"Fare rises are railway stealth tax": claim

Commenting on reports that rail fares are to increase at above-inflation levels again in January, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: “Passengers are repeatedly being asked to cough up for above-inflation fare increases at a time when they need to be encouraged to use the railways and not the roads.

“With more train operators having to pay a premium to the Government to get a franchise, it seems that the Government is introducing a railway stealth tax.

“Gordon Brown likes to talk green, but this is another example of the environment being put to one side when it is inconvenient. Once again the environmentally-friendly option is becoming the expensive option.

“The Government used to have a fuel duty escalator for motorists and now it has a fare escalator for rail passengers. It needs to come off this escalator immediately.”

RCPO landmark case - the first ever use of SCPO powers under the Serious Crime Act

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) secured three Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO) today following an investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The ruling at Isleworth Crown Court is in the first ever use of new legislation in England and Wales.

For 5 years from the day they are released from prison, members of the gang will be at risk of an additional 5 years in prison if they breach the Orders - which are designed to stop them carrying out activities related to the possession and movement of money.

Loch Hakimzada, his wife Praveen Hakimzada and Kuljeet Grover today received a total of 17 years imprisonment for their part in laundering cash for organised crime networks. The Hakimzadas used the cover of a Money Service Bureau to launder £25million during a period of just over 2 years. Grover was their trusted lieutenant.

A junior member of the gang, Christopher Harrison was also sentenced today to one year imprisonment, but was not subject to a SCPO.

Huge sums of Scottish and English bank notes were collected by the gang in bags or boxes typically in the street or in a car park. The cash was then passed through counting machines at the family home before being transferred abroad - mainly to Dubai where other contacts, probably relatives, continued the process.

The true nature of the activities was concealed by the creation of false records. Painstaking investigation revealed links to drugs and other smuggling.

In addition to the sentences, Loch and Praveen Hakimzada and Grover were given Financial Reporting Orders requiring them to report all their financial details every year and on release every 6 months for 10 years. Deportation orders were made in respect of Loch Hakimzada and Grover.

Gregor McGill, Head of Serious Organised Crime at RCPO said "This is an excellent result. The convictions in this case are the culmination of an excellent investigation by officers of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The Serious Crime Prevention Orders granted by the Judge are the first use of these powers in England and Wales. These Orders are aimed at limiting any future criminal activity by these defendants"

Bill Hughes, Director General of SOCA said: "Serious Crime Prevention Orders are an excellent tool in the fight against organised criminals and we are delighted this order was granted following this successful SOCA investigation. It is not enough to catch and convict, we need to make it our business to ensure that criminals are prevented from returning to their illegal activities and that is what this SCPO is designed to do. SOCA will continue to ensure all powers available are employed to make the UK an unattractive place to commit serious organised crime."

Pigsback.com trots onto the high street

Pigsback.com, the online community which rewards its members for interacting with brands, has today partnered with loyalty management company Reward, to launch a high street loyalty programme after extensive member research.

www.Pigsback.com research amongst over 2000 members revealed that 98% wanted to save on the high street in addition to online and in response the company has developed a programme that brings together the best online and high street savings for its members.

By partnering with Reward, Pigsback.com will now allow its 650,000 members to shop at a large range of high street stores and add the points they save to their Pigsback.com PiggyPoints account, redeemable for a variety of rewards including money-off vouchers.

Pigsback.com has also implemented Reward’s collection technology meaning members only need to register their existing payment cards once to start earning PiggyPoints at participating retailers. Reward’s high street retail network includes Superdrug, Cineworld, Halfords and more.

Jo Malvern, Group Brand Director of Pigsback.com said: “Online shopping continues to grow year on year but we can’t forget the high street. Traditional retailers still take a massive slice of consumer spending and our recent research showed that consumers remain passionate about saving through their high street shopping. Simple and rapid integration with Reward’s technology platform helped us to quickly meet our members’ demands, by growing the already extensive number of retailers where Pigsback.com members can gain PiggyPoints”.

Reward’s loyalty management platform provides the technology infrastructure for retailers seeking their own branded loyalty programmes or a managed service offering for retailers looking to join an established loyalty network.

The loyalty programme is implemented as a turnkey solution requiring no infrastructure or software investments from retailers. Gavin Dein, Chief Executive Officer at Reward commented: “Consumers want and need to save everywhere they can as the credit card crunch intensifies. Retailers need to provide them with the tools to do this if they are to weather falling consumer spending. The growth of loyalty programmes and cashback sites is testament to their importance and the right one can provide a great opportunity for retailers to hold onto and drive new custom.”

Insurers Shirking Their Responsibilities?

There is a growing concern over the behaviour of UK insurance companies and how they are contacting individuals just days after an accident after they have suffered an injury.

The insurance companies in question are advising the victim to waive their right for compensation and accept a payment from the insurance company which is a considerable amount less than what they would receive in damages by being represented by an injury lawyer.

Growing Concerns The concern is so deep that claimant lawyers and trade unions have submitted a dossier to the FSA (Financial Services Authority). The difference in amounts awarded between what an insurance company is offering initially and to what a claimant would receive by having representation is staggering.

Insurance companies are also being accused of 'harassing' individuals days after the accident by constantly cold-calling, appearing on the door step and using pressurising tactics to waive an individuals right to claim compensation.

Even in some instances posting cheques out to the injured party in the hope that they will accept their below par offers.

Explaining Third-Party Capture
This approach has been termed, 'third-party capture', and it is a model that more and more insurance companies will partake in to slash paying out proper compensation damages.

An example of how the model works : If a person has been injured in an road accident and receives whiplash (neck injury) they may be contacted by an advisor working for their insurance company not once but on a number of occasions in the very first few days after the accident telling them that they do not need to pursue a claim for compensation and that they would pay them a figure of £1,500 as a final settlement to cover medical bills, repairs, time off work etc...

However, the concern Claimant lawyers have that if the victim in this example were to contact a personal injury lawyer they might find that their compensation claim was actually worth £15,000 instead of £1,500 offered by the insurance company.

Never settle your claim directly with the other insurers and do not accept or sign anything from an insurance company without seeking legal advice first. Always be extremely wary of insurance companies cold-calling you or knocking on your door and pressurising you into accepting their offer. Seek Proper Advice from a Personal Injury Lawyer Always seek out a proper, experienced injury lawyer in accident related injuries.

They can give you the best advice available on how to deal with your claim and make sure you get the damages you are expected to receive from the insurance companies instead of decreased payouts that will only add to your stress and worry after the accident.

Claiming compensation requires an experienced injury lawyers including road accident whiplash claims. Remember Insurance Companies act in the interests of their Shareholders and work to pay you as little as possible; whereas your very own Injury Lawyer, under Law Society Rules, has to act in your best interests which means maximising your claim, yet also settling the claim as quickly as possible.

Brand almost as important as the interest rate

New research by Stroud & Swindon, the South West’s largest Building Society, shows that following the recent market turmoil, a trustworthy brand is almost as important as a competitive interest rate in choosing a savings account.

The Stroud & Swindon Savings Survey revealed the most important features to consumers when choosing a home for their hard-earned cash:

1. Competitive interest rate (36%)

2. Trustworthy brand (30%)

3. Good customer service (17%)

4. High Street presence (10%)

5. Recommendation from family or friends (7%)

A competitive interest rate tops the list for the majority however, the provider also rates highly for its trustworthiness, customer service, accessibility and word of mouth recommendation. Savers should beware that the best rate does not necessarily compute to the best home for their savings, and should ensure they read the small print.

The most popular type of savings account for Britons is the Cash ISA with almost half (44%) owning this type of account and taking advantage of the tax free option available to them.

Regular savings accounts are also popular for a third, whilst just 5% opt for fixed period savings accounts – preferring accounts with access.

Unsurprisingly for the “instant gratification generation,” instant access is the most important feature of a savings account for 30%. A high interest rate is the next main aspect for 28%, followed by tax-free (18%) and unlimited withdrawals and deposits (14%).

When considering the type of account that offers the best returns, more than half (56%) believe that Mini Cash ISA’s are the best bet for their money whilst 80% are dubious of Maxi ISA in stocks and shares as they believe these to be high risk.

Commenting on the findings, Briar Holdsworth, Savings Product Manager at Stroud & Swindon, said: “Our research shows that three quarters of Britons currently have at least one savings account which is great news. Consumers are obviously thinking about a fund for their future, or simply a spare pot of cash for emergencies.

“It is encouraging to see that the popularity of Cash ISA’s remains high, and we would recommend that those who do not yet have one look at this as the first port of call for their savings account. The Government is fully behind these products, increasing the limit from £3,000 to £3,600 from 6th April.

“Instant access accounts also prove popular in the survey and are an excellent way of saving for short term needs. However, we would encourage savers to also remember the long term and make adequate provisions.

"It is worth considering a number of savings ‘pots’ for different purposes rather than relying on a one stop shop approach. Savers should also be aware that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit was increased last year and now protects 100% of the first £35,000 of savings held with each financial institution.”

To locate your closest branch visit http://www.stroudandswindon.co.uk/ or call 0800 618161

Looking for a new job or career? Here's how to job hunt

Some key pointers to hunting for the job that you want and that you deserve.
1) Personal contacts.

This is a very valuable source of potential jobs. It's possible that you might be able to find out about a potential vacancy before it is advertised.

2) The speculative approach.
Worth considering, although experts in the field of job hunting techniques argue about how effective it is. In my opinion speculative approaches can work, but, despite what some people say, the speculative approach should not be the main part of your job hunting efforts.
Merely writing to everyone you can think of is a waste of your resources, to be frank. The speculative approach is best if targeted at likely employers.

3) Adverts in local/regional papers or national papers.
Clearly a very useful market to tap. Almost every paper has either a specific employment advert day, or have specific types of careers advertised on different days. For example media, education, office, etc.

4) Government employment service.
Most countries have offices to help people obtain work. These should be listed in local telephone directories.

5) Employment agencies.
Employment agencies are private firms that operate to fill vacancies with potential employees on their books. Many can be found on the Internet. There are international, national, regional and local agencies. Some are very good and others not so good. Personal recommendation from other job hunters is a good way of finding out which agencies are worth using.

6) Specialist publications
There are thousands of specialist magazines and newspapers published every week that cover specific fields. Retail, computers, personnel management, the newspaper industry, etc., etc. Some are available through the Internet, some can be bought through news stands, by postal subscription or at large libraries.

7) Local radio and local TV
Some large firms will advertise vacancies on local radio and TV and some radio and TV stations will have special employment segments where they list employment vacancies in the local area.

8) Advertise yourself
There are a number of people who have been able to find suitable employment by advertising themselves.

People have used billboards, camped on traffic islands with large signs stating their skills and availability for work. People have advertised themselves available for work in the local paper and even offered to lend firms money if they employ them, or offer to work for nothing for a period of time to prove how valuable they are. I have to caution against the last two ideas as it would be all too easy for an unscrupulous employer to take advantage of someone who is desperate to obtain work.

9) The Internet.
There are many employment agencies that use the Internet to help to put people in touch with potential employers. Search engines such as www.google.co.uk is a good starting point to find out more about these.

Some excellent starting points in the UK are:-
http://www.reed.co.uk/
http://www.agencycentral.co.uk/
http://www.monster.co.uk/

Checkatrade Drives Forward with Radio Promotions

Checkatrade, the web-based information and directory service that helps reputable tradespersons to stand out from the rogues, has agreed radio sponsorships with southern region stations, Power FM and 2CR FM. The company is sponsoring the Sports News on Dorset station 2CR FM and the Drive Time Show on Hampshire based Power FM.

Between them, these stations reach 300,000 listeners a week, in areas with a combined population of 1.6 million people.

Kevin Byrne, Checkatrade founder and CEO, said “ These sponsorships are an exciting addition to our current marketing portfolio. We now sponsor shows on several Southern stations covering an area from Eastbourne in the East through to Dorchester in the West.”

Checkatrade also sponsors the Drive Time Show on the South’s largest station, Southern FM, the Rip Off Files on Wave 105 FM, traffic and travel reports on Dream FM, as well as The Legends Show on Surrey station Eagle FM. They have also sponsored Spirit FM’s Local Hero Awards and the Christmas Awards on Bright FM.

Kevin went on to say “Our aim is to alert the general public to the services of Checkatrade members, all of whom are vetted and continuously monitored by public report, and to ensure rogue traders are kept out of our homes and communities. Checkatrade is now generating an estimated 300,000 jobs a year to an annual value of £150 million. This means we are helping honest tradespersons to protect thousands of customers a year, saving them hassle and money”.

Checkatrade (www.checkatrade.com) helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey.

Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.

Dailymotion links up with 'The Unwinking Gaze'

Exclusive content highlights the inside story of the Dalai Lama’s struggle for Tibet.

Dailymotion, the world's largest independent video sharing site, is linking up with the team behind the forthcoming film ‘The Unwinking Gaze: The Inside Story of the Dalai Lama’s Struggle for Tibet’, to host exclusive content about the film.

Dailymotion is hosting a bespoke page for the film, skinned with a similar look to the film’s website, which features information about the film and its official trailer. Silence, the advertising agency representing the film, will upload content including filming of the premiers in New York, LA and Hong Kong as well as new unseen footage from the film over the course of the coming weeks.

Filmed over three years, ‘The Unwinking Gaze‘ offers unprecedented access and a unique, behind-the-scenes insight into the recent working life of the XIV Dalai Lama as he reaches out to both his own people and the Chinese government.

An observational portrait, it shows Tibet’s spiritual and political leader relaxing with friends as well as meeting world leaders and commenting on subjects ranging from his views on peaceful protest to a full account of the discussion between the Dalai Lama’s envoys and the Chinese delegation from the United Front Department.

Directed and produced by British filmmaker Joshua Dugdale and timed to coincide with the run up to the Olympics in China, the film will be shown across the UK in May.

Joshua Dugdale, Producer and Director of ‘The Unwinking Gaze’, adds, "I had seen a number of films on the Dalai Lama, but I felt they didn’t show who he really was, rather that he was being wheeled out for the cameras for stage managed set pieces. I wanted to create a film showing his actions and reactions on camera so that people can be better informed.

"The result is not three years in the life of the Dalai. It is his life’s work in three years. Now our mission is to get this film out as far and wide as we can. We can show the trailer, clips and background filming on Dailymotion to bring the film’s message to a wider audience and reveal a man, or monk, who has been greatly misunderstood by both sides. We hope that in doing so, better decisions will be made by those who affect the future of Tibet and China."

Digby Lewis, Creative Director, Dailymotion, explains, ‘Dailymotion’s roots are in independent film-making and citizen journalism and we welcome creative content that our users can enjoy and that will provoke discussion and change.

"This is an important film, so it’s crucial that it reaches a wide audience and that people can come to Dailymotion to find out more about it including exclusive clips and shooting from the film premieres around the world."

Faisal Ahmed, Head of Business Development at Silence, adds: "The Unwinking Gaze has generated a lot of publicity for the issues in Tibet and people are curious to find out more. Uploading content to Dailymotion is part of a campaign to use social media to raise awareness of the film and the issues it addresses and provide extra information that puts the film into context.

"We have selected Dailymotion because of its High-Definition capacity and because it attracts an audience interested in independent film making and current affairs. It helps that we can embed the player in other blogs and websites to reach an even wider audience."

Dailymotion offers a mix of official content from partners such as Channel 4, Turner Broadcasting, Viacom/MTV Networks and Universal Music, as well as user-generated content, and moderated content from approved users or ‘Motionmakers’, which is enhanced by Dailymotion’s programming team.

Launched in France in 2005, it has 32.2 million unique users per month and 15,000 videos are uploaded each day. Channels include Music, Film & TV, Arts, Sports & Extreme, Funny and Travel. The Dalai Lama has won several awards including the Nobel Peace Prize, been the global face of the Non-Violence movement, written numerous books and given teachings to millions of devoted followerstaught in stadiums across the world.

The film follows the Dalai Lama over three years. It was reviewed by Paul Tatara for the Guardian who wrote, "When coupled with media coverage of recent events, The Unwinking Gaze could actually generate change…. I suspect it could force China into a more civil, humanitarian stance toward Tibet. True believers in the power of cinema should keep an eye on this one. How wonderful to think that a mere movie could once again help make a difference.’"

33 year old Joshua Dugdale began his career as a producer for the BBC’s Foreign and Current Affairs programmes. His previous film credits include ‘The Tijuana Cartel’ (2001), ‘LAPDBlues’ (2002) and Pepe and his Cuban Heels’ about life in Cuba. He concludes, "The issue of Tibet is of profound importance especially in the run up to the Olympics. This film will change hearts, minds and attitudes in the West and in China."

Dailymotion is the world's largest independent provider of premium user generated and licensed online video entertainment (Source: Alexa and ComScore) with 2billion page views per month. Every day, 15,000 new videos are uploaded into Dailymotion's global network of localised video entertainment sites, where a programming team turns the user generated and licenced content into a high quality, entertainment experience for the 32.2 million monthly unique visitors.

Using the most advanced technology for users and content creators, Dailymotion provides a high quality video in a fast, easy to use Web site that also automatically filters infringing material using technical finger-printing technology. Dailymotion's mission is to provide the best possible entertainment experience for users and the best business experience for content owners.

Army kit and military insurance

Abacus have been providing first class Army Kit Insurance for serving personnel for many years and we know what it takes to give the right kit insurance to each individual soldier. When you get your kit you will be responsible for it. You will have to make sure that it is never lost or damaged or you could be forced to pay thousands in costs.

This is why you need an excellent deal on your Army Kit Insurance and why you can trust Abacus to provide it to you. Some of the key benefits that you will discover when you take out kit insurance with us are:

1. A great piece of mind as you will be able to concentrate on the job at hand and not worry about expenses. This can make you more focused and allow you to be safer and more secure in your daily activities when out in the field. This is one of the major benefits that choosing Abacus to provide your army kit insurance provides.

2. The coverage for our kit insurance policies means that you will be covered wherever you are in the world. No matter where you get deployed or when, the coverage of all your kit is taken care of.

3. You can get accidental coverage options to cover you if any accidents happen in your living quarters or other accommodation. There is no need to worry if an accident occurs, your kit insurance will cover it. We can also provide cover for your household contents, so you are truly covered for all aspects of your living arrangements.

4. The option of 3rd party coverage means that under your army kit insurance policy, if anything happens to somebody else or their property then you will not have bills to face or liability claims to deal with. Abacus will be able to deal with all aspects of 3rd party coverage details.

5. Your kit insurance can include some specific items. These could be things like money, credit cards or your bicycle. We will provide coverage so that if anything happens you will be able to recover quickly.

6. We will pay to replace any item of your kit that is lost wherever you are in the world and we will also pay to replace each and every item that is damaged in your kit. Wherever you are in the world Abacus can provide excellent coverage for all your kit needs, all of which are covered under our army kit insurance policies.

7. The payment is monthly and there are no fees to set up. The army kit insurance works for you as and when you need it, and we will always be there to lend a helping hand. There are many reasons why you should trust Abacus when it comes to buying kit insurance. We have dedicated professionals located near each and every base and they are always friendly and understanding to the needs of serving members of the armed forces.

There are also 24/7 dedicated support help-lines, so you will be able to get advice when and as you need it. Choosing Abacus to provide your army kit insurance army kit insurance is one of the best decisions you can make, we look after all of our customers and we give the best level of service possible, so you can live your life and not worry about the expense of serving your country.

99.9% of Human DNA is Identical:

Gurpran Rau Delivers a Powerful Message Through Her Art Using an Unusual and Complex Medium

Preview at Shades and Wood Gallery, W8, on July 9 2008 at 6 pm, showing until July 30, 2008.

Kensington’s Shades and Wood Gallery (http://shadesandwood.co.uk) announces its next show, ‘Melt-Fuse-Melt’, featuring the works of Gurpran Rau, an Indian-born, America-based artist, who has made her reputation by the powerful concept and message in her works. In a world where we tend to focus on our differences, Rau emphasises that there is no gene for race and, in fact, all human DNA is 99.9% identical; the belief systems we have built around race are based on myth, not science.

Rau explores the genetic blueprint of humanity, reflecting in her works the shared genetic inheritance, symbolising the interconnectedness of all beings. Rau employs the alchemy of encaustic (to burn in) in a repetitive process, which involves the melting and fusing of wax with pigment, images and metal on maple panel. Her imagery grows from hidden codes and archetypal forms manipulating colourless encaustic medium to form irregularities and imperfections conveying the impression of human skin and binding membranes.

‘Melt- Fuse- Melt’ serves as the perfect physical and metaphorical intersection of both the process and the concept embedded within Rau’s works, literally fusing together her medium with her message.

Rau is also fascinated by the structures, patterns and repetition found in nature – they mirror the mapping and coding of invisible information stored within our bodies. Her art embodies the complex structures and histories that lie beneath the surface.

Gurpran Rau will be inaugurating the preview and this will be a rare opportunity to meet the artist.

Shades and Wood Gallery specialises in Indian contemporary art. From masters like M F Hussein to emerging artists, the gallery can locate whatever art is desired. Collectors are invited to contact the consultancy arm for help in starting, building or diversifying a collection

Gurpran Rau was born in India and graduated from the New Delhi Polytechnic. Later she moved to France where she studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts and the Sorbonne in Paris. She received an M.A. in Fine Arts from Purdue University in 2004.

Widely collected around the world, Gurpran’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the US and Europe. In 2007 she was invited to participate in the Florence Biennale. The Florence Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held in the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Italy. In collaboration with the United Nations, the Biennale is an official participant in the “Dialogue Among Civilizations” program and consists of a renowned International jury.'

www.shadesandwood.co.uk

City Careers for £100?

Oxbridge Career Consultants announce the first of its professional application preparation services, with the launch of www.oxbridgeinvestmentbanking.com (OIB).

Filling a niche in the world of recruitment consultants and career advisory services, OIB is the first and only service in the world aimed exclusively at providing applicants to the investment banking sector with professional help and advice with their application.

The application process for a career in investment banking is renowned for its competitiveness, often having as many as three hundred applications for every graduate position. With odds of 300/1, even the brightest of candidates approach this chosen career path with a certain amount of trepidation. This is where OIB comes in.

OIB contracts current and former investment bankers who act as advisors throughout the application process. OIB guarantees expert advice for banking applicants from those who have successfully negotiated the notoriously difficult application process, offering candidates a comparative advantage in obtaining a lucrative career in the City.

Alex Kyros, head of operations, comments: “The financial sector has been going through volatile times lately, and investment banks have been at the centre of the credit crunch. This has resulted in applicants facing an uphill struggle to get their foot through the investment banking door. Oxbridge Investment Banking eliminates this struggle by providing candidates with the knowledge and experienced help of top current and former investment bankers. Oxbridge Investment Banking fills in the gap left open by recruitment consultancies by preparing and tutoring candidates through the entire process, from the first application form, to the actual interview.”

Customised CVs and cover letters, interview preparation and advice, consultations with experienced investment bankers, and personal suitability recommendations are just some of the services offered by this new venture.

Instead of depending on the limited advice from recruitment agencies and the little assistance found on the internet on how to write a CV, an application, or how to prepare for an interview, banking candidates can now turn to OIB for help.

Smart shoppers beat the credit crunch by building their own discounts online

Smart online shoppers are doing battle with the credit crunch by using a combination of voucher codes and online discounts on a website called www.laughingdeals.com. There are a few of these sites in existence now where the user can search for a deal on items such as TV’s, mobile phones, games consoles, and flights and the site will give them a list of deals available on those items. www.laughingdeals.com differs to this by going a little bit further and giving the user the opportunity to search for special offers with the addition of being able to type in a discount voucher code to make an additional saving.

