Thursday 29 May 2008, 5 - 9 pm. Register for a FREE ticket at www.carnaby.co.uk
Carnaby is hosting a shopping event on Thursday 29th May, with over 100 shops, bars and restaurants participating in the area. Ticket holders can enjoy 20% discount at all participating shops in the 12 streets of Carnaby from global brands including Replay, G-Star, Mac and American Apparel to individual boutiques in the area such as Beyond The Valley and Doors by Jas M.B.
Shoppers can enjoy many in-store activities on the night, including a DJ and bar in Replay, drinks and beauty treatments in Puma, Beach party at 55DSL, live band in Merc, catwalk show at Diesel and complimentary drinks, special offers, competitions, and shopping tips from the experts in many other stores.
The Rex Bar is making a special appearance in Kingly Court for ticket holders to enjoy a complimentary Carnaby Cosmopolitan or Princess Martini*.
Head to Newburgh Street for a chance to win a Pepe Jeans goody bag full of fashion and beauty treats or if you are hot from all the shopping, get complimentary ice creams from the Lee Jeans ice cream van.
All ticket registrations will be entered into a prize draw to win products from Carnaby brands worth over £2,000. Winner to be announced on www.carnaby.co.uk on 5 June.
*One drink per ticket while stocks last.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Carnaby Shopping Evening
UK courts go wireless
Most Crown and Combined courts across England and Wales will now have Wi-Fi facilities in place, the Courts Minister, Maria Eagle announced today.
BT Openzone facilities have now been installed in 67 courts over the past three months to allow court users to take advantage of fast and convenient Wi-Fi in between court sittings.
The installation of Wi-Fi facilities will help barristers and solicitors in England and Wales to utilise time between cases more effectively by providing wireless access to email, legal reference material, and suitable office networks. For jurors, victims and witnesses, the availability of high-speed broadband Internet will mean ready access to work, business and leisure pursuits in between court hearings. Wi-Fi will also enable any journalists to be able to file their copy back to HQ in the event of major trials in the public interest.
Courts Minister Maria Eagle welcomes the availability of Wi-Fi: "Many legal professionals who use the courts need access to fast and instant online information. Similarly HMCS recognises that going to court as a victim, witness or juror can be disruptive for many people who may need to keep in touch with their business, work or family during the day.
"The provision of Wi-Fi is an important step by HMCS to improve court facilities and the quality of service provided to court users.
Wi-Fi will be available at signposted zones in most publicly accessible areas of the court. For a typical Crown Court this will cover the advocates' assembly room, the jury assembly suite, witness waiting area, public concourse, and cafeteria (where available).
Her Majesty's Courts Service has funded the provision of Wi-Fi facilities in the courts, and will receive a percentage of the revenue from BT Openzone.
The agreement to install the Wi-Fi network across the courts follows a successful installation and pilot of BT Openzone wireless access points across eight courts - the Royal Courts of Justice, the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), Southwark, Birmingham and Swansea Crown Courts, and Winchester, Leeds and Liverpool Combined Courts.
Chris Bruce, General Manager, BT Openzone, says: "As anyone who has served as a juror or worked in the legal profession will testify, there can be a fair amount of waiting around before and in between proceedings. This announcement means that lawyers, jurors, clerks and judges can send and receive emails, access the internet and enjoy all the benefits of Wi-Fi whilst still being available for the next session of court at a moment's notice. Members of the public can also stay connected when visiting the court."
To access the wireless broadband network at the courts, a wide range of payment options are available from BT Openzone. These include vouchers and subscriptions which can be purchased electronically on-line, with a range of tariffs to meet the needs of occasional and frequent users. Customers of BT Total Broadband can now use their free inclusive Wi-Fi minutes to access Openzone hotspots in the courts as well as other hotspots around the country.
BT's hotspot estate in the UK and Ireland covers more than 3,000 hotspots including railway stations, airports, hotel chains, coffee shops, marinas and 12 city centres, including Newcastle, Liverpool and Westminster, plus hotspots provided by the BT FON Wi-Fi community, now with more than 95,000 members. These provide BT Openzone, BT FON, BT Total Broadband Anywhere, BT Office Anywhere and BT Fusion customers or casual users with a comfortable location to log in without wires.
To find their nearest hotspot, customers can use the BT Openzone hotspot directory - http://btopenzone.hotspot-directory.com/
Crews of Cold War workhorse to be commemorated at National Memorial Arboretum
The Shackleton Association is to dedicate a Memorial on 4th June 2008 at the National Memorial Arboretum to all who served on Shackleton units of the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force. The Memorial will be unveiled by the President of the Shackleton Association, Air Chief Marshall Sir David Parry-Evans.
The Shackleton served for 40 years from 1951 to 1991 throughout the Cold War period, initially in the maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue roles. However, it was also used as a stop gap Airborne Early Warning platform for many years.
This year is also the 60th anniversary of the start of production of the aircraft and also the first flight of the engine, the Rolls Royce Griffon, that powered it and gave it one of its nicknames, The Growler. At the height of its service life there were some 12 squadrons with many thousands of personnel involved over the years in operations at home and around the world. The Shackleton was also often referred to as 10,000 rivets flying in formation and in its latter years as The Grey Lady.
Chairman of the Association Wg.Cdr. Bryn Lewis said: “The new memorial is dedicated to all air and ground crew that served with dedication and distinction in the execution of the tasks required. These often involved long hours in difficult weather and climatic conditions. This memorial will help to recognise the part played by Shackleton units in the Cold War, keeping lonely watch over the seas, oceans and skies.”
"Don't drink and drown" warns Coastguard
On Saturday night two young men were rescued from the water at Cemaes Bay, Wales, one has since died and the other is in a serious condition. Both men had been drinking.
