ROYAL WEDDING 2018 FROM HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES
Celebrate the royal wedding of HRH Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 with our range of gifts including commemorative china, biscuits and even a new tea blend.
Royal Wedding Group Image 1
This limited edition fine bone china. Hand decorated in platinum and 22 carat gold on delicate eau de nil mica, this commemorative mug is traditionally made in Staffordshire, England.
The design features the royal couples’ initials intertwined with a wedding bow, a border of royal coronets and swirling details incorporating the national emblems of the United Kingdom: the English Rose, the Scottish Thistle, the Irish Shamrock and the Welsh Daffodil.
•Inscription on base stamp reads “To Celebrate the Marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 2018”
•Designed and made in England in the world-famous Staffordshire potteries
•Limited edition commemorating the royal wedding of HRH Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on 19th May 2018 at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor
•Presented in a matching luxury gift box
•Fine English bone china with 22ct gold and platinum detailing
From £25.00
This quirky range of illustrated items includes a tin full of biscuits and a tea towel. Featuring designs by renowned British illustrator Milly Green, this pretty biscuit tin will make the perfect keepsake of this special Royal Wedding. £14.99
Tin Container filled with Ginger and Triple Choc Biscuits
Biscuit Tin dimensions: 19 x 15.5 x 7.5cm
Care instructions: Store in a cool dry place avoiding direct sunlight. Once opened, keep in an airtight container and consume within 30 days.
Royal Wedding Embossed Tin with Biscuits High Res
https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/giftcollections/editorspick/royalwedding2018-princeharry-meghanmarkle/royalwedding2018-princeharry-meghanmarkle-commemorative-biscuittin-millygreen.html
This cotton tea towel is the perfect way to commemorate this royal marriage and makes a lovely gift.
Designed and made in the UK
Tea towel dimensions: 45cm x 68cm
100% cotton tea towel
Price: £11.99
https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/giftcollections/editorspick/royalwedding2018-princeharry-meghanmarkle/royalwedding2018-princeharry-meghanmarkle-commemorativeteatowel-cotton-millygreen.html
And even a new tea blend
Royal Wedding tea
https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/giftcollections/editorspick/royalwedding2018-princeharry-meghanmarkle/royalwedding-teatin-caddy.html
Our beautiful royal palace tea tin is the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea. It’s a remarkable blend of Chinese Mutan White tea buds with almond, coconut and vanilla – and an abundance of pink rosebuds and petals. It is indeed a regal tea to celebrate many glorious occasions. This delightful tea tin would make a great gift or wedding favour. This beautiful tin contains 30 tea sachets. Each sachet brews a 12 oz cup of tea. Kosher. This blend contains almond and coconut extracts. Our beautiful royal palace tea tin is the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea. Price: £9.99
Jethart Snails Top Poll of Scottish Borders Favourite Food in Attempt to Predict Outcome of Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens
Ravenous rugby fans voted in their hundreds to find the Scottish Borders’ favourite sweet treat – in an attempt to predict the outcome of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens.
Jethart Snails – a traditional peppermint boiled sweet from the Border town of Jedburgh – topped the online poll with a whopping 46.7% of the vote. Fans will now watch with baited (minty fresh) breath, as they wait to see if the town’s Jed-Forest Rugby Club can match the snails’ victory in the historic rugby tournament, which takes place this Saturday in Melrose.
Voters praised the flavour of the snails, claiming they taste like nothing else on the market – with one enthusiastic fan describing them as “the perfect sookie sweets!”
The recipe for the town’s famous export originated with a French prisoner of war, held in the town during the Napoleonic war. He gifted the recipe – which has remained a closely guarded secret ever since – to a local family for their kindness, and they are still handmade in the town to this day.
Boiled sweets proved to be the most popular treats overall, with Hawick Balls – a minty, buttery sweet favoured by legendary rugby commentator Bill McLaren – coming in second with just under 30% of the votes. While the region’s baked goods fared less well, the Melrose Tart, Selkirk Bannock and Border Tart still had passionate supporters who championed their case.
Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of title sponsor Aberdeen Standard Investments, says, “The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens has always had close ties with the world of food – the game of rugby sevens was the brainchild of butcher Ned Haig back in 1883. It’s been great to see rugby fans embrace the fun of the tournament over the past few weeks, championing their favourite Borders treats with the same passion that they display for their teams.
“With teams competing from across the country – alongside some of the world’s best international sides – Saturday’s tournament is shaping up to be a fantastic day for rugby fans, no matter which Borders delicacy they choose to enjoy.”
