Here is just a small sample of the excellent reviews May Cottage B&B Lake Windermere have received on TripAdvisor:

“Great B&B accomodation close to the centre of Bowness”
5 of 5 stars
Date of review: 4 Apr 2011

Most pleasant welcome received from Sue – the accomodation was ideal for our three night stay – with a very comfortable bed room and fine ensuite. The excellent full English breakfast ,accompanied by Sue’s little talk on the locality and its history, set us up for the day’s walking . The B&B is just a few minutes walk to the centre of Bowness and the pubs and restaurants.
For Rugby League fans, a must is a chat with Len Casey , Sue’s husband and breakfast chef, who can relate anecdotes about his playing career for Great Britain ( some as captain) and England and both Hull clubs.

“A gem of a B&B”

Date of review: 1 Apr 2011
Our first trip to the lakes and first visit to a B&B. We recently married and decided to stay away for a couple of nights.

Sue and Len are great value, warm and welcoming. Place is a gem, you ll be lucky to get availability as the repeat business is a sign of how popular this place is.

Would love to stay again!
“SIMPLY THE BEST”
5 of 5 stars
1 more review of May Cottage by Sallyberisford:

Date of review: 23 Mar 2011

We returned to May Cottage, & yet again received a warm, friendly welcome. Sue goes out of her way to make you feel at ease & welcome. She has stories to tell you & her knowledge of the area is outstanding. She has a brillant sense of humour, ALL the rooms are lovely & clean.
If you stay here it is only a very short walk into Bowness & all the shops, pubs etc.
I mustn’t forget Len, who doe’s a wonderful breakfast each morning, Len to is a chirpy chappy.
Throughly recommed you to stay here.
We felt like part of Sue & Lens extended family. Will definately return.
THANKS BOTH

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.

PPE conducts a range of professional development training courses, seminars and workshops throughout the year but they are pleased to announce two forthcoming course dates:

26 Oct 2011 - Elastomer technology and seal design for critical sealing applications.
Venue: Balmoral Suite, Norwood Hall Hotel, Garthdee Road, Cults, Aberdeen, AB15 9FX
23 Nov 2011 - Elastomer technology and seal design for critical sealing applications.  More info.
Venue: PPE, Greenbank Road, Blackburn, BB1 3EA

These educational events are designed to increase the delegate’s awareness of the important aspects of elastomer technology. The content of each course/seminar/workshop is industry specific and tailored to the attendees’ requirements.

Events are held at PPE’s purpose built training centre in England, at delegates’ own business premises (subject to a minimum group size) or at strategically located convention venues throughout Europe and the USA.

PPE training events are delivered by leading experts in the elastomer industry, ensuring that delegates receive the benefit of many years experience as well as the very latest technical know-how.

Current training courses include:

•    An introduction to elastomer materials and how O rings are made (1 day or ½ day)
•    Elastomer technology and seal design for critical sealing applications (1 day)
•    Elastomer technology and seal design for diesel engines (1 day)
•    Elastomer technology and seal design for the semiconductor industry (1 or 2 days)
•    Elastomer technology and seal design for the pharmaceutical industry (coming soon)

New courses are constantly being added in response to customer demand.

Founded in 1974, PPE has over 35 years specialized sealing expertise, offering an unrivalled range of products from over 170 elastomer materials. Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE) Ltd is a unit of IDEX Corp, and operates as a business within IDEX’s Health and Science Technologies segment. PPE is a world leading designer and manufacturer of high performance rubber seals and rubber gaskets 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 rubber sealing and o rings solutions.

If you wish to attend a future training on o ring seals technology or elastomer technology and rubber seals design courses please visit http://www.prepol.com.

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 of hostels in Dublin.

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.

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. VW camper 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.

Many things including nature, animals and plant forms inspire her work. She also loves the pattern and colour of vintage Scandinavian folk art that is often reflected in her work.

At the moment most of her prints are produced on a Japanese Print Gocco. Print Gocco is small self-contained tabletop screen-printing machine first produced in Japan in the 1970s. The process is very similar to screen-printing and at one time a Print Gocco was found in most Japanese homes.

Dee has exhibited in a small selection of UK galleries and currently has a selection of her prints published on note cards by Attic Art Publishing London.

Design Supremo supply limited edition prints, art prints, art posters, wall art and screen prints.

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

Directly employing only fully qualified electricians, they offer a level of technical capability and service which is unparalleled in the Industry.

With continued growth over the last decade, the company is rated as an exceptional performer by industry analysts.

Electrical Testers have the culture, people and systems to provide the ultimate service.

UK Health & Safety legislation is extensive and requires that whatever your activity, you must provide a safe environment for your staff and your customers.

The services provided by Electrical Testers Ltd are designed to comply with a variety of legislation, regulations and British Standards.

Although not exhaustive, most of the relevant regulations and standards are listed below:

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 PAT Testing

BS5839:Pt1:2002 - Fire Alarm Inspection & Testing
BS5266:Pt1:1999 - Emergency Lighting Inspection & Testing
BS7671:2008 - Periodic Inspection of Fixed Installations
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Fire Risk Assessments

Do you have a large number of photographs, tucked away in cupboards, the loft or just piled up somewhere? Do you have slides that you barely look at any more? Perhaps you have negatives tidied away in envelopes that you’re no longer sure what they are. Or maybe you have precious memories kept on home videos that are beginning to show signs of wear.

PiciScan can help! We scan all sizes of photograph up to A4 and all sizes of mounted slide and photographic negative. We also convert a variety of different video formats to DVD, including transfer VHS to DVD.

Just call 01539 741418 or visit our online scanning service shop to order your scanning directly.

What you can expect from PiciScan:

* Personal, friendly and helpful service.
* High resolution scans carried out by hand with colour correction.
* Free return delivery on all orders to mainland UK.
* Free secure courier, home collection service on all orders over £45.
* Every order comes with a DVD, personalised with your choice of text and image.

Preserve your memories today.

Garden plants, trees and shrubs are as important as those in the wider landscape and we can all do our bit to support native plants. Hedgerows are synonymous with the UK’s landscape but they are as important for their use as barriers and for privacy as they are for the many species of wildlife that inhabit them.

The last few decades have seen the demise of many thousands of miles of established hedgerows and their associated wildlife. To help redress this balance, hedging nurseries can now be seen offering carefully selected mixtures of native species, which will grow together to form a dense rustic hedge that will be stock proof and encourage a wide variety of wildlife. These mixes can be trimmed at any time from August onwards but ideally in winter. These well balanced mixes are a more economical and convenient way of planting native species which enable gardeners and homeowners with a limited budget to have native hedging.

Native hedging mixes are now available which are both economical and easy to look after. For example, a mix comprising of approximately 70% Quickthorn and Blackthorn to knit the hedge together, the balance is selected from Common Alder, Common Dogwood, Dog Rose, Field Maple, Hazel and Spindle. These native hedge mixes are suitable for a range of situations including coastal areas, windy and exposed areas and wet sites. They are thorny and attract wildlife to boot.

