Its location makes an ideal getaway destination with excellent transport links due to its position north of Bath and west of Oxford. Popular with visitors from London but equally those further north, the Cotswolds are such a world away in terms of pace of life and character. Even though it is the slower pace of life visitors are after when staying in the Cotswolds, they want to be able to get there as quickly as possible!

It is a typically English so overseas visitors flock to experience a slice of this culture. This area has such a high concentration of quaint villages and architecture which is unique to the Cotswolds, even the British feel like it is a step back in time. For food lovers, the fertile landscape makes for fantastic produce such as cider, cheese, meat and honey. The Cotswolds really is at teh forefront of British regional cuisine.

With staycations on the rise and people lives overloaded, a complete getaway for a holiday or even just a short break is now more important than ever. For the ultimate in getting away from it then holiday lets in the Cotswolds are hard to beat. From thatched cottages to grade ll listed Georgian houses, the choice of high quality luxury Cotswolds cottages is now better than ever. Many of these holiday cottages have a wealth of character such as wooden beams, flagstone floors, exposed walls and fireplaces but combined with all the modern conveniences expected and required by guests.

For everyone, a holiday is an extremely happy and special occasion but holiday cottages in the Cotswolds offer that bit more. The experience of staying in a property that many could only dream of owning and located amongst the rolling hills of the Wolds.

Firstly, Jon Taylor has become the new Telemarketing Operations Manager at Bibby Consulting & Support joining the company from rival firm Peninsula Business Services. Based in call centres for the last 15 years, Jon has also worked at Vodafone, Rank Xerox and Auto Trader.

Says Jon: “I chose Bibby Consulting & Support because it is a very strong brand within the industry and offers plenty of opportunity for expansion and growth. I’m delighted to be joining at this time as the firm experiences exceptional success and continues to develop its reputation across various sectors.”

He adds: “Telemarketing departments are the foundation of the whole sales process. They are the first point of contact with any prospect and are responsible for positioning the brand as the supplier of choice within the prospect’s mind. In this way, the Telemarketing department is absolutely fundamental to the success of the business and I’m looking forward to helping the company to move forward and grow.”

Bibby Consulting & Support’s second appointment is Bill Collins who has been with the company since 2007 as Environmental Manager and has now become Head of Department for SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality). Before joining Bibby CAS, Bill was an avionics technician at the Ministry of Defence.

“It’s great to work for a company where what you put in is recognised and rewarded and I’m looking forward to continuing the progress we’ve made in recent years in building the best SHEQ service in our industry,” Bill says.

Michael Slade, Managing Director of Bibby CAS, says of the appointments: “Both Jon and Bill bring highly valued strengths to the team. I’m confident that with them on board we will continue to develop our reputation as a leading force in providing vital support to businesses and organisations on employment law and health and safety legislation.”

Adopting the most effective and efficient approach to your Employment, Health & Safety and Environmental challenges is critical. It frees up key people to focus on core business, deliver on customer expectations and helps you to build a strong brand that delivers better performance for your business.

The services we provide are tailored to match the needs of your business and are always delivered with predictable costs. We are also able to show you how by using our Employment Law experts, Health and Safety advisors and Environmental consultants, your business can secure the commercial advantage you need when tendering for contracts.

For more information on Bibby’s employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, visit http://www.bibbycas.com

Both contact thermometers such as thermocouples, prts and dial thermometers; and non-contact infrared thermometers and thermal imaging cameras are covered. We can even calibrate temperature sources such a dry block calibrators or calibration baths.

The temperature calibration service company will also be able to offer stand alone UKAS calibration of digital thermometer readouts. As these are essentially an electrical instrument they are calibrated in the calibration services electrical laboratory.

The calibration uncertainties detailed below are typical examples of our best calibration and measurement capability for a reasonably repeatable thermometer. The final uncertainties quoted on the calibration certificate will include an allowance for the actual repeatability of the thermometer under test during the calibration. If the thermometer was submitted with its own readout and hence calibrated as a system, then an additional allowance will be included in the uncertainty budget to cover the resolution of the thermometer readout.

Indicating Thermometer Calibration (thermometer with readout, calibrated as a system). The device under test may be an electronic display with an attached probe. All thermometer probe types are covered, including PRT, thermistor or thermocouple. Dial thermometer and chart recorder type devices are also covered. The basic calibration uncertainty will be a little better than the uncertainties achievable for 4 wire PRTs, plus allowances for repeatability of the device under test and resolution of its readout.

Calibration of Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera (Thermal Imager)
Thermal imaging cameras that are able to display a measured radiant temperature should be calibrated. Our temperature ranges and uncertainties for UKAS calibration of a thermal imager will be similar to those quoted for an infrared thermometer calibration.

Using a company that specialises in this very specific sector of interior design is a must. The healthcare industry is demanding and it is vitally important that the correct products are selected to suit your project needs be they Care Home, Nursing Home, Village, Hospice or Hospitals.

The interiors of nursing and care homes require a varied range of furnishings, interior design styles and thought. Nursing home furniture can come in the form of as small a detail as occasional tables right through to sofas, suites and beds.

A healthcare furniture specialist will have to create interiors, supply and fit the furniture in all the rooms of the nursing or care home facility. That will start with the reception through to dining areas, lounges and other communal areas, bedrooms, cleaning and laundry areas and even office and meetings rooms for staff and managers.

Creating the right interior in a care or nursing home is paramount both for the inhabitants and the staff. Fortunately there are some very forward thinking care and nursing homes being built and renovated across the country. Light, bright and airy are the orders of the day. Areas for specific patients such as dementia units providing purpose built care furniture and care home equipment specifically designed to aid dementia needs which include memory boxes and themed artwork.

The latest in care facility buildings are being created with a feel of a luxury hotel rather than a care home. These facilities have for example a series of suites each catering for a different type of resident through to apartment rooms and even executive wings with dedicated dementia and high dependency suites, all of which have a feel of luxury and more importantly, a feel of home through the clever use of care furniture and equipment. It is these attributes that make for far better living spaces for patients and help prospective families and patients in choosing care home options.

They deliver the very best water rescue programmes in the UK utilising highly experienced instructors, first class equipment, top training venues and on-going support and advice for their clients.

Re-Think Work nationally at any suitable location.

They are proud to be part of the Rescue 3 family offering certificated training meeting national standards. Please visit www.water-rescue.co.uk for information regarding programmes or advice relating to swift water rescue.

What Size Stove Do I Need To Heat My Room?
There are two elements to consider when choosing your stove:
1) Physical Dimensions – Is there enough room for the stove to function and conform to building regulations.
2) Output – Do you have the right amount of heat for the room?

Height
You should ensure the top of woodburning stoves is around 22″ from any combustible material such as wooden lintels or beams. It is wise to check with the manufacturer of the stove you are interested in as the distanced advised may vary. If the top flue outlet is used, he height listed does not include the flue collar.

Width
Check that the stove will fit in the narrowest width of your fireplace if you are using one. If you decide on an inglenook, it is recommended that you have at least 150mm (6″) space either side of the appliance, although slightly for smaller output stoves this may be reduced. This is not a building regulation, but is necessary for the heat from the sides of the stove to enter the room and to protect against heat build up.

Depth
It is important to ensure you have the regulation 300mm (12″) of the hearth in front of the front legs of the stove once installed. You will also need a 50mm (2″) gap at the back of the stove. If you are planning to use the rear outlet, this will add around an extra 160mm.

Output
To achieve a room temperature of approximately 21ºC when the outside temperature is at 0ºC you will need around 1kW of heat output for every 14 cubic meters of space.
Measure the length, width and height of your room in meters, multiply the three figures together and divide the product by 14.

Factors such as the number of outside walls, the size of windows and whether they are double glazed, the age of the home etc, can all influence the heat requirement. It is generally recommended that you should buy a lower output stove and burn it at full capacity rather than a larger stove which is too big for the room and has to be burnt lower.

What is Seasoned Wood?
Seasoned wood is wood that has been allowed to dry out, normally for at least a year after having been cut down. Ideally logs should have a moisture content below 20%. This will give twice the heat output of freshly cut timber and will avoid a build-up of tar in your flue.

Can I burn coal and wood at the same time?
It is not recommended to burn both coal and wood together. Moisture in the wood combines with the sulfuric acid from burning coal and can create a very acidic solution which can erode its way through even the toughest liners over time.

As wood needs air from above and coal from below, this makes any simultaneous burning very inefficient and wastes the potential energy your fuel may provide.

Which are best, steel or cast iron stoves?
Steel and cast iron stoves don’t really differ in output, just how they give the heat out – a cast iron stove takes longer to heat up and will retain its heat for longer than the steel.

What is the difference between Wood Burning and Multifuel Stoves?
Externally, wood burning and multifuel stoves may look the same, but inside they are very different.

Multifuel stoves allow air from a grate at the bottom of the stove to operate as the primary air inlet. This is necessary to burn solid fuels other than wood. Most have a riddling grate which allows the ash will fall into the ash pan which sits beneath the grate. The ash pan is the second main difference between a multifuel and woodburning stoves. It catches the ash that falls through the grate and which can then be removed from the stove.

When thinking of a destination that caters for just about all tastes then Dublin is hard to beat. From the extensive arts and culture, to sporting events and music festivals, Dublin has it all. For group travel, it really is the destination of choice.

Universities, schools, brides and grooms to be, family and friends are all feeling the effects of the economic downturn. These groups are having to be more aware of costs for group travel.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great time in Dublin and Cork – there are lots of things to do, see and experience and we can help you to plan and book the best of them at the cheapest group prices. Many of Dublins top attractions are located within easy access of a large selection fo Dublin hostels.

Somewhat of a hidden gem of a day out is on the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter train service which runs right along the coast, so it’s like a cheap tourist train, with breathtaking views and fabulous places to visit along the route.

One must visit location on the train journey is the pretty fishing village of Howth (rhymes with ‘both’), a twenty minute DART journey along the coast north of Dublin city centre. Howth has a pretty harbour, which is used by both working fishing boats and pleasure craft – but did you know that it also has a beach? Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but when you come out of the DART station, walk about 100 meters towards Howth village, take a left then walk down the little alleyway to your left – and you come out on Claremont Beach! It’s right beside the pier, but you could easily miss it – it’s a great place to take a stroll, building up an appetite for…

Top money saving tip’s when staying in Dublin hostels
Travelling with a student group is certainly not easy or cheap, so making wise decisions prior to your trip will pay off when you arrive in Dublin or Cork. Planning your itinerary and booking the most important elements of your trip can not only be more cost effective for a group but also less stressful for the group leaders!
Here are some top tips on how you can save your group money for your stay in hostels in Dublin.

In some hostels, your group’s breakfast is covered so you just have lunches and dinner to think about for your group saving both time and money. Whether your group are busy with itineraries everyday or just taking it easy, wouldn’t it be great not to have to stress about sorting out lunch or dinners for the whole group? You can organise packed lunches prior to your arrival in some hostels and they will be delivered to the hostel reception for your group to collect in the morning time. Make use of the hostel’s helpful staff. They can often pre-book a local restaurant for your group at discounted group prices. Booking and paying for lunches and dinners in advance means your group saves money, saves time in the precious evenings not having to find a place to accommodate a large group and helps with daily budgets.

Many groups plan their trip to Dublin and Cork and don’t even consider costs of visiting attractions /activities until they arrive. They’re missing all sorts of opportunities to save money. By planning ahead and booking prior to arrival in Dublin hostel you will save a significant amount of money for the group.

Student discounts and other concessions will make a difference to your groups budget. If you are a student group in one of the Dublin hostels, make sure you bring your student cards on your trip. Lots of shops and attractions in Dublin offer student discounts.

High performance seals specialist, Precision Polymer Engineering, a Unit of IDEX Corp., is announcing its latest developments in ultra-high temperature and extreme low temperature resistant Perlast perfluoroelastomer and Endura seals for HP/HT/LT offshore applications, at Offshore Europe on Stand No. 3E80.