Holyhead Coastguard received a call at 9.44pm (Saturday evening) from a member of the public reporting a person in the water at Cemaes Bay in difficulty. The Coastguard immediately responded by sending the Cemaes Coastguard Rescue team and requesting the launch the Moelfre RNLI All Weather lifeboat, a Rescue helicopter from RAF Valley was also scrambled.
Ray Carson, Watch Manager, Holyhead Maritime and Rescue Coordination Centre, said:
"The first casualty a man aged 22, was rescued by helicopter and taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital at 10.09 pm, he unfortunately later died. The second man aged 24, was subsequently rescued by one of the Cemaes Coastguard Rescue Officer's, who swam to his aid and managed to get him to the safety of the lifeboat. The Moelfre lifeboat then transported the casualty to Amlwch from where he was transferred by ambulance to Ysbyty Gwynedd. His condition this morning is said to be serious.
North Wales Police requests that anyone who has information relating to this incident call 0845 607 1001 (Welsh service) or 0845 607 1002 (English service) as soon as possible."
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Festival going? Make sure your FEET have a good time, too!
Sharing a tent at music festivals is arduous enough, without putting up with your tent-mate's smelly feet. Well this could be a thing of the past thanks to brasher's All Terrain socks.
Not only does the All Terrain Sock contain high density padding in the heel and toe for that much needed day long comfort whilst trudging through the mud. But more importantly, it will keep feet fresh all day long to guarantee no embarrassment once you return to the campsite at the end of the night.
Coolmax fibres wick moisture from the feet, while X-Static yarns inhibit the growth of bacteria without releasing unwanted chemicals into the skin (or the environment for that matter). Make sure your feet don't let you down at Glastonbury this year and choose brasher's All Terrain socks.
RRP is £9 per pair and they're available in various colours for both men and women. For further information and stockist details, log on to www.brasher.co.uk or call 0191 5165780.
See the clipse of the century
...Join the BBC Sky at Night team and Terry Pratchett for a unique experience
A limited number of places have just been made available on an exclusive cruise to view the most dramatic total eclipse of the sun to take place this century. The trip has been organised by travel company, Eclipse of the Century, and will commence in Taipei on the 17th July 2009 for nine days (including the Eclipse Day 22nd July). The BBC’s ‘The Sky at Night’ team will be onboard filming the event live.
Demand is expected to be high for the trip due to its unique nature. The cruise element of the holiday will take place on board the Superstar Libra vessel and will include fascinating lectures from experts from ‘The Sky at Night’ programme such as BBC presenter Dr Chris Lintott. What’s more, one of Britain’s best loved authors, the fantasy and science fiction writer Terry Pratchett, will be on board. Prices start from just £1,395 per person*.
Travellers will be able to view this truly ‘once in a lifetime’ experience from the optimum position at sea, approximately 12 nautical miles off the coast of the Japanese island of Yakushima. At the point of greatest eclipse the totality will last for a massive 6.39 minutes – something that won’t happen again until 13 June 2132.
Nine days in total, including five nights at sea, the tour will include a port call to the tropical Japanese island of Okinawa as well as the opportunity to explore the capital of Taiwan, Taipei.
Dr. Lintott comments, “During a total solar eclipse every single second counts. If you sit at your computer and do nothing for a minute it may seem like quite a long time, but with so much to see under totality’s spell, minutes seem like seconds. A total eclipse is an emotional event; falling under the Moon’s shadow is an experience unlike any other, and I’m looking forward to having time to wallow a little next July.”
Because the eclipse will be viewed on board a ship, rather than on land, the totality will be 30 seconds longer than for those who are in Shanghai. As the ship offers easy mobility, coupled with the captain’s expert knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, passengers can be assured of the best possible chance of seeing totality from start to finish
The tour is priced from £1,395 per person (excluding international flights), based on two sharing a cabin/room and will begin in Taipei on 17 June 2009. It includes a day in this fascinating city, before boarding the ship at Keelung Port. The Superstar Libra’s facilities include 2 swimming pools, a fitness centre, a golf driving range, a basketball court, a sun deck, Jacuzzis, three restaurants, numerous bars, a nightclub, a karaoke bar, games rooms, a medical centre, a casino and a beauty salon. The trip finishes back in Taipei on 25 July 2009.
To book you place on this experience visit www.eclipseofthecentury.com or call 020 7766 5237 (+44 20 7766 5237 if calling from outside the UK), or email info@eclipseofthecentury.com. Places are limited to 1,300 in total.
* PRICE INCLUDES
• 5 nights on the Superstar Libra on a twin/double room basis including all meals, sailing from Keelung (Taiwan) to the Eclipse viewing spot 12 nautical miles from Yakushima island (Japan) including a visit to Naha (Okinawa island) en route
• A series of lectures by expert speakers
• 3 nights in a 4* or 5* hotel in central Taipei on a bed & breakfast basis (2 nights pre-cruise & 1 night post-cruise)
• A one day tour of the highlights of Taipei and/or the surrounding area by private coach with English speaking guides, including all entrance fees for named sights on tour
• All lunches and dinners whilst in Taipei
• Meet & Greet service and airport transfers in Taipei to/from your hotel (for specified flight arrivals/departures)
• Port transfers from/to your hotel
• Porterage
• Port charges
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Flights to Taipei
• Shore excursion in Naha (Okinawa)
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks and sundry items
Fun and job recruitment with Hirescores!
The leading independent recruitment agency scoring website has today launched a perfect distraction for job seekers and recruitment consultants; taking them away from the daily grind and entering them into a life of fun and games…for 15 minutes at least.
www.Hirescores.com is pleased to announce the launch of its new and unique recruitment game, Tea Gauntlet, which combines the use of fundamental office skills, namely tea making, and the ability to reenergize participants’ over-worked batteries. Much like an infusion of caffeine, this tea break is aimed to get players buzzing in-between their searches for a new job or career.