Many gardeners ask hedging nurseries for ‘Evergreen’ mix native hedging plants. Evergreen hedging needs little explanation as to its popularity and is very easy to maintain. Unfortunately there are very few suitable native or indigenous plants that are true evergreens so leaf retaining Beech and Hornbeam for more variety have to be used instead. This mixture gives as good a degree of year round privacy as is possible without using more ‘suburban’ evergreen plants. An example mixture comprises 50% Quickthorn and Blackthorn to knit the hedge together, 10% Green Holly, 10% Evergreen Oak, 10% Green Beech, 10% Hornbeam and 10% Wild Rose, Spindle, Guelder Rose and Wayfaring Tree. These are usually available as 2-3ft and 3-4ft transplant although Holly and Evergreen Oak are usually supplied pot grown at the same height. It should be noted that if this mixture is to be planted on a cold exposed inland site, it is a recommendation that Green Holly is substituted for the Evergreen Oak hedging which will not succeed in these conditions.

Sunderland is a city with a difference – a modern, bustling centre that is balanced with a relaxing green environment, stunning coastal scenery and a refreshing attitude to life. Citypadz provide a number of apartments to rent in Sunderland, and are one of the premier Sunderland letting agents.

Shopping
The retail heart of the city is focused around The Bridges Shopping Centre, where over 100 top name high street stores jostle for position along the bright and airy walkways. New investment is bringing life back into the fine Victorian streets of the city centre, where independent shops and boutiques offer everything from designer labels to trendy interiors. Eye-catching pieces of jewellery, glassware and ceramics are also a Sunderland speciality, with craft and gift shops at the museums and galleries featuring the works of up and coming designer-makers.

Heritage and culture
The Sunniside Cultural Quarter in Sunderland city centre situated mid-way between the River Wear and the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is home to a host of top cultural Sunderland arts centres including the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Arts and The Place, a cutting edge new arts and business centre with art exhibitions.

On the northern banks of the River Wear you will find the spectacular Sunderland Stadium of Light football stadium, St Peter’s historic church, one of the oldest churches in Britain, and the National Glass Centre.

The city’s Empire Theatre is also the only theatre between Leeds and Edinburgh large enough to host major West End shows. Opened in 1907, it boasts splendid examples of Edwardian architecture.

Sports and leisure
Sunderland’s green spaces and magnificent coastline also make an ideal stage for a number of exhilarating outdoor festivals and events. From the adrenaline rush of the Red Arrows at the Sunderland International Airshow and the world’s best kite flyers at the Sunderland International Friendship Festival, to traditional ox roasting and fireworks at Houghton Feast, there is always something going on in Sunderland to suit all tastes.

For the energetic types, the Sunderland Wall and Silksworth Sports Complex offer climbing, skiing and snowboarding while Adventure Sunderland and the North East Diving Academy, both located on the beautiful coastline of Roker, boasts facilities for windsurfers, kayakers and divers.

Eating out and nightlife
Sunderland is a city that knows how to enjoy itself, and with a host of new bars and restaurants opening to join the established favourites there is no shortage of places to have a good time. Sunderland city centre features an array of contemporary and traditional bars, clubs and pubs and many near Sunderland renting properties.

The new underground music scene, which has recently evolved in Sunderland, has been voted the best by NME. Various venues throughout the Sunderland city play host to regular live music nights, featuring up and coming talent of the city.

Ideal for restaurants, attractions, hotels, residential, holiday lets, service areas and retail, Cypher’s digital wallpaper is prepasted so needs no additional adhesive. It is so simple to use that the customer can fit it themselves or a commercial decorator can fit it. The digital wallpaper is PVC free and is printed using HP’s environmentally friendly Latex inks. Unlike solvent inks these are not harmful to the environment and have no odour, making it safe for any domestic or commercial applications. The ultra smooth finish and the latex base of the inks provide vivid colour graphics with high-definition detail.

The benefits of this new digital wallpaper compared with the older PVC based substrates are vast.  As well as the environmental benefits of this new digital wallpaper, it also meets commercial wall covering standards and for indoor use, has a permanence of 10 years+. Should that length of permanence not be required, the digital wallpaper comes with a manufacturers warranty for clean removal. In terms of safety, the digital wallpaper is flame retardant so meets health and safety guidelines.

It was a colourful start to 2011 at the new Furmanite IT & Training Centre in Kendal. Furmanite commissioned a full colour digital wallpaper graphic for the new centre from Cypher. The graphic which is a very colourful montage of Furmanite workers undertaking various tasks is a huge 9.5m wide and just under 2.5m high. It was printed on the latest HP PVC-free wall paper using environmentally friendly 1.5m wide HP latex printer.

For more information on digital wallpaper and to obtain quotes, visit http://www.cypherdigital.co.uk/new05/printed-wallpaper.html

Household attitudes to energy conservation and the environment vary considerably. Whether it’s due to people purely not caring, not having enough time, being miss informed or through laziness that they don’t recycle or do not do not conserve energy resources for example.

Saving energy and conserving water in the home are very easy practices but with plentiful water and electricity on demand, we often forget these are not sustainable resources and do cost money.

The economic downturn has hit just about everyone. Of course is varying amounts but what each and every one of us are noticing is the rise in fuel bills especially during the last two harsh Winters experienced in the United Kingdom. Monthly bills can be seen, the rising costs month on month felt.

Whatever way a household conserves and saves energy and water is good and for whatever reason. If the honest reason is not due to environmental reasons then that isn’t all bad, resources are still being saved at the end of the day. For example, replacing an inefficient shower head with a high flow rate to a water efficient one could save a family of four in the region of £50 off their gas bills and around £75 off their water bills each year. That is a quite considerable saving of both resources and money. And why waste time waiting for a full kettle of water to boil when only a cup full is required. Only filling the kettle with the amount of water required saves electricity, water and time.

An easy way to monitor and save electricity, gas and water is by installing meters. Gas, electricity and water meter installations are on the rise with households and businesses wanting to monitor consumption which in turn, helps achieve lower bills. Electricity usage can be tracked to find out when and with what products use the most energy. These pieces of equipment or appliances could be used in a different way to lower energy consumption or may be even replaced with more energy efficient items.

Gas, water and electricity meters are quick and easy to install alongside an existing circuit or gas system various different models can be found to suit different household requirements and set ups. A brief summary of the main types of household gas and electricity types can be found below:

Pulse Output - A pulse output is a relay contact (more often that not an electronic relay) inside the meter that closes momentarily when the meter advances it energy register. By connecting this up to either a BMS (building Management System) or an Energy management system the remote equipment can count the pulses and in turn display the same reading as the meter remotely.