For continuous use at high temperatures, without loss of mechanical performance, PPE has developed perfluoroelastomer Perlast G75TX for processes up to 327°C (621°F), together with fluoroelastomer V91J for continuous exposure at 250°C (482°F). Overcoming the traditional weakness of perfluoroelastomers at low temperature, all-round sealing performer Perlast G92E is now capable of sub-zero operation down to -30°C (-22°F) at pressures up to 5,500psi.

Endura seals for demanding applications
The Endura range of oilfield elastomers has been specifically developed by PPE for use in downhole, surface and subsea oilfield equipment and offers excellent rapid gas decompression (RGD) resistance. Many of the Endura materials have been tested to international RGD standards such as NORSOK, TOTAL and NACE. Over the past 25 years, PPE has supplied O-rings and custom seals for systems operating in the most inhospitable subsea environments in the world at temperatures from -46°C (-51°F) up to +327°C (+621°F).

PPE has sales offices in Aberdeen, the US (Houston), Europe and Asia, in addition to extensive manufacturing and technical development resources at the company’s Blackburn facility in Lancashire.

PPE is a world leading designer and manufacturer of high performance sealing solutions. The company’s elastomers product range is used in many demanding manufacturing environments around the world. Applications as varied as semi-conductor manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, marine engineering and power generation benefit from PPE’s innovative, robust and reliable sealing solutions.

Founded in 1974, PPE has over 35 years specialist sealing expertise, offering an unrivalled range of products from over 170 elastomer materials. The company’s materials scientists and applications technologists are working at the forefront of elastomer technology, developing new materials for specialist applications. These include PERLAST®, the world’s leading perfluoroelastomer for critical sealing applications such as semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and ENDURA® which was specifically developed for use in the oil and gas industry.

For details of PPE’s range of Perlast and Endura O ring seals, T-section rubber seals, special profiles and custom-made seals and rubber gaskets, visit http://www.prepol.com

In addition to the hotel, Glenburn also offers a choice of two Windermere self catering holiday cottages, both within a short walking distance of Windermere, Bowness and Lake Windermere.

River Cottage and Gamekeeper’s cottage both comfortably sleep up to six people. They are beautifully furnished to a high standard and have car parking facilities.

River Cottage nestles within the hotel grounds next to a bubbling stream. It’s just five minutes’ walk from the centre of Windermere village, with its selection of bars, restaurants and shops

The 18th-century Gamekeeper’s Cottage is situated in the centre of Windermere village. It is an ideal base from which to explore the English Lake District and Lake Windermere.

Please visit www.glenburn.uk.com for details.

Built in 1845 in the heart of the Victorian city, many of our rooms still include the original fireplace features. Combined with en-suite facilities, hospitality trays and digital widescreen TVs, our rooms are a subtle blend of contemporary modern and historic.

Their intimate award-winning licensed restaurant is a great place to spend an evening or start the night. The restaurant serves a range of home cooked healthy meals, snacks and light bites, all freshly cooked using only award-winning ingredients.

Knowle House is a large Victorian terrace house situated off Bootham on the North side  of the city of York.  York Minster is within a six to eight minute walk.  It is also next door to and under the same ownership as Hedley House Hotel. These York self catering apartments are self-contained, fully furnished and contain all necessary linen, crockery and cutlery.  All have central heating, colour television, electric cooker and fridge.  Wireless internet is available. All but one of the apartments have direct dial telephone.

In a city where car parking space is limited, Hedley House Hotel and Apartments have 19 allotted parking spaces. When these spaces are full there is room for 8 more vehicles in the middle of the car park, the keys to these must be left at reception in case of emergency. The car park operates on a “first come first served” basis.  If this is unacceptable there is a large public car park (chargeable) 2 minutes walk from the hotel.

You may have seen some gauge and tool calibration laboratories offering the services of a mobile calibration unit. And you could be forgiven for thinking this was the answer to all your problems.

No more having to be without your equipment whilst it is away for calibration. No more having to buy duplicate equipment because you can’t be without something, even for a few days. The van turns up on a pre-agreed date and you get your tools and gauges calibrated the same day. Then they’re straight back into service. Great!!

It’s easy to understand why some calibration companies offer this service. There is an obvious desire for it within the market place. An on-site calibration service is perfectly feasible for certain types of equipment. Eg. Electrical, pressure, temperature and even some types of dimensional calibration such as surface tables or large or heavy machinery that is difficult to move. Hand torque tool calibration for example is perfectly feasible on-site. What you need to consider though, is how a properly accredited dimensional tool and gauge calibration laboratory operates.

The laboratory would be temperature controlled to 20ºC ± 1ºC for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thus permanently maintaining all of the measurement standards and equipment within the laboratory at a uniform stable temperature. And this is vitally important.

The gauges or equipment to be calibrated would be brought into the temperature controlled environment, and allowed to stabilise overnight before any calibration work commenced. Think about this. Is such permanent tight control of the environment really achievable in the back of a van? Even if it were achievable, what about stabilisation of your own equipment. Your gauges and tools that have just been collected from the shop floor and placed in the van.

What temperature was the equipment at when it was on the shop floor? What temperature is it at after half an hour or an hour in the van? Is anyone measuring this and calculating its effect on the accuracy of the calibration?

There is a further consideration. Dimensional metrology laboratories are equiped with delicate mechanical instrumentation.

How does this instrumentation, in the back of the van, stand up to constantly being moved and subjected to mechanical vibration every day?

When gauge calibration equipment is taken on-site to perform a UKAS calibration, the calibration service have to carry out before and after performance tests on the equipment so that we have full confidence in its accuracy whilst it was being used on-site.

Now, this has not always been the case. Even 10 years ago the choice of womens boots was far from exciting. Black and brown being the colours available and if you wanted a flat boot, you’d almost certainly know which style you’d have to go for.

Women are now as blessed with the ranges of womens boots on offer on our high streets as the fantastic shoes were get to choose from. In fact, boots are being worn all year round now which further confirms their popularity.

One of the biggest effects on the womens boots market has been the introduction the phenomimom that is the Ugg boot to the UK. Most of the shoe manufacturers are making boots in the Ugg boot style but the original and authentic Ugg is made by UGG® Australia. There are lots of Ugg Boot brands, so why wear UGG® Australia?

UGG® Australia are the authentic UGG Boots that the celebrities wear and have become so popular that the phrase ‘ugg boots’ has become synonymous with the brand. Besides that there are many specific reasons to buy the UGG® Australia brand only:

UGG® Australia offer the very highest quality UGGs;
They have solid heels that do not buckle;
Genuine sheepskin layer keeps water out;
Lavish, thick fleece is toasty but breathable;
These boots will last years – you get what you pay for;
They are treated to be more resilient to odour throughout their lifetime.

These Ugg boots are as popular as ever in celebrity circles and on the high street – they look great, they feel great, they’re even practical and they last. The brand is constantly evolving its product range too – the UGG Cardy and Bailey Button boots are brilliant new variations on the popular style that are in demand far far in excess of the numbers made by the brand.

To say Ugg boots are one of the biggest fashion footwear influences in the past 10 years is not an understatement. The boots and the brand are a worldwide success further confirms this with as many Ugg boots followers in France and Germany as the USA, UK and of course Australia.

The commercial heart of the Tees Valley, Middlesbrough is a dynamic town where you’ll discover world-class art and events, stylish restaurants and bars, vibrant nightlife and superb shopping.

Shopping
The birthplace of Captain James Cook, at one time it was the fastest growing town in England and now boasts variety of shopping attractions offering shoppers a mix of high street, designer and retro outlets.

Middlesbrough’s trendy Linthorpe Road is lined with designer shops, including Psyche, a designer department store established 25 years ago, which was one of the first in the country to stock Gucci, Prada and Dries Van Noten, while Triads, just opposite, has built a reputation at the forefront of quirky, cutting edge fashion.
The compact and mostly pedestrianised town centre also contains a choice of shopping centres including the Hill Street Centre, Dundas Shopping Mall and central big one The Mall Middlesbrough

Heritage and culture
Not only a shoppers haven Middlesbrough, is home to one of the biggest free music festivals in the UK – Middlesbrough Music Live.
This diverse town mixes old and new, with Middlesbrough’s Institute of Modern Art – mima sitting alongside the traditional concert venue of the Town Hall: a popular with orchestras, national comics and pop acts alike.

Contemporary landmark buildings in the city centre include mima Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, an acclaimed contemporary art gallery in Britain. Other museums worth a visit include the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Stewart Park and The Dorman Museum, home to an outstanding social history collection on Middlesbrough.

Sports and leisure
Within easy reach of Middlesbrough city centre is the spectacular Riverside Stadium, home to Middlesbrough Football Club. One of Britain’s oldest football clubs dating from 1876, Middlesbrough has long been a football city. Today the famous Riverside Football Stadium in Middlesbrough is one of the city’s landmark buildings.

Sports centres and facilities in Middlesbrough include the fantastic Prissick Plaza Skateboarding and BMX Park, one of the top skate parks in Britain. If you are an adrenalin junkie, this town is the place for you. Try your hand at white water rafting at the Tees Barrage or if you are brave enough why not Bungee Jump or Zip Slide off the world famous Transporter Bridge.

Just north of the Transporter Bridge is the Saltholme Wildlife Reserve and Discovery Park. These beautiful wetlands are home to a wide range of birds including Common tern, Peregrines, Yellow wagtails and Lapwings.

Eating out and nightlife
Middlesbrough is a town with a reputation for hosting new exciting bands and live music gigs. Catch top dance DJs at the spectacular Empire Middlesbrough which is also a centre for Middlesbrough live music gigs. Middlesbrough Town Hall also plays host to big bands and concerts alongside theatre shows and comedy clubs.

A student town, Middlesbrough offers a choice of night clubs and a blossoming gay scene. Satur-Gay takes place at the Cornerhouse Club on Exchange Place near Middlesbrough Station weekly. Top gay bars in Middlesbrough include The Oak on Newport Road and H’s Bar on Linthorpe Road. The Town Hall plays host to the North East’s biggest comedy club, The Big Mouth Comedy Club.

So for heritage, culture and fun, choosing lettings Middlesbrough are a wise choice.

We have published a series of guidance that explains the new employer duties in detail and how they should be implemented. The guidance is available for download from our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/pensions-reform

The changes in a nutshell

Employers will need to:
• Automatically enrol certain workers into a pension scheme
• Make contributions on their workers’ behalf
• Register with The Pensions Regulator (‘the regulator’)
• Provide workers with certain information about

When are the changes happening?
The new employer duties will be introduced in stages over 4 years, starting in 2012. Each employer will be allocated a date from when the duties will first apply to them, known as their ‘staging date.’
This date is based on the number of people in an employer’s PAYE scheme. Employers with the largest numbers of workers in their PAYE schemes will have the earliest staging date.
Employers can check their provisional staging date on our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
To allow some flexibility, employers can choose to bring forward their staging date, provided the regulator is informed. However, employers cannot choose a later date than the one they are allocated.
Finding out when the staging date is likely to be is the first thing an employer should do, so they can plan what they need to do to be ready in good time.

What will employers need to do?
• Assess their workforce
• Identify who to automAtically enrol
• Choose a pension scheme – i.e. National Employment Savings Trust – NEST Pensions
• Register with the regulator
• Make contributions
• Process any opt-out notices
• Process opt-in or joining requests
• Avoid inducements and prohibited activity
• Keep accurate records
• Provide workers with information about changes

What should employers do now?

Employers should:
• Look up their provisional staging date at www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
• Plan for when they might need their pension scheme in place and take action if necessary – including planning when and how they will assess their workforce
• Budget for these changes
• Look out for further information and guidance from the regulator. This can be done by signing up to the regulator’s free news-by-email service www.tpr.gov.uk/news

There is in fact only one piece of water that is officially a lake and that is Bassenthwaite Lake 3 miles from Keswick. All the other bodies of water are either a “mere” or “water” for example Windermere and Ullswater or a tarn which means a small body of water.

