, around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are discarded each year after being carved? That’s a lot of potential going in the bin!

At Roots and Vines, we’re passionate about reducing food waste, and our locally grown pumpkins are too good to waste. Here are some of our favourite ideas to help you make the most out of your pumpkin once the carving is done.

Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Try

Pumpkin is such a versatile ingredient! Whether you’ve got a large pumpkin or just the leftovers from your Halloween creation, there are so many ways to use it.

Roasted Pumpkin: A simple but tasty way to enjoy pumpkin is by roasting it. Just slice it up, toss with a bit of olive oil, salt, and your favourite herbs, and pop it in the oven. It’s perfect as a side dish or tossed into salads.

Pumpkin Soup: Warm up those autumn evenings with a hearty pumpkin soup. You can blend it with a bit of cream, or keep it light with vegetable stock and spices like cumin or nutmeg.

Pumpkin Risotto: For something a little fancier, pumpkin risotto is a great option. The sweetness of the pumpkin pairs beautifully with the creamy, savoury rice.

Pumpkin Pie: Of course, we can’t forget about dessert! Pumpkin pie is a classic way to turn leftover pumpkin into something delicious and comforting.

Pumpkins for Your Pets

Did you know that pumpkin is a healthy, tasty treat for dogs? Full of vitamins and fibre, it’s great for their digestion. You can serve it raw in small amounts, cook it into a puree and mix with their regular food, or even freeze pumpkin cubes for a refreshing snack that’ll last longer. Just be sure to avoid any parts of the pumpkin that have been sitting out with candles or decorations, as these could be harmful.

Snack on Pumpkin Seeds

Don’t throw out those seeds! Pumpkin seeds make a crunchy, nutritious snack. All you need to do is scoop them out, wash them, and dry them. Toss them with a little oil and salt, then roast them in the oven until golden. For a bit of extra flavour, you can add spices like paprika, cumin, or even cinnamon.

If you’d rather share with the local wildlife, pumpkin seeds are also a hit with birds. Just make sure to skip the oil and salt if you’re offering them to your feathered friends. They’ll thank you for it!

Composting Pumpkins

If you’re done with your pumpkin and don’t fancy eating it, why not add it to your compost heap? Pumpkins break down easily and are full of nutrients, making them a great addition to your compost bin. Simply break it up into smaller pieces and let nature do the rest. Bonus: worms absolutely love pumpkins, so your garden will thrive!

This Halloween, let’s all do our bit to reduce food waste. Whether you’re turning your leftover pumpkin into a warming meal, treating your pet, or giving your compost a boost, there are plenty of ways to make sure nothing goes to waste. Pop into Roots and Vines for your locally grown pumpkins, and don't forget to check our website for more recipe inspiration!

Happy carving, and happy cooking! 🎃