Marcus Rooney, a regular visitor to www.laughingdeals.com talks abut the savings he has made recently: “My last deal was for Bejing 2008 on the PS3 which is available to pre-order. I got it for £31.82 which is a 36% saving off the RRP which is £49.99. I frequently visit www.laughingdeals.com and have saved on average 40% on the items I have bought.”

Arif Hanid, MD of laughing deals has been following the trends for popular search items on the website:

“Wii Fit is the most popular search at the moment, we’ve had prices as low as £50 whereas the normal price in store and online is currently £69.”

Most shoppers prefer unique ways of saving money rather than just having discounted items and voucher codes. Shoppers are getting more discount hungry especially since the credit crunch. No one wants to pay the first price they see but most people don’t have the time to spend searching for deals on the internet. They want a one stop site where the deal can be built to match their requirements.

Are you an expert? This website will help kick off your expert pundit TV career!

www.findatvexpert.com, created by TV producer Claire Richmond, was launched on the 28th of April to provide an online service the experts want and the TV & Media companies need.

Namely, to give experts who want to be considered for TV & Media opportunities the chance to showcase their expertise to the industry – and to give the industry a fast and easy way of finding experts to comment on a subject or be part of a show. TV & Media companies might go to the site to find a specific expert for a specific article or programme - or they might go to the site to browse through the photos and profiles and get the inspiration for a new series or the next ‘big thing’.

In short, findaTVexpert.com is designed to introduce the professionals to the programme makers – and there’s never been a better time for it. The BBC recently pledged £8m a year for ‘landmark’ factual content over the next five years, with a ‘particular emphasis on science and history’ (Broadcast, 9 May 2008).

Five is looking for stripped factual series, factual reality programmes, factual and feature programmes that feel unique - plus uplifting lifestyle programming: travel, property and parenting (Broadcast, 14 December 2007) and Channel 4 is looking to broaden its horizons and ‘bring more breadth to the genre' (Broadcast, 28 September 2007).

Successful, factual programmes need passionate and inspiring experts. Think of Supernanny, Grand Designs, Coast, 10 Years Younger, the House of Tiny Tearaways, the F-Word and The Apprentice, to name but a few. They all needed experts when they were devised and so will all future factual programmes. Up until now, however, there’s never been an easy way for the industry to find the experts – or for the experts to promote themselves to the industry, which is why Claire Richmond set up findaTVexpert.com.

Everyone with the skills, training and qualifications to prove they’re an expert in their field of business can register on findaTVexpert.com. From art therapists to zoologists and everyone in between - forensic scientists, vicars, bailiffs, embalmers, marine biologists, dentists, detectives, designers, engineers, etc – because you never know what will catch a producer’s eye and ignite the creative process.

Registration costs £100 per year – less than the cost of a latte a week – and gives experts the chance to create a searchable profile and CV page, complete with photos, contact details, details of projects they’re working on that might be of interest to the media, links to professional websites, etc. More importantly, it gives experts the opportunity to be continuously promoted to the industry by a TV professional who understands the needs of the experts and of the Media.

”Britain’s got experts and they can now showcase their expertise to the industry,” said Claire Richmond, Founder of findaTVexpert.com. “Violinists and dancers do it on Britain’s Got Talent, singers do it on the X-Factor and experts with the X-Pert factor can now do it on findaTVexpert.com. And it’s working. The site’s been live for just under a month and experts have already been spotted and approached by production companies,” added Richmond.

Members of the media looking for experts to comment on a subject or be part of a show can register and search the site for free.

Norfolk-based family firm could fix Northamptonshire contaminated water problem

The water contamination situation currently affecting quarter of a million people in Northamptonshire could be safely and quickly dealt with in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way; using the same equipment used to de-contaminate water supplies in South East Asia after the December 2004 Tsunami, according to the UK’s recently appointed sole distributor of bacteria and virus treatment units.

The UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of patented water treatment equipment for private supplies, has recently been appointed the UK’s sole distributor for GE Homespring Units and believes this system could help the people of Northamptonshire in a cost-effective, eco-friendly and efficient manner.

The GE Homespring unit physically removes bacteria, viruses and parasites and flushes them away to drain. This product is new to the UK but has been extensively tried and tested with great success in other parts of the world, including South East Asia after the December 2004 Tsunami.

This unit is free from chemicals, making it the most eco-friendly way of eliminating parasites such as Cryptosporidium, which is currently affecting around 260,000 Northamptonshire residents.

Analysts spotted a trace of the parasite in Northamptonshire water supplies during a routine test and have since warned residents of the 85 surrounding communities to boil all water before use - wasting valuable energy, money, and time and contributing to climate changes; all of which are unnecessary and avoidable, according to the water treatment specialists.

The Homespring Unit is exclusively distributed in the UK by Shakesby & Sons Ltd, whose website is www.shakesby.net. It is the quickest and most effective way to provide a safe and healthy pathogen free water supply; physically removing any bacteria. It does not affect the mineral characteristics of the water, ensuring that taste remains unaffected.

Mark Shakesby, Managing Director of Shakesby & Sons Ltd said, “If a large majority of the 258,000 people affected so far were to boil water each time they wanted to use it, it would cost the climate and the taxpayers a fortune. The installation of this unit would be a cost-effective solution for businesses, nursing homes, hotels and schools; it would allow the increasing numbers of schools and businesses that are having to close, to re-open in a safe and quick manner,”

He continued: “Issues like this need to be dealt with relatively quickly, with care to note the long-term impact to our climate as well as the short-term effect on the population, if not resolved in an eco-friendly way. These people have not yet been offered a real solution to this problem; telling them to boil the kettle every time they want to wash or brush their teeth is not going to eliminate this problem for good or relieve public anxiety.”

Complete Set of Harry Potter Deluxe 1st Edition Books Signed By Author Set to Cast Their Spell Over Eager Collectors

A complete Set Of Harry Potter Signed 1st Editions to go under hammer at UK Auction on July 1st 2008.

Serious book lovers need to get over to Cameo Auctioneers and checkout lot 100 - 7 Original Deluxe 1st Edition Harry Potter Books signed by the Author, J K Rowling and estimated to go under the hammer for between £15,000 – £20,000

The collection comprises:

The Philosopher's Stone.
The Chamber of Secrets.
The Prisoner of Azkaban.
The Goblet of Fire.
The Order of The Phoenix.
The Half-Blood Prince.
The Deathly Hallows.
London, Bloomsbury, 1997-2007, 7 volumes.

ALL DELUXE FIRST EDITIONS, with illustrated hardback covers all in near fine condition. Each title is SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, none of which are dedicated.

Collectors looking for more information should call Cameo Auctioneers on +44 118 971 3772 and ask for Gary.

www.cameo-auctioneers.co.uk

Cameo Auctioneers is an established Fine Art Auctioneers with two Auction Rooms near Reading

The Cameo Web Site contains a full online auction catalogue for every sale and live bidding is accessed at www.the-saleroom.com/cameo. Cameo’s sale rate is an impressive 92% of all lots, so if you have anything you would like valued for inclusion in a future sale you can do this by phoning 0118 971 3772 or emailing a digital photo and description to office@cameo-auctioneers.co.uk

Of course if you like to attend the auction that’s no problem either. Cameo’s two Auction rooms are situated just outside of Midgham, and the public are welcome to attend the auctions. If you visit the web site you can subscribe to the free Auction Alerts system that keeps you informed about upcoming sales and interesting lots.

Cameo Auctioneers is an established Fine Art Auctioneers with two Auction Rooms near Reading. The company uses online marketing methods to attract quality buyers from all over the world for its specialist sales which are held live in the Auction Room and on the Internet simultaneously .

Recent developments at Cameo have seen the introduction of live internet bidding for their major sales, combined with regular email auction alerts letting people know when the forthcoming sales are taking place. In addition Cameo use the Google Adwords system to advertise the web site in a multitude of countries around the world.

Nectar points now available to Gala Bingo’s online customers

Gala Bingo is currently the UK’s most popular bingo operator, boasting over 2.5 million members and 157 clubs across the country, with an additional 500,000 online members who share over £15 million in prize money every week. Now, since teaming up with Nectar, the largest customer loyalty programme in the UK, Gala Bingo are awarding their customers with two nectar points for every £1 spent playing bingo using their online gaming service.

Galabingo.com follow in the footsteps of the Gala Clubs who became a Nectar partner in June of 2007.

With 50% of British households owning a Nectar card, Gala Bingo now has access to an active collector base of millions of Nectar collectors, allowing a great opportunity to acquire new customers. Nectar collectors can collect points with well known brands and retailers on the high street, on the road, and also at home. Collecting points with several different retailers allows Nectar card holders’ points balance to add up quickly, with only 500 points needed to start spending on items.

For Galabingo.com, this new partnership with Nectar is being seen as an opportunity by the online bingo game operator to reward customers for their loyalty, with both companies looking forward to a productive working relationship.

Clive Cottrell, Head of Marketing at Galabingo.com said of the partnership: “Gala Bingo’s clubs joined Nectar in June 2007, so we are building on an already strong partnership and extending the benefits. We are always looking for new ways to reward our customers and improve their Gala experience.”

About Gala Bingo
Gala Bingo and galabingo.com are both part of the Gala Coral Group, Europe’s leading gaming operator, which employs over 19,000 employees.

Gala Bingo is the UK's Number 1 bingo operator with over 157 clubs and more than 2.5 million members. Bringing alive a promise that it's 'the bingo that gets you buzzing', with each club dedicated to providing safe and friendly afternoon and evening entertainment.

Galabingo.com is an online bingo 'club' which offers, not only bingo, but chat and other fun games 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

British blogs get put on the map

It has just become easier to find blogs about a local area, thanks to a new map set up by UK local community website Localmouth. The map (see http://www.localmouth.com/blogmap) covers everywhere in England, Scotland and Wales and shows who is blogging where. Localmouth's map of British blogs currently plots the locations of 60 British blogs, ranging from St. Mabyn Village News, a blog about life in a small village in Cornwall, to Scottish Natterings Edinburgh Happenings, a blog written by a mother and daughter team in Edinburgh.

Visitors can read a brief description of each blog or click through to the blogs themselves. Matt Collins, the founder of Localmouth, described how he came up with the idea: "We had all this information about local blogs and hadn't seen anyone else mapping where blogs were being written, so I just thought 'why not?'"

Authors of other blogs about places in England, Scotland or Wales can get added to the map by registering their blog on the Localmouth website at http://www.localmouth.com

Localmouth is an online guide to every local community in the UK. It aims to help people get more involved in their local communities. Localmouth aggregates highly-localised information and provides forums where people can share advice and discuss local matters. The site was launched in May 2007 and is based in London.

Major Search for Teenagers Missing in a Dinghy

At half past nine yesterday evening -ednesday - MRCC Forth was alerted by a 999 call from a worried mother reporting her 14 year old son and another teenager may have been swept out to sea in a small dinghy. Subsequent 999 calls from other worried parents confirmed that there were 3 children and a 53 year old man in a six foot craft who had left Pease Bay at six o'clock.

Dunbar Coastguard Rescue team were sent to the scene as were the Dunbar RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboat who were all returning to station from a previous incident. St Abbs inshore lifeboat, Eyemouth all-weather lifeboat and Eyemouth Coastguard Rescue team were also called out to assist. A rescue helicopter was also requested to scramble.

A Coastguard Rescue Officer, whilst traveling to a vantage point came across three teenagers walking on the main road between Coldingham and Pease bay - who confirmed that they had been out in a dinghy. They also told the officer that the man they were with, was down the cliffs but was unable to climb up.

Simultaneously, St.Abbs lifeboat reported that they had located the vessel on the rocks and seen the man half way up the cliff. A decision was made to airlift the casualty to the cliff top where he was assessed by an ambulance crew.

This was a search which, given the time and conditions required deployment of units quickly to the search area. The seaworthiness of the 6 foot rigid inflatable with an apparently very unreliable outboard engine and defective oars was brought into question, even though the adult was wearing a lifejacket and the 10 14 and 15 year old were wearing wet suits.

Simon Smart, Watch Manager said: Survival time in the North Sea at this time of year is minimal at best, even with survival aids. The vessel was ill equipped for such a trip to sea, even close to the coastline. This incident could have very well had a different outcome. "

First Mughal Silver Exhibition to be staged in 100 years

Mughal Parcel-Gilt Soup Tureen c.1775

Reflecting Power: Three Schools of Indian Silver, a selling exhibition curated by Wynyard R. T. Wilkinson opens at Indar Pasricha Fine Arts, 22 Connaught Street in London, 2nd-12th July.

A strikingly beautiful 18th century Mughal parcel gilt tureen made in Lucknow, will be among over four hundred silver objects spanning three centuries of Indian history on view as part of a selling exhibition at Indar Pasricha Fine Arts, 22 Connaught Street in London. The chased and engraved tureen, which features exquisitely rendered scrolling foliage interspersed with animals both wild and domestic, represents the heights to which the decorative arts rose in India under Mughal rule.

“This tureen represents a sublime fusion of Neo-classical form and Mughal decorative style,” says curator Wynyard Wilkinson. “In this one piece you can see how Eastern art was being influenced by Western tastes at the time of production.”

“India’s long and tumultuous history is arguably nowhere better reflected than in silver objects produced to the order of those who once ruled the vast Sub-Continent,” Wilkinson continued. “I have designed this exhibition to begin with items tailored to the luxuriant tastes of the Mughal Emperors who controlled India from the 16th through to the mid 19th centuries. The focus then shifts to pieces reflecting the Georgian restraint favoured by early European merchants and soldiers who arrived under the auspices of the East India Company. Finally is a group of objects produced during the influence of the British Raj, which reveals an emerging indigenous genre.”

Wilkinson, the author of three books on Indian silver, has selected objects which mirror the tastes of these three elites. The exhibition, a chronological progression of taste and styles in India spanning three centuries, will feature pieces designed for personal as well as official use and offers a glimpse into these three very diverse cultures and offer investment value with pieces starting from £50.

In all its jewel-like magnificence, Mughal silver incorporates design and decorative elements that reveal the exotic amalgam that was Mughal culture. With roots reaching as far afield as the Mongolian Steppes and Persia, Mughal civilisation brought a finesse to the decorative arts of India that remains in evidence to this day.

By the time the East India Company established itself in the Sub-Continent in the late 18th century, the sober discipline of Georgian taste was fashionable in Britain. It follows then that Georgian style silver was the order of the day for the numerous mercantile and military adventurers who populated the great Presidency towns. This body of work was produced by Indian craftsmen under the aegis of European firms like Hamilton & Co. in Calcutta, the Gordon family in Madras.

Finally are objects produced during the final period of British influence in India, which lasted from the mid-19th through to India’s independence in 1947. This period saw a concerted effort on behalf of the Raj to ensure that indigenous crafts in India were not lost to the rapid industrialisation that took place worldwide at that time. The result is hand-wrought silver that represents a true confluence of styles wherein European forms are enhanced by indigenous decorative motifs.

www.ipfa.co.uk

No legal status for 'Common Law' partnerships

Some months ago the Law Commissioner recognised that 4,000,000 people now cohabited without marrying and recommended that the law should recognise a ‘common law relationship.’ The government under Gordon Brown has effectively shelved the issue and it is likely to be many years before there are any changes in the law.

Recognising the legal problem, internet pioneering solicitors, Kaye Tesler & Co, have developed an online system which, for a fraction of the cost of seeing a solicitor face to face, will prepare a binding cohabitation agreement.

The system asks questions in exactly the same way as a solicitor would ask a client in a normal interview situation and cleverly adjusts so that follow on questions depend upon answers already given. In this way the system builds a personalised cohabitation agreement, far different from the simple forms that can be purchased at stationers or elsewhere on the web.

A comprehensive cohabitation agreement is available via the system at the price of £150 plus VAT and can be seen at www.uklaw.net/cohab.

A free explanatory CD is available or you can listen on line at https://www.uklaw.net/cohab/landing_page_cd.asp

Southpaws in the Whitehouse!

A fascinating trend for US Presidents to be left-handed is certain to continue, whoever wins the current race to the White House. Barack Obama and his rival John McCain are both left-handers, and follow in the footsteps of southpaw presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Strange as it may seem, this leftie battle for power is by no means unusual in American politics. In 1992 all three Presidential Candidates, Clinton, Bush and Independent candidate Ross Perot were left-handers and in 1996 Clinton won a second term against fellow leftie Bob Dole.

Only 13 per cent of the population are left-handed, making this extraordinary trend hard to dismiss as pure chance. Analysts are now wondering whether the high instance of left-handers among presidential candidates in recent election campaigns indicates that it could be a key attribute for successful leadership.

Lauren Milsom, Director of www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk and author of “Your Left-Handed Child” confirms that many positive traits directly linked to left-handedness are emerging in current research. “Studies have shown, for example, that among graduates the earning power of left-handed men is 15 per cent greater than that of their right-handed counterparts, perhaps because they are more likely to use both hemispheres of their brain to visualise problems and evaluate situations.” Bilateral brain function may be useful in developing the social and communication skills necessary to be successful in business and politics.

Another common attribute of left-handers is an ability to solve problems with creative thinking. “This is a talent born out of necessity” explains Milsom “since our environment is designed for right-handers’ convenience, thus routinely presenting left-handers with awkward and potentially hazardous situations that have to be overcome”.

With such a strong leftie contingent in the White House, it must surely only be a matter of time before Left-Handers Day, the annual celebration of left-handedness on 13th August, is designated an American National Holiday.

For more information on left-handed presidents, and to hear an interview with Lauren Milsom on BBC Radio 4 Today programme, visit www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/presidents.html

Met Office welcomes Pitt Reviews recommendations

The Met Office today welcomes calls for a joint centre to deal with the issue of severe weather and flooding in the UK.

The final report of Sir Michael Pitt's Flooding Lessons Learnt Review recommends combining the expertise of the Met Office and the Environment Agency. The review also indicated that continuous investment will be required to support the development of integrated forecasting and modelling for all types of flooding.

Phil Evans, Met Office Chief Advisor to Government, said: "The Met Office believes that an integrated approach to issuing flood warnings could provide important benefits. These include more consistent, clearer and earlier alerts and warnings to emergency responders, householders and operators of critical national infrastructure, plus an effective means of predicting surface water flooding. Such an approach would also bring the UK in line with international best practice."

Rob Varley, Government Services Director, said: "The Met Office and the Environment Agency work closely together. Earlier this month we unveiled significant developments in our capability to provide more precise pinpointing of where and when extreme rainfall will occur.

"We have also set up a team of specialist forecasters to provide early warnings and risk assessments to those involved in flood forecasting, emergency services and operators of critical national infrastructure.

"This latest recommendation will encourage us to do even more with our colleagues in other Government agencies, to protect the public from severe weather, flooding and its consequences."
Sir Michael has congratulated the Met Office on its ongoing improvements.

Sir Edmund Burton report on MoD data loss released

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) today published Sir Edmund Burton's report into the laptops containing the personal details of individuals who expressed interest in joining the Armed Forces.

Sir Edmund Burton, who is chairman of the Information Assurance Advisory Council and supports the Cabinet Office in the implementation of the Government's information assurance strategy, was invited to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the loss of the data in January 2008 and consider the broader MOD approach to data protection.

Sir Edmund Burton found MOD policies and procedures are generally fit for purpose and cited examples of good practice by the Department, particularly the measures introduced after the loss which were effective in preventing similar damaging losses. But he identified a number of areas where MOD needs to do better in protecting personal data.

The MOD has accepted all of Sir Edmund's 51 recommendations and has prepared a comprehensive action plan to implement them. Published alongside the report, the action plan has drawn on the broader findings of the Cabinet Secretary's Review of Data Handling Procedures in Government, whose final report has also been published today.

Permanent Under Secretary, Bill Jeffrey said: "The Ministry of Defence is grateful for the effort that Sir Edmund and his team have put into this Review.

"We deeply regret the losses of personal data. We have identified weaknesses within parts of the MOD that led to this situation and I am confident that we are taking the necessary steps to address them.

"I am absolutely determined to make sure that we learn the lessons arising from the loss of this data and that we should do everything possible to make sure that this type of thing does not happen again."

MoD tests fresh range of hot weather menus for troops on operations

Troops are to get new food rations on operations as a range of new menu trials get under way with soldiers.

The Multi Climate Ration (MCR) trial sees the introduction of 20 new trial menus for general use on the front line in hot weather environments plus six new menus for halal, vegetarian and Sikh/Hindu variants.

The design of the trial MCR packs has been heavily influenced by feedback from personnel in all three Services including direct input from troops who have experienced eating Operational Ration Packs for long periods on operational deployments in severe and demanding conditions. Food selection panels were conducted in May 2008 to select products for the new MCR.

The Multi Climate Menu trials aim to address the forces' concerns for the long term and will provide a number of varied and nutrional food items to meet the needs of troops in the harsh Afghanistan and Iraq environments.

Launching the Multi Climate Rations trials, Lt Gen Dick Applegate, Chief of Materiel Land said:
"Food is vitally important to the morale of our Armed Forces, especially whilst deployed on operations. One of the most important requirements is to provide increased variety to troops operating for long periods on rations which will help reduce menu fatigue. These new menus have been developed to meet the needs of service personnel operating in the extreme climates of Afghanistan and Iraq, providing them with a range of nutritionally balanced meals."

Defence Food Services project leader, Captain Paul Cunningham said: "The food served to our soldiers, sailors and airmen is well-balanced, nutritious and plentiful and, in the main camps, the majority of our troops eat freshly prepared hot and cold meals, cooked by professional skilled chefs, using a wide range of commercial rations including fresh fruit and vegetables.

"However, in the remote areas in Afghanistan and Iraq, away from the main camps, it is not always possible to provide meals cooked by chefs from raw ingredients. Under these circumstances we currently provide a range of ten general purpose (or 5 vegetarian, halal, Sikh Hindu) ration packs that are issued with supplements to reflect the weather.

"The new Multi Climate Ration trial will double the amount of available menus and remove the need for supplements. We have lots of new items in the rations and I am convinced these will be very popular with our troops."

The new range of menus will be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan for summer 2009. The Multi Climate trial will help inform the long term future of menus for ration packs in hot climates for summer 2010 and beyond.


The MCR trial will run from May 2009-October 2009.

2007 DFS IPT purchased 135,000 Hot Climate Supplements (HCS) which were sent forward into theatre. Throughout the summer months (1 May - 31 Oct) every soldier issued with a box of 24 hr Operational Ration Pack was also issued with a bag of five supplements comprising energy bars, pretzels, drink flavouring and a pasta meal which could be eaten cold. We have also been issuing winter supplements in recent years.

On average 1.5 million 24 hour packs are eaten every year with variable contents.

It is recommended soldiers consume 4000Kcals in hot weather and 3600Kcals in more temperate environments.

Ten-man rations are used when fresh ingredients cannot be supplied due to operational factors but when chefs are available to feed Service Personnel in groups in the field. 24hr packs are issued to individuals when it is not possible for chefs to cook meals.

Examples of items which have been replaced are:
* Chocolate bars removed and replaced with flapjack/energy bars.
* Biscuits Brown, Biscuits Fruit & Pate Replaced with Pasta pouches which can be eaten cold.
* A reduction in the hot drinks which has been replaced with energy drinks and fruit flavourings for water to encourage hydration.
* 20 New Main Meals to encourage soldiers to eat.
* Cold breakfasts such as mueslis to get extra carbohydrate and fibre and to add variety from a baked bean based breakfast.
* Fruit Puree drinks and fruit cocktail desserts added to replace hot custard based desserts.

A work culture not a welfare culture?