Communications - Unlike pulses with a more intelligent system where a dedicated communication protocol is used, the meter is asked by the remote system for the readings out of its internal registers. This means that if the meter fails to respond then an alarm can be raised straight away. Not only that but any register/ value in the meter can be read remotely such as current, voltage, power factor, frequency, instantaneous power as well as the energy register displays.

Analogues Outputs and Alarms - Some Electricity Meters have analogue outputs which can be programmed to give a 4-20mA or similar in sympathy with the amount of instantaneous power being consumed. Other Electricity Meters have alarm outputs which can be programmed to signal various conditions.

Diaphragm Gas Flow Meters - These gas meters are the cheapest way of monitoring gas usage. We are able to supply these gas meters with or without a pulse output which would be used for connection into a building management or energy management system for remote data collection and reporting.

Turbine Gas Flow Meters - These gas flow meters are more expensive than the diaphragm variant. They also come with a battery powered electronic display and pulse output which would be used for connection into a building management or energy management system for remote data collection and reporting. These meters would generally be used for natural gas applications although some can be used on pipe work carrying different gases.

So the combination of thought and the installation of gas, water and electricity meters, a household can keep on top of bills, costings and their respect for their precious environment.

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 air 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 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

There are companies who will sell you a Check Box and tell you that there is no need to send your meter away for calibration. Simply check it periodically yourself using the Check Box. To help you decide whether this is good advice you need to consider what you get for the money you spend on having the meter calibrated.

Proper meter calibration carried out periodically by a UKAS accredited electrical calibration laboratory, where the accuracy of the meter under test is compared with a standard of known accuracy, under repeatable controlled conditions will give you peace of mind and in depth knowledge about the performance of your meter across its full operating range. You’ll get a UKAS calibration certificate detailing the full measured results and a quantified statement of the uncertainty of those results.

A quick comparison with a check box “in the field” will not deliver the same level of confidence. Check boxes do however have their place. They are very useful for carrying out quick in-service checking of the major functions of a meter between calibrations. Especially useful when you are on-site, if the meter has been dropped or subjected to overload. Proper UKAS meter calibration is however the only way you can be absolutely sure that the measurements made with the meter are of known accuracy and can be relied upon.

Would you buy a second hand car without an MOT? Probably not. The risks and dangers are obvious. Similarly, the risks and dangers of relying on electrical measurements made using an un-calibrated meter should be equally obvious. To sum up then, check boxes have their place, but their use should not be considered an acceptable alternative to a proper calibration by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

Using predominantly local materials, Childs and Co furniture and products are renowned for their clean lines, durability and sustainability. In traditional or contemporary styles, Childs and Co furniture and accessories are designed for you and your home.

Choose from the existing product line or call for a bespoke solution, and be comfortable in the knowledge a Childs and Co piece will add a statement to your home.

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.

Mail forwarding is used for many different purposes but it is the onset of internet that has created the need for more mail forwarding options. Internet based businesses for example who wish to have a valid postal address but who do not have business premises and that do not wish to have a PO Box address. Purchasing goods online from abroad is another reason why both business and domestic consumers would require a mail forwarding address. A parcel forwarding company will set up an address, in the United States for example, where goods purchased will get sent to you and then they will organise the shipping of the goods back to the United Kingdom. By ordering goods in such a way, shipping costs can be greatly cut down.

The latest in mail forwarding in the UK is an international mail and parcel forwarding service offering consumers and businesses the advantage of a hassle free UK postal address from which they can ship anywhere in the world. A UK mail forwarding address also enables overseas businesses to have a presence in the United Kingdom. A mail and parcel forwarding service streamlines businesses and enables even more efficiency when carrying out operations overseas and internationally.

Mail forwarding how it works

Sign Up to a mail forwarding service to get a UK address.
This typically involves following quick and simple steps to register. Choose the right account to suit your need parcel forwarding needs. Click here to compare our parcel forwarding membership options. Once you’ve decided on which service account is right for you, you’ll be given a unique and genuine UK street address.

Make sure your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery
Its your responsibility to make sure that your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery. The forwarding service company will have a list of excluded items to make sure your package isn’t among them.

Get a quote
Find out how much it will cost to get your parcel to the destination country.

Order you goods
Get shopping and place your order. Make sure you enter your mail forwarding UK address when prompted to fill in the shipping address.

The packing forwarding company will receive your parcel
The company will let you know as soon as we receive delivery of your parcel. When you sign in to the online mail forwarding account, you’ll be able to track the status of your parcel as it is prepared for shipment.

The parcel will be prepared for shipment
The mail forwarding company will sort out all the paperwork for you and make sure your parcel is securely packaged.

Your parcel arrives at your doorstep
You can typically expect to receive delivery of your parcel within 5 days of the date of dispatch from the warehouse.

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 suppression 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 suppression. Not only that, the system known as Stat-X allows easier and more cost-effective installations for all these types of challenging applications.

There may still be a chill in the air and it’s not quite shorts and t-shirt weather yet but the daffodils are almost out, the days are getting longer and the smell of spring is well and truly here.

It’s about now that any fashion savvy fashionista has one thing and one thing only on their minds……their summer wardrobe. London Fashion Week has been prompting people to think about fashion and clothing after the long, dark winter and all the fashion magazines are beginning to feature summer fashion tips and advice.
As much as any fashionista loves wearing boots and let’s face it, there were stunning ones around this winter, it has been long since many have seen their toes! It’s been too cold to have toes uncovered for any longer than it takes to have a shower and thick socks have ruled.

Footwear is an excellent place to start when first thinking of a summer wardrobe. The summer styles are in all the shops both on the high street and online, the styles are fresh and the full range of sizes are available so no disappointment. Close your eyes and think of sandals, holidays and sand between your toes! And think about all the festivals coming up. The UK does see its fair share of rain at these events so take your Hunter Wellies but also your sandals.

In terms of both womens sandals and mens sandals, the rise in comfort footwear is very much welcome. The summer is chilled out and about having fun so sandals such as from Birkenstock and Crocs give that chilled vibe.

First in Service will design and install air conditioning and ventilation systems, and electrical equipment and installations. Their helpdesk is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. Their planned, preventative maintenance contracts are available across all disciplines to ensure that your equipment is kept in peak condition. All our Engineers are employed by the company and are CRB checked.

If you are looking to save energy or utility costs within your business First in Service can help you by installing energy/utilities meters, and they can assist in your application for an interest free loan from the Carbon Trust to help you install new equipment that will save energy.

For more information about First in Service, or any of their servicing, installation and maintenance services please visit www.firstinservice.co.uk.

With mobile shelving there is no need for multiple access aisles; only a single aisle space is required. Aisles are created according to the location of the files required by moving the shelves apart.

Mobile shelving systems run on minimum friction tracks laid simply and quickly onto your existing carpets or floors - no fuss, no disruption. These can then take your existing or new shelving, cupboards or filing cabinets, and the mobile shelving is moved by either ultra-low friction manual wheels or simple 13A plug electrically assisted systems. It’s quick, simple and safe but highly space efficient too. Easy moveable shelving.