Douglas Hardie, president of Melrose Rugby Club, says, “The rivalry between Borders sevens teams is legendary, so it’s been brilliant to see fans supporting their favourite regional treats with the same fervour. Will Jed-Forest be able to replicate the Jethart Snails’ success on Saturday? Only time will tell.”
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens takes place at The Greenyards on Saturday April 14 and makes a great day out for families, couples and rugby fans who enjoy fast and exhilarating sporting action. Tickets for the event start from £10 for children, £15 for senior citizens and £20 for adults. Family tickets are available for £50, admitting two adults and two children.
If you can’t make it to Melrose, be sure to watch BBC coverage from 2-7pm on BBC Scotland which is available outside Scotland on Freesat and Sky Channel 970 and Virgin Media Channel 102.
For more information about the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens, and to book tickets, visit www.melrose7s.com. Keep up to date with the action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melrose7s, Twitter @melrose7s and Instagram @melrose7s.
All Available From Flying Tiger Stores Nationwide – gb.flyingtiger.com
SAUCE COMMUNICATIONS WINS FUNICULAR PR BRIEF
Sauce Communications is delighted to be representing Funicular, a passionate collective of experience creators from across the spectrum of theatre and storytelling, specialising in creating truly immersive experiences to engage all the senses. Co-founded by entrepreneur, actor and scriptwriter Craig Wilkinson and production director Ed Borgnis, the Funicular team boasts years of experience bringing events and theatre to life for brands, clients and audiences all over the world.
Wilkinson and Borgnis, wanting to push and entertain audiences further than ever before, partnered with the aim of injecting new life into the immersive dining industry, introducing the very best in production technology and premium food offerings from chefs and culinary personalities, putting the audience at the heart of the action.
Set onboard a glamorous train with lavish furnishings, the brands debut show, ‘The Murdér Express’ will transport guests back in time to the grandeur of the 19th century. Travelling by train for pleasure is in its infancy and with it comes a special kind of thrill. Departing from Funicular’s ‘Pedley Street Station’, passengers are invited to be one of the first to experience ‘The Murdér Express’ as it makes its first historic journey from London to the fictional town of Murdér in France.
Entering via the Pedley Street Station ‘Seven Sins’ Bar, passengers of ‘The Murdér Express’ will wet their whistles whilst luggage is packed onboard. Joined by characters such as Frank, an East End Costermonger, Tilley, a music hall star, Vera, a widow in search of adventure and Cliff, a local antique dealer, as they embark on the trip of a lifetime. Guests will board the train via the elegant dining car, featuring plush booth seating lit by period table lamps. The menu, designed by BBC One’s MasterChef 2016 finalists, Billy and Jack, will be served as the story of the ‘The Murdér Express’ unfolds.
Funicular co-founder and production director Ed Borgnis comments: “Craig and I are incredibly excited to launch Funicular. We’re working with an extremely talented team and as such the production values of our debut show, ‘The Murdér Express’ will be world class as will the food. It’s a pleasure to have Billy and Jack on board.”
*NEW ARTWORK BY KATSUHIRO OTOMO REVEALED FOR ISLE OF DOGS*
In anticipation of the local release of Isle of Dogs in Japan on May 25th, acclaimed artist Katsuhiro Otomo created a special poster for the film. Otomo is a Japanese artist best known internationally as the creator of the manga Akira and as the director of its animated film adaptation.
After screening the film, Otomo considered his approach to the design of the artwork carefully: “When I first saw ISLE OF DOGS, I thought it might be difficult to make a poster that would add something to the movie. It is filled with homage to Japanese cinema, including music directly from Kurosawa, and seemed fully realised already, with all its details in place. It was its own complete world. Then I had an idea: to paint a very traditional Japanese dog to represent the island itself, and a very traditional Japanese wooden floor as the sea. I hope my drawing will be a meaningful way to help share this film with the world.”
NOW MUSIC START THE COUNTDOWN TO LANDMARK NOW 100
NOW 100 Countdown tells the story of the UK’s biggest news, trends, celebs and just plain random occurrences to which its albums have provided a soundtrack for the past 3 decades.
Over the past 35 years and 99 albums which have catalogued the evolution of popular music, Now That’s What I Call Music! has woven itself into the fabric of British popular culture.
So today, with 100 days to go until the launch of the historic milestone album NOW 100, the creators of the iconic collection of compilations will be counting down to the landmark by telling an exclusive daily digital story on the events, trends and people who have helped shape the cultural landscape to which NOW That’s What I Call Music! albums have been the definitive soundtrack.
