Food test is rocket science
BRITISH astronaut Tim Peake has invited schoolkids to help with an experiment and learn how to grow food in space.
Major Peake wants pupils to plant the seeds of rocket leaves that have been in orbit and compare their growth with normal plants.
He said finding ways to grow food in space will be essential if humans are to live on distant planets.
The Royal Horticultural Society and UK Space Agency will run the experiment.
Major Peake will begin a six-month mission to the International Space Station later this year. He will take more than a million seeds of rocket which will be given to 10,000 schools on his return.
Children are being asked to apply to do experiments on the seeds to find out if time in space affects them.
According to Major Peake, the experiments will feed into research that space agencies are carrying out to determine whether one day astronauts could grow their own food in space.
He said: “For years, scientists have been researching whether the human race can survive on another planet. We need to grow food in space and we need your help.” CELTIC legend Frank McGarvey has raised nearly £4000 for a food bank – by auctioning off one of his most prized jerseys.
Generous Frank, 59, sold the Hoops top he wore in the 100th Scottish Cup Final in 1985 on Ebay.
And it’s raised £3800 for Glasgow’s Maryhill Food bank and other food charities in the city.
Frank said he wass inspired to sell his prizedd possession after readingng an article in the Recordord about Celtic founderder Brother Walfrid’s work with the needy.
The ex- striker said:aid: “Brother Walfrid foundednded Celtic to feed the hungry and unemployed people of Glasgow in 1887.
“I found it incredible that in 2015 there are still people going hungry and being fed by food banks.
“The top was lying about my house doing nothing and because someone has come along and paid £3800, it means the food banks in Glasgow will be piled high this week, so I’m very happy about that.
“The response it received was unbelievable.
“Brother Walfrid inspired me to do this.this It took a lot for me to sell the strip, I have had it for 30 years and it was very important that it went to a good cause.
“There were two people in me, one wanted to keep the strip and one wanted to sell it for a worthy cause.
“I can’t think of a better cause as I think that Glasgow people are very generous and it was important for me to try to keep the money here.”
Proud Frank, who was Scotland’s most expensive footballer for a short time, played 245 times for Celtic overov five years, scoring 113 goals.go
He netted the winner six minutesm from full-time in theth 1985 cup final against DundeeDu United – the 100th finalfin held.
He was sold by the club the following Monday to St Mirren where he had started his illustrious career.
Celtic fan Dominic Shannon bought the strip and said: “I’m over the moon.
The money will be split between Greater Maryhill Foodbank, Drumchapel, Crookston Community and Castlemilk Foodbank. ● Scotland legend Jim Baxter’s rare No6 shirt from the 2-0 humbling of England at Hampden in 1962 could fetch as much as £4000 at auction next month.