There are 20 major lakes of which the largest and busiest is Lake Windermere. The lake can be acessed from Bowness, Newby Bridge and Ambleside and visitors will find both Bowness and Ambleside to be thriving tourist destinations with an excellent choice of Lake District bed and breakfast accommodation providers, hotels and cottages. Windermere the town is located 1.5 miles from the lake but Bowness-on-Windermere sits right by the lake swarming with boats, tourists and tours. At nearly 11 miles long, Windermere can fit a lot on it including 14 islands. The speed limit of 10 miles per hour maximum has caused some controversy but of course it has also pleased some people. Another very fascinating fact is that in the heavy rain of January 2005, Windermere rose by nearly a meter overnight. That equates to an extra seventeen thousand litres of water!

The next largest lake is Ullswater in a different part of the county but which offers a much quieter experience. Ullswater is set amongst some of the largest mountains, the main one being Helvellyn, the Lake District’s 3rd largest. The Ullswater Steamers operate on the lake so not only does this area appeal to walkers, but also some sightseers for the spectacular views and quiet lake.

Derwentwater is the 3rd largest lake and offers a very good choice of Lake District guest house venues surrounding it and is located just a mile from Keswick which is a haven for walkers. Derwentwater is only 3 miles long which is significantly smaller than the Windermere and Ullswater.

The deepest lake is Wastwater, being 79 metres or 258 feet deep. At the end of Wastwater at the head of the Wasdale valley are some of the highest mountains in the Lake District, Scafell Pike (which is the highest), Great Gable and Lingfell. The Screes is a mountain that catches the eye on Wast Water. It measures 2000 feet from top to base but 200 feet of it is below the surface of Wastwater. The view towards Scafell Pike from the other end of Wast Water, won Britain’s Favourite View in the ITV programme last year.

It is not just the size of the Lake District that attracts tourists but the density of the area. No other National Park in the UK has the amount of fells and lakes so it is truly special and should be visited by everyone.

To take full advantage of the Lake District visitors should look to stay in one the area’s fine hotels, Lake District Bed and Breakfast, or self catering properties.

A full system audit includes leak detection, measurement of energy consumption, and flow measurement including pressure, temperature and final air quality.

As utility rates continue to rise and firms continue to look to green initiatives, energy consumption has become a growing concern for manufacturers.

One of the largest energy users within a plant is the compressed air system. Energy recovery provides a cost-effective way for manufacturers to reduce their energy bills while simultaneously benefiting the environment by capturing the thermal energy created through the compression process and putting it to work. Where the heat produced from a compressor can be fully utilised, simple payback periods of less than two years are frequently achieved.

Having already worked with Carbon Trust on a variety of projects, Terram called on its expertise when faced with rising energy costs. The specialist manufacturer of geosynthetic materials, employing 95 staff at its manufacturing plant near Pontypool, worked with Industrial Air Power to eliminate energy inefficiencies and redesign and install a new air compressor system. The result was an industry best in terms of energy usage and savings of £202,000 per annum. It also produced:

* Energy savings of approximately 11.25 million kWh over five years
* Cost savings of approximately £1m in five years
* Emission savings of 7,390 tonnes CO2 in the same period
* Payback of approximately 24 months

David Roberts, control engineer at Terram Ltd, said: “The savings we are seeing now are unbelievable but just as important is the fact that we are reducing our carbon emissions and therefore benefiting the environment.”

Although Terram had already started to investigate the costs for new compressed air systems, it hadn’t looked at where, when, how much air was being used. Carbon Trust helped it identify this and used Industrial Air Power to design a system to meet its needs.

Having a tailor-made system installed in turn allowed Terram to capitalise on secondary savings such as heat recovery and compressed air leak reduction.

Ongoing monitoring of the fully automated system allows the savings to be quantified. Monitoring also ensures that the focus on savings is maintained and remains a high priority for Terram.

The new compressor system was located into the steam boiler house. This enabled Terram to recover the waste heat generated by the compressors and use this to raise the temperature of the water in the hot well, which feeds the boiler. Increased water temperature in turn reduces the amount of gas needed to generate steam.

The aggregated savings from the installation of the new system and implementation of the measures identified represented an 11.8 per cent reduction in the site’s energy consumption and overall a 38.7 per cent reduction in the electrical energy consumption directly associated with the generation of the compressed air.

An annual CO2 saving of 1,214 tonnes has been achieved plus an additional 264 tonnes from a reduction in gas usage due to the heat recovery process.

From monitoring the system, it was calculated that Terram was using on average 85m3/min of compressed air with an efficiency of 8kW/m/min, which equated to 7.2 million kWh per annum. By installing a new compressor set supplied by Industrial Air Power, it was calculated that the efficiency could be improved to 6kW/m3/min. Post-installation monitoring has proved that the new machinery provides an average efficiency of 5.8kW/m3/min – delivering significant savings. The gas savings are on top of this.

The benefits to Terram have been fourfold: a significant reduction in energy costs, the ability to protect plant integrity, reduced maintenance cost and the added benefit of reduced gas consumption from the increased water temperature in the steam boiler hot well.

Installing new Ingersoll Rand two stage fixed speed compressors along with a Nirvana two stage trim compressor, fully automated via a control system provided Terram with primary energy savings. Secondary savings came as a result of the heat recovery process, lower maintenance costs and the leak reduction programme.

The exercise has been successful in achieving reductions of CO2 emissions and the overall costs of supplying the service of compressed air to the business.

A Carbon Trust Wales consultant worked together with Industrial Air Power and Terram engineers providing impartial, independent advice enabling the company to make an informed decision and deliver value for money. Carbon Trust independently validated the energy savings and confirmed that they exceeded Industrial Air Power’s initial projections.

Through our experience in carrying out hundreds of compressed air audits we have identified the majority of existing compressed air systems include one or more of these deadly sins. This will have and adverse affect on your reliability, productivity and energy consumption.

* System over-pressurisation resulting in increased artificial demand
* Excessive waste through air leakage
* False loading of air compressors due to lack of system automation and volume
* Inefficiency caused by cycling fixed output compressors
* Excessive pressure drop

If you would like advice on calculating your savings potential and increasing your company’s profitability contact Industrial Air Power on 01656 658961, email sales@airpower.co.uk

All the “other snowchain systems” (AutoSock, Farad SNOW, Maggi TRAK and Spikes-Spider) can be used on every vehicle, subject to finding a set of the appropriate size, even if the use of conventional snow chains is forbidden.

The Farad, Spikes-Spider and TRAK systems require you to have wheel nut adapters of the correct size for your car; you’ll find all the information you need on the snow chains/ snowchains database on roofbox.co.uk.

All the snow chains/snowchains are are sold in pairs, and need to be fitted to the driving wheels.  Some people also fit them to the non driving wheels, which certainly improves all round stability, but is definitely not necessary.  4 x 4 drivers should fit snowchains to the front wheels unless we tell you which wheels to use – please check the snow chains database for fitting notes.

As a rule of thumb, traction control and anti-skid systems should be turned off when using tyre traction devices, except for AutoSock and Spikes-Spider systems.  If you can’t easily turn off these systems, then it’s probably OK.  Check your handbook!

View all the available options, together with prices and special offers, on the snow chains database.  This contains well over 100,000 links, and they work very hard to keep it as up to date as they can.  Please though (1) check your handbook and (2) fit the snowchains we supply ASAP after receiving them, just to check that they fit, and also to learn how to fit them.

The internet is now where many of us shop for groceries right through to larger purchases that require more thought such as furniture.

Due to the ability to shop online, it is now easier and more enjoyable to buy gifts and items for the home. The internet has enabled us to be able to choose from a far wider choice of merchandise than on the high street even if you live in a large city. For those living in smaller towns or rural locations, online shopping has become not just a convenience but a life line.

The United Kingdom is home mad, interiors mad with no home being too small for a makeover. In the last 10 to 15 years, with the help of home makeover shows on the television, the nation is obsessed with recreating a show stopping interior.

Furnishings are a very personal statement and can say a lot about you and your home. Couple that with the longing to make a house look different and the need to look further afield than a furniture chain store is a further must.

Finding the right furniture for a home is often a head ache. The choice in many large furniture stores on the retail parks around the UK is bland, replicated in every home already and not in any way exciting. Buying furniture online allows a broader choice of styles from different shops including boutique and individual retailers. The internet has also helped the retailer by giving them the chance to search all over the world for stock. Now that it is possible to source products that at one time would have been seen as specialist or exclusive due to their location, retailers are able through extensive networks of contacts to offer an impressively wide choice to customers.

Ethical furniture shopping is another change and consumers are now wanting to know where materials such as wood have been sourced from. Wooden furniture such as oak bookcases, shoe cupboards and oak coffee tables should be from sustainable and managed plantation sources. The ethical practices of manufacturers and the retailers are other ways in which people are making purchasing decisions. So to gain the best choice, the best price and the best look, online furniture shopping is the answer.

It’s understandable that in all businesses, continuous examination of operating costs are routinely made. Within this, the cost of fire suppression is often considered to be a relatively high but necessary cost. However, there can be very few applications where the absolute reliability of operation of the automatic fire extinguisher equipment is more business critical than in a data room.

For instance, data rooms of any size will have an air conditioning system in place to control the temperature because of the tremendous amount of heat that’s generated on a continuous basis. Failure of the air conditioning system to function may lead to overheat situations placing stress on the equipment and components. This could cause an outbreak of fire with a resultant and devastating loss of all data within minutes. And don’t forget, we’re potentially talking here of data that’s taken many years to build.

So no question, data rooms need to be protected by a dependable automatic fire suppression system, but does the cost of the system have to give the financial director sleepless nights? The answer is a resounding no.

One thing that we all know is that high volumes of water and computers don’t sit happily together. That’s why for years now, chemical gaseous agents such as FM 200, Inert gas systems and now water mist have been employed to do the job of fire protection. They have performed the task of suppressing fires by physical cooling of the affected area or by decreasing the oxygen in the atmosphere to a level that no longer supports combustion. All utilise a system of high pressure pipework and nozzles to deliver the suppression medium into the risk area.

However, recent world wide shortages of raw materials have prompted dramatic increases in the cost of chemical gases, FM 200 in particular. This in turn has affected the cost of new fire system installations and that of recharge and service where gas needs to be replaced  (up to 40% in some cases), making them far less competitive on price. This fact has forced buyers of fire suppression systems to widen their search for equally reliable but more cost effective alternatives.

As already described, Data Rooms need the optimum in automatic fire suppression and extinguishers as do other special areas such as network infrastructures, art galleries, museums, antique centres, and power generation plants to name just a few. The objective is always to save lives and property. But innovative fire protection can now do a whole lot more. Today it combines science and economics and matches these qualities to total effectiveness and reliability.

In the case of Data Room protection there is now a system that not only beats the performance of chemical and Inert gases, it also provides a superior, environmentally friendly fire suppressant. Not only that, the system known as Stat-X allows easier and more cost-effective installations for all these types of challenging applications.

The Stat-X family of automatic fire suppression systems is a second generation Condensed aerosol technology, manufactured to ISO 9001:2008 standards with many internationally recognised approvals and standards such as UL in the USA. It’s a patented potassium-based aerosol that’s ecologically safe, up to ten times more effective than any current halon alternative with zero ozone depletion and no global warming potential.

And if that’s not enough, the Stat-X application automatic fire suppression system technology requires no pressure vessels, manifolds, nozzles or pipe work. All factors which result in significant installation and maintenance savings.

Obviously you don’t need to spend as much time on the upkeep of an artificial lawn. With fake grass you can simply enjoy sitting out in the sun and enjoying the little sun we get rather than spending that valuable time mowing and trimming your garden. Perfect for busy professionals and families and a life line for the elderly who find the upkeep of a lawn too much. Why should you forgo the look and versatility of a lawn all because the maintenance is too much to cope with?

From an environmental point of view, artificial grass has a number of benefits. The biggest being the need not to water. Although most people are very aware of water conservation, the temptation to water a brown, scorched lawn is all too big. It is predicted that hose pipe bans will become more and more frequent as the need for water increases and we have warmer summers. Then there is the fact that artificial lawns require no trimming so the need for petrol or electric lawnmowers is eradicated saving fuel, emissions and electricity.