The countdown will also chart NOW That’s What I Call Music!’s stratospheric rise, which has led to every UK home owning on average over four NOW That’s What I Call Music! albums.
From NOW 1 – which coincided with Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Darth Vader, Cabbage Patch Dolls and the first ever round £1 coins – until the present day. NOW albums have scored the nation’s journey through films (Back to the Future coincided with Band Aid’s appearance on NOW 4), television (The Petshop Boys made their NOW debut on NOW 7 just as Neighbours first aired in the UK), sport (Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up appearing on NOW 9 heralded the birth of Lionel Messi), news (The Berlin Wall came down just as Queen’s I Want it All opened NOW15) and everything else (Mika’s Grace Kelly opened NOW 66, which coincided with the invention of the iPhone).
The NOW 100 Countdown starts today (12 April) and runs every day until the release of NOW 1OO on 20 July on the NOW MUSIC Facebook & Twitter profiles and nowmusic.com
GET LUXURY FURNITURE FOR LESS AT HARVEYS AND BENSONS FOR BEDS
On the lookout for stylish new furniture? Harveys and Bensons for Beds can help you spruce up your home without breaking the bank.
The furniture specialists have launched a Blue Cross Savings event, offering deals throughout April and into May. From luxury sofas to high quality mattresses and stylish bedroom furniture, there will be something for every home.
What’s more, Harveys and Bensons are making the May Bank Holiday weekend even more exciting by offering even further reductions on selected product lines between 2nd and 8th May.
key deal highlights:
Kit out the entire bedroom with up to £200 off selected divans and mattresses and buy one, get one half price on selected bedroom furniture.
This includes the Silentnight™ Mirapocket Indulgent divan bed set – a perfect blend of luxury and elegance. Designed exclusively for Bensons for Beds, the mattress features deep comfort layers and 2,000 pocket springs for extra support.
Was £949 (double mattress, 2 drawer), now £749*
The Sensafoam Memory Active 6000 Divan Set, comes with an extra responsive deep memory foam layer that responds to body heat and gives pressure relief, for your comfiest sleep yet. Was £849 (double mattress, 2 drawer), now £649**
The Medford Upholstered TV Bed Frame with 40” LED TV takes home entertainment to another level. A simple press of a button sees the HD TV slide into full view, with surround sound quality and even a sleep timer function for those prone to nodding off in front of their favourite show. Was £1,799 (double mattress, 2 drawer) now £1,499**
Harveys – key deal highlights:
Harveys is offering huge Blue Cross Savings on selected lines between 11th April and 8th May, with even more savings on selected lines to be had over the May Bank Holiday weekend, between 2nd and 8th May.
This includes the Caprera 3 seater sofa – a sleek, modern and contemporary design with adjustable headrests and a stylish 100% leather material. Was £1,998, now £799*
The Kneller Left Hand Facing Corner With Chaise is ideal for entertaining. With a high back for fuller support and manual recliner, it can slot perfectly into any family sized living room corner and provide luxurious comfort for all. Was £1,999, now £1,399**
Offer guests a classy dining experience with the Ramira Extending Dining Table & 4 Alcora Chairs, which offers a high-gloss grey finish and mirrored base. Perfect for a modern home. Was £999, now £799**
All offers are available in store and online.
*From 11th April – 8th May
**From 2nd – 8th May
World’s First ‘Digital Nutrition Coach for Endurance Athletes’ Partners with Ironman for UK Events
sport app
endur8 automates complex fuel plans and provides real-time nutrition alerts for endurance athletes to ensure they reach race day with a digital plan and nutrition choices that optimise their performance.
Today endur8 announced that all UK Ironman triathlon events (140.6 and 70.3) are available in-app to produce bespoke fuel plans. It’s Spring in the UK and those long training sessions are ramping up for every serious athlete. The Triathlon Industry Associates estimates that 220K people enter a UK triathlon each year.
Challenges for Ironman Competitors and Other Serious Endurance Athletes
• The longer the endurance event, the more important the nutrition plan. Recommended carbohydrate intake varies from 30g/h of single or multiple transportable carbohydrates at 1-2 hours exercise duration to 90 g/h of multiple transportable carbohydrates at >2.5 hours. 2
• There is no easy way to calculate individual fueling requirements.
• The limited accessible nutrition guidance available can be boiled down to either meal plans, or taking X fuel every Y minutes, and this often ignores variation between athletes and course profile.