These shelving systems can also enhance the security of your filing system, as the mobile shelving can be closed or locked to restrict access to sensitive documents and offer a sleek contemporary design fitting to every office environment and is easy to reconfigure as the business grows or moves.

•    Easy to specify, install and relocate.
•    A mobile shelving system is installed on top of your existing floor without the need for fixings.
•    Minimum disruption during installation.
•    Fully modular - the moveable shelving system can be easily relocated or extended as circumstances change.
•    Rolled Edge Shelving and storage accessories are a common fitting to all frame styles - so you can adapt your industrial shelving as future needs change without worrying about compatibility. Accessories feature clip-in fitting so that any changes are quickly and easily made.
•    A major advantage of rolled edge shelving are the slim profile shelves and frames which give runs of shelving a neat, coordinated appearance. This design feature, coupled with the colour options on the frames and optional decorative end cladding makes it ideal for use in offices and commercial environments, where the slim profiles minimise wasted linear space and optimise use of the storage area.
•    Whether for front of office storage of ‘live documents’ or long-term archiving, rolled edge shelving is the ideal solution.
•    Having the right industrial shelving systems and storage shelving units key to operating an effective document and data management system. This is especially true now that the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts are placing further pressures on organisations to comply quickly and efficiently.
•    Rolled edge mobile shelving Manchester, with its wide range of sizes and accessories, is the right solution to meet the needs of today’s modern office environment.

The HSE website advises: “It is an employer’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and other people who might be affected by their business”, and that “the employer must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this.”

Good management of workplace safety represents not only good business practice, but also it can improve both performance of staff and the business in general. Unfortunately whilst complying and keeping pace with statutory change is extremely time consuming - especially given the growth of the compensation culture - it is essential to ensure you are not left exposed in the event of an accident or injury in your workplace.

Workplace Safety Training & Inspection
By outsourcing to a specialized health and safety advisor, you will be provided with bespoke safety awareness training and inspections which can be used to promote workplace safety, leading to an improved safety culture for all your staff. From shop floor to senior management, specialized training courses are tailored to suit your organisation’s needs.

Workplace Safety Management
Health and Safety management systems will help you to ensure that your staff are adequately trained and that they buy-in to the concept that managing risks within the workplace is as much their responsibility as yours. This will further reduce your exposure to accidents in the work place and subsequent investigations by the Local Authority or the HSE.

Writing a Health & Safety Policy from scratch
Any organisation with five or more employees is legally required to have a written Health & Safety Policy (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 section 2(3)). It shouldn’t be a complicated document but it does need to be a concise summary, stating how your business manages safety.

If you’re thinking about writing your own Health and Safety Policy there are a few things you’ll need to consider. Your Policy should clearly set out how you manage Health and Safety, who is responsible and when things must be done. Starting a policy from scratch isn’t easy, particularly if you haven’t written one before and you don’t have access to professional health and safety advisors.

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.

Windermere is a popular destination for people of all ages, all tastes and all interests. Of course, Windermere is very famous as a base for walking the Lakeland fells and for doing many other outdoor activities but more and more visitors are coming to Windermere for a bit of luxury.

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 luxury Windermere hotels 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.

Coniston Water
Coniston is the third largest of the lakes and is approximately 5 miles long and ½ a mile wide. The lake is hugely popular with tourist due to its large expanse of water, which contains a number of tranquil islands, as well as the stunning scenery. The lake was famously the setting for the book Swallows and Amazons as well as the setting for Donald Campbell’s ill fated attempt to break the water speed record.

Derwent Water
Derwent Water is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide making it the widest lake in the Lake District. The lake has a number of islands within, one of which contains Derwent Island House which is open to the public just 5 days a year. The huge Skiddaw overlooking the lake and the nearby market town of Keswick make Derwent one of the most popular lakes for visitors.

Ullswater
Ullswater is the second largest of all the lakes in the Lake District at approximately 9 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide. Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the lakes, Ullswater often finds itself compared to lakes in Switzerland, such as Lucerne. This favourable comparison is thanks to the beautiful scenery with mountains to one side and green fields and woodland on the other. The lake is great for water sports, with canoeing, sailing and wind surfing particularly popular. There are also the more relaxing steamer boats that take you on a cruise of the lake.

Windermere
Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is the largest in the whole of England at approximately 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. As well as being the largest of the lakes Windermere is also the most well known and has long been a very popular attraction for tourists. Many of the tourists who do visit end up taking part in at least one of the many on water activities available. These range from wake boarding, sailing and canoeing to a more sedate pleasure cruise.
About the Author
This article was written on behalf of Borrowdale Gates, one of the best hotels in Keswick providing luxury base for your Lake District holiday.

When it comes to either Lake District Bed and Breakfast accommodation the Cuckoo Brow should be your first choice.

Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean Islands. Cuba is the largest with the second place taken by Hispaniola which contains the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking Island in the Caribbean, measured at one hundred and forty six miles long and fifty one miles wide and occupying an area of 4,400 square miles.

The population of Jamaica is just over two and a half million with high concentrations in the cities and surroundings, especially Kingston, the capital. Most visitors fly into Montego Bay as the North Coast is home to most of the beautiful beaches and other famous visitor attractions, like Dunn’s River Falls.

It is said that Columbus described Jamaica as “a land of hills and valleys” and crumpled a piece of paper to demonstrate its topography. Almost half of Jamaica is over a thousand feet above sea level and about forty square miles are above five thousand feet. 

The mountainous character of Jamaica creates a wide range of micro-climates. The northeast winds blow regularly throughout the year. During the day, the sea breeze blows onshore and at night, the land breeze blows off- shore. During the American winter season, cold fronts may affect Jamaica, producing very strong cold winds, rain, and a change in wind direction from the North.

There is little seasonal change in average daily temperatures in the lower regions of Jamaica where the majority of the population resides. Readings at St. George’s College Station, Kingston:
• July Average Low at 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High at 90.7 degrees Fahrenheit
• January Average Low at 69.1 degree Fahrenheit, Average High at 86.7 degrees Fahrenheit

Temperatures are ten to twenty degrees Fahrenheit cooler in the highlands, but the summits of the Blue Mountains have seen light frosts on winter nights.

Higher than average rainfall occurs during September to October and May to June. The major dry period is from January to March. The average annual rainfall of 77.1 inches is strongly influenced by the terrain. The northeast of the island receives the most rain. Areas of the Western end also receive high rainfall.

Daily winds develop along the coasts with great regularity and have greater climatic influence than seasonal variations. Typically, the sea breeze commences in the morning, reaches its maximum velocity of about 20 knots at midday, and then gradually subsides in the afternoon, when they often produce afternoon showers in the interior.