Freedom of choice will be central to radical welfare reform plans, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell said today.

James Purnell outlined his vision for the future of the welfare system, devolving power, and opening the door for local providers to offer their own solutions to unemployment.

Speaking at the CESI Welfare to Work conference in Birmingham, James Purnell said:
"Claimants should have the choice over how to get back to work, not whether they should go back to work. We want a work culture, not a welfare culture and we can only achieve this by reforming the system so that it demands personal responsibility.

"I want to give more power to customers, providers and regions. We are reforming the Welfare State from an essentially passive one to a profoundly active one. "

Mr Purnell set out a radical approach to developing employment schemes. He said the Government recognised one of the strengths of local providers is the potential to develop new solutions to existing problems.

Under the new "right to bid" process every serious idea will be properly evaluated, by a DWP commissioning team, who will report to the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary.

James Purnell said: "I want to hear their proposals. I want to be able to harness this creativity, and test the ideas we receive so that we can develop the innovative ideas for future programmes or enhance the effectiveness of current ones to help even more people back into work.

"Most radically, for the most committed areas, we want to experiment with a fully devolved model. We want to challenge areas to meet strict criteria - including ambitious pooling of budgets and a record of successful delivery, partnership working and clear governance arrangements. In return we will offer greater freedom to choose."

Announcing an additional £5m to extend City Strategy pilots for a further two years, Mr Purnell said he wanted to investigate giving regions more control over improving employment in their area:

"Today, no region has a claimant unemployment level higher than four per cent. But in all of our regions, there are parts of our community that have been left behind. As the problems of worklessness have become more localised, so the solutions have too.

"To get those bespoke solutions, I want to devolve power to the local level, so that cities and sub-regions can pool funding. Put their budgets together to develop a comprehensive solution, not dozens of small interventions."

A copy of his speech is available on the DWP website at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk

Furniture & Art In Harmony

The works of art created by Keighey-based sculptor Simon Moller appear to rise almost organically from the ground upwards but they are far more than just plant life. Think Day of the Triffids or Little Shop of Horrors and you get an idea of the kind of forms and vivid colours that inspire the 54-year-old artist minus, of course, the venom and sharpened fangs!

One of the most distinctive, vivid and eye-catching collections of bespoke house and garden furniture, designed by acclaimed sculptor Simon Moller, is currently on show at Dean Clough Gallery in Halifax.

Keighley-based Moller is keen for visitors to interact with all of the many pieces on display during the four month long exhibition which ends on the 28th September. “My works are designed to be used and abused and whether it’s a chair, bed or a table I make sure that every piece matches up with the personality and space of the customer,” explains Simon whose recent commissions include works for a number of New Zealand rugby stars.

“They are designed to fit the space in which they inhabit and are always the centrepiece of any room. I think that all of my pieces are evocative and generate reactions. They also have a shelf life that could last generations and become prized family assets.“I like the idea of a tailor made chair that fits the owner like a well work pair of gloves,” adds the affable Simon who has travelled across Europe practising his art over the past 30 years picking up numerous accolades along the way.

Simon, 54, studied at the Royal College of Art and was awarded a prestigious Senior Henry Moore Fellowship in 1987.

Simon went on “Everything I make has its influences. Some are more overt whilst others are subliminal but all are there for a reason. They have to be interacted with to be fully enjoyed. They cannot just sit there. They have to be experienced.“I’m not a fan of art that is segregated from the viewer. My art has a purpose to it and in that sense I guess you could describe it as balancing utility with aesthetics, nurture and nature!” he concluded.

The Dean Clough Galleries are open from 10am to 5pm seven days a week. For more information contact Dean Clough on 01422 250250. For details about Simon’s work visit www.simonmoller.com

We want your bright ideas: Central Networks gives power to the people on future energy plans

Tackling climate change, preparing for sudden weather emergencies or just keeping the lights on, Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is looking for people’s views as it shapes the power network for the future.

“Whether it’s doing our bit to fight climate change or coping with changes in the way electricity is generated, your ideas will help us change energy,” said Graeme Thompson, Finance Director at Central Networks.

“We need to understand more about what’s important to our customers in the service we provide, how we can improve it and what people think our priorities for investment should be.”
The company wants customers to complete a series of questions on its website, www.eon-uk.com/distribution/stakeholderengagement on the principles behind its plans.

Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers over an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
The company, part of E.ON, hopes customer feedback will help shape its work in the future while gauging whether customers are willing to pay a little extra for measures such as environmental upgrades.

Central Networks estimates plans to increase investment in maintaining the network could add between £6 and £10 to yearly bills. A number of extra measures to improve the resilience and environmental impact of the network could add a further £3 a year to a domestic bill.

For example, investing in the replacement of oil filled cables to help protect the environment could add between 50p and £1.55 to average household bills, while undergrounding selected overhead lines in areas of outstanding natural beauty could see a rise of between 5p and 15p.

Central Networks’ distribution charges remain among the lowest in the UK – at about £60 per year for an average customer. The distribution charge forms a relatively small part of domestic power bills – Ofgem figures say that distribution makes up around 17% of the average electricity bill.

Bernex Watches

Simple and Stylish, this new exciting new model from traditional Swiss manufacturer Bernex Watches creates the prefer timepiece to catch your eye.

The BN12102 is manufactured to the high quality you would expect from any Bernex watches. Creating a Danish design finish, but comes with all the finer details you would expect from a Swiss Manufacturer. The movement is the ETA 7550 mechanical movement, providing for sub-second hand at the 6’o clock position.

The case is stainless steel with 10 microns of gold plating. The luxury textured dial gives the polished finished that is expected from a valuable timepiece. The glass is manufactured using sapphire crystal lens both front and rear. The rear lens shows the movement so see and hear the seconds ticking away. The complete watch is cased within a slim line case and comes with a leather croc look strap.

This model is priced at a very modest £500 for which you get a 100% Swiss Made product, wooden packaged presentation box, 2 year warranty (extend to 3 years by just registering your purchase with the manufacture) from an established brand from 1858.

For more information on Bernex, call Chrono UK Limited on 0844 815 4840 or e-mail them at sales@chrono-online.com, or visit the website www.chrono-online.com for more information.

Bernex was established in Switzerland in 1858, in the Watch making village of Les Breuleux, Bernex watches have been manufactured and sold by the Bouverat family worldwide for the past 140 years.

In 1919, part of the the family left Switzerland and founded Geo. Bouverat & Co. Ltd in the UK. They continued to provide quality Swiss timepieces under the Bernex Brand Name, working closely with leading retail jewellers throughout the UK to ensure that Bernex remain at the forefront.

Bouverat are proud of their Swiss origin, and timepieces are still imported from Les Breuleux, their original home, as well as other leading Swiss factories, to ensure Bernex is known as 'The' Swiss Watch.

www.chrono-online.com

Rail network is in desperate need of expansion: Liberal Democrats

Commenting on Network Rail’s announcement of a strategic review to consider new railway lines, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: “The rail network is in desperate need of expansion if we don’t want to force frustrated passengers back into their cars and on to aeroplanes.

“Instead the Government has proposed cutting back public funding for the railways, condemning travellers to delay and overcrowding.

“Its forward plan for rail hits the buffers in 2014 and we've yet to see anything of substance from the Conservatives.

“The Liberal Democrats, alone of the three parties, have proposed sustained investment in the railways, building a high speed rail network as well as reopening railway lines and improving services across the country.”

Got a problem to solve but no one to solve it? Never fear, the Internet is here!

Did you know that the word boredom was first used by Charles Dickens in 1852? Till sometime after the Middle Ages, people simply didn’t have the time to be bored – except perhaps royalty and old people. Washing, cooking, cleaning, producing and taking care of children occupied a woman’s day while working hard and providing for the family was the man’s job. Into the midst of all this were thrust dust, dirt, disease and war – effectively never allowing boredom to set in.

But we, being the lucky souls that we are, live in an age when cooking, washing, cleaning up and even producing babies can be taken care of quite easily and effectively. Ergo, boredom plays a rather large part of our lives, creeping in whenever we don’t have other, more important things (such as those directly affecting our survival) on our minds. When you already know where your next meal is coming from, there isn’t much else to do – one supposes that it is into this gap that entertainment falls.

Thequizspot.com though, isn’t only about taking you away from mind-numbing boredom but also about giving you a fun way to learn more about yourself (and the people around you, of course) When in doubt, turn to the Internet, or something along those lines at least, is what most young people today live by.

Information at your fingertips on everything under the sun – why not yourself and your life, while we’re at it? Taking online quizzes is probably a way to be honest with yourself, and anyway, where are you going to get a more objective and impartial judge than a computer that works purely on logic?

Solutions to relationship worries, clearing up of confusion about your career options or simply random things like the three minute personality test – all that and more is accessible 24/7 on www.thequizspot.com. Of course, the foolproof nature of the results of these quizzes and surveys isn’t guaranteed but who says you have to take them seriously? It’s all a bit of fun.

Too many people today tend to take life too seriously. Throwing yourself open to an online quiz claiming to tell you the perfect answer to all your problems is simply one way of letting go and remembering to simply live and let live.

Father gassed his children 'to spite wife'

Article by Jimmy Deuchars of Grandparents Apart UK

How many more fathers and children are to die in situations like this, as well as the suicides by fathers and grandparents before the governments allow equal parenting.

When a couple have children it is a union that no one should interfere in unless there is violence present. If there are problems Family Information & Education Centres should be available for families to have access to mediation and counselling without the interference of the government’s administrative one sided interpretation of family laws.

The governments claim family law is fair and just but they are hiding their head in the sand ignoring what is happening, not wanting to admit their family law administration has failed them and is badly in need of retraining in the real best interests of the child. The governments are so naïve to think these people could work without supervision. Human nature dictates people always go for the way that suits them best.

Money is the root of family law problems. Lawyers fill their pockets on cases that are nearly always doomed to failure because of the system. Social services lie, cheat, invent meetings that have never taken place. Snatch children and groom them for adoption to earn bonuses because it is less costly than working with families to help sort out their problems. At what cost, is it in human lives?

Every decent mother father and grandparents are heartbroken at this latest tragedy which the governments could avoid with equal parenting and not creating one sided dictators over children which are even above the law itself.

The major children’s charities (Shame on them always asking for money when they will not do their job properly, that is work for the best interests of children) They must shoulder a lot of the blame when they do not speak up to condemn the failure of our government’s handling of the family law administration fiasco.

There must be and end to these terrible tragedies. The governments must get off their high horses and listen to the people and not treat them as idiots like they do.

People are getting desperate and more and more demonstration will be common place and who can really blame them when the governments refuse to listen?

www.grandparentsapart.co.uk

Payday loans

Have an urgent monetary situation? Require emergency cash in a hurry? Look, things can go wrong. An unexpected dental bill, new glasses required urgently. All need money to deal with them. And they need it now.

A possible answer to this type of problem is a payday loan.

Payday loans are a quality alternative to bouncing cheques, marketing personal assets for a decreased amount than it's valued at, or uneasy situations such as making use of cash from family and colleagues. (And would you necessarily want them knowing your business?)

Apply at www.nextdayloans.org.uk for all your urgent situation pay day loan needs to tide over till your cash advance needs to tide over till your upcoming pay cycle. Decide on Cash Loan Help for flexible cash fixes.

The processing speed is the main strength and money will be wired in your account Within 24 hours of application. You will also be provided with free suggestions by the experts on the loan which will perfectly suit your needs. Customer satisfaction Is what drives people at www.nextdayloans.org.uk to serve the loan with minimum complications.

So when you can't stall up until your next take-home pay, apply online for a check loan. In a financial distress, www.nextdayloans.org.uk provides discreet and private unsecured loan products. Loans available easily at a click!

'Safe Road Use' programme

Crucial steps to bring about a major change in driving attitudes across Great Britain took place at a high-level meeting in Glasgow.

Police officers, road safety experts and educationalists met at the headquarters of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to agree and progress a national 'Safe Road Use' programme which forms a major part of the national Learning to Drive campaign.

The campaign has been launched by Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, and its principal aim is to bring about a change in UK driving attitudes, mainly by ensuring young people become more aware of road safety issues and cultivate better attitudes towards driving in general.

Improved driver education lies at the core of the initiative being handled by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) for the Department for Transport. In turn, the DSA has brought in the SQA, using their expertise to design and implement educational material for youngsters aged 14-16. The campaign specifically aims to educate and inform young people on safe road and safe driving techniques before they actually get behind the wheel!

The fresh approach is part of the Government's plan to inform and educate road users towards better driver rather than restricting and legislating. This approach lies at the heart of the national Learning to Drive consultation from which the DSA will extract and put forward new guidelines to reform the GB driving test.

The SQA summit is at the heart of this complex process designed to lead to an educational qualification in safe road use. As the educational aspects are agreed, it is hoped the first elements will be launched in Scotland by the end of 2008, followed by a roll-out to schools, colleges and youth training or pre-apprenticeship colleges in the rest of the country.

Rosemary Thew, chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency, said: "We believe we need a fresh cultural and educational approach to improving driving standards and we have consulted with experts to achieve this. I am confident that the end product from SQA and the DSA will give fresh insight into the trials and tribulations youngsters face when they first take to our busy roads."

Roderic Gillespie, from SQA, said: "We are looking forward to working in partnership with others to implement a Pre-Driver Qualification which will harness young people's enthusiasm and at the same time give them a qualification."

At the heart of the consultation is a micro-website launched by the DSA to encourage members of the public to leave their views on proposals. You can register your views on http://www.dsa.gov.uk/learningtodrive .

Keep Smiling: More Happy Faces With The Full HD Handycam® HDR-CX11E

1920x1080 Full HD recording on removable ‘Memory Stick’ World’s first camcorder with Smile Shutter1 using Face Detection technology ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor™ derived technology and BIONZ processor 10.2 megapixel still image recording Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom1 as of June 2008, Sony ResearchSmile everyone!

Experience amazing Full HD video and detail-packed still images with the beautifully styled Handycam® HDR-CX11E.The CX11E is the world’s first ever camcorder to feature Smile Shutter.

This unique Sony technology automatically captures crisp 7.6 megapixel photos when someone smiles. There’s no need to press the shutter button or interrupt the action: it’s great for spontaneously capturing relaxed, happy moments while you’re recording.

In ‘Dual Capture’ mode (default), stills are captured whenever someone smiles during movie recording.

Switching Smile Shutter to ‘Always On’ mode can even grab photos while you’re in record standby – whether you’re in movie or photo mode – so there’s no chance of missing that winning smile between takes.

Handycam HDR-CX11E‘Smile Sensitivity’ can be adjusted to recognise anything from a gentle smile to a beaming grin. Priority can also be set to recognise children or adult’s faces.

Smile Shutter is teamed with Face Detection that automatically fine-tunes focus, exposure and colour balance for great-looking videos and photos of friends and family.

The CX11E delivers stunning high resolution, low noise HD pictures thanks to its ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor™ derived technology.

Sparkling Full HD video and 5.1 surround sound is recorded on removable ‘Memory Stick’ PRO Duo media (up to 85 min with supplied 4GB ‘Memory Stick’, or 5 hrs 55 mins with 16GB optional ‘Memory Stick’, LP mode).

Advanced, easy-to-use featuresThe easy-to-use CX11E is packed with cutting-edge Sony imaging technologies for breathtaking picture quality. The high-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens features a powerful 12x optical zoom range, with Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation for crisper, clearer video and stills.

Powered by the high-speed BIONZ processor, D-range Optimiser technology automatically adjusts exposure and contrast to maximise shadows and highlight detail with tricky high-contrast scenes.

Still images are captured in photo mode at an incredible resolution of 10.2 effective megapixels, rivalling today’s finest digital compact cameras.Image quality like no other is matched by superb 5.1 channel surround sound, with a zoom microphone function to minimise distracting background noises when images are zoomed in.

Shots are viewed in exquisite detail on the 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus widescreen touch-panel that displays video and photos with superb contrast, even when you’re viewing outdoors in bright sunlight. Browsing your footage is easy with Film Roll Index and Face Index that simplifies finding the right scene.

Handycam HDR-CX1E
When you’re back home, hook the CX11E up to your HD ready television for a superb HD viewing experience. x.v.Colour expands your colour palette for more vivid, lifelike reds, blues and greens when you’re watching on a compatible television.

BRAVIA™ Sync allows easy control of camcorder functions with your TV remote. Cable-free playback is even simpler with your PLAYSTATION®3 – just transfer a ‘Memory Stick’ from the CX11E and enjoy the show. With a PC connected to the supplied Handycam® Station, footage can be burned at the touch of a button from ‘Memory Stick’ to DVD for safekeeping.

Supplied accessories include a 4GB ‘Memory Stick’ PRO Duo, USB and component A/V cables, Handycam® Station and remote controller. There’s also a full range of optional accessories including conversion lenses, batteries, chargers, microphones, tripods, HDMI cables and cases.

The Handycam® HDR-CX11E is available from August 2008. It is available to pre-order now at www.sonystyle-europe.com.HANDYCAM® HDR-CX11E Key Features1920x1080 Full HD recording (AVCHD on ‘Memory Stick’ (4GB supplied) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens ClearVid CMOS Sensor Smile Shutter / Face Detection 12x Optical Zoom / 150x Digital Zoom Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation x.v.

Colour 10.2 effective megapixel Still Image Recording 5.1ch Surround Recording with zoom microphone 2.7-inch Wide, Clear Photo LCD plus screen STAMINA up to 7 hours (with optional battery)Environmental Information: 3PsEnvironmental InfoSony is engaged in a constant review of its manufacturing, operational and business practices to ensure that its products are developed in an environmentally responsible way.

This approach can broadly be divided into three areas: PRODUCT: Halogenated materials can pose a risk to the environment if disposed of improperly. To minimize this risk, halogen-free flame retardants are used for certain printed circuit boards. Lead-free solder is used to reduce the use of hazardous substances.

Power consumption is reduced from 4.3W (HDR-CX6EK) to 3.8W using low-power devices including BIONZ processor and optimisation of coding process. PROCESS: The extended user manual is provided electronically on CD-ROM to reduce paper use. Product packaging is made from recyclable paper to reduce the impact on the environment.

Charities urged to BOYCOTT FREEPOST until Royal Mail improves its services to charities

For many years, charities have used a FREEPOST envelope service for supporters to make donations, telling them to use a stamp as it will save the charity money.

However, this is no longer true.

The sorting machines Royal Mail introduced in 2005 will just put even stamped FREEPOST envelopes into the chargeable batch as with the non stamped ones. Even crossing out the FREEPOST line WILL NOT CHANGE ANYTHING.

This is a major reduction in service from Royal Mail who are making no effort to do anything about it.

Regardless of the terms of the FREEPOST use, for many years charities were given a service where a supporter putting a stamp on the envelope would save the charity money.

Royal Mail must have received hundreds of thousands of pounds from double payment of envelopes over the 3 years.

They are making no effort to sort the problem out. It must be possible in the 21st Century for sorting machines to be adapted to either detect if a stamp is put on an envelope or some other similar solution.

The BOYCOTT FREEPOST campaign has been launched by the Practical Fundraising Association, a trade body representing over 1000 charity fundraisers and managed by Company Solutions UK Ltd.

In the first few hours, many charities have already signed up.Charities are also encouraging their supporters to write to their local MP to ask them to lobby Royal Mail for a change of heart. MPs can be written to at - House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Charities are urged to replace FREEPOST envelopes with envelopes with the ordinary address on and the following messagePlease use a stamp. We no longer use FREEPOST as Royal Mail now charge all good causes EVEN when you put a stamp on the envelope.

Support charities who Boycott Freepost until Royal Mail treat charities fairly.Hopefully the day TNT Post and others offer a FREEPOST service which accommodates charities needs will not be far off.You can see the current list of charities signed up to support the campaign at http://www.companysolutions.biz/Page12.aspx?ID=191

Water users get caught out in strong winds

Swansea Coastguard coordinated two incidents within twenty minutes of each other in the Mumbles area when a boat went aground and a kite surfer got into difficulty in Gale Force 8 winds and rough sea conditions.

At 15.04 Swansea Coastguard received a MAYDAY call from an angling vessel which was aground at the entrance to the Docks in Swansea Bay followed by a 999 call reporting that a kite surfer was in difficulty in the water at Langland a few miles along the coast.

Mumbles RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats went to deal with the 16 foot angling boat with three people on board and it was refloated. Swansea Coastguard diverted the Rescue Helicopter from Chivenor, which was in the area, to retrieve the kite surfer. He has been taken to shore safely.

David Jones of Swansea Coastguard says, "With such strong winds and rough seas we advise anyone taking to the water to check the forecast carefully, have all the correct safety equipment with you and stay within your capabilities for the conditions you encounter."

Inflatable Death off Yarmouth in Offshore Wind

A major search is taking place this evening off Great Yarmouth for an 18 year old non swimmer who was blown out to sea in an inflatable dinghy. His 10 year old brother managed to swim back to the shore but his older brother has not been found.

Yarmouth Coastguard received a 999 call at 5.40pm from a member of the public reporting two boys had been tipped into the sea from an inflatable off the Yarmouth Pleasure Beach. A major search was launched involving five lifeboats; Gorleston RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats, Caister Volunteer Lifeboat and inshore lifeboat and Hemsby Volunteer inshore lifeboat.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Winterton and Gorleston. Rescue Helicopter 125 from Wattisham has been searching the area.

The missing 18 year old took the inflatable dinghy out with his 10 year old brother this afternoon. With strong offshore winds the craft was soon being blown away from the shore and the 10 year old managed to swim back to the beach while 18 year old non swimmer stayed with the inflatable but was tipped in the water. The boys are from Norwich.

Mario Siano of Yarmouth Coastguard said, "We have been concerned throughout the day that inflatable toys would be blown out to sea with people on them in these strong offshore winds. Despite a major search by many rescue workers today, tragically, our worst fears appear to have been realised. Our thoughts are with the family of this young man."

A Dream Flight With Jetsleeper

An innovative product by Jetsleeper means a 'Good Flight’s Sleep' for passengers in economy class.

The 'Eureka' moment for British inventor Tim Williams, came on a flight to Hong Kong, thousands of feet up in the sky, in the economy class section of the plane. Like everyone else aboard, except the lucky ones, who on boarding had turned left into First Class, he was experiencing the age old problem of trying to get to sleep, sitting almost upright in a narrow tourist class seat.

The problems are: Inflatable cushions push your head forward and press into your neck and diminish the blood supply to the brain; A beach ball on the tray in front of you gives you terrible indigestion, and the last option, the airline pillows, fall onto the floor. Not exactly ideal he thought. It was then, rubbing his cricked neck that the first ideas began to take shape that have now been developed into a hot new product; The Jetsleeper!

The aim of the Jetsleeper is simple. A combination of Hook, Pillow, and a strap to the opposite armrest to allow a sleeping position in a semi reclined chair, that would be more comfortable and less likely for passengers to awaken in discomfort. Tim has designed a unique product that expands to five times its size and supports the head and neck. A Velcro strip on the strap provides adjustment and quick release allowing you to easily leave your seat without disturbing the positioning of the pillow or those around you.

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
* A soft, cushioned fibre pillow rather than hard, air filled plastic
* Supports to your head and neck, keeping you up-right in the seat, not slumped over the aisle.
* Easy access to leave your seat and return to a comfortable nights sleep
* Adjustable height to fit your exact requirements.
* Comes in a pocket sized zip pouch, for easy carrying.
* Lightweight, only 6 oz.
* Available in two colours: Sky Blue and Valentine Red.