The online gaming world is becoming increasingly popular within the office environment and various studies1 reflect this growing trend. Taking a break from office duties and partaking in a simple online game has proven to renew energy and increase productivity levels. Therefore, more than making up for lost time.
The initiative behind Hirescores’ innovative game is to offer a welcomed ‘coffee break’, easing the boredom of repetitive job hunting and creating an established way of maximising job search productivity.
Lisette Howlett, Managing Director at Hirescores, comments: “We have all heard of the saying ‘All work and no play,’ but what about those of us who are stuck in the rut of ‘No work and no play.’? Job hunting can be just as stressful and require just as many dedicated hours as a full time job. Tea Gauntlet offers a fun and stress-free way of detaching people from their task and recuperating gamers for a leap up the work ladder!”
The aim of the game is to deliver a maximum of 6 cups of tea around the 9 office spaces, prioritising between staff members desperate for a refill and those who are just plain greedy. When you have successfully distributed the 6 cups of tea, you must return to the kettle to replenish, wasting no time as your work mates are increasingly thirsty and agitated. Beware, the more senior the staff member, the more desperate they are for a refill!
This game has various social advantages; it is fun, free, distracts participants from their job hunt, enables the player to feel like a crucial member of a team and provides stimulation via its competitive edge. Most importantly perhaps is the ability to feel actively involved in something; increasing confidence after, what could be, months of interview knock-backs.
HireScores has spent the last two years developing the market leading, independent, agency scoring website along with raising its profile across the UK recruitment sector and is also available to other affinity groups who wish to provide a bespoke feedback solution to their members.
Aimia Announces Fairtrade Coffee Market Growth
Aimia Foods, the independent supplier of hot and cold beverages, has announced a 98%* increase in Fairtrade coffee sales within the out-of-home sector. Conducted by The Fairtrade Foundation, the research investigates the current Fairtrade market and predicts the future growth of this sector over the next twelve months.
With over 73%* of consumers choosing Fairtrade coffee over main brand out-of-home varieties, the research indicates that consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental and ethical impact of these products.
Simon Kershaw, category manager at Aimia Foods comments, “In the next 12 – 18 months we believe we will continue to see a further increase in the demand for Fairtrade, but also healthier beverage options. As concerns over health issues continue, the Government is sure to step up pressure on food and drink suppliers to help support this trend.”
According to Aimia, current market research suggests that foodservice operators serving Percol alongside health conscious products, like Milfresh Superior Granulated Skimmed Milk through their vending machines, can help drive sales while still taking the lead on health matters. Since its launch in April 2007, award-winning** Milfresh Superior Granulated Skimmed Milk has grown in popularity and is being substituted in an increasing number of table-top and traditional vending units across the UK.
Milfresh is an altogether healthier alternative to traditional whiteners and whole fresh milk as it contains no additives or preservatives and is HVO free. Milfresh can be used to create coffee-shop standard speciality coffees through automatic vending and dispense systems.
Percol coffee is made from premium Colombian Arabica coffee beans and is available in a range of variants including instant freeze dried, decaffeinated, filter, freshbrew and espresso coffee for foodservice outlets.
To find out more about Aimia’s Fairtrade solutions contact Aimia Foods on 01942 272 900.
Aimia Foods, based in Penny Lane, Haydock, is an independently-owned company, following the sale of the business by Nichols plc in November, 2004. Formerly known as Nichols Foods, Aimia Foods is headed by Rob Unsworth, one of the original founders of the Nichols Foods business.
A leading supplier of food and beverage products to the foodservice, vending and leisure catering and retail markets, Aimia Foods also has extensive co-packing and co-manufacturing capabilities offering a variety of ingredient and pack format options.
The company prides itself on delivering consistently high levels of customer service, innovative products and efficient manufacturing processes.
This culture has been recognised by a number of awards including the Management Today/Unisys Service Excellence Awards, MX2000 Manufacturing Excellence Award for People Effectiveness and the Manchester Evening News, North West Business of the Year award. In 2001 the company collected the IUKE Best Overall Host award and in 2002 Industry Week’s Europe’s Best Plants award. In 2006 Aimia Foods was ranked voted amongst Britain’s top 100 employers, by Guardian Books.
For further information about Aimia Foods, please visit www.aimiafoods.com.
Teaching bridge in Botswana
The most popular sport in Botswana is football, closely followed by cricket and rugby. However additionally, and maybe surprisingly, many people in Botswana are also dedicated to the learning and playing of the card game bridge!
In October 2007, the Botswana Bridge Federation contacted the English Bridge Union’s Education Department manager, John Pain and asked him to visit Botswana and teach their bridge teachers and tournament directors. Such a unique opportunity was not to be missed and John started a full week of teaching on 17 May 2008 in Botswana .
Bridge was first played in Botswana thirty years ago, but it was the 1980’s when the game really took off with many British expatriate school teachers teaching bridge in Botswana ’s Secondary Schools. They were not qualified “bridge teachers”; simply enthusiasts who wanted to pass on their own passion to another and younger generation. The result was the foundation of the Botswana Bridge Federation (BBF) in 1988 and so the official organiser of tournaments for the pupils to play in.
Since then bridge has continued to be popular in the country and is a fixture of many people’s lives, for example the BBF can currently boast over 800 members. At its peak there can be as many as 600 children playing bridge – something which is unique in Africa .
In England , bridge continues to be one of the most enduring and popular games with people from all walks of life being fascinated by the game. Over the last decade and in order to promote the game to non players, the English Bridge Union has developed a bridge teaching programme called Bridge For All, which provides user-friendly course material and effective methods for bridge teachers. Additionally the EBU conducts a very successful Tournament Director’s course and boasts over a thousand graduates.