Visitors will not be disappointed by the variety on this luscious island, from sun-kissed white sand beaches to rivers and waterfalls, to mountains and valleys in the interior. There are lots of different types of accommodation to choose from including hotels, Jamaica Villas, and Jamaica apartments. There is so much to see and do in Jamaica including visiting the Island’s best beaches at Silver Sands where you will find fantastic places to stay including Silver Sands Villas and cottages. Silver Sands is located on Jamaica’s famous North Coast, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

Environmentally, examples of the use of dredging are to clear waterways also to collect sand in order to repair coastal erosion. Industrial and commercial uses dredging are for example the collection of materials used in concrete production and the dredging for valuable trace substances.

Dredging has become an essential operation in process of flood prevention through increasing an area’s capacity for holding or carrying water away.

Dredging requires not only the correct craft but also the correct dredging equipment which is mainly the dredging bucket. Each type of dredging project requires a different type of bucket as each location and material required to be dredged is different.

Dredging buckets are made by the process of the fabrication of steel through welding. They are either constructed in a workshop or onsite depending on the nature of the usage and location. Dredging buckets can range from 3m3 to 25m3. The first process is to design the bucket using CAD software and then the drawing service. It is these critical initial stages that enable the bucket to be fabricated.

The materials used in the construction of dredge buckets, excavator buckets and mining buckets are highly sophisticated. The steel is high strength and abrasion resistant with tungsten or chromium carbide wear protection systems. Each bucket is ESCO wear resistant encompassing their protection systems and are bushed and line bored.

As mining, excavation and dredging buckets are often used in challenging and demanding situations, it is important to keep on top of refurbishment. A professional dredge bucket manufacturer should also offer the service of repair and refurbishment.

The refurbishment and repair of mining and dredging buckets is as skilled a job as manufacturing. The welding and fabrication processes are as complex and so a fully equipped workshop is required with a lifting capacity in the region of 15 tonnes. The welding should be to ASMA 9 standard or higher with a mobile line boring facility. Once the welding & fabrication has been completed the process of the abrasion resistant and steel plate coatings can be implemented.

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 this Lake District attraction, visit http://www.ostrich-world.com.

The history of Broughton dates back many centuries with the oldest building thought to be the church of St Mary Magdelene, first built as part of an eleventh century Saxon settlement. The church today is the result of a major restoration taken place in 1873 by the firm of Paley and Austin.

Over time, Broughton became an important market town, a centre of the wool trade and the manufacture of the oak baskets known as swills. Among the little back streets you would have found blacksmiths, millers, tanners, dressmakers and cobblers carrying out their crafts in readiness for the weekly markets.

During the reign of Elizabeth I the town was granted a charter giving permission to hold fairs. To this day, each year on the 1st August, there is the ceremonial ‘Reading of the Charter’, where pennies are thrown to the children.

Today many of the houses and buildings are Georgian, centred on the elegant town square, built by the Lord of the Manor to resemble a London Square. The Market Hall, a fine structure, was built in 1766, originally housing small lock up shops and is now the home of the Tourist Information Centre, exhibiting locally produced glassware, ceramics and paintings. In the centre of the square is a fine obelisk, erected to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George III in 1810, and stands next to both the ancient fish slabs, used to sell fish caught in the River Duddon and Estuary, and the village stocks for those who broke the laws or behaved in an unseemly manner.

For day to day needs Broughton is perfectly self contained with some good shops, inns and restaurants. On Prince’s Street there is Melville Tysons Grocer and Butcher. The shelves groan with preserves, chutneys, wine and pastas; the deli counter has a fabulous selection of cheeses, hams, salami, olives and pastries and the butcher sells the finest cuts, many from locally produced fell bred stock. Next door is the Village Bakery and Cafe. Using only the finest produce to bake their wonderful fresh breads, pastries and cakes the aroma as you pass is enough to draw anybody inside. Finally on Prince’s Street, is the Post Office selling local maps, books, ice cream and general goods.

To take full advantage of Broughton in Furness visitors should look to stay in one the area’s fine Lake District cottages and self catering holiday homes. Combine stunning architecture and heritage with stunning scenery.

The clothing brands specifically created for children really have got it right. Many have created the right brand name, a catchy name that children will remember. They have brightly coloured branding and maybe a quirky logo. Tags on the clothes are tactile and of course, most importantly, the clothes are fashionable, colourful and exciting.

Children are becoming more fashion conscious but do we really want our children to follow the main stream look, copying others are school and looking the same as the next child? Through the rest of their growing up we try to make their personalities grow and for them to be an individual. Dressing children can sometimes be stressful but if they like the clothes and they are fun, it makes it much easier for parents.

Some of the latest brands to be popular with both children and grownups are the following. Both being European brands and centred on fun, colour and durability:

Molo Clothing
The Molo kids and Molo baby clothing collection is becoming more and more popular in the UK. A Danish brand, Molo kids and baby clothing is always fun, unique and fantastic quality. Mismatch of patterns and colours, layering and fun prints make this collection definitely stand out from the ‘designer crowd’!

Molo’s philosophy is that when kids are free to express their creativity through their clothing they gain self-esteem and confidence. Molo kids clothes fit and allow freedom of movement, while the rich details allow for freedom of expression. Molo kids clothing is unique and unpredictable. For Molo, designer kidswear has to be a mix of everyday durability and funky. The clothes are full of fun; quirky details set within the context of the clean and ‘raw’ design traditions of northern European children’s clothing.

Molo kids clothes are designed with the child in mind and not the adult, their quirky outlandish designs help children express themselves freely. Molo kids clothes are not the type of clothes that should be saved for special occasions but should be worn every day. Children, especially younger children, will test the durability and quality of their clothing to the limit and the Molo kids and Molo baby clothes collection is designed with this in mind. Molo kids clothes combine comfort and practicality, and they are unique too. Molo kids clothing provides a quality range of vibrantly colourful clothing for cool kids.

Mayoral Children’s Clothes
Mayoral clothes is the leading brand for children’s fashion in Spain. Many parents throughout the whole of Europe love Mayoral baby clothing for its great quality, value for money and its fantastic range of accessories that finish off the Mayoral clothing designs beautifully. It’s all about the whole look, not just the actually piece of clothing.

The Mayoral children’s clothes collection for tweens is great for boys and girls that develop their own style and taste and want some individual great value pieces. Dressy, comfortable and great quality outfits for older boys and girls. It is found that many customers buy the Mayoral baby clothing but are still buying it right through to the Junior collection years later.

The location allows a for very quiet night’s sleep, so if its relaxation you are after, then Oldfield House is place for you.

All rooms are appointed with many creature comforts with high quality linen, luxury Egyptian cotton towels, LCD Tv’s, beverage tray and bathroom ammenties. And for those worried about car parking, they have ample spaces available for guests.

For more details please visit www.oldfieldhouse.co.uk

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 Bowness on Windermere B&B or Guest House.