Whether it’s on a lawn, on plants or when growing vegetables, the use of fertilisers is getting less and less. Artificial grass, of course, does not require any fertiliser or chemicals. Mossy grass is a thing of the past.

A reason often not thought of initially but that is becoming more and more common is the use of artificial grass in small gardens. A small yet maintained garden can encounter difficulties of trying to cut the grass with a lawn mower due to the impracticality of such a small area. An edge strimmer has been known to be tried but this looked very uneven and messy. The final straw is by cutting the grass with a pair of hedge cutters but this is frankly quite unreasonable and completely wastes time. Artificial grass is the ideal solution.

Another situation that is occurring more and more now is the appearance of roof terraces. Roof terraces are a much sought after way of having outside space, in a city especially. The problem is these areas can be dark and concreted. Laying artificial grass creates instant green and most importantly requires no maintenance.

Second homeowners are also on the up and artificial grass is a very useful product for them as well both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Some examples of the benefits are as follows:

1.    There gardens do not have to be maintained while their properties are rented out or unoccupied.
2.    Some have just wanted the artificial grass around their pool area because it gets muddy with natural grass.
3.    Developers often fit artificial grass outside their show apartments and villas, which have inspired prospective purchasers.
4.    Water is always in short supply, so artificial grass is always more practical in this type of climate.

These are just some of the domestic advantages of artificial grass but commercially there are so many obvious advantages for having a virtually maintenance free and durable synthetic surface.

It is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland has a long history of neutrality and it has not been at war since 1815. The country hosts many international organizations, including the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and one of the U.N.s two European offices. However, it is not a member of the European Union. Switzerland is multilingual and has four national languages – German, French, Italian and Romansh.

When it comes to places to stay, there is a great choice of Switzerland accommodation available including serviced accommodation such as hotels and bed and breakfasts, plus Switzerland self catering accommodation such as simple hostels, or perhaps a luxury Switzerland ski chalet.

Unlike many holiday destinations, Switzerland makes an ideal holiday destination during all four seasons of the year. During winter months, Switzerland offers world class conditions for both skiers and free riders alike and during summer months, the spectacular mountain scenery provides awesome paragliding, alpine mountaineering, mountain biking, rock climbing and beautiful walking trails for all levels. With plenty of shops, bars, restaurants and other year-round attractions available, Switzerland really is ideal for a holiday throughout the year.

Getting to Switzerland can be fairly inexpensive as a number of the budget airline operators including Easyjet, Bmibaby and Jet2 all fly into Geneva airport. Other major airlines including Swiss Air, British Airways, Lufthansa and KLM also offer competitive fairs from the UK. Flights to Sion airport are available every week during the winter season from London Heathrow airport. Basel, Zurich and Bern also accommodate flights from the UK.

1) A Folder Inserter is an integral part of any mailing room, you’ll save time and money just by having one
2) You can include a mail piece with existing mail such as invoices or statements advertising your other services/goods. This is made really easy with a Folder Inserter
3) Once you have your Folder Inserter it can be used for sending out mail shots, newsletters or periodicals.
4) Combine your Folder Inserter with a franking machine and the savings on your post will also add up

What does the Folder Inserter do?

Its simple, it takes a pile of letters or mailers, folds them up in the required format and then inserts them into the envelope for you. Easy!

The type of machine you will need will mainly depend on the volume of your mail. If you want to have a look at a great range of Folder Inserter machines from compact desktop versions to models that meet complex mailroom demands, visit the website of The Mailing Room.

When visiting Eden Ostrich World over the festive period families will be able to experience Christmas themed areas and activities including a craft table where visitors can make a Christmas mask or perhaps colour in a picture and they can even make a Christmas decoration to be displayed on the Eden Ostrich World tree.

The Christmas themed program of events will take place on the 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd of December and is the perfect way to start the Christmas holidays, both young and old!
Eden Ostrich World is a family run business hosting a working farm and visitors centre, which opened to the public in 1998. Diversification came about due to the dramatic changes within the agricultural industry: as it became more difficult to survive whilst farming new ideas started to emerge and after several years planning we created and opened our doors to the public as Eden Ostrich World.
Situated in the middle of the Eden Valley, we couldn’t ask for a more magnificent setting, with the River Eden running straight through our site, it allows customers to take in the views and have a wander down by the river! It is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the different varieties of birds and wildlife.

Their aim is to offer bags of fun and Lake District things to do as well as an educational day, not only learning about the ostrich, from incubation and hatching through to being fully grown, but to give people an insight into modern day farming. They also host playgrounds, a tea room and a very reasonable gift shop, as well as the Hayloft Gallery which is packed full of unusual gifts – a Cumbria attraction for the whole family.

For more information on the festive events and for further information on Lake District attractions, visit http://www.ostrich-world.com.

With such vast, varied and breathtaking scenery as in the Lake District, it is far too difficult a task choosing one destination for a holiday or short break. Great driving roads+breathtaking scenery=the perfect recipe for camper vans.

Camper vans give you:
The opportunity to visit and experience numerous locations in one trip.
Give you the freedom to stop off when and where you like and for what duration.
No need to worry about there not being a hotel or guest house available in the area.
You are protected from the elements unlike camping.

You’ll never tire of driving on the roads in the Lake District and Cumbria which has some of the most scenic roads in England. In particular, Hartside Pass which The AA and Top Gear list in their top 10 driving roads in England. Other great driving roads include the Kirkstone Pass, the A591 which passes through Ambleside, Grasmere and onto Keswick and not for the faint hearted Hardnott and Wrynose passes.
VW camper vans are particularly suited to the roads in the Lake District. They are compact and allow you to drive on the stunning, narrow roads which other, larger camper van and mobile homes would not be able to.

Camper vans have seen a renaissance in recent years both in terms of new camper vans and mobile homes but especially the popularity of the classic VW camper van. Their iconic status continues to grow and excite young and old. Driving around in the VW camper van is guaranteed to turn heads and makes a holiday even more special.

A mobile holiday is the ultimate in economical holidaying. The cost of parking up on a camping or caravanning site is nominal and sometimes areas can be found that are free. You can self cater as much of the meals as you wish although the Lake District has some fantastic eating houses that really should be visited.

Many people simply can’t justify purchasing a VW camper van for themselves due to lack of annual leave and other commitments. A camper van has to be used regularly both for economy and for the wellbeing of the van. The perfect solution is in the form of hiring. Volkswagen camper van hire is now available in the Lake District and enables those who want to experience a camper van holiday but that do not want to purchase one. Volkswagen camper van hire is also great for those thinking of purchasing a van to gain knowledge of driving one. Camper van hire in the UK, sorted.

To fully confirm the importance and evolution within the footwear industry, we are now seeing brands such as FitFlop that not only give you a work out whilst you wear them but they have health benefits as well. FitFlop are no ordinary flip flops at all. They have an innovative, patent pending Microwobbleboard™ hidden in the EVA sole that is designed to give you a workout while you walk. The heel is thick and firm to absorb shock, the toe area is mid-density and the midsole is soft centre. This gives you a slightly unstable surface on which to walk on (although you will never notice as they are so comfortable). They provide your legs and bum (glutes, hamstring, calves and thighs) with a muscle workout and help to tone these areas. They burn more calories than you would do when walking in a normal pair of shoes. They improve posture. They provide relief from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, from lower limb oedema, and restless leg syndrome.

For the fashion conscious then there’s even boots available. Fitflop boots offer style as well as all the benefits associated with wearing the Fitflop brand. They enable the year round wearing of fitness footwear. The new leather Fitflop boots offer pull-on practicality, a soft, flexible fit, and–all the time you’re walking in them–toning. Wear the FitFlop Supertboot short with skinny jeans, a skirt or tights all season long. FitFlop. Put a pair on and get a workout while you walk.

Another fitness footwear brand is the Reebok EasyTone. Reebok Trainers have wear-tested EasyTone with hundreds of people over the past two years resulting in more than 20,000 hours of data. Feedback from this research shows that users notice the difference immediately and genuinely feel that Reebok EasyTone work and that their muscles are working harder. Get a better bum and better legs with every step. With Reebok EasyTone, you can get firmer thanks to the patented sole technology, which emulates walking on sand. Reebok EasyTone features include the improving of muscle tone in the hamstrings, calves and glutes up to 28%. DMX Max enhanced underfoot foam cushioning for lasting comfort.  SmoothFit seamless design ensures minimal rub and decreases irritation and removable antibacterial sockliner accommodates orthotics.

So footwear such as the Reebok EasyTone and Fitflop boots offer style, comfort as well as the fitness and health benefits. The nature of the hectic lifestyles experienced by many people, means we are constantly seeking ways in which to combine activities. Fitness footwear gives you an added work out whether it’s walking down the street or around an office.

Windermere is a great base for exploring the Lake District thanks to its excellent transport links. Windermere Railway station offers rail connections to Kendal and Oxenholme and it also has direct trains to and from Manchester Airport. Buses also run regularly from Windermere station including southbound journeys to Kendal and northbound journeys to Ambleside, Grasmere, and Keswick.

There is plenty for the whole family to do in and around Windermere including looking round some of the superb shops and visitor attractions such as The World of Beatrix Potter where all 23 Peter Rabbit tales are brought to life in 3D. Other local places of interest include …

Blackwell Arts & Crafts:
House in Bowness which is a superb example of the Arts & Crafts movement;

Hilltop – Near Sawrey:
Take the ferry and visit the writer’s 17th century cottage at the other side of Lake Windermere and see it exactly as she left it complete with her furniture and china.

Lakes Aquarium:
The Lakes Aquarium is located on the Southern shore of Windermere and can be accessed by taking a lake steamer from Bowness to Lakeside at Newby Bridge. Here visitors have the chance to see many exotic and local fish.

William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage:
Here visitors can visit the home of England’s famous romantic poet at Grasmere. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum displays national treasures of the poet. There is an onsite tea room and gift shop.

The Lake District National Park Visitor Centre:
At Brockhole, situated on the shores of Lake Windermere, ideal family entertainment with interactive exhibitions and adventure playground. Whatever the weather.

For more active visitors there are plenty of walking routes available around Windermere including walks to spectacular viewpoints at Orrest Head and Biskey Howe where you will find breathtaking views of Lake Windermere and as far out as Morecambe Bay on a clear day. Windermere Golf Club is a very picturesque course and here you can relax after your round in the golf club restaurant with great views of surrounding mountains.

To take full advantage of Windermere and Bowness visitors should look to stay in a luxury Windermere Guest House or Bed and Breakfast.

The English Lake District is one of fifty places worldwide that National Geographic states is a must to visit, and there is no better way than to combine it with a Lake District spa treatment.

Combining a spa treatment with a holiday or weekend away is becoming more and more popular. With the stresses of work and family life, the ability for total relaxation and making the most out of a much deserved weekend break is a must.

Spa’s located within Lake District hotels are the most convenient and give the most relaxation as the guest can simply come down from their room and within a matter of seconds be in having a spa treatment, no need to get in a car or walk for miles.

One such example is The Lodore Falls Hotel situated on the edge of one of the most beautiful lakes in the English Lake District, Derwentwater. The Borrowdale valley where Derwentwater and The Lodore Falls Hotel is situated, is dominated by this 3 mile long lake. It is very close to Keswick and with large connections with Beatrix Potter. There are easily accessible points to get down to the lake with a path that runs all around the shore. It is a very popular area with lovers of all activities and it is one of the few pieces of water in the Lake District that has retained its peaceful atmosphere despite being right in the heart of the most popular area for walking.

Another stunning setting for a Lake District spa treatment or weekend away is Ullswater. Ullswater is situated in the Northern area of the English Lake District and just 6 miles from junction 40 of the M6 motorway. Perfectly located for access but without having swarms of tourists so keeping the area serene and peaceful. Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District at a length of 8 miles. The lake is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the area and is a very popular place to stay for walkers wanting to tackle Helvellyn, Highstreet and Fairfield. It is approximately 3 miles long and of the same distance, the Aira Force Walk. Aira Force is the most spectacular waterfall in the Lake District and the beautiful walk through a leafy glen is wonderful.