The genius of the Jetsleeper is it’s effectiveness and simplicity. Customers who have used the Jetsleeper have provided feedback that they had a very good sleep on their flight, which they believe has reduced the effects of jetlag. For Tim, the cricked neck on that flight to Hong Kong was worth the soreness, satisfied that he has provided a solution to a problem encountered by countless air travellers in economy class.

PRICE £20 plus £2.50 p+p

Web: www.jetsleeper.com

Controversial new book release - Rebel Diet by Emma James

Rebel Diet , the new book by Emma James MABNLP, MATLTA, MABH, Dip FTST is out on sale in the UK the 8th July.

The book is a revolutionary fight against the diet industry and a direct insight into weight management through lifestyle, diet structure and most of all not having to diet all the time! It is freedom from diet hell.

It also explains the fads, myths and hype used by so many unscrupulous companies cashing into the whole diet industry.

The author, Emma James, therapist, NLP and Hypnosis Trainer and Master Practitioner is also a long time competitive athlete in powerlifting. She holds World, European and British titles as well as world records in power lifting and has personally fought with her weight and coached many clients privately and in sport to help them achieve success in their field and their look.

The “rebelling” is purely the fact that you don’t have to diet 7 days a week – you can incorporate the diet into your lifestyle and time when and if you need to. You also have your Rebel Diet day, which is a major cheat day and also has a few other stipulations with it like, have fun, do something for you, do something you have never done before, but of most all……..REBEL!

What is simple is dieting – what is not simple is dealing with the rest of life, mental motivation, self confidence and image problems which also help or hinder your efforts in being the person you want to be. If you don’t feel like changing and don’t have the motivation to do it for “you” then no diet or pill on earth will work.

Welcome to the world of dealing with the whole person as well as an effective and revolutionary new diet system and attitude.

Mirage Publishing owned by Steve Richards and author of Cosmic Ordering have nudged Emma to write her book and system so the general public can have access to the system she has been using with clients and herself for years.

Emma has come through many challenges and worked through her own traumas as well as with clients and she provides insight into the techniques and methods used along with the times when they have saved her.

For anyone wanting a fresh new way to rebel against the whole diet industry and take their weight management into their own hands this will be a liberating system.

The book is now available through www.amazon.co.uk and through high street book stores and is retailing at £7.99. You can also read and take part in news and updates through the dedicated web site www.rebeldiet.com

Emma can reached through her NLP training company at www.emmajamesnlp.co.uk
NLP Sport www.emmajamesport.co.uk
Personal Therapy at her clinic in Manchester www.emmajames.net

Computeach Calls for a Change in Funding Policy to Support Career Changers

There is little support for individuals already in work wanting to pursue professional qualifications to change career – Computeach believes that there is a significant group of people who are losing out on adult learning funding.

During Adult Learners Week, IT skills provider, Computeach, is calling on the Government to change its approach to funding to support adults seeking a career change.

Currently, the Government issues grants for adult learning in two key areas; firstly for adults wishing to improve basic numeracy and literacy; and secondly through employers for their staff to study Government approved qualifications such as NVQs.

Karl Parkinson, Chairman at Computeach, believes that there is a significant group of people who are losing out on adult learning funding: the career changer. He explains, “While the Government funds basic skills for individuals, and helps employers train staff already in employment, there is little support for individuals already in work wanting to pursue professional qualifications to change career. And this is where industry’s need is the greatest.”

“With a significant skills gap in industries demanding professional qualifications such as IT, there needs to be support for individuals to move from one industry to the next. Currently, if someone wants to study an ACCA to become an accountant or an MCSE to work in IT, the qualifications need to be self-funded. There is also an issue of flexibility, often people cannot give up work to go to college, so need to look at flexible learning options which fit in with working hours.”

“State funded qualifications, while valuable to personal development, do little to improve chances of employment in professional roles and ultimately help to plug the skills gaps. The Government needs to do more to address the imbalance of funding for adult learning to support both the workforce and industry in a meaningful way.”

Treadmill-Free Steps To A Better Body

The secret to losing weight? Burn off more calories than you eat. It’s that simple. Try our no-gym tips for an uber-hot body, no crunches necessary.

By Maire Bonheim

No matter what size you are, reading this has already increased the number of calories you will burn doing exactly the same exercises. Why? Because studies have shown that simply realising that your normal daily activities and hobbies count as exercising, actually improves your chances of losing weight.

The number of calories you burn varies according to who you are. For example, men burn more calories than women, and women who weigh a bit more than average burn more calories than skinny minxes do. The following figures are based on the amount of calories a woman with an average-sized booty would burn.

Ban dieting with these calorie-burning tricks:

Be a couch potato
But make sure your TV is tuned to Comedy Central. A 15-minute fit of hysterical giggling can burn up to 40 calories – if you did it every day, that’s enough to shed up to 4 pounds a year. And, having a fit of the giggles could even protect your heart and make you feel less pain.

Get some retail therapy
Park your car away from the maddening crowd and spend Saturday morning shopping. You’ll be so busy hunting for the perfect item it definitely won’t seem like work, and you’ll burn 100 calories for every hour it takes you to find them. (By the way, once you find those perfect stacked heels, wear them with pride – they’ll tone your calves and increase the number of calories you burn just standing still, let alone trying to walk in them.)

Go green
Green tea’s antioxidants fight cancer, but it also boosts your metabolism. So you’ll burn up to 60 extra calories a day just standing still.

Shun the lift
You can burn over 100 calories in 20 minutes by taking the stairs, and you don’t need to do it all in one go – rather split your climbing time up over the day for the same calorie count and minimum sweat.

Unleash your inner housework hero
Make peace with housework. You have to do it anyway, so it’s nice to know it’s helping you beat the bulge. Half an hour of vacuuming, ironing, washing the dishes by hand or waxing your car burns over 100 calories. Do it to music to forget the ‘work’ factor and add in some sexy dance moves. Studies also show that women could even be protecting themselves against breast cancer by doing housework.

Be a disco dude or diva
Hit the dance-floor with mates for a sneaky fat-burning night on the town. Dancing at a moderate pace will burn 100 calories every 20 minutes. Two things though – make sure you have a lie-in the morning after (you need sleep to keep your insulin levels down and burn carbs effectively) and keep drinking to a minimum – alcohol piles on the pounds.
Channel Jamie Oliver
Rustle up something tasty in the kitchen. Not only will you be sure that it contains a lot less trans fat and salt than your average microwave meal, but you’ll burn 54 calories ever half an hour you’re in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Unless you nibble while you cook that is!!

Got milk?
Eating three servings of low-fat dairy a day helps you burn up to 70 per cent more calories. Calcium prompts your body to burn excess fat faster. It might also be a good idea to eat more fatty fish – not only a brain food and high in omega 3, fish lowers your leptin levels – a hormone that slows metabolism.

Spring clean
Spring has sprung, prompting change and rebirth. Rearrange your bedroom – lugging heavy furniture burns 300 calories in just half an hour.

Channel Cindy Crawford
Pop in a workout video and embrace your inner cheeseball. Just ten minutes of lunging, kicking, lifting and generally following instructions burns 100 calories.

Get it on
Get hot and steamy between the sheets (or in the car, on your desk...) for a calorie-burning romp. It doesn’t even have to involve acrobatics to be effective. Just kissing for 15 minutes burns about 30 calories. You’ll also get rid of 30 calories with half an hour of foreplay, and 60 calories for 20 minutes of sex. Now imagine what you could do if you did introduce the acrobatics.

Get funky
So you think you can dance? Pole dancing is so last season – too many nasty burns and bruises. Try a hip hop funk class instead. You’ll learn the high-energy tricks of the music video trade and burn up to 400 calories in an hour-long class – more than most other dance classes. The tricky moves will take the focus away from the fat-burning aspect. Plus you won’t be the loser left standing in a corner if you haven’t brought a partner.

Join the breakfast club
Eating breakfast is vital for losing weight and keeping it that way. It increases your metabolism and stops unhealthy binge snacking later. Try including a banana with your cereal – they’re full of metabolism-boosting potassium and balance your body’s water retention. Also, eating whole-grain breakfast cereals on a daily basis will also lower your risk of heart failure, according to a recent study.

Be yourself
When it comes to fitness, the benefits of doing exercise you actually enjoy are endless. If you’re into 70s chic, find an open space and go for a roller-skate. You’ll burn off a fabulous 476 calories in just an hour, and get fabulously toned legs. Or if martial arts are more your scene, try tae-kwan-do – you’ll only need to do it for 21 minutes to burn off 300 calories. Adrenaline junkies should try kayaking, at 352 calories per hour.

Make like Shakira
Think furious hip swivelling is for only for lap dancers and Elvis impersonators? Think again. Hula hooping tones your mid-section, releases your inner child and burns a fabulous 125 calories in just half an hour.

Hang from a Cliff
If you can handle the whole adrenaline pumping hanging-from-a-rock-face-by-your-fingertips thing, try rock climbing. It burns up to a massive 774 calories in an hour, and it’s also a mental puzzle, so you’ll be thinking about finding the next crevice to claw at instead of the burn.

For more diet, fashion and beauty news, tips, advice and videos, visit www.keepthedoctoraway.co.uk

Leading international make-up artist Ariane Poole recommends Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile to dramatically whiten your teeth in three weeks

“Ever wondered what all those celebrities on the Red Carpet have in common? The answer is a stunning smile. How do they do it? More importantly how can you do it?”

Ariane Poole, a leading international make-up artist, recommends Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile for when you need an intense teeth whitening treatment and a dramatic improvement in the colour of your teeth. Hollywood Smile promises visible results in only three weeks and even comes with a shade guide to prove it (rrp £4.49):

“As an international make-up artist of over 30 years I know the importance of a great smile whether you are an A list celebrity, super model or one of the many women I have given a makeover to. Why ruin a beautifully made up face with yellow teeth? I know that certain lipsticks or glosses can help your teeth look whiter but if they are stained due to coffee, tea, red wine etc then lipstick alone won’t do the trick. Use Hollywood Smile and in three weeks you’ll see a real improvement in the colour of your teeth.”

Ariane is available for features and press interviews to offer her make up tricks and tips for a beautiful smile via PR4 (0207 637 1237).

Having worked with real women as well as serious A-listers including Catherine Zeta Jones, Iman, Rachel Weiss and Uma Thurman, not to mention shoots with photographers such as David Bailey, Lord Snowdon and Terrence Donovan, it’s clear that when Ariane gives you beauty advice, you should take it!

Hollywood Smile is part of the Pearl Drops teeth whitening beauty range that also includes Instant White (rrp £6.99) the breakthrough instant whitening make-up that gives you results when and where you need them. Log onto www.instantwhite.co.uk for more information.
www.pearldrops.co.uk

Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile is available in Boots, Superdrug, major retailers and independent chemists priced at £4.49.

The Super, Natural Answer to Your Internet Privacy Worries

S.A.D. GmbH’s CyberGhost VPN - The Super, Natural Answer to Your Internet Privacy Worries
Giving users the 100% Internet Anonymity and Security

S.A.D. Software, one of the leading publishers of application and entertainment software in Europe, has announced the release of CyberGhost VPN. This exciting new product gives users a way to surf anonymously and keep their private information from the eyes of others. CyberGhost VPN software provides you with an anonymous IP address and automatically encrypts transmissions between your computer and the web.

The Internet has long since become an interactive means of communication. Everyone these days writes emails and many are making use of online storage sites, blogging, or sharing their views on web forums. Increasingly, however, the Internet gives us fewer such places for privacy. Whether it be website hosts, state agencies or fraudsters – people want to know about your online activities – CyberGhost gives users the opportunity to protect themselves and their privacy.

It is worth noting that your Internet IP address could be used to locate your real address. Every time you visit a Web server, you leave behind an IP address. The CyberGhost client software connects the user with an online server via a “tunnel” that transmits all data in encrypted form, currently giving you 100% protection from eavesdroppers. The Internet pages you visit only see the address of the VPN server, not your private IP address. In this way, users are ensured total anonymity.

The connection occurs in two steps. First a connection is created using 1024-bit SSL encryption. Then a unique 128-bit AES key is produced through which your data transmission takes place. CyberGhost offers guaranteed availability, bandwidth & speed - there will be no slow-down. The protection includes an integrated firewall.

Log in, click "connect," and begin to surf anonymously!

Pricing and Availability:

This product is available now at www.pxsoftware.co.uk SRP IS £59.99

• Windows XP/Vista (32 Bit)
• Windows XP Service Pack 2
• net3 Framework
• Screen Resolution 800 x 600
• HighColor 16-Bit
• 128 MB free RAM (256 MB RAM for Vista)
• 75 MB free hard disc space
• Pentium or equal CPU
• Mouse or other input device
• Internet access

PX Software is a software republishing business. Founded in 2007, PX supplies a wide range of software products to distribution and retail partners. The company’s product range includes titles from leading vendors such as Paragon, Steganos, O&O Software, S.A.D Software, WebsiteX5, Bitdefender, TuneUp and Adaware/Lavasoft. For additional information please contact: www.pxsoftware.co.uk

Control your Queue Rage... Control your nonsense!

Ever been stuck in the world’s slowest checkout queue? Boiled over by the time it takes to pay? Helen Wilde, Solutions Sales Director at Wincor Nixdorf, comments, “Queue rage is making a comeback. As far back as June 2006, Visa UK highlighted the trend. Here we are in 2008, and there is a new ‘Safer Business’ campaign specifically against queue rage.

“Great technology such as self-checkout systems are not the only solution to queue rage. Good store design, clear customer direction, self-scan and self checkout all combine to help calm angry shoppers. It is essential to complete the retail experience with fast, fluent and confident payment by giving customers choice and control. Wincor Nixdorf understands the importance of connecting technology with the customer experience, and we will be demonstrating our expertise at Retail Solutions 2008.

"Wincor Nixdorf offers consultancy, services, software and technologies designed to help retailers create an excellent customer experience. From signage to cash-handling, Wincor Nixdorf helps retail operations of all sizes with payment solutions of every type."

(EDITOR: This is nonsense! As a customer THIS is what I want. More properly trained staff at checkouts. No fancy self-service checkouts, please! I fear that some firms are providing the wrong cure for the wrong problem.)

Text message alerts improve logistics management

Text message alerts are improving logistics management within the supply chain. Texting, as a communication channel, allows for the sending of information to one or more people at short notice thereby meeting the key business requirements of timeously communicating delivery schedules to drivers and ensuring that customers are kept informed on their order status.

“Texting offers the logistics industry three key advantages. It improves overall business efficiency and it has the ability to notify parties on the move of changes to schedules. Texting reduces call volumes, cutting the costs associated with contacting drivers or customers telephonically when freight schedules change,” said Dr Pieter Streicher, managing director at BulkSMS.com, a global mobile messaging company with offices in the United Kingdom.

There are several uses of text message communications for logistics management. Text message alerts are used when changes in drop-off or pick-up schedules need to be communicated by depots to drivers when freight is on the road, or to provide drivers with the correct contact details of people at a depot. Text message alerts are also used to notify customers that their orders are ready for collection or for sending proof of delivery to customers. Due to its near instantaneous delivery to the cellphone number specified by a customer, texting is effective in alerting customers of any delays in the delivery of an order.

Texting has further use for administrative and marketing purposes. It is used to remind customers about business hours during public holidays, provide notifications to customers for outstanding payments or to send advertisements for new services or specials to existing customers.

The BulkSMS Text Messenger, a desktop messaging application, meets the communication needs of logistics managers. It connects via the Internet to the BulkSMS.com text message gateway, providing access to United Kingdom network providers as well as over 500 networks globally, and provides a centralised management system for all text messaging to the cellphone numbers of drivers, customers and other parties. It allows you to link to these contact details irrespective of whether they reside in a regularly updated spreadsheet or external database. Additional functionality includes the scheduling of messages to be sent at a future date as well as receiving replies to the application’s inbox.

By sending text message alerts using the BulkSMS Text Messenger, logistics managers are able to improve business efficiencies with targeted communications, reduce communication costs during the delivery process, and ensure customer satisfaction by managing expectations around order fulfilment.

Www.BulkSMS.co.uk

SELL HOME FOR £398 (+VAT) IN TOUGH MARKET

National and qualified fixed fee Estate Agent, www.housenetwork.co.uk is welcomed by sellers in today's tough property market! Vendors can either choose to pocket the cash they saved on traditional estate agent fees to help fund their move, or reduce the marketing price of the property in order to secure a quick sale without being out of pocket. So if anything, www.housenetwork.co.uk, are an antidote to negative equity and the threat of repossession.

Honest Estate Agents, Honest Guv!
It’s a unique concept, but they are out there....that’s right; it is possible to find an estate agent with integrity. The best thing of all though, is that it doesn’t come at a price. At a fixed fee which is just under five hundred pounds, regardless of the value of the property your selling, www.HouseNetwork.co.uk are disrupting the traditional estate agency modus operandi of hard sell tactics, dishonest marketing methods and high commissions.

The nationwide service, which last year sold over a thousand properties throughout England and Wales, is a god-send to seller’s in today’s tougher market, as Vendors can either choose to pocket the cash they’ve saved on traditional agents fees to help fund their move, or reduce the marketing price of the property in order to secure a quick sale without being out of pocket.

Www.HouseNetwork.co.uk prides themselves on their personal touch, which doesn’t leave the consumer short-changed in terms of customer service. With their properties advertised on all the major property portals (Rightmove, Globrix, Fish4Homes and Findaproperty, along with over 150 local websites across the country)

Vendors needn’t worry about a lack of market visibility. The only difference between www.HouseNetwork.co.uk and your local estate agent is that you’re not paying for their costly overheads. And the fact that every Property Consultant who works for HouseNetwork is NAEA qualified.

Graham Lock, co-founder, “As the credit crunch takes hold, we’re all looking to save money without compromising on quality, and those selling their homes at the moment are no different. With the internet becoming more and more intrinsic to the buying and selling process, it’s possible to cut costs without skimping on service. Our sophisticated technology harnesses the internet to put the seller in control of their process, and provide transparency to the entire transaction. Something that some traditional estate agents either can’t, or won’t do.”

Lock continues, “Although we don’t have branches in every high street, we don’t have the costs associated with such a model either. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have the reach of your traditional local estate agent. We utilise the main property portals, as well as highly advanced technology to ensure that our Vendor’s properties receive optimum market exposure. All for under £500.”

From a standing start four years ago, www.HouseNetwork.co.uk is now rated amongst the top twenty nationwide agencies, although they aim to make the top ten by the end of this year. Proof indeed that it pays to be honest. Even if you are an estate agent.

Sailors from all walks of life get ready for ‘bluQube Solo 1000’ sailing race

Youngest contestant Katie Miller, 21, contestants raise money for charity

Twenty four solo skippers from as young as 21 to veterans in their 60s are preparing to take part in the bluQube Solo 1000 sailing race that involves 3 legs (the first 185 mile leg is from Mylor to Kinsale, Ireland) covering a total of 1,000 miles. The race begins on Sunday, 29th June at 9.30am from Mylor Sailing Club, near Falmouth.

Katie Miller (pictured), aged 21 is the youngest contestant in the field and won the Raymarine YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award in 2006. Katie is studying Yacht Production and Surveying at Southampton Solent University. She explains her decision to enter the bluQube Solo 1000, “The bluQube 1000 Solo will be my first long distance solo race, and will provide a challenging test for me and my boat "Hot Socks".

"It will be a very steep learning curve and we will be competing against some very talented and very experienced solo racers. Ultimately my aim is to complete the 1000 miles in order to qualify for the OSTAR next year, but it will also be an opportunity to learn from my competitors, and push myself a little bit further than I have before. But right now, I can't wait for it to start."

Race Director Paul Peggs from Racing at Petit Bateau, an organisation which has a membership of over 360 solo sailors world wide commented, “Sailors will be travelling from all over the world to take part including Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Holland and of course the UK. The bluQube Solo 1000 is very appealing because it covers some extremely challenging waters including the Bay of Biscay and is also an official qualifier for the 2009 OSTAR, the famous transatlantic race previously won by Francis Chichester in1960 and Ellen MacArthur in 2000."

Another of the contestants, originally from Torino, in the North West of Italy is Marco Nannini who is raising money for Cancer Research. He moved to London 4 years ago to work in investment banking in the City. He explains why sailing provides the perfect work/life balance, “It is the perfect antidote to a high pressure career in Finance which, although very fulfilling, can drain your mental energies. When I spend time at sea the cleansing force of the wind and the waves restores a perspective to all things in life, I think about family and friends, I come close again to the simple principles of sleep, food, body and mind. My long-term challenge is to compete in the 2009 Ostar, for which the bluQube Solo 1000 is a qualifier.”

One of the veteran sailors is Mary Falk aged 62 who lives in Lymington and is also raising money for Cancer Research. Now retired, Mary previously worked as a solicitor in London for over 30 years. Mary describes herself as “Wedded to my boat QII. I didn't start sailing till my late 20s. Then, following a skiing accident was told never to ski again, so took up sailing as the only sport not mentioned to my surgeon and therefore not forbidden.” Since then Mary has continued to both ski and sail and has taken part in many races including two handed Round Britain & Ireland (5 times), Azores and Back (4 times), Singlehanded Transatlantic - OSTAR - (3 times including class record of 19 days 22 hours 57 minutes in 1996) and many of Petit Bateau’s Races.

In 2005 Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer but shortly after completion of the 7 months of treatment, continued to take part in sailing and raising funds for charity. She added, “I took part in the 2006 Petit Bateau Solo Race Week to raise funds for The Institute of Cancer Research. I took part on the basis that it would be a miracle if someone as ill and old as I was made it round the course but, to my amazement finished 2nd in the fleet and raised over £40,000 for the ICR. I am taking part in the bluQube Solo 1000 in the hope of achieving my goal of a total of £100,000. All donations, however small, are most welcome.” To make an online donation visit www.justgiving.com/maryfalk

Other contestants are from a variety of professions including lawyers, doctors, surveyors, mariners, IT professionals, financiers and musicians.

Simon Kearsley, Managing Director of principal sponsor, accounting software bluQube, commented, “We have been amazed by the popularity of the race and the vast range of people it has attracted. Solo sailing appears to be a sport that is enjoyed by all ages and from all walks of life and gender. We wish everyone luck in the race and look forward to following the progress of the race on-line.”

The other legs in the race include Kinsale to Santander (Spain) and Santander to Camaret (France).

Those interested in tracking the individual boats can log on to

www.bluqube.co.uk/solo1000

www.petitbateau.org.uk

www.bluqube.co.uk

Commuting getting you down? Why not go to work on your Ego?

Everyone who commutes knows that getting to work in a busy city can be expensive, hectic, stressful, slow and not always environmentally friendly. Thankfully www.Firebox.com - purveyors of the latest innovative gadgets from around the world - has the answer for cash-conscious commuters: a fully road legal, electric scooter for under a £1,000.

The Ego Street Scoota™ is AMAZING. Not only can you zip around the city using bus lanes, avoiding congestion charges and cutting out queues, but also the best bit is that you don't need to buy petrol OR pay road tax. Powered by an on-board battery (recharged via the mains), it boasts a range of up to 40 miles with a top speed of 30mph and it only costs 8 pence to charge ... that works out to around ¼p per mile!

Christian Robinson, MD of Firebox.com said: "We nearly fell off our chairs when we heard about the Ego Street Scoota™ and the timing of its launch during our tenth birthday month is just perfect. Firebox specialises in finding ground-breaking new innovations from around the world and the Ego is no exception.

"Not only is the running cost of this vehicle incredibly low for the urban commuter but it's also great for the environment compared to driving a car, with no pollution or noise emissions. Why would you spend hours getting to work stuck in traffic when you can hop on an Ego Street Scoota™ and do it in half the time? The price is amazing too, the average electric bike in the market sells for around £3,000, but the Ego will be only £999.95. We really believe this is the most important product we've EVER launched."