Price includes;

* 2 nights bed and breakfast at Braemount House, Windermere
* 4 Iyengar yoga sessions (6 hrs)
* Mats & equipment provided
* Transport to yoga studio in stunning woodland location

The English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, was inspired by the epic grandeur of the Lake District landscape.
So what better location for yoga?

The schedule

Wednesday 24th November;
Check in from 2pm
3:30pm - Introduction over tea and coffee with teacher Gaynor Wilson
5-6.30pm - Evening yoga at the National Trust Footprint building, St Catherin’s Woods, Winderemere
The evening is yours. We can recommend a number of fantastic local eateries & will book tables if desired.

Thursday 25th November;
From 6.30am - Light breakfast available - juice/fruit/yogurts
7.30-9am - Sunrise yoga at the Footprint
9.15 - 10am - Generous hearty breakfast to set you up for the day.

After breakfast, your time is your own to explore the delights of the Lake District, on foot, bike or car. If you fancy something action packed, we can arrange abseiling, canoeing, sailing, gorge jumping, orienteering, or rock climbing. Or how about a guided walk taking in some of the best views the Lakes has to offer.
Alternatively, we can arrange a massage in your room, or an afternoon at a local spa.
Just let us know what you fancy and with prior notice, we’ll be glad to oblige.

5-7.30pm - Evening yoga at the Footprint

Friday 26th November;
From 6.30am - Light breakfast available - juice/fruit/yogurts
7.30-9am - Yoga at the Footprint
9.15 - 10am - Generous hearty breakfast
11am - Final farewells & check out.

The teacher
Over 3 days we hope to inspire you with morning and evening yoga sessions led by experienced Iyengar teacher (Junior Intermediate, Level 2) Gaynor Wilson.

Gaynor, a teacher at the highly acclaimed Manchester Iyengar Institute, studied under Jeanne Maslen (an early pioneer of Iyengar in the UK) and Institute teachers Marion Kilburn & Julie Brown.

Gaynor also currently teaches regular classes at the BBC & ITV/Granada Studios in Manchester.

Gaynor’s passion for yoga runs deep. A mother of two, she practiced yoga throughout her pregnancies and was still standing on her head just 2 weeks before giving birth!

Iyengar yoga
The course is suitable for all levels from beginners upwards and indeed the combination of basic level and more advanced students benefits all levels alike.

Iyengar yoga, focuses on the structural alignment of the body through the development of over 200 postures or asanas that aim to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. Focusing particularly on correct body alignment, Iyengar allows the body to develop harmoniously in an anatomically correct way to ensure the student suffers no injury or pain when practising. Iyengar emphasizes the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration, can help eliminate aches and pains and can dramatically improve posture.

For more information on Iyengar, check out;
http://www.mdiiy.org.uk/
http://www.iyengaryoga.org.uk/

The studio
We’ve searched high and low to find you the perfect location for your yoga. And we believe we’ve found it……

Nestling amongst the trees of St Catherine’s Woods, high above Windermere, sits the Footprint. This beautiful and inspirational space built of plastered straw bales, is the first of its kind built by the National Trust.

Heated by a log burning stove, with floor to ceiling windows, the yoga space overlooks the tranquil woodland. The only sounds you’ll hear are those from the nearby babbling brook and the gentle birdsong.

http://www.strawfootprint.org/

The accommodation
All our rooms are en suite doubles, with one twin and a 2 room suite with sofa bed.
The Lake District Yoga Breaks price is based on single occupancy rates. However, if you’re happy to share, we can accommodate you in our twin room or suite at a reduced rate.

Please call Emma Hawley or e-mail enquiries@Braemount-House.co.uk for further details.

Plug and Play (PNP) wiring harnesses are one of ASL’s specialities. Plug and Play harnesses are often the best solution for a range of wiring needs. PNP wiring harnesses are almost self-explanatory: with one of these assemblies, the installer simply plugs one end of an assembly; a car stereo system’s wiring for example, into the wiring harness and “play” your music or whatever other electrical device you are installing without the time-consuming and error-prone processes of splicing and/or soldering.

There are many advantages to Plug and Play wiring harnesses. The simplicity of installation makes a PNP harness a cost-effective solution. The cost of the harness itself is more than offset by the decrease in installation time. Manufacturers of automobiles find that their simplicity makes all the difference both on the production line and in sales and after sales customer satisfaction.

Automotive manufacturers are increasingly turning to ASL to provide them with high quality wiring looms and wiring harnesses rather than go to the expense of retooling and building them in-house. ASL has the capacity to manufacture the quantities they need at a price that makes subcontracting a money saving option. ASL’s expertise ensures that the automobile manufacturer is getting a superior quality product from a long-established company.

ASL produces a full range of products, including wiring harnesses, at their Bolton factory. Longer lead-time orders are manufactured at their lower cost/overhead facilities in the Far East and Poland. The same quality standards apply wherever they are manufactured. ASL’s staff members have all received the entire “Lean” program and are fully trained in all aspects of manufacture. Quality control is strictly maintained at all their facilities.

Assembly Solutions Ltd. makes industrial wiring harnesses for a wide variety of industrial products. Just a few of them include digital photo booths, Naval Radar systems, printing machines and mobile phone transmitters. Virtually any product that requires a complex wiring system benefits from PNP wiring harnesses and ASL has achieved a reputation for manufacturing virtually flawless harnesses for their clientele. If you are looking for solutions that work, look to Assembly Solutions Ltd.

For more information on ASL’s cable assemblies, wiring looms and control panels visit http://www.assembly-solutions.com

What PSA does Heskins use?
Heskins generally use modified acrylics (there are a tiny handful of exceptions for specific non slip flooring applications).  They like the all round capabilities that modern modified acrylic PSAs offer, as mentioned previously their product has many varied demands made of it, they appreciate that the modified acrylics allow high tack levels, high shear levels and superb temperature ranges encompassing extreme minus ºC to high ºC.  All the transparent range has a further PSA modification to ensure no UV problems, please enquire for specific grey scale tests for each product if this is a concern.

Do you offer different adhesion levels?
Heskins do.  In over 99.9% of cases their adhesives on the non slip flooring are more than sufficient, however, for clients with a special demand for higher tack levels we also coat the HG adhesive.  For customers who take our HG x-coarse product, this adhesive is standard on their materials, for all others it can be coated dependent on quantity.  Our HG offers exceptionally high tack levels without any compromise on the other parameters.

How well do the adhesives cope with low energy surfaces?
Low energy surfaces are becoming more prevalent and popular for various reasons; they are often the by-product of a shiny appearance or can be present in composites constructed from recycled plastics.  An example of a low energy surface would be after you have waxed your car you will notice the water globules form small puddles on the surface, the puddles are formed by the low energy surface, and these low energy surfaces create major problems for PSAs.  Heskins has worked tirelessly to ensure that our anti slip flooring customers receive a high quality non slip flooring regardless of the surface energy level, to this end in 2008 we developed our LE adhesive.  Specifically designed to allow excellent adhesion onto difficult surfaces this adhesive can be coated onto all our range, please enquire for MOQs.