Spa treatments can be anything from a variety of massages to facials, tanning, waxing, manicures, pedicures, anti-ageing, eye treatments, facials, sunbed and bridal treatments. With the popularity of getting married in the Lake District, a Lake District spa offers ultimate pampering for the bride.

Elemis is a high rated brand of facial, massage and body therapy treatments. The Lodore Falls Hotel offer Elemis Spa Therapy which is developed by a specialised team, with extensive clinical & scientific studies. Elemis professional spa-therapies are world renowned for their powerful massage sequences combined with the most dynamic activities, available in the world today.

Lake District pamper days are also available in some of the Lake District spas. Locals can then use these facilities or guests who just want a full day of relaxing.

Cable assemblies have made our life easier by organizing the structure of cabling used in modern machines. Nowadays, when the use of different types of complex machines and automated devices is common, the importance of cable assemblies is evident.

People use different types of cable assemblies in everyday life. Take a simple example; our personal computer uses several cable assemblies from the simple organization in electrical wires of SMPS (Switching Mode Power Supply) to more complex hard disk IDE cables. People who have assembled their personal computer themselves must be aware with the importance of cable assemblies. How simple it becomes for even a beginner (with not much knowledge) to use different hardware with help of custom cable assemblies.

Although the mode of working and their transmission modes are different, both of them represent the same category of cable assemblies which are simplifying the internal wiring process of a personal computer.

In more complex forms cable assemblies are used in various industries. From every heavy machine like aircrafts, spaceships, railways, to simple automobiles, cable assemblies are essential to make it easy to install and use them in their intended purpose.

No doubt, there is great contribution of these tiny looking elements (if compared to the size of aforementioned machines) in smooth operation of mammoth engineering marvels. Without proper (custom made for specific machines) cable assemblies it is almost impossible to run any of the modern machines properly,

However, the innovative technology and unique concept of using cable assemblies is not only required in complex electronics and electrical equipment, but they are also a prime need of comparatively smaller machines. For example, battery & welding cables, telephone extension cables, and patch cables are among the necessity nowadays.

Apart from cable assemblies, they are also simplifying the operations of medical equipment, test and measurement equipment, railway track & carriage, and access control equipment. In these areas, mostly custom made cable assemblies are in demand.

Using cable assemblies not only eases the fixing or installation process of complex machines. They also make it a safe affair to use them in everyday life.

Llite is a Private Limited organisation based in New Cleveland Street Hull with further sites in North and North East Lincolnshire and Sheffield. Established in 2001, Llite was developed in response to local people not accessing local jobs in construction and allied trades. People from out of town were being brought in by the local construction companies. Llite wanted to turn that around so that local construction jobs were accessible to local people and Llite would help to supply learners with the skills and resources to achieve this.

Llite have since developed a workforce of 45, and are now the largest deliverer of construction training in Yorkshire, working with 1,200 clients per annum. Despite their growth, Llite are as passionate about developing local people and enabling them to achieve their potential as they were when first established.

James Epworth, Strategy Director of Llite said “The Construction Industry is a very good career option. For local unemployed people enrolling with Llite, learners will have the potential to develop skills in a range of Construction Industry roles. But it doesn’t stop there; we also help learners to find a job through our employability support services”.

Llite have an aftercare service which means once the learner has entered employment, they can still contact Llite to resolve any issues they may have. James continued “the aftercare service is proving to be a valuable resource to learners. If they feel they need further skill development in the future or any help or advice, then we have the facilities and resources to provide this”.

Learners enrolling with Llite will develop skills in the following trade areas:

• Bricklaying
• Plastering
• Joinery
• Plumbing
• General Construction Work
• Painting and Decorating

Llite works with a number of stakeholders including local colleges, Jobcentre +, LSC and HLC to offer these courses to local people. Llite assess each learner on their own merits, and their learning progression is very much tailored towards that individual. If the learner needs more practical skills, a qualification or if the learner has the skills but can’t get into employment – then Llite can offer them a service that best suits their needs. If the individual doesn’t have a CSCS card for example (a passport for construction sites) then Llite will make sure they have the skills to obtain one. James Epworth continued “This (CSCS card) is great for anybody who may have been made redundant in the Construction Industry fields. Obtaining this passport along with employability sessions can greatly enhance someone’s employment prospects”.

Llites Employability Quest teams includes life coaches, basic skills tutors and recruiters. They aim to develop learner’s confidence through learning, activities and events which encourage learners to develop achievable career goals.

In January 2007 Llite obtained a Grade 1 (outstanding) Adult Learning Inspection (OFSTED). It is a major achievement and one Llite is very proud of. Further achievements in Matrix and Investor in People awards were coupled with praise of how well Llite deliver and integrate Basic Skills into Construction training programmes.

HLC have recently awarded an Adult Engagement contract to Llite whose staff have also benefited from HLC services by attending a Level 3 IAG course.

Looking towards Llites future plans James said “Key flexible New Deal contracts are essential to sustain Llite. We are hoping to expand further into North East and North Lincs and develop programmes in conjunction with local schools and colleges. We hope to be further involved in the regeneration of Hull, building schools for the future, and supplying labour from programmes run here at Llite”.

Of course, it is great to have a large choice of hotels to choose and luckily, the internet has made searching and comparing hotels much easier now. With the ability to check availability as well, searching, choosing and booking can even be done late at night.

Everyone has different stipulations and requirements when it comes to the kind of hotel they’d like to stay in but some basic points can be found below.

Often not first on guests lists but a point that is predicted to have a bigger impact in coming months and years is eco friendly. Is the hotel eco friendly? Does it have any environmental awards such as the Cumbria Business Environment Network that Cumbria has? Do they recycle and encourage guests to recycle? Apart from recycling and energy conservation, hotels in Windermere and the Lake District can play a large part in conservation of wildlife and the beautiful landscape. The Tourism and Conservation Partnership is another organisation. They support tourism businesses who wish to invest in the landscape and environment. With a membership of over 200 tourism businesses in Cumbria, The Tourism and Conservation Partnership are working together to ensure a sustainable further for Cumbria – The Lake District. Their website has a list of members so this could be a good starting point when searching for your hotel.

Do they serve locally sourced food in their breakfasts or on their restaurant menus? This is important and relates to both environmental issues, ie, cutting down on food miles but using locally sourced produce also benefits the local economy. In areas such as Cumbria and the Lake District, local really is best as they have such a large amount of quality produce available.

Location is a large factor. Making sure you know exactly where the hotel is situated and that it suits your requirements is very important. Should you be relaying on public transport then a hotel off the beaten track probably isn’t the best idea. A hotel should have a map of the location on their website and these have become more detailed in recent years but should you not be entirely sure, a quick ring through to the hotel will confirm. Windermere has a distinct advantage when it comes to using public transport with a train station that joins the West Coast mainline and Manchester Airport and a bus station where buses run regularly to all the major towns in the Lakes. Many hotels in Windermere offer to organise a taxi to bring you to the hotel which is a good service to be offered.

Does the hotel have any leisure facilities? A swimming pool can be a welcome relaxation after a long day on the fells but also useful should it be raining. Rain does occur quite regularly in the Lake District, but after all, there wouldn’t be any lakes if there wasn’t! Having a hotel that has leisure facilities or even just lovely, spacious communal areas such as lounges or snugs mean the rain will not be an inconvenience.

Otterburn is a small, idyllic village around 30 miles north of Newcastle in the Northumberland National Park and within the Cheviot Hills. In fact, it is located just 16 miles from the Scottish borders which makes it a fantastic place to stop off when visiting Scotland with Edinburgh only 75 miles away. For walkers staying in Otterburn, the Cheviots are a must to visit with nearly 40 peaks over 500 metres in height.

The major sites to see around the area are Hadrian’s Wall and Alnwick Castle of recent ‘Harry Potter’ fame, although there are a host of other attractions like  Beamish, Bamburgh Castle, Cragside House, Wallington House, St Aidan’s Winery, Barter Books, Northumbria Craft Centre, Otterburn Mill, Kielder Forest and the Northumberland National Park to name just a few in the area.  If you fancy a day in the city Newcastle is under an hour’s drive away with its famous Metro Centre and its many, many, many shops providing excellent retail therapy!

The charm of Northumberland is its rolling countryside, diverse wildlife and heritage which come in abundance. Driving on roads such as the A696 is a pleasure running from Otterburn right down to Newcastle through some lovely villages. You will also drive past some of the most stunning castles in the whole of England. Having been part of the Roman Empire, Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England. Bamburgh being the most famous and imposing of all the castles sitting on the Bamburgh coast. It is also the largest inhabited castle in England. Alnwick Castle is a mere 27 miles from Otterburn. Alnwick Castle celebrated its seven hundred years anniversary last year so it’s a great time to embrace the history, art and breathtaking scenery. You can take a stroll down the Alnwick Gardens or simply explore. A great venue to take the whole family.

Northumberland has one of the lowest population densities in the United Kingdom and it really does make for a complete getaway when visiting this area. There is space, room, endless unspoilt countryside but at the same time, some of the friendliest and accommodating people you’ll meet on your weekend away or holiday.
There are only a handful of Northumberland hotels in the Northumberland National Park which again accentuates the feeling of space and complete lack of overcrowding. You feel as if you are a world away from the pressures of modern life and yet Newcastle and its airport are under an hour away and Morpeth, Hexham and Jedburgh even closer.

When staying in a Northumbria hotel, you will be spoilt for choice of local produce. Northumberland is a paradise for game due to its landscape but the Cheviot lamb absolutely has to be sampled as well as the seafood which is often described as some of the best outside of Scotland.

There is less stuffiness regarding art. Artwork can now be ordered more readily in bespoke commissions or particular colours and themes can be stipulated. A few years ago, this was an absolute no go area, the artist ruled and what they said was final. There are a number of artists now offering an easier to reach bespoke service, both by way of approaching the artist but also in terms of cost.

Art can be bought in many different forms, one very in vogue at the moment is canvas art. The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame and oil or acrylic paint can be used or even mixed media. The canvas stands away from a wall and enables the painting area to go right to the edge. Painting around the edges can also be done for an enveloped look.

Art is the perfect gift for someone very special. Some artists offer the service of recreating a memorable photo into oil or acrylic. This is a highly personal and special gift and something completely unique. Such a service has been enabled to be found through the internet. The internet has been the most influential part in enabling art to be reached to the masses and now being more accessible. Galleries that were once confined to purely the premises can now sell and advertise their work online and reach the whole country in fact, the world. Artists that may not have been able to afford a gallery premises can now sell their art online, reaching a far wider audience. In the respect of the consumer, a huge variety of artist’s styles, genres, media and themes can be chosen from. Mail order has enabled the artwork to be sent when collection is not obtainable. There are artists in the UK that through the internet, have been able to sell their work to clients abroad. This brings in a whole new market and is extremely exciting.

Guest artists are now selling their canvas artwork through large department stores. As with many of the supermarkets that stock local produce, this is a similar occurrence in department stores with local artists. Even if not local, then an artist can sell their work through a selection of stores.

Interior design has become high in a home owners mind in recent years with shows such as 60 Minute Makeover, Changing Rooms and other home make over shows. Artwork is always a large part of the overall finish of the room that has been decorated. Interior designers are working more and more closely with artists for artwork that complements the interior of a room. A piece of canvas art can make a huge difference to the way a room looks and feels and can transform a drab, boring room into something very special.

So, to conclude, art is one of the oldest forms of enjoyment yet new technology has in fact transformed and lifted art. It has made people feel more comfortable about art and that it is available for anyone, not just the rich or privileged.

Certain footwear brands have become absolute musts for the fashion savvy. In magazines, on television and on the high street, we are constantly seeing simple clothing styles but paired with footwear that is anything but simple and plain. You can guarantee that in every glossy magazine or gossip site, there will be at least one image of a celebrity in a pair of show stopping shoes or boots. Shoes are the new fashion statements and also status symbols for this generation.