The Street Scoota™ is designed and made in China, where electric scooters are already a huge hit (selling around 13 MILLION every year) and it could be the answer to Britain's inner city congestion issues.

In fact it was during a regular trip to China that Steve Bellis, Commercial Director of UK importers Lynx Group International, had the brainwave to bring the Ego Street Scoota™ to Britain: "We saw some attractive looking scooters in a showroom and asked the manufacturers where the petrol tank was. We were blown away when we were told it was electric - we knew instantly that if we could bring it over to the UK and hit the right price point that this could change city commuting in a big way."

He continued: "It was a pretty serious investment for us to get the product road legal for the UK - 3 years of intense R&D testing and complying with all the rigorous British legal standards, but it now means we have an incredibly sophisticated scooter at a price point that' has previously been unheard of in this industry. And we're delighted that Firebox shares our excitement about the Ego -- we can't wait to see the product online!"

As well as being affordable, the Ego Street Scoota™ also benefits from a number of free parking initiatives across the UK and will soon have access to bus lanes in London, which means any Ego owner would be able to zip in and out of town with unprecedented access. Just imagine how envious your fellow commuters will feel when they see a Scoota rider whizzing through the streets on a busy morning.

Which is why this summer, smart commuters will go to work on an Ego.

Truprint.co.uk introduce two trendy new sizes to their Canvas range

www.truprint.co.uk, the experts in online digital photo printing and photo gifts have introduced two new trendy additions to their increasingly popular Canvas range, giving their online customers a wider choice of sizes.

Customers can really let their Creative side go and transform their favourite or most treasured photographs into a work of art in the home or create a masterful centrepiece to grab everyone’s attention!

“Our canvas prints are becoming more and more popular”, said Carolyn Searling – Truprint Digital Marketing Manager. “The way we take our photos may have changed but the way we use them to relive memories will always stay the same. The canvases are a fabulous way to treasure your memories, surprise family and friends and liven up your home with a beautiful work of art – people lead such hectic lives nowadays and we provide modern and innovative ways for people to capture the true essence of life”, she added.

Starting at just £24.99, the Canvas prints are great value for money and an exceptional way to be creative with your photos or best shots. Customers simply upload their photos to an online album at www.truprint.co.uk, pick the photo that they want to use NB. It is important to use a high resolution image, and then choose the Canvas size they desire.

Our brand new sizes will be introduced 26th June, for a limited time only after we will be offering 25% off all Canvas sizes until the 4th July. Simply enter TREND25 from the 26th June – 4th July and get 25% off all Canvas sizes, including the new trendy sizes.

Former NASA science chief Alan Stern joins Odyssey Moon, the first registered competitor in the Google Lunar X PRIZE

Odyssey Moon, a commercial lunar enterprise, announced today that former NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Alan Stern has accepted a role with the Isle of Man-based company. Dr. Stern was a recognised 'engine of change and innovation' as chief of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, championing new science programmes while being a stalwart advocate of cost and value control when he served at NASA.

Dr. Stern has joined the Odyssey Moon executive team on an exclusive part time consulting basis as the company’s Science Mission Director, part of a new diversified career focus spanning many of his lifelong interests and activities.

He expects that his blended understanding of science and business will help Odyssey Moon establish a commercial lunar business while pursuing the $30 Million Google Lunar X PRIZE. “I am a fan of public-private partnerships and building bridges to new markets,” he said. “I believe we are on the verge of a whole new era of space exploration and that the private sector can provide reliable cost effective services that can increase the value and leverage government space budgets.”

A veteran of space exploration with over 25 year experience, Stern’s alliance with the private space sector comes at a critical time when NASA and other space agencies are looking carefully at the value proposition in partnering with the commercial sector for space activities.

Dr. Stern is a highly respected planetary scientist who has authored over 200 technical papers, 30 popular articles and two books. His work has taken him to numerous astronomical observatories, to the South Pole, and to the upper atmosphere aboard high performance military aircraft.

He has been involved as a researcher in 24 suborbital, orbital, and planetary space missions, including 8 for which he was the mission principle investigator; he has also led the development of 8 scientific instruments for planetary and near-space research missions. In 2007 he was named to the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Odyssey Moon CEO Dr. Robert (Bob) Richards joined other members of the company’s executive and board of directors in welcoming Alan Stern to their executive team. “We are absolutely thrilled that Alan has decided to join us,” Dr. Richards said. “New businesses are all about the people who believe in making them happen and I can’t think of a better person to help us succeed in this exciting venture than Alan.

Odyssey Moon Limited is a private commercial lunar enterprise headquartered in the Isle of Man involving partners in many nations. The first official contender in the $30M Google Lunar X PRIZE competition, the company is an innovative partnership of aerospace, financial, science, education, legal and policy interests that have come together to offer ongoing commercial lunar business services and products for humanity’s permanent return to the Moon. Odyssey Moon is dedicated to the long-term responsible development of the Moon for the benefit of all Humanity.

For further information please visit
http://www.odysseymoon.com

Humraz could have raised over £300k for Potter prequel

A unique auction technology called Humraz (www.humraz.co.uk) was this week opened to charities.

The system will enable charities to generate significantly more funds than traditional auctions whilst making unaffordable lots available to everyone – regardless of an individual’s means.

For example, J. K. Rowling’s 800-word prequel to the Harry Potter series was recently sold at auction for £25,000, raising funds for Dyslexia Action and English Pen charities. Had the auction been conducted through Humraz, more than £310,000 could have been achieved (based on an upper limit lot value of £25,000).

Humraz’s lowest unique bid mechanism means the auction would have been accessible to the general public, as opposed to a handful of extremely wealthy Harry Potter fans.

Humraz sells lots for a fraction of their true worth whilst realising their full value. The system works on a lowest unique bid basis, which means the lowest unmatched bid at the auction close is successful. Recently a £300 Knightsbridge department store gift card sold for 92p in this way.

Humraz covers costs by selling seats to participate at the live online auctions. The seat price allows every bidder the same maximum number of bids and covers the value of each lot.

Charities are now invited to use Humraz’s system free of charge. The site’s founder Asmat Monaghan explains why the proposition is so exciting for charity auctions: "Charity auctions have traditionally sold unique or valuable lots to high net-worth individuals. Humraz opens these lots to people who would normally be priced-out of traditional charity auctions. Our auctions also enable charities to generate a much better revenue return.

"It’s extremely frustrating to hear about charity auctions like the Harry Potter one excluding the majority of the population and failing to maximise returns for a great cause," argues Monaghan.

Is your boss weird?

Bosses ask the strangest things!

PAs reveal their top weird requests

“I had to make tea to match a particular colour from a dulux colour chart.” So says the creator of PAs, a new BBC comedy drama which will focus on the lives of personal assistants within the investment banking sector.

While this may seem extreme, research undertaken on behalf of Crone Corkill, the office support recruiter, has found that some PAs are asked to undertake tasks which could be considered well beyond the call of duty. Their top favourites were:

• Buying clothing for my boss’ girlfriend
• Making coffee but only being allowed to serve it at ‘drinking’ temperature
• Picking my boss’ kids up from school
• Helping with my boss’ kids homework
• Being asked only to wear black as its more professional
• Posing as my gay boss’ wife at a client function
• Replacing my boss’ daughters hamster which died when she was on holiday
• Being asked to place an advert for my replacement when I didn’t know I was leaving!

“While hopefully these sorts of tasks are not commonplace, they do demonstrate that some PAs have become critical to the lives of their bosses,” says Tracy Durrant, Managing Director of Crone Corkill. “Since Crone Corkill opened its doors in 1977, the role of the PA has changed beyond all recognition.

"While historically it is true to say that they may have once acted as gatekeepers and unofficial concierges, today the role is much more strategic and responsibilities can cover a multitude of different areas - from office management to marketing - from HR to PR.

"And despite the gloomy economic predictions, we are still seeing a real war for talent - those employers who recognise the true worth of their PAs will be the ones who ultimately win that war.”

Children Invited to Enter City of Stories

At Discover Story Centre, Stratford, London – until 31 August, 2008

An exhibition featuring fantastic fables and folk stories from around the world is opening at www.discover.org.uk, the children’s story centre based in Stratford, East London. Designed by National Television Award winner Cathy Wren and composer Jon Owen, the ‘City of Stories’ is inspired by the extraordinary stories told by London's east enders. Traditional Tamil tales and African adventures meet old London legends in a multi-sensory installation aimed at five to eleven year olds and their families.

Over the last three years Discover has been working with Albanian, African, Bengali, English, Polish Roma and Sri Lankan families and communities in Newham to collect and record traditional stories, songs and memories. Cathy Wren and five other artists then worked to recreate the stories in an incredible installation surrounded by giant images of East London streets.

With the school summer holidays fast approaching, the exhibition offers an entertaining day out that both children and their parents will enjoy and learn from. Visitors to the City of Stories enter a mysterious realm of magical furniture, hidden worlds and all manner of creatures with tales to tell. They can discover an amazing magic bicycle and a caravan made of suitcases, crawl into a well, learn how to make nail soup, and even sit next to a talking dragon.

Sally Goldsworthy, Discover’s director, says: “London is a city of stories – made up of communities whose roots spread all over the world with a rich tapestry of tales to tell. It’s important that children from these communities don’t lose touch with their oral heritage, and that everyone has the opportunity to share their stories. This exhibition shows that behind the front doors of London there are whole worlds waiting to be discovered.”

Discover is the UK's first hands-on creative centre for children and families and the only story centre in London, receiving rave reviews since opening in 2003. Meera Syal called it “A gem of a place in East London - focused on fun, imagination and literacy”, and Benjamin Zephaniah said: “Once you enter you will never want to leave”. ‘Time Out’ voted Discover one of London's top five kids' days out in 2007, and the ‘Guardian’ selected the centre as a ‘Top Ticket’ for 2008.

The centre provides colourful indoor and outdoor spaces where children and their carers can create stories through play. Regular areas include a ‘Story Trail’ of interactive exhibits featuring a sparkly river and puppet theatre, and a free ‘Story Garden’ with a pirate ship and spacecraft. The ‘Story Den’ hosts a changing programme of events and exhibitions, from story telling by famous children’s authors to arts and crafts activities.

Discover also runs community and school education and training programmes, particularly targeting disadvantaged families and ensuring that children are listened to and can participate in decisions that affect their lives. Each year it works with over 50,000 children and adults, often providing a first inroad into reading and the opportunity to work with professional artists.

City of Stories is open every day during the school holidays, from 10am to 5pm, until 31 August, 2008. During term time, the exhibition is open at weekends between 10am and 5pm, and from 4pm in the week for family sessions. Entry costs £4 per adult/child, £3.50 for concessions and local residents, and £14 for a family of 4, with free entry for children under two.

Discover is a registered charity and story expert employing 12 full time staff and 25 freelancers. It was established in 1998 to provide creative, play and learning opportunities to enable children and their carers to develop their potential. In 2003 the Story Trail and Garden opened, designed by families and children for families and children. It is the UK’s first hands-on centre focusing exclusively on creativity through projects, exhibits and activities exploring words, language and imagination.

OPEN YOUR EYES' The longest day of the year gives extra reason for people in the UK to take care of their eyes

Despite 88% of people rating sight as their most important sense, 93% of Brits don’t realise everyday Ultra Violet rays can damage their eye sight. Nearly all respondents were however aware that exposure to UV rays can result in skin cancer.

With the longest day of the year tomorrow, it is extremely worrying that Brits are not clued up that damage caused by harmful rays can be irreversible. Children are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects as their eyes receive three times more UV light than adults.

The survey undertaken by IPSOS for Transitions Optical shows that eye care in general is very low on our priority list. These figures are particularly concerning given that our eyes are exposed to 80% of invisible UV rays even on cloudy days.

Despite this lax attitude, 88% rate eyesight way above hearing, taste, touch and smell. 8 out of 10 people also say that eyes are the first part of the body they notice when they meet someone!

The longest day of the year marks the beginning of summer but means that we are exposed to even more harmful UV rays as the higher the sun is in the sky, the higher the level of UV radiation we experience on earth, even on days when the sun might not be shining brightly.

Transitions Optical has a UV index on their website – www.transitions.com for people to check levels of UV light local to them.

The most effective way for specs wearers to protect their eyes on an everyday basis is to wear photochromic lenses. Transitions® Optical - the worldwide leader in photochromic lenses - offer a convenient option for glasses wearers by preventing juggling between sunnies and specs when moving from indoors to out. What’s more, they can be fitted into any designer frame, making them perfect for everyday wear.

Transitions lenses provide several benefits:

Glare – Transitions automatically adapt to outdoor light intensity thus enhancing the quality of your vision.
Eye Fatigue – Transitions lenses constantly even out light variations. Your eyes will feel more comfortable all day long.
UV Rays – Transitions lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, helping you preserve the health and well-being of your eyes.

Prolonged exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays can lead to sight problems in later life – cataracts, skin caner on eyelids, macular degeneration and sunburn to the cornea – all of which are irreversible.

Brits need to stop being blind to the facts and get UV aware. Transitions are a healthy, stylish and convenient solution for specs wearers everywhere.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Children’s eyes receive three times more UV than adults

• Glare tends to affect individuals with lighter eye colours more than those with darker coloured eyes for the same reason that lighter skin is more susceptible to burning. There is less pigmentation.

• Throughout history, people have tried various ways to minimise the effects of bright light and glare. The Eskimos, while hunting and fishing, used whalebones with slits to reduce the glare off the ice.

• Variable tint lenses are gathering momentum as the must-have accessory for the fashion-conscious thanks to celebrity fans such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Transitions Lens are photochromic lenses that protect against UV light and help preserve the long-term health and well being of your eyes.

www.transitions.com or visit your local Optometrist.

Territorial Army 100th birthday pageant

The Territorial Army (TA) will celebrate 100 years of service tomorrow in central London, in front of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and HRH The Earl of Wessex. A dramatic pageant will re-enact the history of the reserve force, highlighting pivotal moments from 1908 - 2008.

One thousand Territorials will take part in the event in front of a 6,000-strong audience comprising serving TA, veterans, families, friends and employers.

A tribute will be paid to Territorials who have lost their lives in action, and those who have received Gallantry Awards and Operational Honours.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces, The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth will attend the event and said: "The Pageant is the pinnacle of TA100 - a year celebrating the centenary of the Territorial Army. Territorials are deployed on the same operations as the Regular Army, and command the same degree of respect within the Army and beyond.

"I am proud so many people will share this celebration with our Territorials and veterans. Without the support of their families, friends, and employers, the distinguished role the TA have played over 100 years would not be possible."

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt will give words of support and thanks when he addresses the audience. He said: "I salute each and every one of our TA men and women. Their contribution as dedicated and highly skilled soldiers is very much appreciated and valued, not only by their fellow soldiers, but also amongst the public at large.

"Nearly 15,000 Territorials have served in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside the Regular Army since the start of the current campaigns. And it is a sombre thought that in that time, 11 Territorial Army soldiers have lost their lives. As Chief of the General Staff I continue to applaud the exploits of the TA with great admiration and pride."

Lance Corporal Darren Dickson will form part of the group of TA Gallantry and Awards holders from across the years. A bus driver from Scotland, he was awarded the Military Cross in 2005 for exceptional bravery and remarkable selflessness when on operation in Iraq.

He says: "I feel both honoured and proud to be taking part with so many Territorial honour and award holders. Standing next to men who fought so bravely in WWII brings home the significant contribution the TA has made, and will continue to make to the Armed Forces for years to come."

For the first time in the TA's 100 year history, one thousand Territorials will march down The Mall where HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Earl of Wessex will take the Royal Salute outside St James' Palace.

TA100 events will continue to take place across the country throughout 2008. See http://www.ta100.co.uk for details

Search for yacht between Shetland and Norway

Shetland Coastguard are currently coordinating a search between the Shetland Isles and the coast of Norway for a sailing yacht that has been reported overdue whilst taking part in a race.

The 21ft yacht, 'Paradis' was involved in the annual race between Bergen in Norway and Lerwick in Shetland with two persons on board. The last contact that was made with them was at 2 o' clock on Wednesday afternoon.

Shetland Coastguard initially tasked Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 102 to perform a search from the Lerwick area out to thirty miles East towards the Norwegian coast but nothing was found.

They have since requested the assistance of a Nimrod aircraft from RAF Kinloss, which is intended to be airborne within an hour. The Norwegian authorities have requested the assistance of a Sea King helicopter and a P3 Orion aircraft, which is expected to launch at 0600 and be on scene at 0800. The weather in the area is force 7 winds gusting to force 8 with rough seas.
Shetland Coastguard Watch Manager Dave Phillips said: "We have been attempting to contact the yacht via their on board radio and the crew's mobile phones without success and have also issued a Pan Pan urgency broadcast.

A full scale search has been launched for the sailing yacht 'Paradis' and we are working closely with the Norwegian authorities to ensure that an intensive search of the area between Norway and Shetland is undertaken. This search is still ongoing."

Looking for an opportunity Down Under?

Merricks Media, the award winning travel publisher, today announces the launch of www.workingdownunder.co.uk, dedicated to working and living down under.

The new site, which offers the latest employment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, complements the UK’s fastest growing travel and migration title, Australia & New Zealand Magazine.

The site offers jobseekers a high-quality job hunting service, incorporating personalisation and search functionality, and is designed to deliver a quick and precise job search.

Special features include daily email alerts to job seekers, a CV matching service, featured employer profiles and job-related local news to enable candidates to stay in touch with opportunities in both Australia and New Zealand.

As well as being able to promote their brands locally, the sites offer recruiters user-friendly management tools and several innovative sponsorship and promotional opportunities.

A key factor in the site’s success will be utilising a wealth of content on employment issues, migration advice and case studies culled from the magazine. These will improve its visibility to search engines and ensure that the site attracts a high number and high quality of visitor traffic.
To accompany the site, a quarterly print magazine, showcasing the best Antipodean companies will be distributed on UK news stands.

“We’re excited about the launch of www.workingdownunder.co.uk “comments John Weir, Publishing Director. “This is the perfect complement to Australia & New Zealand Magazine, which has already established itself as the fastest growing title in the travel sector. Our aim is to offer employers and jobseekers a unique experience, both online and in print.”
The new website can be found at www.workingdownunder.co.uk

Safe Light Brightens BSIF

UK Euro Partner, the UK representative of Safe Light of Switzerland, has been accredited with membership of the British Safety Industry Federation - BSIF. Safe Light is an innovator in the Visible Safety industry, having recently caused a minor sensation at the SHE-NEC with its new High Visibility Waistcoat employing Dual Light Technology (DLT08). This means the wearer no longer has to depend on an external light source to be available to make a High Visibility Waistcoat visible at night or in the dark.

Dual Light Technology means the wearer can be seen in any dark situation by the wearer, both from the front and the back, clearly making those around you aware of your presence - a critical safety factor.

Safe Light has also recently upgraded its Safe Light Pod, which radiates a dome of indicative light and seems to be the preferred method of indication for some of the UK's leading Fire & Rescue services. With its unique HTA 3mm adhesive pad the Safe Light Pod will adhere to almost any reasonably flat, dry surface.

Being proactive in the safety industry is marked by Safe Lights new research programme aimed to have all its products certified under ATEX to EN1127 for Zones 1+2 within the next 3 months making it the most intrinsically safe non-electrical safety light product on the market.

As a member of the BSIF and through the medium of UKEP, Safe Light hopes to improve the lobby for safer work place environment as well as safer conditions on the road for school children.

http://uk-euro-partner.co.uk/en/home.htm

UK Has A Dose Of miShake

Will it give you the Shakes? Who knows? But the latest in mobile digital entertainment with an affordable price tag, has just been launched in the UK by two young Midlanders.

The ‘miShake’ has been launched by two 24 year old Birmingham entrepreneurs, Steve Beckford and Alex Sylvester who, after running their own online gadget shop Electro Box, saw the market opportunity.

Their Company, Electro Box has exclusive rights to the ‘miShake’™ in the UK and is aiming to work with other overseas distributors.’

Mr Beckford said, “The launch of “miShake” marks the beginning of the end for Mp3. It sets a new standard in video and audio quality and competes directly with over-priced rivals.”

The ‘miShake™’ Mp4 player features high quality graphics and sound backed up by a larger than average memory capacity. For the gadget freaks, a unique feature is the ‘Shocktronix’ motion sensor capability.

These days, the electronic entertainment market doesn’t stand still for long. Mp3 audio and its variants are well established. The video equivalents have been with us for while, but the offering has been either over-priced or of dubious quality and reliability.

Unlike its competitors, ‘miShake’ features a larger than average 2.4” high resolution touch screen, so no nasty wheels or switches to contend with.

With a 4gb memory capacity, this little gem has capacity for loads of pictures and videos. Just by giving it a shake, you can flick your way through the lot. If that wasn’t enough, it has a separate card slot, giving you up to 50% more capacity.

For the executive toy addicts, the device features an FM radio and high quality earphones, step counter, Dictaphone and with the help of the ‘Shocktronix’, a balance meter that measures angles for those executive diy chores!

Another unique feature is the external amplifier which is surprisingly loud and high quality - ideal for sharing the latest movie with your friends.

The ‘mi-Shake’ will retail at £99.95 and is available from www.mishake.com or by calling 0845 450 6202.

Travel industry running teams raise over £50,000 for the Family Holiday Association

THE FAMILY HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION (FHA) can give around 100 families in need a break away by the sea thanks to the efforts of two travel industry running teams which raised over £50,000 for the charity.

The London Marathon team, sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, raised over £39,000 and included runners from Kuoni, British Airways, Hills Balfour Synergy, First Choice and Thomson.

Malta Tourism Authority sponsored the Malta Marathon/Half Marathon team, which raised over £12,500 and included teams from Bales Worldwide and Flagship Consulting.

The Family Holiday Association has places in running events throughout the year and welcomes members of the travel industry who are keen to take part to contact them via events@fhaonline.org.uk.

The FHA is the national charity which gives underprivileged children experiencing difficult circumstances the chance to have a break away with their family, usually by the UK seaside.

Unique women's support centre showcases its work

A unique women's network and refuge, which helps victims of forced marriage and domestic violence, will be visited today by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice who will meet staff and users and raise awareness of the new Forced Marriage Act.

The Ashiana Network, a London-based service that runs refuges and counselling for female victims in Waltham Forest, offers one of the first safe houses for young women at risk specifically from forced marriage - the Ashiana Y Stop.

It also helps women from all London communities, especially Iranian, Turkish and Afghanistan.
The Ashiana Network dealt with 485 women from communities all over London last year of which 443 were new cases, and 419 of these cases were closed in the same year.

On top of current criminal protection, the Forced Marriage Act will provide robust civil remedies to protect victims or potential victims of forced marriage, and comes into force in the autumn.

Bridget Prentice said: "The government has made great strides in tackling domestic violence and forced marriage and the Ashiana Network's excellent work is crucial to this.

"The new Forced Marriage Act is a powerful tool and will go a long way to ensuring that no-one will be forced into marriage against their will and those already in such marriages will receive protection."

Sharminder Ubhi, Director of the Ashiana Network said: "We are very encouraged by the Minister's support and welcome the Government's commitment to protect those individuals at risk of forced marriage and look forward to the implementation of the Forced Marriage Act.
"The Minister's visit is particularly timely as we are shortly opening another refuge for women at risk of forced marriage in partnership with the London Borough of Waltham Forest and East Thames."

The United Kingdom is in a "constitutional muddle" and demand is growing for an English parliament, a Labour MP has said.