What if the low energy surface has lots of release agents?
They can still create a solution.  Due to the vast experience in adhesives, films and anti slip technology they have never (so far) been defeated and also offer two other possible solutions to aid our adhesion levels.

1).  Use of H3506 primer - this has inbuilt keying agents.
2).  Use of a specific keying solution - Heskins has worked with various chemical manufacturers to create surface keying solutions to enable adhesion on even the most difficult surface.

I want the opposite to the above points, I want something removable, is it possible?
It is.  It is not rare for them to coat a removable adhesive onto our anti slip flooring.  They typically employ a further filmic liner (usually PET or PP) with a differential adhesive coat either side to allow removal.  As each removable adhesive application is often unique the differential levels are customised to the customer’s application, please enquire.

Just one more silly point, why does the paper not stick to the adhesive?
The paper is coated with silicon although on some of the materials employ a silicon coated PE film.

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 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).

You simply can’t afford to miss this if you want to get the most out of mail and postal optimisation.

What is MailSave+?
In today’s deregulated postal market all dispatch and facilities managers must look for the most cost-effective way to send out business critical documents. MailSave+ is a new and unique service that gives you the choice of postal provider and discounts when you send your mail.

Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.

What are the benefits to you - the customer?
•    Reduced cost per item on every item
•    Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
•    Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
•    Collections times that are convenient for you
•    A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts

The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machines, postal scales, folding and inserting machines and letter openers. The Mailing Room is brought to you by an alliance of FP Mailing (North West) Limited, FP Mailing (South) Limited and FP Executive Agency Limited.

For more information on MailSave+ from The Mailing Room, visit http://www.themailingroom.com

Firgarth Windermere B&B has the advantage of car parking, and is situated just a short walk from Windermere centre, with its many shops and restaurants and rail/bus station. We make an ideal base for touring, walking or just a relaxing break at any time of year.

Just take a 15 minute walk through ‘Millerground’ to the shores of Lake Windermere or alternatively climb to ‘Orrest Head’ from where stunning views of Lake Windermere and Morecombe Bay can be enjoyed.

Firgarth offers eight bedrooms comprising of double, single, four poster and king size double which are all ensuite. All rooms are centrally heated and decorated in a combination of modern and traditional design, all have colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and a range of toiletries.

Shabby chic home furniture and accessories can give your house the WOW factor! The style of shabby chic is steeped in history yet with the modern day paint effects and colours, these items of furniture are brought right up to the present day. Shabby chic offers the traditional look without being heavy and stuffy. It adds character to a room and pieces can be used as little or as much as one wishes.

The influences for shabby chic furniture are taken mainly from French furniture of around the 1800’s period. The paint effects on these traditional reproduction designs of furniture recreate the shabby look but keeping it chic. The pieces are far from just shabby.

Shabby chic home furniture is extremely easy to look after and clean which makes it an excellent choice for those who have families or other busy lifestyles. Just one piece of shabby chic style furniture can give a focal point to a room.

With the rise of popularity of shabby chic furniture, complementing accessories and decorating items such as wallpaper are now readily available. Accessories for every room in the house including glassware, candle sticks and mirrors can now be found along with bathroom accessories such as soap holders, mirrors and towel rails.

The town of Penrith, with its beautiful red sandstone buildings has fascinating yards and alleyways to discover, pleasant open spaces and a selection of places to stay from fine hotels in Penrith to cosy guest houses and self catering cottages.

A lovely walk up through the wooded slopes of Beacon Hill to the Beacon “Pike” Monument, built in 1719 of local red sandstone, rewards you with great views over the town and lake district fells beyond. The Rotary Club of Penrith have produced a leaflet with details of an “Access for all Walk” - a self guided tour of Penrith. The route has been chosen to make the walk accessible to all, including those with disabilities. To download a copy, please visit the Rotary Club website.

Back down in the town, explore the ruins of Penrith Castle, dating back to the 14th century, set in an attractive public park where you can play tennis, bowls, crazy golf, pitch and putt or simply watch the world go by! There’s a children’s playground and paddling pool too.

Many visitors come to Penrith for its unique specialist shops offering local produce - fine foods like Penrith Toffee Fudge, loved by the Royal Family and traditional Cumberland Sausage together with all sorts of local crafts. A Specialist Shops leaflet for Penrith is available.

Eating out in Penrith is a pleasure, there’s a good choice too, ranging from inns with home cooking, Penrith restaurants with international cuisine, cafes and tea shops.

Don’t miss Penrith Farmers’ Market, held every 3rd Tuesday in the Market Square, where you can cut down the food miles and enjoy locally produced and sourced goods. The newly named Charter Market, a traditional street market is also held every Tuesday in Great Dockray.

Penrith Museum, housed in the former 17th century Robinsons school building gives a fascinating insight into the history of Penrith, local geology and archaeology and houses an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.

Dating back to Norman times, St, Andrew’s Church in the centre of Penrith is surrounded by historic buildings with a peaceful outdoor seating area. Look out for the “Giants Grave” in St. Andrew’s Churchyard!

If you are feeling active, the recently extended Penrith Leisure Centre has swimming pools, gym, indoor climbing wall, large sports hall and indoor bowls hall.
 
The town has an award-winning station on the main west coast London to Glasgow railway line and is served by National Express buses. The C2C cycle route passes through Penrith and the town has been designated Cumbria’s first Cycling Hub, which means cyclists are made extra welcome and will find excellent facilities and specially designed routes starting from Penrith along with many of the Penrith hotels being cyclist friendly.

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.

Not everyone has the money to buy modern canvas artwork produced by famous artists so it has enabled the not so famous but equally as talented new artists to produce work and be successful selling them. Canvas art is quite dramatic as the medium used is either oil or acrylic paint. Both achieve high depth in colour and on a bright white wall, a piece of canvas artwork on a stretched canvas frame has maximum impact.

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.

Each year these beautiful and rare birds return to nest. The female osprey laid her first egg of 2009 at the nest near Bassenthwaite Lake on Thursday 16th April. Ospreys normally lay a clutch of three eggs.  Incubation is carried out mainly by the female and takes between 34-40 days.

Hundreds of people visited the Bassenthwaite area over the 2009 Easter weekend to get a glimpse of the Lake District Ospreys.   Visitors can get great views of the birds from a Viewpoint in Dodd Wood, only 400 metres away from the nest.  The Viewpoint is open all daylight hours, with staff on hand with telescopes from 10am-5pm daily, as part of the RSPB’s ‘Dates with Nature’ Project.