To fully confirm the importance and evolution within the footwear industry including mens shoes and womens shoes, we are now seeing brands such as FitFlop that not only give you a work out whilst you wear them but they have health benefits as well. FitFlop are no ordinary flip flops at all. They have an innovative, patent pending
Microwobbleboard™ hidden in the EVA sole that is designed to give you a workout while you walk. The heel is thick and firm to absorb shock, the toe area is mid-density and the midsole is soft centre. This gives you a slightly unstable surface on which to walk on (although you will never notice as they are so comfortable) which helps to:

1. Provide your legs and bum (glutes, hamstring, calves and thighs) with a muscle workout and help to tone these areas.
2. Burn more calories than you would do when walking in a normal pair of shoes.
3. Improve posture.
4. Provide relief from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, from lower limb oedema, and restless leg syndrome.

Not only is the industry seeing new footwear brands launching but there are also a number footwear brands that have had a renaissance recently. One such brand is Dr Martens, namely the iconic 1460 boots. The Dr Martens 1460 launched in the 1960′s, originally built for work-wear, the combination of comfort, durability and stylhave ensured that the 1460z is still as popular as ever. With 8-Eyelets, famous yellow stitching, two-tone grooved sole and distinctive footprint these boots are classic in terms of mens boots and womens boots.

And who would have thought even 5 years ago that wellies would be a must have even in the summer! The rise in popularity of festivals coupled with the inevitable rain and mud has firmly put wellington boots on the fashion map. But whatever the weather, music taste or style, Wellington boots are the one item no seasoned festival-goer would ever be without. Thankfully the Hunter Wellies collection provides not only comfort and protection from all weather conditions but offers a wide range of products for the fashion conscious.

Women have always traditionally had a passion for shoes but due to the latest mens shoes brands, men are starting to get that passion too. Brands such as Hudson, Boxfresh and Fly are designing fashionable footwear that stands out from the crowd including stitching details and colours other than black and brown.

A HR advisor will help you to resolve even the most complex of issues, protecting you from the legal loopholes which employees will so often exploit.
Compliance with employment law is just one of the many challenges which employers face. Even if you chose to employ your own internal resource, issues and claims will undoubtedly arise which require additional and unpredictable costs. With tribunal claims rising year-on-year, our services will provide affordable protection for your business with access to the very best employment law advice and HR support.

What is an appraisal?
An appraisal is simply an assessment of an employee’s performance, potential and development needs. It provides an opportunity to take an overall view of their work, to look back on what has been achieved during the reporting period and to agree objectives for the next.

What are the benefits of appraisal?
Appraisals help to improve employees’ job performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses, determining how their strengths can be best used and any weaknesses overcome. Appraisals also help to reveal problems and inefficient work practices which may be restricting progress.

Am I required to carry out appraisals?
There is no legal requirement to operate an appraisal scheme. There are however some aspects of employment legislation that affect employee appraisals. Appraisal records may be used by employers to support their defence in employment tribunal claims. These are particularly relevant where the claimant was dismissed for poor performance. Conversely, the claimant may strengthen their own case by citing the absence of any form of appraisal process.

I have a small business – is an appraisal scheme right for me?
Smaller companies can certainly benefit from having an appropriate appraisal scheme. Indeed, the task of appraising employees is usually easier because managers are more likely to know each employee well. It is important however that the scheme is designed to meet the particular needs of a smaller company and is not over elaborate. Mhl can help design the right system for you.

The above is intended to provide information of general interest about employment law but does not give legal advice.
What is Authorised Leave?

Authorised leave is a term generally used to describe absence from work to which an employee is entitled either by legislation or by company policy. Failure to comply with the employment law legislation can lead to costly claims against you.
What leave must I give employees by law?

Annual Leave
You must give employees at least 5.6 weeks paid holiday each year. This can include Bank/public Holidays. You cannot give pay instead except if they leave your employment.

Time off for Dependants
You must allow employees reasonable time off to cater for emergencies involving someone dependent on them. You do not have to pay them for the time taken off.

Maternity leave
All pregnant employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks maternity leave, regardless of when they started working for you.

Antenatal care
An employee attending an antenatal appointment on medical advice is entitled to paid time off for this.

The above is intended to provide information of general interest about employment law but does not give legal advice. Seek an employment law specialist for advice.

Mail and post room solutions for offices and businesses aid in the streamlining of mailing tasks. Even though billions of emails are sent each day in the world, conventional post has actually increased. The process of mailings letters is a time consuming job even once printed out, the letter must be folded, inserted into the envelope, weighed, franked or stamped and then posted.

Luckily there are mailing solutions available to help save time which in turn, equates to saving money. The mailing solutions below offer a cost effective way of gaining efficiency in the post room. Another important factor is size. Most businesses unfortunately do not have endless space for machinery but these modern machines are compact. There are also different models available for the different levels of usage. For example, the usage of a home based business would be far less than a solicitor’s office of 30 people.

And time saving isn’t just the only gain when using specialized mailing equipment. Folding machines give a perfect fold every time making the letter look professional. A franking machine’s imprint also adds to the professional look of a letter and enables the company logo to be included.

Folding and Inserting Machines
As we all know in this current economic climate we have to work that little bit harder (and smarter) to get new business or build on relationships with existing customers. So, every opportunity we have to present ourselves or get in front of customers must be taken. Below are a couple of tips which are quite simple, yet effective by using a folding inserting machine in an office or mailing room. Don’t worry if you don’t mail in large volumes, you can get a folding and inserting machine that’s cost effective for just a few 100 items per week.

1) A folder and inserter is an integral part of any mailing room, you’ll save time and money just by having one
2) You can include a mail piece with existing mail such as invoices or statements advertising your other services/goods. This is made really easy with ones of these machines.
3) Once you have your machine it can be used for sending out mail shots, newsletters or periodicals.
4) Combine it with a franking machine and the savings on your post will also add up

What does a folding and inserting machine do?
Its simple, it takes a pile of letters or mailers, folds them up in the required format and then inserts them into the envelope for you. Easy! The type of machine you will need will mainly depend on the volume of your mail.

Folding Machines
These can greatly reduce the number of hours spent folding letters, brochures, flyers, invoices or any number of other documents.
Quick and easy to use, a paper folding machine can produce a variety of different folds to accommodate multiple needs. Whether you need the occasional batch of letters folded or have mass mailings to send out. Selecting the appropriate piece of equipment depends on many factors, including the volume and frequency of use, the type of fold and type of paper you need.

Letter openers
Moving incoming mail faster to the people who are waiting to deal with it means benefits to both your business and your customers:
•    Incoming payments can be processed and banked quicker; improving cash flow
•    Customer orders can be processed faster
Any queries or complaints can be dealt with sooner – so your business relationships aren’t damaged by unnecessary delays.

Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in England, and proudly known as “The Windsor of the North.” Built as a medieval fortress, today it is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and their family. The castle has fun and things to do in Northumberland for everyone. Their friendly guides are happy to answer questions, bringing to life 700 years of Percy family achievements and adventures in front of your very eyes. From Harry Hotspur to Harry Potter, Alnwick Castle offers history on a grand scale.
State Rooms
Alnwick Castle is different. It is still a family home, but behind the stark and foreboding walls lie lavish State Rooms packed with a stunning array of art and furniture collected over the years by the Percy family.These intermingle charmingly with signs of modern living belonging to today’s generation.
Knight’s Quest
Hands on fun and games for the younger members of the family, with some new and exciting additions for the 2009 season. Dress as a knight or lady of the realm and follow in the footsteps of Alnwick’s most famous battlingson, Harry Hotspur. Learn some of his fighting skills and put them to good use in accepting the challenge to defeat the dreaded monster in Dragon’s Quest.

Beamish Open Air Museum
For an extremely varied Northumberland attraction then a visit to Beamish is a must. A world famous open air museum that tells the story of the people of North East England at two important points of their history – 1825 and 1913.  Beamish, Britain’s favourite open air museum, is set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside. You can step on board our trams and be transported to the past.

Chillingham Castle
This 12th century stronghold, just twenty minutes from the seaside and the home of Sir Humphry Wakefield and his family, became ‘base-camp’ for the 1298 conquering attack on William Wallace by “Hammer of the Scots”, King Edward 1st. Wallace had raided the previous year, burning the women and children to death in the local abbey. The Castle was given permission to add battlements by King Edward III in 1344 (See the actual License in the Castle). The Elizabethans added ‘Long Galleries’ and Capability Brown designed the park in 1752. The glorious Italian garden was laid out in the 19th century by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, fresh from his royal triumphs at Windsor Castle. Royal visits from 1200s to this century, and winner of many architectural awards.

The Castle is now open to the public and also available for weddings, private functions, tours and has self catering apartments. It is ideally situated for exploring the breathtaking Northumbrian countryside, located 10 miles from the coast and around 70 miles from both Newcastle and Edinburgh for the perfect of Northumberland and North East days out.

Darlington Railway Museum
Venture into our original 1840′s railway station, the home of Locomotion No.1 Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum is located on the original 1825 route of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the world’s first steamworked public railway. The Museum is devoted to the area formerly served by the North Eastern Railway, with particular reference to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and the railway industry of Darlington. Journey through the galleries and find out why Darlington was the birthplace of the railways. A range of smaller items including station and lineside signs, uniforms, furniture, tableware and paintings, complement the larger exhibits. The entrance hall and ticket office are restored in period style, enhanced by displays of items such as porters’ barrows, luggage, posters and advertising signs.

Simply click on the “randomize” button on www.flamingogifts.co.uk and let Flamingo do all the hard work. Great when stuck for what to buy for the Secret Santa at work, the gift randomizer will give you ideas and pluck random products from the Flamingo gift collection.

The economic climate has meant tightening of budgets for gifts for many people but they still want to be able to give a gift that is personal, suitable and more often now, fun.

“We’re really excited about this new function which will hopefully help customers choose gifts or just give inspiration.” Says Laura Carradice, founder of Flamingo Gifts.

“Our mission is simple, to provide amazing gifts to you at a great price and quickly, we are always on the lookout for new and interesting novelty gifts, birthday gifts and totally unique gifts to add to our Aladdin’s cave of treasures. We search everywhere to find the best gifts for the best budget! Whoever you’re looking to spoil, or for whatever occasion may it be Birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, Valentines Gifts or Christening gifts. We are sure you’ll find something you love! ”

Flamingo Gifts stock unique gifts for men, women, babies and children, for the home also personalised gifts and cards all with the emphasis on “unique”, “special”, “novelty”. To browse their collection and solve all your gift problems, visit http://www.flamingogifts.co.uk.

The region is divided into sections known as The Dark Peak, The White Peak, The Staffordshire Moorlands and the Derbyshire Dales. The highest point in the Peak District is Crowden Head on Kinder Scout at a height of 2070 feet above sea level. Kinder Scout is located in The Dark Peak area and can be accessed from Edale which is also the start of the Pennine Way. Most of the region is over 1000 metres above sea level but unlike the craggy Lake District and Snowdonia hills, the Peak District hills are more undulating being soft and rounded.

The appeal of a self catering holiday is growing. A self catering holiday can give a greater freedom and more space for families and allow multiple couples or friends to go away together, splitting costs and
creating a good value holiday. Cottages in the Peak District can be found in many villages as well as off the beaten track should a totally “get away from it all” holiday be required. Peak District cottages can be found in an abundance of styles from unique character properties to spacious, luxury holiday cottages fitted with all the latest gadgets and conveniences.

Walking is the main activity here, both in the Dark Peak and in the hills to the north. The Pennine Way starting from Edale, winds its way up the Pennine chain. The White Peak covers the limestone dales towards the market town of Bakewell. In addition to walking, climbing ‘nursery slopes’ surround the Hope Valley can also be experienced. All the equipment and tuition required can be found Cycle Hire, Horse riding & Treking can be arranged locally, as can Day Fishing in Ladybower Reservoir (seasonal).