Speaking ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on parliamentary representation in England, Derek Wyatt told ePolitix.com that four lower houses of equal powers should be established in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A new upper house of representatives should be set up with responsibility for issues such as the environment and foreign policy, the Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP said.

He said: "We've devolved to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, but we've not devolved the same powers to the one assembly and two parliaments. And by default, we have not given anything to England.

"We tried to do elected regional assemblies and they failed; now we've got unelected regional development agencies and we've still got some form of regional assembly - unelected. So the largest economic unit in Britain has no democratic representation."

Wyatt, who is the parliamentary aide to culture minister Margaret Hodge, said that England was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Barnett formula which allocates funding across the United Kingdom.

"English people are tired really of a Barnett formula that spends more money in the [other] three countries and doesn't give them the same rights and the same responsibilities and the same treatment," he said.

"I think it's time we stopped and thought about what we're doing."

He added that demand for an English parliament will grow within the next five years to 10 years.

"People are tired of hearing that Scotland's got better facilities when the Barnett formula gives them more per head for education, for instance, than in Kent where I live," he said.

Guide To Executors and Trustees Duties In Probate

The assets of the deceased vest in the executors on the terms of the will as soon as the death occurs. From this point onwards, the executors are responsible for the estate of the deceased.

The Executors are responsible for finding the assets and identifying the debts. This may involve a thorough search! Many assets are never found and remain in limbo indefinitely. They are also responsible for paying any taxes due during the lifetime of the deceased and following his death and they are responsible for the debts to the extent of the estate. If they distribute the estate when there are outstanding debts they have to pay these out of their own pockets!

This is one of the many reasons why it is sensible to have an expert probate solicitor on your side to ensure that you are protected and the estate is completed in the correct way.

There is a way of advertising for debts and of getting clearance on tax matters to protect the executors. Executors should preserve the property by ensuring that it is properly insured where relevant and stored securely. They also need to find and identify the beneficiaries. Again there are ways of protecting them by insurance if a beneficiary cannot be found after a thorough search. Executors are responsible for distributing the estate in accordance with the will.

The executors job takes typically a year but a trustee has a much longer term commitment. The powers and duties of trustees are extensive but include preserving the trust property, complying with the terms of the trust, acting impartially between beneficiaries, keeping accounts and providing information to beneficiaries.

They are responsible for all taxes on monies in their hands. They may have discretions and powers to exercise wisely after taking advice and they must keep up to date with their trust and meet regularly with meetings being minuted. They must act at all times in good faith and in the interest of their beneficiaries

For more information contact Daphne Frost at Gray Hooper Holt Solicitors on 01737 761004 or at the website http://www.grayhooperholt.co.uk

Bullhorn.co.uk Offers Comparison Service with Cashback

Canny consumers can get cashback on everything from credit card purchases to supermarket carrier bags – and now a pioneering price comparison website is joining the cashback crusade. Www.Bullhorn.co.uk, “The Comparison Site That Pays”, (www.bullhorn.co.uk) is the first comparison site to offer cashback to customers as standard across its entire product range – from motor insurance to mobile phones.

Bullhorn’s panel of reputable product providers is able to rival the big boys of the price comparison world, so searchers can save hundreds of pounds shopping around without compromising on the quality of their cover. Its technologically advanced search engine allows customers to compare quotes more quickly from a choice of companies and, by working exclusively with a number of competitively priced brokers and insurers, Bullhorn often delivers industry ‘best buys’.

Now, with the introduction of its cashback scheme, Bullhorn is set to challenge the major comparison sites by providing cash returns of up to £72 per item from big brands and popular high street names such as the ‘TheAA’, ‘T-Mobile’ 'Kwik-Fit' 'Sky' ‘SwiftCover’ and more.

Matthew Johnson, Bullhorn’s business development manager, says: "The insurance and comparison industries are burgeoning marketplaces led by some big names. Bullhorn has stepped up to the mark in offering its customers access to some of the most competitive and transparent pricing, but we’re also evolving the industry by introducing cashback - saving people more money than they can save anywhere else. In some cases we'll even pay you to buy a product!"

The site’s quick, easy and intelligent search facility enables users to fill in their requirements and get a range of quotes almost instantly. Policies or products are listed by price so users can check any quote they have been given against dozens of others. Customers will also see the level of cashback offered by their shortlist of suppliers before making an informed decision about the best deal for them.

Bullhorn began life as a car insurance broker before using its industry-insider knowledge to branch out into price comparison, and now finds the best deals for people shopping around among policies for private and business vehicles, home and travel. The site also compares prices for products and services including mobile phones and broadband, flights and hotels, credit cards and loans, gas and electricity.

Matthew Johnson adds: “Bullhorn.co.uk aims to provide a comparison service for the products and services that are used everyday. Our Mobile Phones and broadband comparison covers all the relevant providers for an area, so our users can choose the best price and service to meet their needs.”

Bullhorn is a private financial services company based in Blackburn, Lancashire. The company was established in 2006 as a car insurance broker, before launching a car insurance comparison site in 2007, and extending this to cover a range of insurance policies, consumer products and services in early 2008. By offering an online quote comparison service, keeping overheads to a minimum and negotiating with some of the industry’s largest brands it aims to become the benchmark for product comparison.

Terry Daly Challenges Euro 2008 Commentators and Analysts to Change Their Game

Following his recent coup in which the English FA published his exposure of a fundamental flaw in coaching, Terry Daly is now challenging the likes of Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Jonathan Pearce and other high profile media pundits over their analysis of Euro 2008 games.

According to Daly, the commentators and analysts covering Euro 2008 are, like coaches, wrongly defining 'weight' in the movement of the ball. Weight is the ball's vertical drop due to gravity, not, as the football pundits maintain, its horizontal pace.

In his daily website articles at www.dalyslaw.com, Daly is merciless in exposing examples of the media 'experts' mistaken usage of football terminology in their analysis of games. Article titles such as 'Why BBC Commentators and Analysts are Getting Euro 2008 Wrong' and 'Weight - it's vertical, stupid!' give a flavour of what readers can expect.

Daly himself is far from apologetic. “It's not just football coaches who need to change their understanding of the difference between horizontal pace and vertical weight in the movement and manipulation of a football,” he says.

“Football commentators and analysts need to do exactly the same, if they are to provide their viewers, listeners and readers with an accurate account of what is actually going on during any particular pattern of play. My analysis of Euro 2008 coverage shows that this is not happening. It's now time for it to happen - for football's sake”.

Daly's Law of Creative, Attacking Football treats weight as a vertical force in the movement and manipulation of the ball and identifies this as the key element in producing top football performance because it counteracts the horizontal pace of the ball, allowing a player to set himself properly for instant top performance.

Daly's criticism of conventional football coaching and analysis, not just in Britain but across Europe and the rest of the world, is that both are based on the provable fallacy that weight is a horizontal force in the movement of the ball. “The earth is not flat”, he observes drily. “Neither is weight, yet conventional media pundits assume that it is when they treat it as a horizontal force while analysing games.”

Daly's Law Coaching and Analysis is targeted at getting off form professional players quickly back on form. This is accomplished through drawing a simple distinction between the horizontal and vertical movement of the ball and then getting the player or players to utilise both in their play, precisely and systematically. Video analysis of individual player and team performance focuses on the success players achieve in counteracting the horizontal movement of the ball with vertical weight while passing, shooting, heading et al. This principle applies to all player and ball interactions in all games.

Daly argues that the reason much of the shooting in Euro 2008 sees the ball rocketing over the bar and into the stands is because players are not coached to counteract the horizontal pace of their shooting with vertical weight. If players are coached to do this, he says, they would be able to manipulate the trajectory of the ball when striking it so that it rises over the goalkeeper and dips underneath the crossbar at the last moment. “You can't analyse and explain this common failing in Euro 2008,” he concludes, “if you think weight is the horizontal pace of the ball. Commentators and analysts need to change their game.”

Daly's own analysis of Euro 2008 focuses repeatedly on the accidental generation of many of the goals scored, from Zambrotta's headed back pass to set up Mutu's goal in the Italy v Romania game, to the hapless Peter Cech's dropped catch against Turkey that saw the Czech Republic exit the competition. He claims that such random happenings almost always create perfectly weighted balls in space, the prerequisite for scoring goals - and criticises other media pundits' failure to recognise that such perfectly weighted balls can be created deliberately and repeatedly reproduced in games – once players, coaches and managers accept that horizontal pace and vertical weight in the movement and manipulation of the ball are two different elements.

All is not gloomy, however. Daly points to the fact of his success in persuading elite coaches, including those at English FA headquarters in London, to agree to his redefinition of weight and looks forward to media commentators and analysts following suit sooner rather than later in the interests of football as a whole.

Neighbourhood Watch website launched during Neighbourhood Watch Week

Doorstep crime, anti-social behaviour and engaging young people are the key areas of focus for the second national Neighbourhood Watch Week. This week Vernon Coaker launched a brand new Neighbourhood Watch website and a volunteers' toolkit, jointly funded by the Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The toolkit is designed to provide support, training and guidance for around four million UK households that are members of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "I have seen first hand that impressive results follow when local people join together with the police and other partners to fight crime. The Neighbourhood Watch movement plays an absolutely crucial role in strengthening these local crime fighting partnerships and I am delighted to offer my support as the week of action gets underway.

"Whilst Neighbourhood Watch is thriving in some communities, I want the website and online toolkit to help Neighbourhood Watch members make their neighbourhoods feel safer everywhere. Everyone involved deserves congratulations and I look forward to seeing positive results over the next 12 months."

ACPO lead on Neighbourhood Watch Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: "Neighbourhood and Home Watch remains the largest voluntary organisation in the country. It has a major role to play in reducing crime, fear of crime and bringing communities closer together.

"Neighbourhood Watch week offers an ideal opportunity to highlight the good work done by Neighbourhood Watch and to encourage others to get involved in a practical way that will make a difference to their local community."

The Chair of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, Marion Lewis, said: "Millions of households are part of Neighbourhood and Home Watch. Schemes exist in cities, towns, and villages across the country, and we know that three-quarters of people who are not members would join a scheme if there was one where they lived. We want to see Neighbourhood Watch spread to new places and involve new people. Neighbourhood Watch Week provides us with the opportunity to highlight the benefits and remind people about the impact they can have on the safety of their own street when they come together as neighbours. Further information can now be found on the new national website : http://www.mynhw.co.uk."

As part of Neighbourhood Watch Week, which runs from 16-20 June, local and regional meetings and events are taking place across England and Wales. The events are designed to involve local people in the movement's aims and to provide advice and guidance on specific local issues.

Healey urges Councils to spend tax as efficiently as they collect it

Local Government Minister John Healey today praised councils on improving the amount of council tax collected for the eighth successive year.

Mr Healey also announced that councils were on track to make efficiency savings of £3.2bn over the past four years, the equivalent of £123 off the average Band D council tax bill - and £1bn more than the efficiency target they were set.

But he also called on councils to use this money as effectively and efficiently as possible, keeping up with public demands for value for money from their local public services.

Figures published this morning show that the council tax in-year collection rate in England last year was 97.1 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points on 2006-07, and 0.7 percentage points up on five years ago.

Local Government Minister John Healey said: "Councils have continued to improve their council tax collection rates. Last year, councils collected 97.1 per cent of the collectable council tax, and I congratulate them on their efforts.

"Collection of council tax continues beyond the year in which it is due, and I urge councils not to let up the pressure, but to continue their good work on chasing arrears and make further improvements to their collection rates. It is only fair on other council tax payers that everyone pays what they owe.

"These collection rates, combined with the first ever three-year settlement giving every council an increase in funding, help put local Government in a strong financial position.

"Councils face increasing expectations from council taxpayers for well-run, efficient local services. That is why I have announced plans to give residents an update on efficiency on council tax bills.

"Councils should be spending taxes as efficiently as they collect them. This September, councils are expected to announce that they have achieved cashable efficiency gains of £3.2bn over the last four years, the equivalent of £123 off the average Band D council tax bill.

"Councils met their efficiency targets one year early, and are on track to exceed requirements by more than £1bn. But further efficiency gains can be made, which is why I want councils to save £4.9bn over the next three years, which could be used to reduce council tax bills or invest in local services, to give the public the value for money that they rightly expect."

Inner London Boroughs improved their in year council tax collection rate from 91.9% in 2002-03 to 94.7% in 2007-08, with Hackney, the most improved council, up from 79.5% to 92.4%. Islington, Sandwell, Teesdale and Brent have also increased their in-year collection rates by more than 5 percentage points since 2002-03.

Today's figures also show that the in year collection rate for non-domestic rates in England was 98.8 per cent in 2007-08, an improvement of 0.1 percentage points on the previous year and 0.6 percentage points higher than 5 years ago.

Ruth Kelly calls for evidence for economic regulation of airports review

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly today invited passengers, businesses and environment groups to provide evidence to the Department for Transport to consider as part of its review into the economic regulation of airports.

Ms Kelly also announced the names of the panel of experts who will join the Chair, Martin Cave, in undertaking the review.

The panel members are experts in their fields of economic regulation, business and consumer representation.

In particular, the work will look at how best to provide incentives to:
* improve the passenger experience
* encourage appropriate and timely investment in additional capacity to help deliver economic growth in line with wider Government policy
* address the wider environmental impacts of aviation on airport development.

Ruth Kelly said: "The key challenge for this review is to get the right incentives in place to attract long-term investment in the industry, to address the environmental impacts of aviation, and, particularly, to provide a good standard of service to passengers.

"This is a once in a generation chance to set the right framework and ensure that future regulation makes the best use of the scarce capacity at airports in the South East and provides the right incentives to deliver necessary investment to improve the passenger experience. I welcome all views on how we can build on the current system.

"I am also delighted to announce the names of the panel of experts, chaired by Professor Martin Cave. Their wealth of knowledge regarding consumer protection, economic regulation and the wider environmental context will be invaluable in informing the review."

The members of the advisory panel are: Professor Martin Cave, Chair, Warwick University Chris Bolt, PPP Arbiter and Chairman, Office of Rail Regulation John Cridland CBE, Deputy Director General CBI Philip Cullum, Acting CEO, National Consumer Council Dr Anne Graham, University of Westminster Professor Dieter Helm, Oxford University (and Chair of DEFRA's Academic Panel, member of the Advisory Panel on Energy and Climate Security) Andrew Sentance, Member Monetary Policy Committee.

Further information about the terms of reference for the review, biographical details of panel members, how to provide evidence and some clarifying comments on the purpose of the review can be found at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/airports/reviewregulatioukairports/
3. Evidence should be submitted by Friday 25 July 2008.

Lord Hunt consults on new fees for family law barristers

New proposals to narrow the gap between legal aid fees paid to barristers and solicitors for doing similar advocacy work in family cases were announced by Justice Minister Lord Hunt today.
Views on fairer ways to pay barristers through the Family Graduated Fee Scheme (FGFS) bringing it more in line with payment to solicitors for similar work are being sought in a consultation paper published today.

Lord Hunt said: "Currently barristers are paid more than solicitors for the same work in family law. We want a fairer system where all lawyers are paid the same, regardless of whether the advocate has a background as a solicitor or barrister.

"Increases in costs for family law barristers - from £74m to nearly £100m in the last five years - pose a serious threat to other areas of family legal aid. To help protect current client services, better control is needed.

"Our reforms are about ensuring the long-term sustainability and future of legal aid. We want to get the best value for money from the system so that we can help as many people as possible within the resources available."

There are three options for consideration:
* Reduce all fees paid under the scheme;
* Abolish or reduce some of the uplifts which multiply the fees claimed by barristers to reflect different issues in a case; or
* Abolish or reduce some of the additional payments claimed by barristers for certain types of preparation.
The proposed changes are an interim measure in advance of a consultation later this year on a single family advocacy scheme for both solicitors and barristers to be introduced in 2010.

(EDITOR: So no point in going on to do extra work and training to become a barrister, then?)

Travelsphere announces the winners & losers of its UK celebrity questionnaire

In this age of celebrity, which star would you most trust to be your tour guide, who would you like to accompany you on your travels and who will get you completely and utterly lost? Travelsphere has polled its customers to ask six crucial travel questions, and the answers have revealed some fascinating results.

When Travelsphere asked ‘Which celebrity would make the Best Travelsphere Tour Manager?’ Alan Titchmarsh was the resounding winner of the poll with 52% of the vote. The runners up were Tony Robinson with 21%, Lorraine Kelly with 13% and Helen Mirren with 10%. Nigel Harman was trusted by just 4%, proving he’s lovely to look at, but not very handy with a map and a megaphone.

Holidays are best shared with like minded people and loved ones, but imagine if you could choose your ideal celebrity holiday companion! Colin Firth beat James Bond to win the battle of ‘Which celebrity would you like to accompany you on your next Travelsphere holiday?’ with 34% of voters choosing Colin to share their experience. Close behind was Amanda Redman with 23%, the delightful Daniel Craig and Des Lynam both polled 17% and Catherine Zeta-Jones secured just 9% of the votes. The former Mr Darcy must have inspired many dreams of foreign adventure!

Travelsphere Tour Managers are highly trained and holidaymakers are safe in the knowledge they won’t get lost. But, which celebrity do Travelsphere customers feel is most likely to lead an escorted tour into strife? She may be a clever business woman, but Katie Price aka Jordan is the least trusted when voters were asked ‘which celebrity would be most likely to get you lost on holiday?’ Katie polled 43% of the vote, David Beckham scored 22%, Bruce Forsyth was a close third with 19%, Cherie Blair 11% and Arlene Philips is the most trusted with 5%.

When asked ‘Which celebrity/celebrities would you least like to have in you next Travelsphere tour group?’ Jade Goody didn’t fare very well with 44% of voters wishing she would stay at home. John Prescott would also not be very welcome with 26% of the votes, Neil & Christine Hamilton scored 12% and Anne Robinson 10%.

If music be the food of life, then Travelsphere customers want Take That to play on. When asked the question ‘Which famous group or performer would you most like to serenade you during your Travelsphere tour?’ the poll was won by Take That with 29%, even without Robbie Williams. Shirley Bassey was close at their heels with 25%, Sir Cliff Richard 24%, Elton John was on the wish list of 16% and Take That’s good friend Lulu came out bottom of the poll with just 6%. That really isn’t something to ‘Shout’ about.

Now the winners and losers have been decided, where in the world do people want to go? The final question asked was ‘Which Travelsphere tour experience would you most like to share with your celebrity?’ The answers reveal the wide range of Travelsphere customers’ dream destination with ‘Splendour of Venice’ just winning the poll with 23% of votes, ‘Brazil and the Rio Carnival’ and ‘Highlights of China’ in joint second with 22% each, ‘Deep South Highlights’ a close runner up with 20% and ‘Treasures of the Mediterranean cruise’ scored 13%.

For more information on these tours and more call Travelsphere on 0800 19 14 18
or go to www.travelsphere.co.uk.

Millions take a risk with out- of-date wills

Latest research by the Law Society has revealed that 84% of 25 – 34 year olds do not have an up to date will.

Research conducted by GFK on behalf of the Law Society shows that thousands of people risk leaving loved ones with nothing after their death because they do not know the contents of their own will, warns the Law Society.

Changing circumstances are not always reflected in a person’s will, meaning that parts of the deceased’s estate will not be passed onto family and friends, says the Law Society.

Andrew Holroyd says: “Many people in that age bracket are likely to have bought a home in the last few years. That is a large asset that should be accounted for in the will, the research, however, would suggest this is not being done.”

The research also revealed that 22 per cent of respondents over 65 did not know if they had an up to date will, while worryingly 42 per cent of those widowed, divorced or separated did not know if they had an in-date will.

The Law Society points out that a number of circumstances could require a change being made to an existing will, including:

· Divorce or separation
· Selling of an asset, such as property
· Purchasing a large asset, such as a second home
· Having children
· Debt
· Starting a business

Andrew Holroyd says: “When circumstances change, you should contact your solicitor to see if you need to review your will. When someone is in the process of a major life changing event, such as moving into a new home, or getting married, often the last thing on their mind is their will. However, it should be a high priority. Do not let it gather dust.”

David Davis: The slow but ceaseless encroachment of the state into our daily lives must come to an end

In a statement David Davis MP said:"The name of my constituency is Haltemprice and Howden. The word Haltemprice is derived from the motto of a medieval priory, and in Old French it means "Noble Endeavour".

"I had always viewed membership of this House as a noble endeavour, not least because we and our forebears have for centuries fiercely defended the fundamental freedoms of our citizens. Or we did, up until yesterday.

"This Sunday is the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, the document that guarantees the most fundamental of British freedoms, habeas corpus. The right not to be imprisoned for prolonged periods by the state without being told the charge against you. But yesterday this House decided to allow the state to lock up potentially innocent people for 6 weeks without charge.

"This Counter Terrorism Bill will in all likelihood be rejected by the House of Lords. What is their function, after all, if not to defend the Magna Carta? But because the impetus behind it is political, the government will be tempted to use the Parliament Act to enforce its will and insist on its right to set aside a cornerstone of all our liberties.

"It has no democratic mandate to do this, since 42 days was not a manifesto commitment. And its legal standing is dubious, to say the least. But purely for political reasons, this Government will do it.

"And because the generic security arguments relied upon are ones that will never go away, this Government will be tempted again in the future to try for 56 days, 70 days, 90 days. But in truth 42 days is just one albeit perhaps the most salient example of the insidious, surreptitious and relentless erosion of fundamental British freedoms under this Government.We will have the most intrusive identity card system in the world.

"A CCTV camera for every 14 citizens.And a DNA database bigger than that of any dictatorship with thousands of innocent children and a million innocent citizens on it.We’ve witnessed a sustained assault on jury trials that bulwark against bad law and its arbitrary abuse by the state. Shortcuts with our justice system that have left it both less firm and less fair.And the creation of a database state, opening up our private lives to the prying eyes of official snooper and exposing our personal data to careless civil servants and criminal hackers.

"The state has security powers that clamp down on peaceful protest, and so-called hate laws that stifle legitimate debate whilst those inciting violence get off scot-free.This cannot go on. It must be stopped.And for that reason, today I feel that it is incumbent upon me to take a stand.I will be resigning my membership of this House, and I intend to force a by-election in Haltemprice and Howden.

"I will not fight it on the government’s general record. There is little point in repeating Crewe and Nantwich.I will not fight it on my personal record. I am just a piece in this chess game. I will fight this by-election against the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this Government.This may be the last speech I make to the House. Of course, that would be a cause of deep regret to me.

"But at least my electorate, and the nation as a whole, would have had the opportunity to debate and consider one of the most fundamental issues of the day the ever intrusive power of the state into their daily lives, the loss of privacy, the loss of freedom and the steady attrition undermining the rule of law.And if they do send me back here it will be with a single, simple message.

"That the monstrosity of a law that we passed yesterday should not stand. That the British people have grown tired of the inflated, arbitrary and arrogant power accumulated by this Government. And that the slow but ceaseless encroachment of the state into their daily lives must come to an end."

Atlantic tropical storm season set to top the average

During the 2008 North Atlantic tropical storm season the Met Office is forecasting 15 named storms, with a 70% chance that the number will be in the range 10 to 20 between July and November. This represents above normal activity relative to the 1990-2005 long-term average of 12.4 and is more than last year's total of 12 storms for the same period.

The Met Office forecast uses an ensemble of global climate model forecasts which simulate the interactions between ocean and atmosphere. These forecasts successfully predicted the switch between the very active 2005 season to the much quieter conditions the following year. The forecasts use a radically different approach to traditional statistical methods which rely on past trends and have been developed following research work with other European prediction centres.