Bridge is one of the most enduring and popular games in the world; for over 100 years, people of all types and from all walks of life have been fascinated by the game. It is one of the most popular leisure activities in Britain, with around 300,000 people playing on a regular basis. Bridge is a trick-taking card game of skill and chance. It is played by four players who form two partnerships (sides); the partners sit opposite each other at a table. The game consists of the auction (often called bidding) and play, after which the hand is scored.
The EBU is a membership-funded organisation committed to promoting the game of duplicate bridge. It is also a National Bridge Organisation in its own right affiliated to the European Bridge League and the World Bridge Federation. New players are the lifeblood of the game and the EBU are keen to encourage them.
The sport of Bridge was introduced in Botswana more than thirty years ago, and has since enjoyed rapid growth throughout the country. The Botswana Bridge Federation (BBF) was established in 1988. Their vision is “Sports for all, for leisure, health, employment and National Pride”. The BBF’S mission is to develop and promote Bridge throughout the country; to develop competitive national teams, improved standards of all Bridge players across the country and large numbers of secondary school students playing the game.
'junked' table rescued from skip sells for £40,000!
(Godwin: rare flap top walnut table by English architect-designer Edward William Godwin)The rare flap top walnut table, made by famous English architect-designer Edward William Godwin (1833-'86), was immediately identified by Jeremy Lamond from Shrewsbury-based Halls during a routine valuation visit to a house in the Welshpool area.
During a conversation with the owners, Mr Lamond was told that the unwanted table had been thrown into a skip only to be later retrieved by another family member. The family, who attended the sale at Halls' Welsh Bridge saleroom in Shrewsbury, was amazed when told it could be worth more than £30,000.
"I am absolutely delighted with the price achieved for the table," said Mr Lamond. "It was contested by three telephone bidders and was finally purchased by a specialist dealer from London.
"In terms of significant discoveries during my career, this table has got to be right up there in the top 10, because it is so rare. "
Recalling the day in March when he made the exciting discovery, he said: "As soon as I walked into the room I spotted the table and my heart skipped a beat. It's virtually identical to the image on the front cover of the book 'The Secular Furniture of E. W. Godwin' by Susan Soros, which I have in my office.
"To the untrained eye it could be passed off as an Edwardian occasional table worth around £30, but I recognised the brass fittings and immediately thought it was by Godwin.
"Similar examples are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Trust's Ellen Terry Memorial Museum at Smallhythe Place, Kent . In fact they are sometimes referred to as 'Smallhythe tables'. Dame Ellen Terry, the Shakespearean actress who lived with Godwin between 1868-'75, owned a similar table. There are only seven known to exist."
He said the sale result underlined the importance of calling in experts if owners are in any doubt about the value of antiques.
Halls also uncorked another winner when a rare but damaged 19th century Royal Club corkscrew sold for £1,250. Despite damage to the screw, the rare item made by Birmingham pewter maker Charles Hull more than doubled its £500 pre-sale estimate to the delight of its North Wales owner.
The single lever corkscrew, which carried a plaque with a coat of arms and was marked C. Hull, Patentee, Birmingham Royal Club, was included in Halls' £155,000 sale of antique furniture, ceramics and works of art in Shrewsbury.
Another star of the sale was a majestic white Rolls-Royce Series 1 Silver Shadow four door saloon, which sold for £5,500 to a South Staffordshire buyer. First registered on July 10, 1972, the well-maintained car had just five owners and had covered approximately 83,000 miles from new.
In the furniture section, a Victorian walnut credenza from a house in Ludlow sold for £4,500. The credenza was part of a small collection of furniture from the same house, which included a 19th century breakfront mahogany sideboard that made £1,500 and an early 19th century mahogany breakfast table that made £800.
Entered from another Ludlow property were a Regency kidney shaped mahogany dressing table that sold for £1,850 and a pair of Waterford cut glass table lustre that made £500.
In the clocks section, two George III repeating bracket clocks by Robson, London and Charles Clay of London, both from a Shrewsbury vendor, sold for £4,200 and £3,100 respectively, whilst a 20th century eight day chiming longcase clock £2,000.
Other top prices were £3,100 for a George I walnut bureau, £2,700 for a George III oak high dresser, £2,200 for a William IV mahogany rectangular side table with a white marble top, £2,000 for an early Victorian mahogany drum table, £1,900 for a late George III mahogany chest on chest, £1,800 for a late Victorian oak wind out dining table and £1,700 for a 19th century gesso framed oval girandole.
In the ceramics section, two Meissen plates discovered by Halls at a weekly valuation day sold for £1,500 each. The plates were possibly made as 19th century replacements to the original 440-piece service that was presented to Empress Elizabeth I of Russia (1707-1762) by King Augustus III of Poland in 1744.
A large Doulton Lambeth vase, decorated with lions and lion cubs by Hannah Barlow, sold for £1,550 and a small vase decorated by Barlow made £350.
Halls' fine art director Jeremy Lamond said he was delighted by the buoyant sale result and the interest generated by the auction.
Guide Dogs’ go green for National Recycling Week
Guide Dogs is asking people to go green for National Recycling Week (2 – 8 June 2008) and help raise money for the charity whilst doing their bit for the environment at the same time!
Each year, over 18 million mobile phones are left unwanted in drawers and cupboards, alongside inkjet cartridges and other treasure such as unwanted jewellery, watches, keys, or even old and foreign coins or bank notes which represents millions of pounds of possible funds for Guide Dogs. The charity needs people to find these forgotten items and donate them so they can be recycled and raise money to give a blind or partially sighted person the freedom and confidence to enjoy an independent life.
By donating unwanted items to the charity you will also be helping the environment - reducing the need for more landfill sites, avoiding the burning of rubbish, and stopping the draining of natural resources.
