This was in a mailing list but it was worthwhile copying into here:

Just to clarify how the UK emergencySMS service works.

You do need to register your mobile phone number by sending the word ‘register’ in an SMS text message to 999 and then reply to the message you get back. This generally takes less than a minute so you could do it in an emergency but it is better done before.

Then if you have an emergency write an SMS message with the emergency service you want, what the emergency is, and where you are e.g. ‘police robbery at post office 123 the high street kingston’ and send the SMS message to 999. We will then connect you to the nearest emergency call centre and they will send SMS messages asking you questions about the emergency.

While some UK Emergency Services have local SMS numbers the emergencySMS service uses 999 to provide a service to the whole of the UK that will connect you to Ambulance, Coast Guard, Fire Rescue, and Police.

I hope this helps explain the emergencySMS service and if you have not registered your mobile phone please do it now.

With thanks to Michael J Day of BT for this information

Further information on http://emergencySMS.org.uk

This morning, in a bit of a rush, I was to take my boy to rugby training this morning…however I was also bringing my girl too.
Normally this isn’t a problem…except for the fact that she is now 7 and I can no longer get away with my usual method of slapping whatever fits on her and head out.
That works when she’s a baby…then I could get away with being a “first-time” father and the fact that no matter whatever she’s wearing, babies are cute.
Today with a 7 years old that let’s face it, have a better fashion sense than her dad, this is a nightmare in the making.
No longer I could pretend that wearing a “sunday best” blouse over some shorts and some sort of a lucid rainbow coloured tights with some wellies perfectly good fashion or something.
Result: digging though a ironing basket for anything, ironing them, matching them up, seeing if they meet Her Demands and so on and then giving up and telling her that a blouse with green shorts and rainbow tights with wellies is perfectly fine.

Dear new fathers…I strongly recommend you all start watching Gok…you’ll thank me for it later…