Matt Huddleston, Met Office Principal Consultant on climate change says: "North Atlantic tropical storms affect UK citizens abroad, and at home through fluctuating oil, food and insurance markets. The Met Office forecast has already demonstrated its benefits over traditional methods, especially in highlighting extremes.

"This year the range is very interesting and is the result of competing influences from the Atlantic and Pacific. While warm sea temperatures in the Atlantic act to increase the number of storms, our model also captures the small potential of an El Nin?o in the Pacific which may counteract this, hence the wider range in our forecast compared to others."

The Met Office also provides forecasts of tropical storms and hurricanes ranging from individual short-range track and landfall projections which are used by the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Sex attacker convicted using new facial composite technology, EvoFIT

ABM announces successful trial of new system with Lancashire Police

Criminal intelligence technology provider, ABM, today announced that its ground breaking technology EvoFIT has been used to help convict Ross Gleave, 18, who received a seven year sentence for the attempted rape of a schoolgirl in Blackpool. Lancashire Constabulary is the first UK police force to successfully trial the new facial composite system, which enabled identification of the offender within hours of a computer generated image being circulated.

Using EvoFIT, the victim was able to help create a very good likeness of the assailant’s face, which was then used to show to members of the public. Being a first time offender the perpetrator was unknown to the police and therefore EvoFIT was instrumental in identifying him. DCI Andy Webster at Lancashire Police said: “EvoFIT provided a crucial breakthrough in this investigation by providing that all-important name.”

Widely considered as the third generation facial composite system, EvoFIT enables victims and witnesses to construct a likeness of a criminal’s face. Traditionally, the construction of facial composites in law enforcement has been based on the piecing together of individual facial features – eyes, nose, mouth, etc – but EvoFIT is based on the ‘whole face perception principle’. Simply, witnesses select from a set of complete faces, rather than individual facial features, to produce a superior result.

Dr Charlie Frowd at the University of Central Lancashire, who developed the system, explains: “The main benefit about EvoFIT is the way in which composites are constructed. Victims do not have to describe or articulate facial features; instead they just need to be able to recognise, or have a sense that they would recognise, the face of the criminal. From here they are shown sets of whole faces and indicate which pictures look like the person in question.

“EvoFIT allows composites to be made even when a witness cannot describe a face in detail, a prerequisite for the existing systems. In fact, it is extremely difficult to describe someone, but far easier to give a judgement on the likeness of a face when shown a picture. This may have been particularly beneficial in the Blackpool case as the victim was just 11 years old. The system also has the ability to change age, weight and other holistic properties of a face to further improve the likeness. The process is superior and more accurate than existing facial composition techniques and does appear to take less time.”

The technology has been 10 years in development and has emerged from a collaboration between ABM and three Universities – Stirling, Edinburgh and Central Lancashire. Peter Hancock, who led the development at Stirling, noted that “the system is based on research into how the human mind processes information. EvoFIT breeds the selected faces together, combining characteristics and a composite is ‘evolved’ over time. In some cases, EvoFIT has produced an image so realistic that it has been confused for a photograph of the person.”

ABM’s Managing Director, Alastair Luff, said: “EvoFIT is the product of a long journey of bringing together research and technology to produce the next generation of facial composite tools. EvoFIT is the direct result of research through the government’s DTI/EPSRC/LINK research programme and a long term collaboration between ABM, Dr Charlie Frowd and the team at Stirling and Edinburgh.

"We have been delighted with the results that have been produced from the laboratory over the last few years and, importantly, from the police trial of the system in Lancashire. Lancashire police’s recent successes with the product have demonstrated that real and significant results can be achieved with EvoFIT. We are now looking forward to other members of the Police Service utilising this powerful tool.”

Dr Frowd concludes: “After ten years of research and development work, including dozens of different research experiments, EvoFIT is able to produce highly recognisable images. Lancashire Police are seeing considerable results with its success rates in identifying serious offenders increased by up to 300%. The conviction of a sex attacker in this particular case illustrates EvoFIT’s ability to successfully assist the police with their criminal investigations. Several other suspects are awaiting trial also having been identified using this technology”

For more information on ABM’s solutions, please visit www.abm-uk.com

ABM is a leading supplier of criminal intelligence IT, developing best of breed solutions in partnership with customers to meet the unique requirements of the law enforcement market. ABM’s intelligence-led applications are national standard compliant and work from a single data source enabling customers to gain substantial time saving and financial benefits. Its 180 law enforcement customers worldwide include internationally renowned organisations such as the Metropolitan Police Service, New York Police Department (NYPD) and Western Australia Police. For more information, visit ABM at http://www.abm-uk.com

Tiscali helps artist realise extraordinary 'tunnel vision'

www.tiscali.co.uk/telectroscope

Over 50,000 people have visited and much has been written about the amazing Telectroscope, the extraordinary vision of Paul St George. The Telectroscope - a giant telescope-like device - links London and New York allowing visitors to see across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Mr St George, the tunnel was constructed over a century ago and the Telectroscope invented by his forebear Alexander Stanhope St George. But is it really what it seems? Is it simply a cable under the ocean or something more complex?

Unravelling the mystery, Tiscali Business Services, which engineered the project, has explained how modern technology has played its part in bringing the people of two continents together in real time.

For the more technically minded among us, here goes…

The task of providing the complex network may look as simple as a cable running from London to New York to provide connectivity between the two continents, but to provide the technology and network that underpins the whole project required careful planning, collaboration and management.

The challenge was to create a two site Virtual Private Network (VPN) across the Tiscali network - one site at the London end of the Telectroscope, the other in New York.

The London end of the link is provided via 4 x 2Mbps circuits bonded together to provide an 8Mbps of link throughput to the Tiscali UK MPLS core network.

The New York end of the link is through a 100Mbps Local Area Network Extension Service (LES100) with a restriction of 50Mbps of bandwidth across this link back into the Tiscali International MPLS network. Once this reaches the Tiscali International network the link is extended through a transatlantic link to Tiscali UK MPLS network to complete the New York - London link.

Both links are placed in the VPN within the Tiscali MPLS network to provide the seamless connectivity between London and New York.

Furthermore, Tiscali Business Services was also tasked with providing remote and secure management access to the VPN. This was achieved in two ways:

1. Providing ADSL links directly into the VPN with the use of Tiscali DSL platforms to provide desk-based full access to London and New York locations.

2. To monitor both sites remotely, Tiscali Business Services created a highly secure firewall. This allowed technical administrators to log into the VPN through a secure tunnel across the Internet to undertake day to day monitoring of the Telectroscope.

Tiscali’s digital media partner Twofour Digital provided high quality video cameras at each end of the Telectroscope feeding an MPEG 2 encoder, which delivers the stream over the Tiscali network to the Telectroscopes’s projector. Twofour provided the installation and ongoing support.

Nathan Francis, Managing Director of Tiscali Business Services, says: “This project has really caught the public’s imagination and it’s made many people smile, laugh and act silly on both sides of the Atlantic. Tiscali has been delighted to get involved with the project and my thanks go to the backroom technical wizards at Tiscali Business Services and to our partners, including TwoFour digital, for making it possible.”

Nicky Webb, Director at Artichoke, the event’s producers, says: “Tiscali worked tirelessly on two continents to ensure that the technical challenges of the project were met. It is a tribute to their team that the many thousands of delighted visitors in London and New York were not aware of just how complicated a project this was – they could simply enjoy a magical experience. We are hugely grateful to them for making it possible.”

So there you have it. The role of an ISP involved in international eye spy!

Video of the Teletcroscope can be viewed at:

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/events/2008/telectroscope/telectros...

Do More With Your Digital Snaps with CeWe Color Photo Site

Register with My CeWe Photo World and Receive 30 Free Prints

Decorate your home with a digital photo canvas or remember your holiday with a photo book at new photo shopping site from CeWe Color, Europe’s biggest photo company. My CeWe Photo World, www.cewe-photoworld.co.uk, lets you order prints, greeting cards, photo gifts, as well as canvasses directly from your internet browser, or using the FREE software.

Our busy lives mean we often don’t have time to make the most of our photos, and research by CeWe Color and GfK NOP shows that two-thirds (86 per cent) of those surveyed do not print out all of their digital pictures.

However, it takes just a few minutes to turn your favourite images into personalised photo gifts, prints or canvasses with the CeWe Photo World online shop. New users that register to the My CeWe Photo World also receive 30 free prints.

To use the service, simply browse for the photos you want to turn in to prints or gifts, and choose the images to be printed onto them. Select the amount you wish to order, the size, whether you would like them portrait or landscape, and click on the 'Order' button.

You can also order your pictures to be printed on a range of products and gift items including mugs, t-shirts, greeting cards, and other fun products and then have them delivered to your home or to a loved one directly from www.cewe-photoworld.co.uk. Prices start at three pence for a digital photo and £6.75 for a photo mug.

Andrew White, Internet Sales Manager, Cewe Color, “This site can save people so much time because everything they need to get the most out of their photos is there. Photos are a very personal thing and we are proud to offer a site and service that gives so much pleasure to so many people.”

The research was commissioned by CeWe Color and conducted by GfK NOP. One thousand adults aged 16 or over were interviewed between March 7 and March 9 2008.

For more information go to www.cewe-photoworld.co.uk

Problem at Work? Get legal advice

According to Government statistics stress costs the UK economy approximately £13.5 billion each year through lost productivity and increased illness at work. And it's estimated that 70% of visits to the doctors and 85% of serious illness is triggered or made worse by stress.

Stress can often be caused by problems at work. Each year an average 100,000 people in England and Wales lodge a claim before an employment tribunal on the grounds that they have been unfairly treated or unfairly dismissed by their employer.

But despite problems at work being relatively common, few people have a clear idea of all their rights at work, as employment law can be very complicated. Anyone who thinks they have been unfairly treated by their employer should take legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

A solicitor who deals with employment law will be able to help find the best solution to the work-related problem. Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, advises: “Employees should always try their company’s own grievance procedure first because matters can often be sorted out quickly this way.

"Also, an employment tribunal may refuse to hear a case or reduce the compensation awarded if the employee hasn’t tried to sort the matter out internally before taking the case to them. Ideally, employees should consult a solicitor before using internal procedures, as they will be able to help them set out the case or negotiate a settlement. Even if a person feels able to carry out the negotiations with the employer directly, a solicitor can offer useful advice on how best to do this."

“Anyone making a grievance should make sure they’re taking action for the right reasons, not simply seeking vengeance. Employees should also consider what’s best for them in the wider picture of their career and reputation."

Anyone wanting to take a complaint to an employment tribunal must normally do this within three months of the date of the events they are complaining about. However, this deadline may be extended in special circumstances. If the claim is about redundancy payments, an individual has six months to take it to the tribunal.

Mr Holroyd says: “The longer you leave a problem, the harder it is to solve – visit a solicitor as soon as you recognise there is a problem that is affecting you and the enjoyment of your job”.

The campaign –'Your solicitor, qualified to answer' – which is running until the end of June, is aimed at encouraging consumers to use solicitors by highlighting the kinds of problems they can help with, and how having the right legal information can help save money, time or heartache – and often all three.

Advertising in national papers as well as billboards and taxis in England and Wales directs viewers to the Law Society's website. Once there they can search for a solicitor to help them through the ‘find a solicitor' service, as well as more in-depth information about how solicitors can help.

You can find details of solicitors who deal with employment law at the Law Society’s website http://www.lawsociety.org.uk or by calling the Society on 0870 606 6555.

Prince Caspian, Disney’s latest Chronicles of Narnia movie, Joins the Quest with BT Vision

To promote the upcoming release of Prince Caspian, the latest acclaimed movie from the Chronicles of Narnia, emuse and Carat have created a video-rich advertising campaign for the movie which has the distinction of being the first advertising campaign to launch on the BT Vision, BT’s next-generation digital TV service, IPTV platform in the UK.

The Join the Quest campaign for the US box-office smash movie features an extended movie trailer as well as an exclusive competition giving viewers the opportunity to win an expenses- paid family holiday to New Zealand where parts of the movie were shot.

The acclaimed Walt Disney Pictures movie hits cinemas in the UK on the 26th June.emuse has also created a bespoke advertising campaign on the Sky platform but the BT Vision versions gives the viewer access to true video-on-demand where the extended trailer starts each time the campaign is viewed and gives Disney a true and measurable one-on-one connection with viewers for the first time.

“Our deals with BT Vision have seen us facilitate advertising and sponsorship on the platform and build a pipeline of applications including enhancements to the OnVision service, a new BT Vision sports service, a lifestyle magazine service and a gaming portal,” said Patrick Rainsford, CEO emuse.

“Now emuse has opened up a platform which offers more sophisticated opportunities for advertisers and we are looking forward to creating many more.

"The emergence of BT Vision as a channel capable of carrying interactive commercials is a welcome addition to the TV marketplace,” said David Jansen, Manager at Carat, Disney’s advertising agency.

“Carat recognised the potential of this platform as a perfect vehicle for delivering the interactive advertising message, and has worked closely with emuse and BT Vision in order to make this happen. With successful interactive campaigns resting upon the delivery of a smooth and engaging customer journey, the faster accessibility offered by BT Vision (than currently available via the standard TV 'press red' function), will surely render this as a service that many advertisers will to look to take advantage of in the near future," he concludes.

Antony Carbonari, BT Vision’s Director of Interactive & Commercial Media, said: “True interactivity powered by the fast always-on broadband connection combined with the Microsoft Mediaroom TV browser will offer so many compelling possibilities for advertisers and content providers.

"We are pleased to be working with Disney, Carat and Emuse to launch this pioneering interactive marketing channel on BT Vision and look forward to pushing the boundaries of IPTV marketing and advertising on the BT Vision platform over the coming months.”

BT Vision(www.bt.com/btvision) With around 3000 TV shows, films and music and sports features from over 100 providers, BT Vision customers enjoy a vast range of film, sport, music and television programming available on-demand, as well as interactive services and all the Freeview channels, all available on the TV, with no compulsory subscription.

This unique combination - delivered on a software platform powered by Microsoft and through a set-top box made by Philips, allows customers choice, control and convenience.

emuse is a leading international, interactive advertising and content solutions supplier. Currently the largest independent cross-platform, interactive advertising provider in the UK, emuse also supplies the creation and deployment of targeted integrated, world-wide campaigns across DTT, DCab, DSat, Mobile, IPTV, Broadband TV and Social Networks. www.emusetechnologies.com

£9m makeover for HMS Monmouth

The Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth is to get a boost to her top speed in a £9 million overhaul to be carried out by Babcock Marine at Rosyth in Scotland, Defence Minister, Baroness Taylor, announced today.

As well as essential routine maintenance work, the refit will furnish the ship with important new capabilities including an upgraded Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) system, and modifications to the gearbox systems to enable the ship to operate at increased power and speed. The crew will benefit from an overhaul of the living quarters and an updated air conditioning system, essential for operating in hotter climates. Enhanced safety mechanisms will also be installed including an updated fire detection system.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, said: "This work is vital for keeping our existing fleet in top condition, enhancing it with new technology which is essential to efficiently provide the Royal Navy with the capability it requires. This is an excellent contract for Babcock Marine and will help secure many jobs in Rosyth."

The MoD Surface Combatants team leader, Commodore Graham Peach, said: "Part of the refit work will include modifications to the ship's gearboxes so they can handle the maximum power output of the gas turbines. We think this will also give Monmouth a couple of knots extra speed. Overall, the work will equip Monmouth for many years more service."

Starting in June, the team in Rosyth is expected to spend eight months getting HMS Monmouth fighting fit.

The Type 23 frigates form the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-submarine frigate force. They were the RN's first 'stealthy' ships, being equipped with a Combined Diesel Electric and Gas propulsion system that allows them to cruise slowly and quietly while hunting submarines.

Romance is in the Air at the CLA Game Fair

it comes to dating, most of us know that meeting like-minded people can be difficult, and when you’re looking for someone who is no stranger to a pair of muddy wellies, things can get a lot harder still.

Help is at hand, however, at this year’s CLA Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, where the Game Fair organisers have teamed up with countryside online dating and social networking site, Muddy Matches, to put on a number of exciting new social events to help single country lovers find their match.On Saturday 26th July 2008, the so-called Muddy AfFair will take place in the Game Fair Theatre and include a tongue-in-cheek countryside dating show, starting at 5.00 pm, followed by a singles-themed drinks party from 6.00 to 7.30 pm.

The dating show is to be a light-hearted affair, with a number of country-minded contestants vying for the attention of our male and female pickers. At the end the pickers will each choose a lucky contestant to accompany them on a double date, and the four of them will then be whisked off to a nearby hotel for dinner.

Following on from the dating show, the drinks party is for all the contestants, the audience and for anyone who fancies rounding off a cracking day with a nice drink and a chance to meet some like-minded country people. Singles and non-singles…everyone is welcome to come to both the show and the drinks party, but there will be a fun and unique singles twist to the drinks party to make it easier for any singles to spot and approach other single people. Whether people come alone, or in a group, it promises to be a really fun end to the day for anyone visiting the Game Fair on the Saturday.

Tickets and Information:
• Tickets for the show and drinks party cost £10 if ordered before 18th July and £15 thereafter. Tickets for just the drinks party can be bought on the door for £10.
• Single, fun-loving country people can apply to take part in the dating show (closing date 11th July).
• For more information, visit www.muddymatches.co.uk/gamefair.

For anyone that fancies something a little smaller and more intimate, Muddy Matches will also be hosting Straw Bale Speed Dating at their stand on all three days (25th, 26th and 27th July 2008).

Sponsored by Sloe Motion, the sessions will last approximately one hour and include a free drink and one week’s subscription to Muddy Matches. For more information and bookings, visit www.muddymatches.co.uk/gamefair.

The CLA Game Fair is the world’s largest countryside event and is for anyone who enjoys country sports, the countryside or rural life.- A Muddy AfFair is sponsored by Sloe Motion, Tyrrells Potato Chips and Belvoir Fruit Farms. The Game Fair Theatre is sponsored by Strutt & Parker.

IKEA in FEMTON clamp spot light customer recall

"IKEA customers who have bought a FEMTON clamp spot light have been asked to return it back to their local IKEA store where they will receive a full refund," said a spokesman for IKEA.

"The Swedish National Electricity Safety Board tested the spot light and claims the construction of the lamp could create a risk of over-heating.

"IKEA has received no reports or complaints from customers of incidents involving over-heating of the FEMTON spot light. However safety is always the highest priority at IKEA and therefore the decision has been taken, as a precautionary measure, to recall the FEMTON clamp spot light.

"FEMTON is a so called “goose-neck” lamp with a flexible stem that allows the beam to be directed at will. Tests have shown a variation of the stiffness of the flexible stem meaning some lamps could be positioned with the bulb too close to a surface area, such as a wall, shelf or table top, which could result in over-heating. This is of course not acceptable and immediate measures have been implemented to stop future deliveries.

"The clamp spot light FEMTON concerned is produced in China and has been sold since 2004 in Europe, Asia and Australia. It is marked with a four digit date stamp (YYWW), a five digit supplier no (17796), IKEA logo and country of manufacturer. The article number of the product is 60067323 and the price is £12.49. Another version of FEMTON clamp spot light is sold in North America, however this version is not affected by the recall. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Customers wishing to find out more information can call customer services on 0845 358 3364."

Speak to young people about your job - inspire them with great career ideas!

Growing Ambitions needs you . . . whatever your job, whatever your business, whatever work you do. Because young people want to hear from people who are doing the jobs they are interested in.

"I set up Growing Ambitions because my son didn't have the career advice I thought he needed. He told me that he wanted to be able to talk to someone in the job about what they did. He wanted some real information before he made a career choice. And he was right." said Sally Davis, Managing Director, Growing Ambitions.

Wherever you are in the UK there are young people in schools, colleges and universities keen to hear learn from you about the work you do or the business you own. And it doesn't require a total commitment - just one half-hour session in a school/college close to you or your business - talking about your education, training and day job. You can opt to speak near your home or workplace, or both.

Growing Ambitions is a not-for-profit, online initiative putting careers advisers UK-wide in touch with volunteer workplace speakers they need. People from all walks of life, all age groups and doing a variety of jobs can volunteer because it is those people who make up our workforce and business community. (This is great public relations for yourself and your business. Register for free as a Partner on the website, and let others see that you are supporting the initiative.)

To take part all you need to do is go to Growing Ambitions click 'Offer to Speak' and complete the registration screen - this is a free service to speakers. To get a speaking time and date that fits with your working schedule simply tick the 'flexible' Speaking Slot option, then a Careers Adviser will contact you and agree a time to suit. Why not give it a try? You will be under no obligation or long-term commitment when registering.

For further information see Growing Ambitions or contact Sally Davis, Managing Director (tel. no. 023 9266 1600 alternatively email sallyd@growingambitions.org who will be pleased to answer any of your questions.

300th Birthday of the Industrial Revolution

The Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire is known across the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, as in 1709 Abraham Darby successfully smelted iron with coke at Coalbrookdale, an innovation which led to iron-making on a massive scale, changing the way of living for millions of people and helping to create the modern industrial world.

Three hundred years on, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum continues to protect and interpret the remains of the area’s rich industrial past and, throughout 2009, it will be holding a series of events and celebrations to mark the significance of Darby’s discovery and the amazing developments that took place here and across the world.

The first major event will take place in July 2008 with a public archaeology programme scheduled to coincide with National Archaeology Week from 12 - 20 July 2008. This major archaeological investigation in Coalbrookdale is intended to provide more detailed information about the workings of Darby’s original furnace, now known as the ‘Old Furnace’. On certain days the general public will be invited to participate in the excavation, in the less sensitive areas of the site, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

During 2009 Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron will be holding an exhibition of the new archaeological research that is uncovered around the Old Furnace, revealing more about how its evolution and operation pioneered modern iron making.

There will also be a dramatic and exciting programme of cast and wrought ironworking demonstrations at Blists Hill Victorian Town, plus expert-led tours, lectures and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at working with hot metal.

Other events will include an international conference, debating the world changing impact of the Industrial Revolution including its effect on the environment, a Science and Technology Fair at the Enginuity design and technology centre, a contemporary cast iron sculpture exhibition at Coalbrookdale and an all-iron spectacular event in and around the ironworks at Blists Hill, with iron rolling and casting among the activities to be demonstrated.

John Challen, Curator of Technology commented "This series of events will highlight the significance of the 1709 discovery to the world and tell the story of iron production in the Gorge in an exciting, informative and entertaining manner".

Celebrations will also be happening across the rest of the West Midlands, as 2009 also marks a variety of other significant anniversaries for some of the region’s greatest innovators. The year will mark 250 years since the Wedgwood factory was founded, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and William Penny Brookes (originator of the modern Olympic movement) and the 200th anniversary of the death of Matthew Boulton.

Advantage West Midlands will be working with a variety of partners across the region to celebrate the important role that people from West Midlands have made to the making of the modern world over the last 300 years.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm; activities and workshops vary day-to-day, for further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.

The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).

Tenby Blues Festival

Now in its third year the 2008 Tenby Blues Festival in Pembrokeshire, south west Wales, will be taking place over the weekend of 14 – 16 November when the lovely seaside resort will be rocking to the sound of some great blues music.

The main venue will be the De Valence Pavilion (www.devalence.co.uk) in Upper Frog Street where two keynote concerts on the Chevron stage will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings with headliners Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges and Sherman Robertson, respectively.

Further down Upper Frog Street is the Rugby Club, home of the renowned FBM acoustic stage, where there will be a full programme of both lunchtime and acoustic concerts over all three days. Artists booked for this venue so far include the Spikedrivers, Big Mama's Door and the Sean Webster Band.