It couldn’t be easier to support Guide Dogs and National Recycling Week – for more information visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/recycle email recycle@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0845 603 9779 To send your old jewellery, coins, watches and keys Freepost to; Freepost RRBZ-CGSZ-JZHU, Trinity Street Recycling, Queensway, Leamington Spa CV31 3JT
Nick Hardy of Guide Dogs explains: “National Recycling Week is the perfect excuse to get rid of items which are cluttering up the house like old mobile phones, foreign coins, or jewellery you no longer wear. You might not want these items any more, but we certainly do, and by sending them to us you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment.
“It costs £10 a day to breed, train and support each guide dog so every item we receive will make a huge difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people all over the UK and our services to support them.”
A Taste of Spain 2008 – A New World Record?
Spanish dancers from all over the UK are being invited to Regent Street, London W1 to take part in the Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Sevillanas Dance on Sunday 25 May 2008. The record attempt is open to all dancers who log on to www.tastespain.info for the registration details.
On 25th May there will be dancing in the street with Regent Street closed to traffic from 12pm - 4pm. Shoppers and dancers will be entertained by three bands from Andalucia who will provide music for the dance lessons leading up to the record breaking attempt. A selection of Regent Street stores are also participating in this free event by offering a celebratory 10% off promotion during the bank holiday weekend as well as giving away Spanish food and drink samples and various promotions on the Sunday.
The Regent Street food quarters; Heddon Street and Swallow Street will be serving a selection of Spanish delicacies and wine to their alfresco diners throughout the two week event. And on the main day a live screening will be shown in Heddon Street with further live music from Andalucia beginning at 4pm to entertain those who wish to continue dancing into the night.
After the main event A Taste of Spain 2008 will last a further two weeks in Regent Street running from Sunday 25 May – Sunday 8 June with various themed events taking place in the stores and restaurants. A fantastic programme of live performances are also planned for Heddon Street and Swallow Street. Further information about various activities and promotions taking place in and around Regent Street is available at www.regentstreetonline.com where you can also register to receive a regular newsletter.
A Taste of Spain is supported by the Regent Street Association, Spanish Tourist Office, and The Crown Estate.
Www.regentstreetonline.com
www.tastespain.info
www.london.gov.uk/bigdance
Solo exhibition of Bruce Yardley’s recent paintings hosted by The Catto Gallery from 8th until 26th June, 2008
The Catto Gallery is hosting their sixth solo exhibition of recent oil paintings by Bruce Yardley, from 8th until 26th June, 2008. The exhibition will feature recent views from New York, Venice and London viewed from the water, together with his home town of Bath. It is in these works that Yardley’s brisk brushwork and mastery of shadow captures the atmosphere of each of these cities.
Impressionism is certainly the benchmark for Bruce Yardley's work and he follows the great tradition of the New English Art Club and such artists as Ken Howard and Bernard Dunstan. "Light and composition are the forces that make me paint", comments Bruce. The strength and beauty of any picture of note is the emphasis on the vertical and horizontal, and the structure of the work. Yardley expertly combines these key essential elements with a superb handling of light to create spatial illusion and a genuine sense of perspective perhaps inspired by the work of British Impressionist La Thangue.
His works capture the effects of light be they brilliant or subdued, with figures featuring prominently, either in the composition or as a focus. Following recent trips to France, Italy and the States, Yardley has in his recent works moved away from his favoured studies of figures and interior still-life studies. He now focuses on cityscapes, as can be seen in his nocturnes of the Thames with Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on the horizon and street scenes. Also in his street scenes, where Yardley gets under the skin of a city, be it the long shadows on ‘Cannaregio Fondamenta Della Sensa’, in Venice, hurrying pedestrians in a wet New York on ‘East 48th Street’, or the casual observation of ‘Christmas Decorations in Great Pulteney Street’ in Bath. Each work draws the viewer into them.
Although figures are still an important part of the composition of Yardley’s paintings, be they highlighting the bustle of ‘Fifth Avenue’, or the contemplative air ‘In the Pump Room, Bath’. And in ‘Caroline, Turquoise and Gold’ the figure is once again the focus of the painting offering the viewer, an intimate moment with the subject.
‘To successfully capture the effects of light and mood requires perception supported, of course, by the ability to handle paint in a certain way. For Bruce Yardley, each painting is the result of a three-stage process, in which tone and texture are vital considerations. At all stages of the painting he is careful not to overstate anything. With this approach - its sensitive use of colour and tone, and its lively brushwork technique, like all good painters, Bruce leaves something to the viewer’s imagination.’ – Robin Capon, (Journalist for ‘The Artist’, which feature Bruce Yardley this month.)
Mrs Gillian Catto, owner and curator of The Catto Gallery, comments, ‘We are thrilled to welcome Bruce Yardley back to the gallery, and showcase his recent works for our collectors. Bruce’s handling of light and shadow immediately transports the viewer to the Grand Canal or offers them a ‘snapshot’ of the daily life of one of his favourite cities.’
For further information, images and a catalogue of the forthcoming Bruce Yardley exhibition, contact The Catto Gallery, 100 Heath Street, Hampstead.
www.catto.co.uk
Bruce Yardley is the son of painter John Yardley, born in 1962. Although he began painting as a boy, he only started painting full-time from 1990. Bruce is the son of the painter John Yardley, is married, and lives in Reigate, Surrey.
Bruce produced his first oil paintings as a schoolboy in the 1970s. He trained as an historian at the universities of Bristol and Oxford, gaining his decorate in the late 1980's, before joining the wine trade, first in retail, then as a freelance writer. He has painted full-time since 1996, and his work has quickly become sought after in England and the United States.
'His strengths lie in confident brushwork, subtle colouring, firmly differentiated tones and convincing compositions. But perhaps where he succeeds most of all is in the ability to offer a teasingly restrained quality that suggests or evokes rather than painstakingly describes'. (Oliver Lange, ‘Masterclass’, The Artist, April 1999.)
