THE Gleneagles website, aptly named Gleneagles dot com, is the ideal port of call for any golfing enthusiast looking to book their next five-star break.

The website shows this high-class resort, located in the tranquil Perthshire countryside, in all its glory, sporting photos of the surrounding rolling hills, its manicured golf course, and, as part of its festive promotions, a picture of a small child next to a glistening Christmas tree and a blazing log fire.

Although summer is soon upon us and there's not even a gas fire in sight, the sparks will definitely be flying in Gleneagles come July 6, when the resort will stage the eagerly anticipated G8 summit.

Tony Blair, George Bush and world leaders from Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Russia will be addressing the serious issues facing the African continent, including massive debt, the need for increased aid and Africa's ever decreasing share of world trade, mainly due to corruption and bad government.

The potential cancellation of the huge debts which have been accumulated in Africa in the post colonial era will be the focus of the discussions. Although it is thought the European leaders are close to agreement and recognise the benefits of writing off the debts and eradicating the onerous repayments so African nations can focus on health and education issues, the proposals will only work if the US jumps on board and supports the action.

With this is mind, the ever-enthusiastic and affectionately foul mouthed Bob Geldof has launched his Live 8 crusade.

On July 2, before the summit, live pop concerts will be held in five cities across two continents to raise the profile of Make Poverty History and to bring the African plight to the forefront of proceedings in the developed Western World.

The concerts already have a great line-up of stars, especially in the UK, where all the musical big guns including Bono and Elton John will be coming out to show their support. Headlining the concert in Berlin is the Norwegian eighties sensation A-Ha. Not exactly the pinnacle of musical prowess, but then again, Germany has never really had great taste in music, you only have to remember back to the Scorpions and their Wind Of Change.

But this is not just another charity gig. Instead Live 8 is overtly political and has a distinct air of uprising and rebellion. Interestingly, this aspect has hampered attempts by Geldof and Bono to attract top American stars to perform in Philadelphia. The concerts are being viewed as simply too political.

However, the American contingent are the very people Live 8 is trying to influence and appeal to. Their, at times, insular nature prevents them looking beyond their own nation in terms of help and assistance. It's ok to be political if it's about their own sense of patriotism, but when it comes to global issues of aid, heads are well and truly buried in the sand.

I can't understand why music stars are reluctant to stick their heads above the parapet and be political, after all isn't rebellion and civil disobedience what rock'n'roll is all about? There are far too many plastic pop stars around today and not enough raw passion.

As part of Live 8, Bob and his crew will also be hitting the streets of Edinburgh to protest in favour of making poverty history by the 100 per cent cancellation of African debt. He's asked children to quit school and people to abandon their jobs to join the march.

Some stuffy councillor in Edinburgh has declared Geldof's call to arms "irresponsible". Yes, it may cause some momentary madness in Scotland's capital, but isn't it more irresponsible to ignore the fact that 50,000 people a day are dying of poverty in Africa and a further 26 million men, women and children suffer from Aids?

Post General Election, thanks to the help of a Boomtown Rat, it suddenly looks likes political apathy is out and protest is in.

And it's goodbye from me

NOW it is time for me to jump off my soap box because this is my final Sophie on Saturday column. I have really enjoyed spouting off for the past year, but have decided to call it a day, so thank you to those who have read and commented on my column.

Like all good soap stars when they require a break, I've chosen to kill myself off. But you never know I may do a Bobby Ewing, return from the dead, and find out it was all a bad dream.

Updated: 08:48 Saturday, June 04, 2005