• Athletes find it tricky to strike a balance between under-fueling (and ‘hitting the wall’) and over-fueling (and suffering adverse GI events).
“ I fell right back into my old habit of just riding and it wasn’t until I was completely spent, that I stopped and ate [the fuel bar]. Of-course I immediately felt better, but this was all too late. ” – endur8 customer
How Does endur8 Help Endurance Athletes?
• endur8’s algorithms are founded on the best endurance fueling science.
• endur8 takes the pain away from calculating your own fuel plan and calculates refueling points based on individual athlete characteristics and course profile.
• endur8 encourages athletes to perfect their fueling in training and take fuel out of the equation come race day.
• endur8 captures the data to help athletes explore associations between fueling and performance.
“ If you need help to achieve the ‘goldilocks zone’ between under-fueling and ‘hitting the wall’ and over-fueling and ‘hitting the bathroom’, try endur8 during your training sessions. ” – John Kerrigan, CSO, endur8
About endur8
endur8 is a UK start-up that developed the World’s first ‘digital nutrition coach’ for the serious endurance athlete that improves performance by calculating nutrition plans and providing real-time fuel alerts .
app storeapp store 1
endur8 is one of the 22, ‘essential apps for runners’. – coachmag.co.uk
endur8 is actively working with UK endurance athletes to help them with fuel plans and real-time fuel alerts to optimise their performance. We are proud to count three UK Team GB athletes as our ambassadors: Josh Griffiths (Athletics), Elinor Barker (Cycling) and Charlie Smith (Kayaking) as our UK ambassadors
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Josh Griffiths Elinor Barker Charlie Smith
“The endur8 app helps me know when to fuel and how to fuel so it’s really helped me improve .” – Josh Griffiths, Team GB Athlete
References
1 UK Triathlete Survey. Triathlon Industry Association http://www.triathlonindustryassociation.org (accessed April 10, 2018).
2 Carlsohn A. Aktuelle Ernährungsempfehlungen für Ausdauersportler. Dtsch Z Für Sportmed 2016; 2016: 7–12.
PHONES BEFORE BONES: 10 PER CENT OF MILLENNIALS WOULD RATHER BREAK A BONE THAN GIVE UP THEIR PHONE FOR THE DAY
Damaging a mobile device draws a powerful emotional response from over 95 per cent of the UK population
Half have had a fight with their partner because they spent too much time on their mobile device
Average Brit is glued to their phone for 3.81 hours of the day and over half sleep directly next to their device at night
Today new insight from iSmash, the UK’s leading tech repair specialist, reveals the extent to which Brits are reliant on their mobile devices, and measures the emotional response that occurs when their device breaks. Over 95 per cent of the population admitted to reacting badly to breaking their phone, with 58 per cent feeling annoyed, 45 per cent feeling angry and 40 per cent getting angry.
The research further uncovered the extent to which Brits would go to keep their devices in working order, with immediately repairing a broken phone more important than: meeting friends for dinner for 1 in 6, paying bills for 1 in 10 and buying food for the week for an additional 1 in 10.
The average Brits spends 3.81 hours on their phone per day, this increases to 4.71 hours a day for those aged between 25 and 34 and a staggering 5.57 hours a day for 18 to 24 year olds. Added up over the course of a year, this equates to 57.9 days spent on the phone for the average UK resident, 71.6 days for those aged 25-34 and 84.7 days for those from 18 to 24.
Going without your phone for 24 hours
When asked what they would rather do than give up their phone for just 24 hours, the results further highlighted the extent to which technology domintates our lives now. 1 in 7 Brits (13.6 per cent) would rather get all their hair shaved off, 1 in 5 (19.6 per cent) would prefer to repeatedly scrape their fingers down a chalk board and almost 2 in 5 women (37.3 per cent) would rather go without make up.
Age variations were noticeable, with those aged 18-24 and 25-34 the most affected by the loss of their beloved mobile device. An incredible 10.68 per cent of those in the 25-34 age bracket would rather break a bone than go without their phone for just one day, and 36 per cent of those between 18 and 24 would rather go a day without washing than be without their device.
Relationship domination
The data also revealed the increasing role mobile devices have in our personal lives, and the strains that they can put on relationships. Two thirds of Brits (63.35 per cent) sleep next to their phone for more than 4 days out of the week and 21 per cent sleep next their phone more often than they do their partner.