Working in oil Bruce has evolved a brisk painterly style that captures movement and atmosphere. His pure impressionism is evident from his brush marks and his subjects: Boudoir studies of the model, still lifes and interiors. However it is the overriding subject of light that influences his choice of subject often travelling to France and Italy for inspiration.
The Catto Gallery
The Catto Gallery is one of London’s leading contemporary fine art galleries. Since founding the Gallery in 1986, Gillian Catto has built up a reputation for excellence and has created a friendly and warm environment for collectors throughout the world. The Catto Gallery represents over 50 internationally acclaimed artists all of whom can be seen on this web site. 12 exhibitions are held a year; the catalogues for these exhibitions can also be viewed on this web site.
Gallery opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm, Sunday 2.30pm to 6.00pm.
Parking is available on the Gallery's forecourt and pay and display nearby
Recycle your used and old mobile phones
Mobile Phone Exchange Ltd (MPX) are pleased to announce the relaunch of their online mobile phone buyback service, providing customers with a used mobile phone trade-in and recycle service.
The new service, which is being offered online, has already met with huge popular demand. The trade-in scheme allows customers to recycle their old mobile phones and receive as much as £150. This compares more than favourably with the normal £10 flat rate schemes available today.
Customers are quoted an individual value for each old mobile phone they wish to recycle, given a free postage paid bag, and receive their money in as little as 7 days. With as many as 90 million phones in drawers there is an estimated £1 Billion waiting to be realised.
Re-using old handsets expands the horizons of many people in the developing world where there is strong demand for used mobile phones but precious little resource to pay for them. In many cases, it helps people gain access to communications for the first time.
It’s also a very positive step forward to promoting a responsible attitude towards the environment as the scheme is fully compliant with the latest environmental regulations (WEEE).
Save your skin and save the Whale. By going naked!
“At Naked, we believe people can have healthy, happy skin with zero cost to the world they live in. So we make products with that end point in sight. We try hard not to use too many synthetic chemicals and non-biodegradable ingredients just for the sake of appearances because we worry about what goes down the plughole. Where we can use recycled packaging we do, despite its flaws, and it goes without saying we have never used any animal derived ingredients in our products,” said a spokesman.
“Because what goes into the water supply can affect the marine world, we wanted to support the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) during their ‘Save the Whale Week’ to encourage people to think about what they are using in the shower every day. After all, the WDCS will be striving to ensure the continuation of the International Whaling Ban and it’s up to us all to ensure the under water world remains sustainable too.
“Between 9th – 15th June 2008 shop online at www.nakedbodycare.co.uk and we will donate all profits to WDCS.
Because whales are worth it ……!
www.wdcs.org
Naked is free from:
• Parabens
• SLS's
• Petrochemicals
• Phthalates
It is also:
• Sourced ethically
• Made in the UK
• Endorsed by Naturewatch UK
For more information, on Naked bodycare please contact info@lizampairee.com or ring 0115 933 6153
Naked bodycare
Po Box 8691
Nottingham
NG2 9BA
www.nakedbodycare.co.uk
Tel 0115 9336153
Specalist Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Solicitors Expand Offices
Glynns solicitors in the Chew Valley near Bristol and Bath have recently moved into their new offices. Based in Chelwood, Glynns provide a nationwide service to the victims of medical negligence and personal injury claims, not only recovering compensation but arranging private medical treatment too to speed the recovery process. The office expansion was needed to accommodate the growing team due to the success of the business.
Senior Partner Julie Glynn said of the extension to the offices: "We were struggling for space before the expansion. Our legal team were having to work in very close quarters and this was impacting on providing the caring and personal service that we have always strived for. It was clear we needed more space and quickly.
"We have now managed to add several rooms for our solicitors and support staff along with a large interview room for our clients convenience. Bearing in mind a lot of our clients have serious injuries and may be confined to wheelchairs we now have easy access for disabled visitors with ample "free parking" right outside the front of our offices."
"The response from both our clients and our legal team has been fantastic. We have always been fortunate to have free parking in the front of the offices, but now that this has been professionally finished and brought closer to the offices, for our disabled visitors it is a vast improvement."
Glynns have been established for over 25 years and have always specialised in personal injury claims and medical negligence.
Julie says "Specialising in one area of law ensures that we are able to provide the best service to our clients. We are able to keep fully up to date with the latest case law and changes in legislation to ensure that we can obtain the right amount of compensation in the quickest time possible.
"Although we are very close to two major cities, Bath and Bristol, we act for people across England and Wales. We have staff who can visit clients in their homes which ensures we find out all of the difficulties our clients have experienced as a result of their injuries and we can see the impact these have had on their day to day living."
Glynns welcome enquiries about their services at their website www.glynns.co.uk or on the telephone 0800 234 3300.
The Summer Language Recruitment Fair - Marble Arch, London 13th & 14th June
Top Language Jobs, Europe’s No 1 specialist language recruitment website, will host its 4th Annual London Language Recruitment Fair 2008 at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch on the 13th & 14th June.
The Language Recruitment Fair is the largest & most exciting exhibition of its kind dedicated to language recruitment. With c.10, 000 candidates expected to attend this year, it is a fantastic opportunity to network, meet and recruit skilled language professionals across all industry sectors.
Further information and testimonials are available on the website:
www.languagerecruitmentfair.co.uk
For any other information or to reserve a stand, please email melani@toplanguagejobs.com or alternatively call Melani on +44 (0) 208 920 7933
Should you wish to attend, please register for complimentary tickets at:
http://www.languagerecruitmentfair.co.uk/free_ticket.php
What’s In A Name? Hell!
We used to grin and bear the name our parents burdened us with, whether that was Carrie Oakey or Jean Poole. And wouldn't you think that people with the surname Hell might want to change it? Just for... the heck of it?