On Saturday there will be a free, twelve-hour pub trail around Tenby with a host of local and visiting acts performing, while a series of workshops and exhibitions is also planned.

To view the programme and check for updates visit www.tenbyblues.co.uk. Bookings can be made via the website or call the box office at De Valence 01834 843568; ticket prices start from £5 for a concert.

Festival Previews:
On Thursday, 17 July, American blues/soul singing sensation Lisa Mills will be returning to Tenby to officially launch the festival at De Valence with support band Cottonmouth. To reserve tickets, priced at £5, contact the De Valence Box Office on 01834 843568.

Friday, 26 September sees the legendary blues rockers Dr Feelgood play a blues festival gig during Tenby Arts Festival week. Support band will be Swansea’s J44, one of the surprise successes of the 2007 Tenby Blues Festival. Tickets priced at £10 are available from the Festival Box Office on 01834 843568.

For visitors planning to stay in Tenby for the weekend hotel suggestions include the Fourcroft, opposite Tenby north beach (www.fourcroft-hotel.co.uk) and the Giltar (www.giltar-hotel.co.uk) overlooking the south beach, or for those who prefer self-catering FBM Holidays (www.fbmholidays.co.uk) have a choice of cottages and apartments. Other accommodation suggestions and things to see and do can be found in the Pembrokeshire Holiday Guide, call 0844 888 5115 for a free copy or log onto www.visitpembrokeshire.com.

Fashion New Products And Wedding Site Launched www.somethingdifferentweddings.co.uk

Something Different Online are celebrating the launch of their new site www.somethingdifferentweddings.co.uk which combines a Pot Pourri of Fashion along with a special New Product section in which we bring to you the latest new products recently and due to be released. These pages are armed with the goodies as soon as they are launched being added on a daily basis.

Looking for New Products along with Competitions.

The new website features a fresh design and simplified navigation.The Guys – At last the Best road map for the grooms trip down the isle. From Extreme Sports Courses, Saucy Lingerie and more.Fashion - With the Summer at last with us, the really warm weather fashions come out and of course all wedding guests want to turn up at their best. We provide all the top fashion sites bursting with summer ideas.

Directory:
With its abundance of national and worldwide advertisers our Directory simply is the best with full details of companies offering wedding products and services.

News:
This section is filled with the latest wedding news and views from around the globe and makes great reading.Generous helpings of reader treats from competitions and free samples. Constantly updated on a regular basis.

Something Different is one of the fastest growing wedding websites in the UK, with new content being added on a daily basis from wedding advertisers to new products just launched. With the wedding season heating up, Something Different stands out from other wedding websites by the guidance it offers on all aspects of planning your special day, we pride ourselves with being able to add daily new products that of course all couples want to hear about as soon as they hit the shelves.

Their bright new wedding website adds to the wedding portfolio, they are confident that there is no other wedding website that comes close to the quality of Something Different For Weddings. For more information, contact the something different online team at 01793 700566 or go to www.somethingdifferentweddings.co.uk for further details

The NLP Company create a deal with Essential Skills

The Essential Skills range of products and services will be promoted by The NLP Company in a deal struck between the two companies.The agreement was finalised between Tom Vizzini from Essential Skills and Rintu Basu of The NLP Company in May.

Agreement was finalised between Rintu Basu of The NLP Company and Tom Vizzini from Essential Skills in May.The Essential Skills range of products and services will be promoted by The NLP Company in a deal struck between the two companies.

Essential Skills have a range of products and seminars to provide practical skills that can be used to immediate effect to improve life. This directly compliments The NLP Company’s blend of Hypnosis, Accelerated Learning and NLP tools.

Rintu Basu states, “I am very pleased to be working with Essential Skills. I have known them for six years and am impressed with the quality of their products and seminars. Tom and Kim’s slant on core NLP Techniques is highly innovative, extremely effective and I am proud that they have allowed me to promote them through The NLP Company.”

Essential Skills have been developing courses for over ten years and are delivering seminars both in America and the UK. Their DVDs that cover core NLP Skills are unique in the NLP Marketplace.

This different slant on NLP Techniques can only help in the NLP Marketplace where there are already a number of DVDs, seminars and training solutions dealing with a more traditional approach. Both The NLP Company and Essential Skills benefit from this deal as well as their customers. The NLP Company are gaining a unique product range to offer to their clients whilst Essential Skills have increased sales from those customers.

The NLP Company provide high quality Hypnosis, Accelerated Learning and NLP Solutions for the NLP Scotland Community.

Are you being ripped off over loan insurance?

The competition watchdog says consumers in the UK are being overcharged by over £1.4 billion a year from the sale of insurance to cover repayment of loans when they fall ill and industry price caps may be introduced.

On Thursday, the Competition Commission said in a provisional findings report that it was considering a list of measures to increase competition for payment protection insurance industry (PPI), including banning the sale of PPI at the same time a loan is arranged or the possible introduction of a price cap.

The banks have prepared for a significant clampdown on the industry, however a price-cap would be more abrasive than expected.

Mr Bruce Packard, an analyst at Pali International said, "It is unclear what the Competition Commission is going to do, but it has listed some quite draconian options".

The PPI covers defrayal of mortgages, credit cards, personal or other loans when people fall ill, injured or unemployed. In addition, the PPI is a highly profitable area for banks, and it is also estimated to be worth over 5 billion pounds a year.

Analysts said that such restrictions could hurt profits for Alliance & Leicester, Lloyds TSB and most other UK banks.

The Commission also stated that currently, there are more than 14 million PPI policies and most are taken out at the same time a product is bought. The consumers should be provided with more information about other policies and prices on the time of offering.

On this issue, Peter Davis, head of the Commission's inquiry stated that "We have found serious problems with the PPI market. Moreover, the customers are paying for the lack of competition."

"We are looking at measures which will improve competition between providers, so that consumers who do compare products, or seek to switch, find better offers to choose from," added Mr Davis.

The Association of British Insurers recognised that there have been problems in the PPI market but said changes have been introduced. Furthermore, it said "We are very concerned that the Competition Commission's proposed remedies could destroy this market, particularly while we are facing a period of economic uncertainty".

This article was compiled with the assistance of www.ask4loan.co.uk

Over half of people are affected by 'unfair' bank charges, FairInvestment.co.uk has found

Over half of banking customers pay bank charges, research from FairInvestment.co.uk has revealed.

Of those people asked, almost a quarter of current account customers have an agreed overdraft facility but still slip over it from time to time, incurring a charge from their bank. Nine per cent do not have an agreed overdraft but still slip into the red every now and then.

Another 16 per cent said that they are constantly being charged and cannot afford to pay them, while 11 per cent exceed their overdraft as often as every month in order to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, 15 per cent of customers have an agreed overdraft which they stick to and never exceed, and a quarter of respondents said that they have no need for an overdraft and are therefore also not affected by bank charges.

"The fact that more than half of Britons are affected by bank charges should urge the banks to act in their customers' best interests, but they are more concerned about the £3.5 billion a year they are raking in from them." said David Doulton, director at FairInvestment.co.uk.

"With the cost of living on the rise, consumers are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Banks have a responsibility to their customers to provide fair bank charges. Currently, people are being charged up to as much as £40 for exceeding their overdraft.

On April 24th, a High Court Judge, Mr Justice Andrew Smith, confirmed that the charges were eligible to be assessed under rules governing consumer contract regulations, and said that under these rules the Office of Fair Trading could determine whether or not the charges are fair.

The banks have appealed this ruling, maintaining that the charges they implement are both fair and proportionate. It is hoped that this will go to the Court of Appeal in July, but campaigners are concerned that it could take longer if the case goes to the House of Lords and European court. Nobody has been able to reclaim their charges since last summer, when the FSA implemented a freeze on reclaiming until the issue is clarified by law.

Before reclaiming was halted, the banks are reported to have paid out an estimated £1billion to dissatisfied customers, and thousands more await a final decision, hoping that the OFT emerges the victor so that they can also reclaim their money.

Fairinvestment.co.uk offers a No Win, No Fee service for reclaiming unfair bank charges – start the process today: reclaim unfair bank charges.

•www.fairinvestment.co.uk, is an independent online finance portal, providing comparison tools, news, reviews and information on a wide range of financial products and services, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, loans, savings and investments.

•Fair Investment Company is a leading internet player that sees 400,000 unique users per month, sells over £5 billion worth of mortgage enquiries and is a Hitwise 100 Banks and Financial Institutions site.

Web: www.fairinvestment.co.uk

Phone Version of Flirtomatic Launches

Designed specifically for entertainment and integration with the iPhone

Flirtomatic (www.flirtomatic.com), a London-based mobile and online flirting service, releases its alpha version of Flirtomatic for the iPhone and iTouch today, as a major step in the service’s development which will increase its potential user base and enhance the user interface.

The Alpha version is available worldwide and has a new enriched mobile interface which has been built specifically just for the iPhone and iTouch user. With access to hundreds of thousands of users in the UK - over 800,000 currently - the feature set includes registration, login, chat, search, rating and the ability to send and receive gifts. Flirtomatic is currently the only service in the UK to have optimised all of these features for the iPhone. Further functionality including location search will be available shortly.

Mark Curtis, CEO of Flirtomatic, comments: "The development of the alpha version will bring the Flirtomatic experience to a new level that we will be looking to implement with other handsets in the future. This launch underscores our commitment to innovation and rapid evolution. We live in a mobile age and consumers increasingly expect to access entertainment whenever and wherever they choose. This launch provides a service that is quicker and easier to use, bringing us a step closer to our goal."

Flirtomatic expects to see further take-up of its service by iPhone users following the anticipated launch of the 3G iPhone. Industry analysis by M:Metrics re-enforces the potential take-up from iPhone users, given that the phone is already the most popular device for using the mobile web. 85% of iPhone users accessed news and information in January 2008, and 49.7% accessed a social networking site, nearly 12 times the market average. iTouch users can access the same service over WiFi.

This latest launch is part of Flirtomatic’s long-term strategy of extending its user base and enhancing the user experience. The company has nearly 400,000 mobile users in the UK alone. In May, over 1 million messages a day were sent between users, generating 21 million web page views and 115 million WAP page views. Flirtomatic is one of the UK's most popular mobile destinations.

Flirtomatic is the first branded consumer service of Handmade Mobile Ltd.

Launched in 2006, Flirtomatic is a real time, high capacity, multimedia messaging platform that currently has over 800,000 registered users and nearly 400,000 mobile users, making it UK's leading flirting service on the mobile and web.

Targeted at young adults (75% of users are 18 – 30 years old), Flirtomatic operates a free and uninterrupted service across the web and mobile that enables users to flirt, meet new people and have fun online. Users can discover members on the basis of their preferences, interests, location and other information stored in their multimedia user profile.

In May, Flirtomatic users were sending 1 million messages a day, generating 21million web page views and 115million WAP page views.

Flirtomatic has received venture funding from Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures and Seraphim Capital.

For further information, please visit www.flirtomatic.com

Handmade Mobile Entertainment was formed in June 2004 by Avi Azulai, co-founder of iTouch, and Mark Curtis, a former Managing Partner in Fjord and Razorfish.

For further information, please visit www.handmademobile.com

Arrested in Jamaica

A Middlesbrough woman, along with her partner and a 17 year-old girl are in the custody of the Jamaican authorities, having been arrested at Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay on Sunday 8 June suspected of attempting to smuggle drugs.

The three were detected under the Operation Airbridge initiative after the two women were caught attempting to smuggle cocaine internally. All three are also suspected of swallowing packages of cocaine. They were due to board a flight to Manchester.

Operation Airbridge is a project originally set up by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and is now run by the UK Border Agency in partnership with the Jamaican authorities to catch drug smugglers using the Caribbean island as a gateway to the UK and other European countries.

Tony Walker, Director of Border Force Intelligence and National Operations, UK Border Agency, said:

"The use of such young people in smuggling drugs demonstrates the ruthless nature of those criminal gangs involved in the illegal narcotics trade and the misery they cause. The dedication of UK and Jamaican drug detection officers has prevented deadly Class A drugs from entering the UK.

"Operation Airbridge has proved to be a great success in preventing harmful drugs hitting the streets of the UK and other European countries. Airbridge powerfully demonstrates the importance of working closely with other global partners such as Jamaica. This collaboration is helping to protect both countries from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs."

Creditors urged to give debt advice information

People in debt will now get early advice from creditors, helping them to avoid court, in new proposals announced by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice, yesterday.

The proposals, in response to the consultation paper "The Debt Claim Process", will require all creditors to give people who owe them money information on how to contact them to discuss problems, and details of independent free advice providers in a letter before taking legal action.

Nearly nine out of ten respondents think such early advice would go a long way in helping people find ways to settle their debts.

Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said: "Getting the right advice at the right time can make the difference between keeping your home or losing it.

"Today's proposals give people a chance to look for ways to tackle their debts, where to go for advice and the different ways repayments can be managed. Enough time should also be set aside for the advice to take effect.

"Being in debt can be frightening for most people and information given at the right time could reduce the number of people who get deeper and deeper into debt.

"Most creditors send letters to those not meeting repayments to encourage either direct contact with them or contact through a debt advice provider, but this new step will make it the norm for everyone."

In addition, from July posters giving details of free advice providers will be displayed in all county courts to assist those currently having debt problems. A similar list will also appear later in the year on the online claim form 'Possession Claim on Line' used by creditors.

Proposals to change civil procedure rules to include these requirements will be recommended to the Civil Justice Council and the Civil Procedure Rules Committee.

Councils Should Step In To Help Homeowners

A new report published this week will argue that local councils should offer financial support to homeowners threatened by the credit crunch. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) argues that local authorities should adopt US style Mortgage Support Plans and offer below market rate, whole or partial mortgages to either stave off repossession and eviction, prop up the housing market to prevent remortgage difficulties, or support first time buyers to buy locally.

Local authorities have a history of providing mortgages and would routinely lend to local residents up until the early-1980s. With repossession levels at their highest since the early 1990s and many households struggling with mortgage payments, NLGN argues that councils are in an ideal position to help stabilise the housing market. Such schemes are already commonplace in the United States and is a key part of Barack Obama’s strategy for reviving the flagging US housing market.

Under the scheme, councils would be able to borrow money under prudential borrowing rules and offer support to a select group of people, such as first time buyers or people involved in mortgage difficulties, particularly when numbers of mortgage defaults might impact disproportionately on social housing demand in the area.

According to the report’s author, Anthony Brand: “Prudential borrowing would support lower-interest debt than the markets can support. With mortgage defaults up 17% this year, and likely to top 100,000, supporting those areas hit hardest could be vital to sustaining communities. Government should set £2bn of its £50bn intervention package aside for supporting these measures, and allowing the hardest hit councils to apply for funding. This could help up to 15,000 people out of difficulty and even provide a long-term profit to the Treasury”.

In the report NLGN also says that local councils should be given powers to restrict the amount of Right-to-Buy properties in areas of high housing demand to maintain levels of social housing. The report calculates that since its inception in the 1980s, Right-to-Buy has lead to the sale of over 2 million public sector houses and that this has in part led to a shortage of social housing, leaving 1.6 million households on the housing waiting list. It also argues that the current £26,000 discount of Right-to-Buy properties should be removed as it offers an unfair advantage to buying property below the market price.

The report also calls for local authorities to be given greater freedoms to build and invest in new properties. In 2005 only 239 houses were built by local authorities compared to 173,000 in 1970. To help free up new dwelling, councils should be given powers to borrow money to invest in social housing and be able to take over dormant buildings where they have been empty for five years and turn them into social housing. In areas where the ownership of second homes is affecting the local property marker, councils should also have the option to levy additional council tax on the second property.

The report also found that a substantial number of people in social housing earned enough money to rent property in the private sector. 261,000 households in social housing earned over £2,000 a month after tax, including 57% of who pay less than £300.00 a month in rent. For these households rent represents less than 11% of their disposable income, compared to the 20% average paid by people on an equivalent salary in the private rental market. The report also found that 38,000 households in social housing earn over £50,000 a year, significantly above the average household income for England and Wales of £27,500.

Good Housekeeping? Stronger communities through local housing intervention by Anthony Brand is published on Saturday 14th June 2008.

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities. www.nlgn.org.uk

Councils Should Step In To Help Homeowners

A new report published this week will argue that local councils should offer financial support to homeowners threatened by the credit crunch. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) argues that local authorities should adopt US style Mortgage Support Plans and offer below market rate, whole or partial mortgages to either stave off repossession and eviction, prop up the housing market to prevent remortgage difficulties, or support first time buyers to buy locally.

Local authorities have a history of providing mortgages and would routinely lend to local residents up until the early-1980s. With repossession levels at their highest since the early 1990s and many households struggling with mortgage payments, NLGN argues that councils are in an ideal position to help stabilise the housing market. Such schemes are already commonplace in the United States and is a key part of Barack Obama’s strategy for reviving the flagging US housing market.

Under the scheme, councils would be able to borrow money under prudential borrowing rules and offer support to a select group of people, such as first time buyers or people involved in mortgage difficulties, particularly when numbers of mortgage defaults might impact disproportionately on social housing demand in the area. According to the report’s author, Anthony Brand:

“Prudential borrowing would support lower-interest debt than the markets can support. With mortgage defaults up 17% this year, and likely to top 100,000, supporting those areas hit hardest could be vital to sustaining communities. Government should set £2bn of its £50bn intervention package aside for supporting these measures, and allowing the hardest hit councils to apply for funding. This could help up to 15,000 people out of difficulty and even provide a long-term profit to the Treasury”.

In the report NLGN also says that local councils should be given powers to restrict the amount of Right-to-Buy properties in areas of high housing demand to maintain levels of social housing. The report calculates that since its inception in the 1980s, Right-to-Buy has lead to the sale of over 2 million public sector houses and that this has in part led to a shortage of social housing, leaving 1.6 million households on the housing waiting list. It also argues that the current £26,000 discount of Right-to-Buy properties should be removed as it offers an unfair advantage to buying property below the market price.

The report also calls for local authorities to be given greater freedoms to build and invest in new properties. In 2005 only 239 houses were built by local authorities compared to 173,000 in 1970. To help free up new dwelling, councils should be given powers to borrow money to invest in social housing and be able to take over dormant buildings where they have been empty for five years and turn them into social housing. In areas where the ownership of second homes is affecting the local property marker, councils should also have the option to levy additional council tax on the second property.

The report also found that a substantial number of people in social housing earned enough money to rent property in the private sector. 261,000 households in social housing earned over £2,000 a month after tax, including 57% of who pay less than £300.00 a month in rent. For these households rent represents less than 11% of their disposable income, compared to the 20% average paid by people on an equivalent salary in the private rental market. The report also found that 38,000 households in social housing earn over £50,000 a year, significantly above the average household income for England and Wales of £27,500.

Good Housekeeping? Stronger communities through local housing intervention by Anthony Brand is published on Saturday 14th June 2008.

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities. www.nlgn.org.uk

School Stars in Fundraising Video Case Study on YouTube

Fundraising website www.easyfundraising.org.uk has made stars of a Birmingham primary school by featuring them in a YouTube video.

Pupils and staff at Little Sutton School in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, appear in the short film which was created to help promote the benefits of easyfundraising to other organisations.

Spokesperson for easyfundraising Becky Coleman said the school’s commitment to fundraising made them the ideal choice.

“We were looking for a group using our scheme to feature in a video case study to show other organisations how easy it is to raise funds with us. Little Sutton School fitted the bill because they are so pro-active when it comes to motivating people to shop and support them with easyfundraising,” she said.

Parent governor Mark Griffiths, who features in the film, said the school was thrilled to be included.

“We’ve been using www.easyfundraising.org.uk to raise funds for the school and so far we’ve raised almost £800. It is a very simple idea. Parents and staff simply use the site to shop online with over 500 well known retailers and whenever they make a purchase, up to 15% of their spend is passed back to the school.”

He continued, “We’re so pleased with the easyfundraising scheme that when we were approached to take part in the video, we jumped at the chance.

“It was a lot of fun doing it. The children loved having a film crew in school and are now thrilled to see themselves starring in a film.”

You can view the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o73AiohXzHA

For more information about the easyfundraising scheme, to register your cause log on to www.easyfundraising.org.uk or contact becky@easyfundraising.org.uk

www.easyfundraising.org.uk is a completely free service and provides charities and good causes with a constant source of valuable fundraising income. Non profit organisations can register to use the site, including schools and nurseries, sports clubs, youth groups such as brownies and scouts, churches and individuals undertaking sponsored events and challenges.

www.easyfundraising.org.uk has generated more than £350,000 for good causes around the UK since it’s a launch in October 2006.

www.easysearch.org.uk, sister site to www.easyfundraising.org.uk , is a search engine where supporters of good causes generate funds for free by searching the web. By searching just 10 times a day, supporters can generate around £20 per year for their chosen cause.

Archaeologists unearth ‘first church in the world’ in Jordan

Archaeologists in Rihab, Jordan, say they have discovered a cave that could be the world's oldest Christian church. Dating to the period AD33-70, the underground chapel would have served as both a place of worship and a home. According to experts the discovery is “an important milestone for Christians all over the world”.

Lying underneath Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab, which is situated in Northern Jordan, it is believed the church housed 70 Christians and ‘disciples of Jesus’ who lived and practised their rituals in secrecy in this underground church until the Christian religion was embraced by Roman rulers. It was then that St. Georgeous was built.

Archaeologist Abdul Qader Hussan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies commented: “We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians: the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ. The early Christians, described in the mosaic inscription on St. Georgeous floor as ‘the 70 beloved by God and Divine’, are said to have fled from Jerusalem during the persecution of Christians, to the northern part of Jordan, particularly to Rihab.”

The findings in the graveyard near the cave offer valuable clues, according to Hussan. Items discovered include pieces pottery that date back from the 3rd to 7th century but more importantly the unearthing of a circle shaped area, believed to be the church’s apse, and several stone seats for the ecclesiastics.

The discovery of the church adds to an already rich and interesting religious history for Jordan. From the very beginning of humankind with Adam and Eve on the banks of the Jordan River to the discovery of further early Christian churches, Jordan’s religious history spans millennia.

Some good examples of this fascinating heritage include the site of Mount Nebo, near Madeba; Bethany, on the East Bank of the Jordan River and the Roman city of Jerash.

Moses first sees the Promised Land, Mount Nebo – Believed by Jews and Christians to be the final resting place of Moses, and the spot from where he first glimpsed the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. This iconic site attracts visitors from all three monotheistic religions. It is one of the most important historical religious sites in the Middle East, if not the world.

The Baptism of Jesus, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan – According to scripture John was baptising in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan (east bank) and it was here that he baptised Jesus. A series of churches have been discovered commemorating the baptism of Jesus from as early as the 3rd Century AD.

Jesus walked through the Decapolis cities, Jerash – The best preserved city of the Roman Decapolis in Jordan, Jerash features ruins that are one of Jordan's major attractions and have the advantage of being very accessible and compact. Jerash is also one of the best examples in the Middle East of a Roman provincial city, and is remarkably well preserved. In the Byzantine era fifteen churches were built here and the miracle of turning water into wine was annually celebrated.

For further information about Jordan and a list of tour operators specialising in pilgrimages and tours, please contact the Jordan Tourism Board at www.visitjordan.com

Lying on your CV may lose you the job

This year’s winner of ‘The Apprentice’, sales manager, Lee McQueen, was caught out during the interview stage for lying on his CV about how long he had been at university.’

Despite this, he was still hired, but, as Victoria Band from The One Group explains, real life isn’t like that and lying or even exaggerating to a prospective employer is never a good idea.

“All of us want to make a good impression,” said Victoria. “An