When staying in a Peak District cottage, there is never a shortage of activities. Of course going for a walk up one of the many peaks and experiencing the views is a must but there are hundreds of other attractions. Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, set in 1,000 acres of parkland: a magnificent house and gardens, model farmyard, adventure playground, shops & restaurant. Haddon Hall, a romantic fortified medieval manor, home of the Rutland family, with delightful terraced gardens and restaurant. Eyam Hall preserves the domestic scene of the 17th century, where the Wright family have come and gone for 300 years. Hardwick Hall was created by one of the great characters of the Elizabethan era, Bess of Hardwick. The original tapestries & needlework are displayed. The National Trust now administer Hardwick Hall and many others in this area Calke Abbey, Kedlestone, Sudbury, Gawsworth and the moorland estates of Longshaw & The High Peak.

The general public still have a deep-rooted and long standing distrust of the industry.

Many installers believe that the quality of membership of most Trade Associations and Installer Schemes doesn’t lend itself to the grouping of highly professional businesses who are customer focused.

The lack of consumer protection is considered appalling by many who experience problems.

Most trade associations/ installer schemes do not have any “teeth” when called upon to intervene with complaints between installers and customers.

If the installer has been unprofessional or carried out unsatisfactory work and refuses to co-operate with the customer or trade association there is little any one can do until now.

The only legitimate options left for consumers were: (a) The Citizen’s Advice Bureau, (b) Trading Standards or (c) a trip to the local solicitor or county /high court. The former two can advise but often fail to persuade an intransigent installer to give the consumer satisfaction and the latter can be daunting and very often costly to the complainant.

The Ombudsman Scheme has an extensive Accreditation Procedure. This helps members achieve a higher standard of service, administration and consumer satisfaction and double glazing advice. The Ombudsman Scheme has extensive legal powers to investigate complaints made against members. Any decisions made are legally binding and enforceable under the terms of The Arbitration Act 1996. Members have signed a legally binding contract at the point of entry into the scheme allowing the Ombudsman to investigate and thereby agreeing to abide by any decisions made.

The complaints process (consisting of conciliation, mediation, independent inspections and ultimately, if necessary, arbitration) is a totally free service to the consumer/complainant.

This provides a level of protection hitherto unavailable in this industry to consumers.

In short, the scheme is long awaited, very well received by installers, the industry, consumer groups, the press and general public.

The Ombudsman Scheme is a powerful way to help bring renewed consumer confidence and enhance the image of the industry and also in giving double glazing advice. Members promote professionalism, competency and customer care, combined with a robust form of legal redress for justified complaints.

The other main attraction for visitors to Cartmel is the racecourse. With the first recorded race said to have taken place on the mid 1800’s, Cartmel races continues to grow in stature and popularity year on

year. The creation of a new grandstand, with the back drop of the beautiful southern Lake District coupled with catering to rival any top race event has really put Cartmel on the map.

Cartmel is very much becoming a gastronomic destination. Cartmel and its surrounding villages have some of the best examples of Lake District gastronomy in the whole of Cumbria and the Lake District. Even though many of the restaurants and public houses are located within historic buildings, the food served is right in the 21st century using the finest locally sourced produce that is found in an abundance in the south Lakeland area.

Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding is one of the most famous exports from Cartmel. The pudding is now sold all over the United Kingdom and even world with high class restaurants in London serving this still handmade in Cartmel pudding.

With its top quality food, beautiful historical buildings, race course and spectacular scenery, it’s not hard to believe that Cartmel attracts a cosmopolitan visitor. Luckily, Cartmel offers some stunning luxury Lake District self catering properties. When attending the races, what better place to stay in than a beautiful Grade II listed manor house or a beautiful double-fronted period property in Cartmel.

Nearby attractions also include Holker Hall (a stately home with lovely gardens and grounds and a cafe, Cark-in-Cartmel), the Lakeland Motor Museum (In addition to vintage and classic motors, the museum now features of faithfully recreated period shop fronts and also has a themed gift shop. It is now located at its new site in Backbarrow, on the main A590) and Brantwood (an historic house & gardens which used to be the home of John Ruskin with a shop, café and terrace on the east side of Coniston Water).

To add to the already long list of Windermere’s attributes and lures comes luxury. Windermere has some of the most stunning buildings with many of the larger residences being luxury hotels. In recent years, some of the luxury hotels have taken their attention to detail to another level. They have refurbished, redesigned, added on, decorated and paid even more attention to detail than before. Windermere now has some of the best hotels in the country and more than rival some of the famous hotels in south.

Dining has become a more prevalent factor in many hotels these days. Hotel restaurants often used to be of a pretty poor standard even when the hotel itself was of a high standard. Michelin starred restaurants are now common practice in hotels with big name chefs taking control at these luxury complexes.

Windermere couldn’t be in a better location for a restaurant to obtain top quality produce. Cumbria the Lake District has some of the finest local produce in the country from lamb and sausage to cheese, bread and cream. It really isn’t hard to understand why the Lake District is also now home to some of the finest restaurants in the north of England. Being relatively close to the coats means even the freshest seafood can be found.

Attention to detail is key for a luxury hotel from the service to rooms and outside areas. One hotel in Windermere which has seen recent refurbishment has produced a collection of rooms without compromise, most with patio doors leading onto the gardens and with either spa baths or hot tubs. They have also created luxury suites in a renovated Lake house with many having stunning views over a private lake. Constant refurbishment is essential in luxury hotels for complete perfection. Its gardens are as well looked after as the inside of the hotel with different seating areas. Their aim was to create a terrace that comprised different ‘rooms’ for people to sit in.

This has been created by breaking up the terrace with different materials and features such as ponds with water features and raised beds. During the day, the south-facing terrace enjoys the sunshine, and at dusk the sunset can often be enjoyed with pre-dinner cocktails. On warm evenings the terrace is candle lit. Pathways lead from the terrace to the south gardens and to the wild meadow and llama paddock.

The special services available set a luxury Windermere hotel apart from the rest. Organisation of spa treatments for example, private dining rooms, chauffeurs and touches such as the turning down of bed covers at night.

Why not treat yourself to a bottle of Krug Vintage Champagne from the bar at the new Brooklands Hotel on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday between the 18th of June and the end of August and enjoy a complimentary luxurious stay in one of the critically acclaimed super suites. With an iconic, art deco inspired interior, the world’s most historic motor racing track running through the reception, hot tub overlooking the Mercedes track, critically acclaimed spa facilities and vast super suites, the new Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey has to be seen to be believed. And with this unique offer, there is no longer any excuse not to.

The Super suites at the Brooklands Hotel consists of one or two bedrooms and a huge living and dining area.  The average size of this combination is vast, 100 square metres, and as an extra special touch, some of these suites also benefit from their own decked terrace areas overlooking the track. You can enjoy your Krug Vintage Champagne at the bar in Brooklands or we can have it delivered, chilled to your super suite and private terrace upon your arrival. Use of the spa and its unique meditation room, outdoor hot tub, steam and sauna facilities, the next day is also with our compliments.

Located next door to Mercedes Benz World and within the legendary Brooklands motor racing circuit, Brooklands Hotel Surrey is just minutes from the A3, the M3 and the M25, 17 miles from Heathrow and 33 miles from Gatwick. Aiming to be one of the finest luxury Surrey Hotels, Brooklands prides themselves on their personality, individuality, and an unparalleled level of service.

A bottle of Krug Vintage Champagne at Brooklands hotel in Weybridge costs £385.00 per bottle.  To book your Krug ‘Champagne and Super Suite Summer Special’ please contact Reservations on reservations@brooklandshotelsurrey.com or visit http://www.brooklandshotelsurrey.com.

Sending a pet to a kennel whilst you are on holiday can be inconvenient should there not be a kennel local to where you live, expensive and many owners hate the thought of having to leave their dog or pet when they go away. Taking a dog abroad has its problems with quarantining etc but if the holiday is in the UK, so why not take your pet? It is now far easier to take your pet away with you without compromising on the choice of holiday. In fact, there are now pet friendly hotels which a few years ago, was almost unheard of.

Self catering holidays are an ideal type of holiday when taking a pet away. A self catering property has the space for the dog as many are like home from homes and it enables the ease when feeding and the storing of pet and dog food for example. The Lake District is heaven for dogs with endless walking routes and for the owners, the spectacular scenery coupled with an excellent range of pet friendly cottages to stay in. Not all Lake District self catering cottages allow dogs, so asking prior to booking is advisable but properties that do allow pets are becoming increasingly more available. Some even let pets go free which makes taking a pet with you far cheaper than kennelling. After all, it is reported that there are around 27 million pets in the UK with 43% of UK households having at least one pet.

France is renowned for allowing dogs almost everywhere which in turn, means a huge number of UK holiday makers venture over there with their dogs. That means the UK tourism industry is missing out on that market to some extent. With the Euro being so poor against the pound at present, it is the perfect opportunity for Lake District cottage owners and other self catering properties in the UK.

Directories are available that list pet friendly and dog friendly tourism businesses which is very helpful. Self catering management and marketing companies always report high number of enquiries for dog friendly cottages and actively advise their clients to allow dogs and pets. As long as there is a separate pet policy document that is sent out and signed by the owners then any damage or other problems are the responsibility of the owner.

It is not always appropriate or right to take a pet on holiday should the destination, type of accommodation or the activities on the holiday not be suitable for a pet. The Lake District on the other hand is one destination with a great choice of Lake District cottages and other self catering properties to stay in that both family and Fido with enjoy equally. This kind of holiday is a real get away and brings even more enjoyment for families.

Within the Lake District there are a number of different terrains so a self catering property can be found to suit any age of both dog or owner from the flatter east side to the rugged western Lake District.

Company Law is complex and is constantly changing. If you own or run a business it can be impossible to keep up with developments within commercial or employment law. This is where specialists can be a huge asset, as it is their job to ensure that they are constantly keeping up to date with developments, so you don’t have to. Commercial specialists have a wealth of experience in dealing with any commercial legal issue, and are exceptionally respected within the legal community. With our existing clients ranging from national and international Companies to small companies or business startups, you can be assured that regardless of what legal advice you need, our commercial law team will be more than capable of ensuring you receive the advice and results you need.

All conveyance work undertaken is handled by experienced conveyancers, who ensure that throughout the entire conveyancing process, you are kept up-to-date, and that you always understand each step of the process in full. This allows us to guarantee that your move is as smooth and as stress free as possible, exactly as it should be.

Employment law is probably one the fastest moving areas of law, so an expert employment law team will ensure that their clients and themselves are always at the forefront of each development. This ensures that an employment law team is always able to offer the very best advice and representation, to both Business’ and Individuals alike.

By ensuring that personal injury specialists are continuously keeping up to date with the most recent developments in the field of injury claims, a solicitors practice are able to considerably maximise the compensation which you may be entitled to.

Hull solicitors operate on a completely no-win-no-fee basis, and are pleased to offer a first free interview to advise you on your claim and how it may be funded.

Below are just some examples of what personal injury claims we are able to deal with:
Road accidents
Accidents at work
Industrial Deafness Cases
Asbestos Claims
Accident in the street or other public place

A solicitor will offer a sensitive and efficient service, and are able to ensure that you are always advised and guided in the best possible way. Whether you wish to make your own Will, need help and advice when somebody has passed on, or when someone has been taken into care, they are always able to offer legal advice or services designed to help.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to nominate someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapable of doing so. We can assist you with drafting and registering these important documents. If someone has already lost capacity we can also assist with an application to the Court of Protection.

Hull solicitors are also able to assist in Inheritance Tax planning.
Wills drafted
Wills stored free of charge
Long term care planning
Inheritance planning
Help and advice when somebody dies
Lasting Power of attorney Court of Protection
Preparation and Administration of Trusts

Litigation experts provide assistance and representation both in the Court and Tribunal, or, through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution method. Providing the most discreet and professional litigation service earns a solicitor a very good reputation and makes them one of the experts in this field, whilst at the same time always providing a fast, efficient and cost effective service.