Well, they can. For it has been possible to change names by deed poll since 1760 but a decade ago, only 15,000 people did so each year. Now, spurred on by separations, pub pranks and thanks to the innovative online deed poll service, www.thelegaldeedservice.org.uk, more people than ever are doing so.
As any school-age Hieronymus, Orlando or Guinevere will attest, having an unusual name is not the surest route to popularity in the playground. For example, imagine yourself a young boy growing up in the tough American mid-west and your parents saw fit to name you Marion Morrison. You might be forgiven for wishing that your parents had perhaps chosen a name a little less feminine.
However, in 1930 Marion took matters into his own hands, changed his name and became the epitome of ruggedness and masculinity that made him an enduring icon. He became better known as John Wayne.
In the UK it is possible to change your name at any time and as often as you wish, so long as the desired name isn’t intended to deceive or can be construed to be offensive or blasphemous. You must use a Deed Poll to officially change your legal name you execute it by signing it in the presence of a witness. The witness can be anyone, but not a member of your own family, and once you have executed the Deed, your name is officially changed.
Jamie Jackson, CEO of The Legal Deed Service says: “There are many reasons why people decide to change a name by Deed Poll, for example, a couple may decide to have a double-barrelled surname when they marry, people of foreign extraction living in the UK may wish to anglicise their name to make it easier for others to pronounce, or simply for novelty, some people choose to change their name to a 'fun name' such as James Bond.
"However, our clients can rest assured safe in the knowledge that all relevant employees deployed within our organisation have undergone extensive training and thus fully understand the law pertaining to a change of name.”
So for anyone who fancies a change of identity, they can simply log on to www.thelegaldeedservice.org.uk, and with a couple of clicks they can set the wheels in motion, and if after a few months, the name loses its appeal, change it again!
(EDITOR: There really are people with the family name of Hell. And in the New York 'phone directory there are a whole host of 'interesting' names. Including S. Shitty, Monique F**ker, A. Moron, several members of the Dumbach family, an Edwin Arse and a Joseph Foollman.)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tracesmart Reunites Father and Daughter on BBC's Missing Live.
After nearly 20 years of independent searching for her father Ken Millard, Faye Jones, 37 from Rugby, got in touch with leading people tracing website, tracesmart.co.uk to help her out. Within a matter of hours of supplying specialist media tracer, Louise Hewlett, with the relevant details regarding her father, he had been traced.
Just a few weeks later, Faye and Ken were reunited. BBC1's early morning missing person programme, 'Missing Live' picked up this story and wished to feature it on their show. Faye, Ken and Louise were all invited to the studio to discuss the success of Tracesmart's missing people search and the excitement of the unfolding reunion to help inspire others.
On meeting Faye and Ken, Louise, one of Tracesmart's leading tracers, said "It was so rewarding to see the fruition of my work, using our people finder and address search tools I was quickly able to locate Ken on the Electoral Roll and he was really happy to be reunited with Faye. I hope their story inspires others to use our system to make contact with lost friends and find relatives, as Tracesmart really can help."
One in a series of shows which ran throughout April and May, the episode of 'Missing Live' featuring Faye and Ken's story was broadcast last week. Viewing figures for the series so far indicate that Missing Live was very well received, with approximately 2 million people tuning in to each show.
Produced by Leopard Films on behalf of the BBC and now in its second series, the show follows the work of the police and charity organisation Missing People, as they attempt to locate some of the 200,000 people reported missing each year. The series also features the stories of those who have long ago lost contact, recently reunited families and ongoing police investigations.
Owen Roberts, Tracesmart's Communications Manager, commented on the coalition, "We are very proud to be associated with the BBC's 'Missing Live'. The programme has been very well received by audiences so far and we hope it continues to do so in the future.
"There are countless people who don't really know where to start when searching for a missing person - a recent Eastenders episode demonstrated this point when the soap's storyline involved one of the characters performing an online search for an absent father, typing 'Electoral Register' into a search engine. Within seconds of the programme ending Tracesmart were inundated with visits to their website from people wanting to trace missing persons".
Roberts added: "Faye and Ken are a typical example of the work we do here at Tracesmart. They are both extremely happy at the turn of events and can enjoy the future knowing they both now have each other".
Portrait of an artist - Denis Frémond
Now available from Nouvelles Images in the UK is an exclusive collection of prints and reproduction canvases by the artist, Denis Frémond.
Born in Boston in 1950, Denis Frémond was a late-comer to painting, after spending many years treading the boards and drawing comic strips.
The stark beauty of his paintings depicting city-scapes and room interiors immediately draw the observer to take a closer look. Frémond’s room-scapes, for example, give the viewer just a sharp glimpse into the world outside the window. The paintings are full of interesting shades of light and dark and each feature just one man, which one assumes may be the artist himself?
There is something positively comforting in his presentation of this isolated figure with the use of light pointing to a silence whilst drawing the viewer to a scene brimming with possibilities.
Emma Tracey, UK Sales Manager for Nouvelles Images, comments “We strive to have the very best artists in our collections, and Denis Frémond’s striking pieces are proving to be a big hit with the customers. Frémond’s works are the top four best sellers in our canvases range.”
Nouvelles Images’ Boutique Edition canvases are of the highest quality, and are mounted onto a deeper-than-average (35mm frame) and are covered with a protective varnish so they look very substantial. The pine frames come from forests which are cultivated to European environmental protection standards.
To view the full range of Nouvelles Images Boutique Edition canvases, visit www.nouvellesimages.com or order on-line at www.nouvellesimages.biz Alternatively, call 020 7403 9055.
Net Lawman provides unrivalled support for unincorporated associations
Net Lawman has developed a collection of twelve unincorporated association agreements, with two ‘master’ versions to suit any club type, as well as options to hold an alcohol license and the ability for the members to hold property. The other ten agreements are specific to individual club types, including environmental groups and investment clubs.