It is also possible to see the birds on the nest on a giant videowall at the Visitor Centre on the Forestry Commission estate at Whinlatter Forest, near Braithwaite.  Live pictures from cameras overlooking and inside the nest are also beamed to the screen and can also be viewed on the Project’s website ospreywatch.co.uk and the BBC Cumbria website at bbc.co.uk/cumbria. It is now easier than ever before to visit Dodd Wood and Whinlatter thanks to the Osprey Bus which was launched in 2008.  The liveried bus service named after the spectacular birds of prey operates around Bassenthwaite Lake taking in the Whinlatter Exhibition and the Dodd Wood viewpoint and runs weekends from 4th April to 31st August 2009, except during the following school holidays, 6-17 April, 25-29 May and 18 July - 31 August when it runs every day. 

As well as the Osprays, Bassenthwaite is a popular location for sailing. The Bassenthwaite Sailing club has been in operation since 1952 with RYA, or RYA Affiliated Club members entitled to sail on the lake at a cost of £10 per day. The tranquillity and exclusivity of this lake make it an amazing sailing experience. When staying the sailors are lucky enough to stay in some of the best hotels Lake District has to offer.

Mirehouse is most definitely worth a visit. Alfred Lord Tennyson stayed at Mirehouse whilst writing his poem ‘Morte D’Arthur’ in 1835. It is a private house but open to the public on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. The grounds and a tea shop are open daily though. Further on from Mirehouse is an open air theatre erected by the Tennyson Society is the location where Tennyson was thought to have written most of that famous poem. All around the lake and the surrounding area is a strong literary feel along with a popular place for artists. The landscape is perfect for painting and photography. Work by local artists can be found in the excellent galleries in nearby Keswick. There is a selection of Keswick hotels to stay in whilst visiting.

Everyone is looking for a bargain at this time of year so why should the sales be confined to the high street? Goosemire Cottages are offering discounts on full weeks booked in each of their 46 self catering properties. The discounts range from £30 - £50 depending on the property size.

The number of self catering holidays in the UK has risen quite dramatically in the last 2 years. Various factors have contributed to this for example the poor Euro exchange rate resulting in tourists staying in the UK and the cost savings of self catering compared with a hotel stay. A self catering holiday allows freedom, the ability to cook within the property so saving on restaurant bills and is an excellent type of holiday for families and pet owners.

Goosemire Cottages have available 46 traditional Lake District self catering cottages for discerning visitors (Ranging from 1 to 7 bedrooms, sleeping up to 10). Most are rustic 17th or 18th Century Lakeland cottages or lovely barn conversions, where antiquity and modern comforts have been beautifully combined. The atmosphere and idiosyncrasies of each property are reflected on their website which offers full online booking facilities and information and images on each of their properties.

For more information on the Goosemire Lake District cottages January sale or their last minute booking discounts, visit http://www.goosemirecottages.co.uk/special-offers

If you have the best knives, saucepans and oven all the better but not everyone does. After buying the best produce you can afford the next most important purchase should be quality cookware, i.e pans.

Many people will have noticed that when a chef is cooking on television, they state and describe the pan they are using and that is normally one that they would strongly recommend you use. This is because pans are such a large part in how a recipe is cooked and how the finished dish turns out. When searing meat the last thing you would want to do is use a high sided pan as this would effectively steam the meat and you should not boil paste in a small, shallow pan.

Different pans cook food in different ways which is confirmed in a number of famous dishes from around the world. Many famous dishes are named after the pan or dish in which they were cooked in for example Spanish Paella, Moroccan Tagine and Indian Karahi. Each piece of cookware has been used for years and years to specifically achieve different effects.

Moving on from the correct type of pan or piece of cookware and then there are the different finishes including bases and coatings on pans, non-stick, stainless steel and copper pans are the most common. There are then cast iron pans namely for casserole dishes and griddle pans. Leading brands include Stellar pans, Le Creuset and Tefal.

The life of a pan can be greatly prolonged by cleaning it correctly. Although many pans these days are “dishwasher safe” this is not the advised method of cleaning pans. Seasoning a pan not only prolongs the life of the pan but it improves the quality of the cooking in it. This is done by heating oil in the pan then letting it go cold. You then wipe of the cold oil with a cloth or kitchen paper. This is also the advised method when dish washing by hand, basically anytime you use detergent on the pan.

The Lake District is the perfect location for children. Endless activities to keep them occupied for example watersports, walking, Go-Ape, a zoo and the Ravenglass-Eskdale railway. It has long been an area popular with families.

An area full of activities and stunning scenery is the area of Keswick and Bassenthwaite. There are many Keswick hotels that offer child friendly rooms with excellent leisure facilities on site. These facilities include heated swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, putting greens and some even have games rooms with both board games and computer games such as Wii consoles installed. The practical facilities within these hotels come in the form of flexible meal times for children, the use of complimentary high chairs and cots, bed time books and stocks of essential items such as nappies, baby milks and food and dummies.

The Bassenthwaite Lake area encompasses some of the most well equipped hotels Lake District. The lake is one of the largest in the English Lake District situated at the foot of Skiddaw and in such close proximity to Keswick, it is a great location. The lake is 4 miles long and is the shallowest of all the lakes with its maximum depth just 70 feet. For parents interested in bird watching, it is one of the best places to spot an Osprey.

Bassenthwaite the village itself is one of the most beautiful Lakeland villages and is an ideal base for discovering the woodlands of Thornthwaite Forest and the trails of Dodd Wood. It is the northernmost and only true ‘lake’ in the Lake District; it is renowned for its peacefulness, accessibility and continually changing scenery caused by changeable weather and seasons.

Tasteless dressing up and gimmicks are becoming a thing of the past. Manchester for example is one such destination where a stag and hen party can be both loads of fun but without being tacky. Manchester is such a large city, it really does have everything. Take a hen party Manchester package and you can experience the amazing shops, go on a special spa focused weekend, have a cocktail master class or get VIP access to top clubs.

Ideally situated in the centre of the United Kingdom Manchester is easily reachable by Air, Rail, Coach and Car. In order to help you plan travel arrangements for your stag and hen party the following pages are a guide to each of these modes of transport giving you that extra peace of mind.

From humble beginnings Manchester has grown considerably to cement not only its position as the 3rd largest city in the UK but also as the unofficial “Capital of the North”. You will find an abundance of things to do and places to see within the city centre itself during the day as well as in the Greater Manchester Urban Area such as the Trafford Shopping Centre. Development is also continuing to bring further growth to what is already a cosmopolitan, and lively place for fun.

Come the evening its “24 hour party people” have over 500 licenced premises in the city centre to choose from that can cope with up to 250,000 visitors at any one time and normally see around 130,000 revellers on a typical weekend night. So you can expect the normal friendly northern welcome. All in all it has everything you will require for that Stag or Hen party that you will never forget! In the day, well the shopping is beyond your wildest dreams but below are some other activities well worth looking into.