Just some of the Litigation services a solicitor provides are:
Construction disputes
Contract disputes
Litigation arising from commercial transactions or commercial contracts
Professional negligence
Litigation arising from disputes over the ownership or occupation of property
Company disputes
Partnership disputes

A wind turbine in the garden would suffer from limited wind speed in urban areas, needs planning permission, and unless 2 or 3 metres in span produces very little electricity. However, if you live on the top of a hill in Scotland a wind turbine is a good idea. Solar panels for generating hot water are worth considering, and are cost effective on your house rather than on your garden office.

The investment in new technologies is definitely worthwhile personally and globally if you are building a new house or if you intend to live in your home for life. But there are simple measures that all of us can take in our homes and our garden offices to help reduce our carbon footprint.

So what are the simplest and fastest ways of reducing energy consumption in a new garden office, granny flat and in our homes?
Here’s an energy check list below: -
1. High levels of insulation. Is your loft insulated? Have you got cavity wall insulation in the house? Have you got building regulation levels of insulation in your garden office to help balance your carbon footprint?
2. In a larger garden offfice you could heat with a woodburning stove. Woodburners burn efficiently and the resulting ash can be compsted or spread straight onto your garden.
3. Double glazing. Have all the rooms in your house, including your garden office, got double glazing?
4. When choosing new domestic appliances and garden office equipment ask for an energy rating. Don’t leave any electrical equipment on stand-by. [Plasma TVs use more electricity than traditional televisions.]
5. Building materials. Have the building materials in your new extension, loft conversion or garden office been manufactured in the UK to reduce carbon miles and do the manufacturers care about their carbon footprint? Do they recycle, how do they fuel their manufacturing plant?
6. Small but effective measures are energy saving light-bulbs. Washing your clothes at 30 degrees. Walking!

Over 25% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from inadequate insulation in domestic buildings.
Many garden office suppliers are building offices using SIPS panels which are made from a thin layer of plastic insulation sandwiched between two sheets of OSB. This means that air cannot circulate and condensation and mould will form unless you use air-conditioning and as we all know, air conditioning is costly to the pocket as well as the environment.

There are no Government insulation or building standards for smaller garden offices. This means that badly constructed and inadequately insulated buildings are being supplied as garden offices.

With the world’s increasing concern about climate change, many garden offices are built to consume less energy and reduce their contribution to global warming. For example, walls that are 200mm thick, ceilings 310mm thick and floors 255mm thick. All are filled with double layers of insulation and designed and checked with government approved software to ensure that condensation cannot form within the building or the walls.

Over 25% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from inadequate insulation in domestic buildings. To further cut down on CO2 emissions, eco-friendly insulation can be put into a garden office. These eco-friendly materials have been manufactured using as little energy and chemicals, and as much recycling, as possible. Two examples are below: -
1. Rockwool.
•    Rockwool a mineral fibre insulation that is manufactured using as much recycled material as possible. The Rockwool factory in South Wales heats its own offices using waste heat from the manufacturing process. Rockwool won the Wales Environmental Award in 2002 and continually strives to reduce its energy and water consumption.
2. Thermafleece Sheep’s wool insulation.
•    Thermafleece insulation is manufactured from the wool of British hill sheep. The manufacturing process uses little energy and the resulting eco-friendly insulation is a natural, low allergy, breathable material.

Ambleside is mostly a Victorian town, although there has been a settlement there since pre-Roman times.  Galava, a fort located beside Borrans Park in Ambleside was built by the Romans and was used to house around 500 soldiers. The fort was built to defend the lower fells of South Lakeland from invasion by the Picts and Scots, and also to guard the road to the Roman Port at Ravenglass which is accessible from Hard Knott Pass.

Many well known characters have been connected with Ambleside, including William Wordsworth, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter.  The Armitt Museum in Ambleside provides more information about each of these famous characters and within easy reach of Ambleside visitors will be able to experience the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, Rydal Mount in Rydal which was the home of the Wordsworth family from 1813 and Dove Cottage in Grasmere, which is where William Wordsworth wrote most of his greatest poetry.

Waterhead pier is only a mile south of Ambleside town centre and this ferry terminal allows visitors to experience scenic ferry trips on Lake Windermere.  The ferries run regularly throughout the day between Waterhead, Bowness-on-Windermere and Lakeside at Newby Bridge.

A short walk from the centre of the Ambleside leads up to Stock Ghyll Force, a highly picturesque waterfall, which can be reached through Stock Ghyll Woods. This spectacular seventy foot drop to a bowl shaped pool can be viewed safely from a hand railed vantage point.  The ghyll once powered twelve watermills. The scenery around Stock Ghyll is truly magnificent and for any visitors wishing to stay in a rural location, but with the convenience of a town close by there are some excellent Lake District cottages available for rent in the area.

The Lake District offers a huge range of lower level walks. A popular area is the Central Lakes, namely around Windermere, Ambleside and Coniston. There are still some larger fells in that area for example, Fairfield and the Coniston Old Man but these are set amongst smaller fells such as Loughrigg and Todd Crag. The busy town of Ambleside is always full of walkers stopping off to re fuel before their next outing but is also a popular place for non walkers who just want to take in the views or a cruise on Lake Windermere. For larger party of walkers, it is worth looking into bunk barns and bunk houses. In and around the Lake District there are bunk houses, often tucked away in hidden locations but that offer cheap accommodation for a larger party.

French illustrator Marine has created a number of stunning limited edition screen prints, which are clearly inspired by her love for music and fashion, the Ye-Ye movement in sixties France, her childhood and all the different people she meets.

Marine was born in Paris, grew up in South of France and moved to Brighton to study Graphic Design.

Now living and working in Brighton as an illustrator she divides her time between commissions for clients such as The Guardian, Penguin, Coca-Cola, TruThoughts, Amelia’s Magazine, Jazeera Airways … and personal work that she exhibits regularly. Her work has been described as vivid, vibrant, sometimes retro or slightly surreal and has been published in Computer Arts, Etapes Graphiques, Illusive and the Secrets Of Digital Illustration.

Most recently Marine is noted for four quality portraits including Gossip’s singer Beth Ditto, Dance Girl, Guitar Girl and Tea Girl, which are all printed on 400 gsm uncoated Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved paper are available in a very limited edition of just fifty signed and numbered screen-prints.

This Beth Ditto print is exclusively available from Design Supremo, which is an online creative hub that brings together cutting edge design, illustration, photography, street art and other hybrids in between. Design Supremo collect and supply original, vintage and limited edition prints, wall art, art posters, unique t-shirts, and other assorted creative products.

Why should I use a professional home or office clearance service?
You should use one if you want a highly professional, reliable, and swift service that is very competitive on price whilst most importantly, being fully licensed, insured and compliant with EU and UK legislation. You may also appreciate a professional’s commitment to delivering the most environmentally friendly clearance service available.

How is the price worked out for a house clearance?
There are three factors that influence the cost. 1. The labour required. ?2. The cost of disposal and recycling of the items cleared. ?3. The resale value of the items to be cleared. Once the house clearance company have assessed the job they then calculate the price. There should be no hidden extra costs.

Why can’t I get an exact price over the phone?
Until the house or office clearance company can asses exactly how long the job will take, what if any residual value there is, and what our recycling / disposal costs are going to be a precise quote cannot be given.

What sort of furniture and effects have a value?
Antiques, art, collectables and high quality designer furniture are the items that have enough resale value to offset against the costs of clearance. The office or house clearance company should make sure good quality second hand furniture finds a home, but it usually doesn’t have much value. The service provider should however be happy to give advice on how to sell second hand furniture in cases where they think someone else may pay more than they will. They also help you get it reused by recommending local free-cycle initiatives.

What happens if there is more or less stuff in the house than we estimated?
For a variety of reasons the size of the clearance can change right up to the last minute. This is always understand this and simply adjust the price accordingly.

What happens to the contents once removed?
Every effort is made to ensure everything that can be reused and recycled is reused and recycled. Most clearance companies say this and should carry it through.

Does a clearance company clear rubbish as well as furniture?
They should do including all general domestic and office waste, including rubbish, fridges, tyres, biomass, etc.

Is there anything they can’t clear?
Most house and office clearance companies cannot clear hazardous materials such as paint, noxious chemicals, solvents, asbestos and medical waste. The  local authority should be contacted to get a list of recommended local hazardous waste carriers.

Would I have to be at the property whilst the work is done?
No. So long as the clearance company have access to the property, in normal cases they can go ahead. It is often the case that keys are collected from a local estate agent or neighbour, for example. When not present, it is extremely important to know in writing if anything is not to be removed, and it has to be clearly identifiable (preferably clearly labelled).

Should the clearance company be licensed and insured?
Absolutely. They should fully insured to carry out all the aspects of house and office clearance services and should be licensed by the Environment Agency as waste carriers.

Can they take stuff to a charity shop?
They should offer this service and also should a requirement for furniture etc to be delivered to friends, family or into storage, they should off a man and van service for this which would be factored into the overall cost.

Would they clean the property once it has been cleared?
Standard practice is to sweep through the property. However if the property has been requested to be more thoroughly cleaned, the house or office clearance company should provide options such as hovering and wiping down to a full spring clean service.

According to the Giftware Association, the gift industry is worth and estimated £10 billion per year. This is made up of various sectors such as traditional gifts, design led gifts and cards and gift wrap.

Unlike Christmas, a Birthday is a special day for the person who Birthday it is solely. This makes it even more important that a special gift be sent. At Christmas time, the shelves are filled with generic Christmas gifts and it is very hard not to buy a gift set. Buying a Birthday gift is the perfect opportunity to purchase a present that is personal and unique.

A quirky, unique or personal gift, no matter what budget, can be extra special. A real emphasis should be on the thought, not the budget. Thoughtful Birthday gifts can be worth so much more than an expensive item which has hardly any thought. This is especially true with children. How many times does it happen that a child will be more
taken with a smaller gift but that is fun, than the main present that cost fortune?!

Special novelty gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face no matter what age as well as the giver of the gift. Quirky gifts are available now for example, grow your own chilli plants, to become a laird or lady, or own a share in playboy.

The giving of gifts is not just birthday’s, sending Wedding gifts or at Christmas anymore. Easter, Mother and Father’s days, Christenings and moving house are seeing increasing amounts of gift giving. Everyone likes receiving presents so it enables even more excitement than just on the usual days.

Finding the right gift has never been easier now we have the internet. The online gift industry is huge. Having the choice of so many online retailers at a touch of button means a special gift can always be found and the ability to have the present gift wrapped and sent direct to the receiver makes it even easier.

Modular buildings can be constructed for temporary, semi permanent or permanent purposes. As they are quickly and easily constructed, they are very well suited to provide temporary emergency housing or when disasters occur such a fires for example.

As modular buildings are constructed in a factory, the weather does not affect the construction time which means a more accurate and faster completion date is achievable unlike a traditional construction site where the weather and other factors often mean a building is delayed. Even electrical wiring is done in the factory.

Modular buildings are either constructed from a single section or in the case of larger structures, they are made using several sections. These structures can be ordered from a company’s standard range or they can be made to specifically designed and built to the needs of the end user/company. Once completed, the modular building is shipped to its location where foundations will have been layed and these foundations can be temporary or permanent depending on what the need is for the building.

Modular buildings are almost unrecognisable from those available 10 or 15 years ago. They are far more complex and are of far better quality with many incorporating state of art technologies and materials. In these tough economic times, the ability to save a great deal of money on office space, extra classrooms and temporary health care centres for example is crucial. Modular buildings fulfil all the criteria required whilst being quickly and cheaply erected.

From environmental perspectives, modular and portable buildings have advantages over traditional construction. The manufacturing process creates far less waste than traditional construction and can be built cost effectively but using materials that are both environmentally friendly in the construction process and for fuel saving when occupied. As mentioned earlier, not all modular buildings are permanent. Due to this, second hand modular and portable buildings are available. When purchased, these pre owned structures embody even more environmental effectiveness. The embodied energy required to manufacture a modular building is transportable as the embodied energy is locked within the fabric of the building. Therefore the energy contained within pre?owned modular buildings can be transported and relocated to another site. In traditional buildings this is largely lost when they are no longer required and demolished, even when the materials are re?cycled. However, with modular and portable buildings the embodied energy can be relocated along with the modules to another site.