“Association agreements are useful when an organisation has grown to the point where it is sensible to formalise the groups ideas and practices. The most common reason that associations and clubs need to consider formal agreements include imposing rules for subscriptions, resignations, suspensions and expulsions of membership, management of the association and a clear definition of the powers of committee” explains Miriam Taylor of Net Lawman.
Research conducted by Net Lawman earlier this year revealed that alarmingly, there were no documents tailored to the needs of unincorporated associations easily available via the Internet. This meant that unincorporated associations were either unaware that such documents existed to help protect the club and its members, or that they were forced to pay extortionate prices to have similar documents drafted from scratch by a solicitor.
“Purchasing association agreements from an online provider such as Net Lawman is a cost effective method of providing protection and reassurance to club members at a fraction of the price that would be charged by a high street solicitor” adds Taylor.
Net Lawman is a leading online provider of cost effective legal documents covering a range of business and personal affairs. In addition, Net Lawman also provide back up support and legal advice as well as specialist drafting services, giving customers the peace of mind that their documents are completely fit for purpose. For more information visit http://www.netlawman.co.uk/?sc=583
New Designer Accessories for Men at FlannelsFashion.com
Manchester-based www.FlannelsFashion.com offers new and exclusive range of designer accessories for men at amazingly low prices. Products include Y3 Logo Cap, Stone Island Logo Cap, Prada Stripe Tie and much more.
In addition to the wide range of designer accessories for men, FlannelsFashion.com offers a lot of other products including designer menswear and designer women’s dresses. Customers can purchase their favourite products from the website http://www.flannelsfashion.com through Protx secured payment gateway.
About FlannelsFashion:
Flannels Group Ltd. is one of the UK's most exclusive luxury brand retailers and had celebrated its 30 year in business in 2006. Flannels started operations in Manchester and later grew rapidly with stores in Leeds, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool and Cardiff. Flannels provide a great resource for customers if you are looking to purchase designer womens dress, mens accessories and designer fashion clothes. You can contact Flannels through email at info@flannelsfashion.com or through phone on +44 (0)161 931 2588.
Contact:
Flannelsfashion.com
Unit 6
Waterside
Wharfside Commerce Park
Trafford Park
Manchester
M17 1WD
JIVA UK Fetches You Out Of Debt Crisis
Over the years, bankruptcy has increased at an alarming rate in the UK. IVA, which means Individual Voluntary Arrangement, has become an extremely potent and dependable tool in any critical financial situation for a large number of individuals in the UK. IVA is a voluntary approach to clear debts and return with a clean chit, which can be helpful in the long run for a borrower. With the help of IVA UK, the debtor can find a mid way with their respective creditors and can evade an acute problem of bankruptcy. IVA UK is a prominent online arranger and has acted as a saviour for many borrowers.
“Last year, I witnessed great loss in business so could not repay the borrowed loan in the specified duration. The situation worsened so much that I was almost on the verge of bankruptcy. Then one of my friends told me about IVA UK. I made up my mind to come out of this financial crisis with the help of IVA UK. With the sound piece of advice offered there, I found a way out which was manageable for me, as well as my creditors. By making timely repayments, the credit stains vanished within some time”, says Mr. Ted Forster, one of the satisfied customers of IVA UK.
IVA UK is a prominent online service provider, which puts forward a wide range of services at ostensible rates. IVA services are accessible here. Apart from this, advisory services and online application are also made available for widening scope of your understanding.
For more information pertaining to IVA UK, visit at http://www.iva--uk.net
Friday, May 23, 2008
Carbon monoxide from untested boiler caused the death of six-year old girl
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is highlighting the fatal consequences of carbon monoxide gas following the death of a six-year old girl who was poisoned by fumes from a faulty boiler.
Hussein Jajbhay, director of property company Amadeus Investments Ltd, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £35,000 costs at the sentencing today at Blackfriars Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Bill Hazleton HSE Inspector said: "This tragic case emphasises the importance of maintaining and checking gas appliances. Carbon Monoxide gas is a silent killer, you cannot smell or see it. Landlords have a duty to maintain their gas appliances, and it is illegal and highly dangerous not to have them checked yearly by a competent, registered gas fitter. Currently, only CORGI is recognised by HSE to register gas installer."
Six-year-old Elisabeth Giauque was living with her family in a rented house in Castle Close, Wimbledon. On 4 February 2005 her parents went out for the evening, leaving their three children in the care of the nanny. On their return they found Elizabeth unconscious in her bedroom. She was rushed to hospital where she died two days later. It was later established that she died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Four days later, two other family members who had stayed overnight in Elizabeth's room, collapsed and were taken to hospital. They were also found to be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
It is the duty of the landlord to ensure gas appliances, boilers and flues are maintained in a safe condition. An annual safety check must be undertaken by a registered installer, who must provide a record of the inspection.
Hussein Jajbhay was the owner and landlord of the property at Castle Close. The last service and maintenance of the boiler at the property was carried out in January 2002. A landlords' gas safety certificate was issued following an inspection in January 2003, which expired more than 12 months before the fatal incident.
Hussein Jajbhay pleaded guilty to two charges under 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failure of maintenance and failure to maintain a gas fitting in a safe condition.
Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that "where an offence under the Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary, or other similar officer of the body corporate or a person that was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence."
The charges in this case are based on Gas Safety Regulations. Regulation 36(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states - "Every landlord shall ensure that there is maintained in safe condition (a) any relevant gas fitting and (b) any flue which serves any relevant gas fitting". Regulation 36(3) states - "Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 2 above, a landlord shall (a) ensure that each appliance and flue to which that duty extends is checked for safety within 12 months of being installed and at intervals of not more than 12 months since it was last checked for safety (whether such check was made pursuant to these Regulations or not)."
HSE is currently running a competition to