Half of Brits (47 per cent) have had arguments with their partner because they spend too much time on their phone and 59 per cent regularly use their phone at the dinner table whilst eating with others.
To help Brits measure their own reliance of technology, iSmash has built a tool that tells you how dependent you are on your phone and shows you how you rank compared to the rest of the nation: link here.
Julian Shovlin, founder and managing director at iSmash, said: “Our mobile devices are increasingly becoming part of our lives, and nothing highlights that better than the fact that a huge portion of the population would prefer to break a bone than go without their phone for a mere 24 hours. Thankfully for those with a broken device, there’s no need to panic. With an average repair time of just 30 minutes, anyone can drop into their local iSmash store and get back up and running in no time at all.”
iSmash specialises in offering an express repair service for smartphones, tablets and computers along with a wide range of mobile accessories and refurbished devices. Since launching in 2013, iSmash has grown to 26 repair shops across the UK and counting. It prides itself on offering an express repair service powered by iSmash accredited technicians, on-site at each of its shops, and all its screen replacements are backed by a lifetime warranty.
Rebecca Hughes Interiors designs new flagship store for Beulah
Rebecca Hughes Interiors are delighted to have been chosen to design the new London flagship store of fashion brand Beulah. Opening in April 2018, the new beautiful new store reflects the company’s sense of style and social conscience.
“We’re so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic brand like Beulah,“ commented Rebecca Hughes, founder of Rebecca Hughes Interiors. “We really wanted to create a store which makes the experience of shopping at Beulah as lovely as the clothes themselves, as well as incorporating some of the brand’s strong moral values and elegant, feminine style.”
With this in mind, the interior has been styled using delicate designs in feminine tones, with pops of colour and floral touches to create a peaceful, beautiful space. In addition, a gorgeous mural on the back wall has been inspired by India; a country which sparked the imagination of Beulah’s founders when it came to their designs and charitable work.
“We took a great deal of inspiration from India when coming up with the design of the store,” continues Rebecca. “From the prints to the decor, we wanted to reflect the significance of the country to the brand, as well as support their ongoing charity projects.”
“Crucially, we aimed to create an environment which was different to the traditional clothes shop, with a feel closer to a dressing room or bedroom than a department store. With this in mind, we made sure to include lots of gorgeous soft furnishings and homey touches to create a relaxed atmosphere.”
When it came to the facade of the shop, Rebecca Hughes Interiors opted to recreate Beulah’s beautiful white and navy floral print on the walls themselves. Elizabeth Street in Belgravia, London, has become known for its iconic, Instagram-worthy shop exteriors, and the new Beulah store certainly fits into this enviable location.
“We’re delighted with the finished project,” adds Rebecca. ”Beulah has so many wonderful patterns and prints that we couldn’t resist incorporating them into the design itself. It was also important to us and the owners that we reflected the company’s mission and dedication to their charity, so we made sure to include artwork and decor which echoes this.”
As well as being a beautiful and popular womens clothing brand, Beulah has a social conscience. Each sale supports vulnerable women and victims of trafficking. Their clothes have been worn by numerous high-profile figures, including the Duchess of Cambridge and Julie Walters.
The new showroom is located on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia, London, and will open to the public in April 2018.
Get back to black with a statement light from Yorkshire-based lighting company, Urban Cottage Industries
The dark side has never looked so stylish!
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This ‘Friday the 13th’, Entertainment One UK is delighted to bring you the new trailer and poster for THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE, the upcoming horror from the writer of The Orphanage and team behind Pan’s Labyrinth and A Monster Calls.
Out in cinemas on Friday 13th July, THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE stars George Mackay (Captain Fantastic, Pride), Anya Taylor-Joy (Split, The Witch) and Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things).
Watch the trailer here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X_P4MV0AORY
Embed from YouTube here
The poster is attached and also available to download via THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE DPK here: https://dpk.thinkjam.com along with a selection of stills from the film.
Four siblings seek refuge in an old home after the death of their mother, only to discover that the house has another, more sinister, inhabitant, in this haunting directorial debut from Sergio G. Sánchez, screenwriter of The Orphanage and The Impossible.
THE SECRET OF MARROWBONE comes to UK and Irish cinemas on Friday 13th July.
HealthLabs.com offers Environmental Allergy Tests to see which allergens affect you.
It tests for irritants in your region to accurately detect any substances that might be pestering your sinuses. With direct-to-consumer lab testing, it allows you to bypass the doctor and head into spring cleaning (and the spring season) prepared and ready!
23 Ways Hiking Makes You Healthier
If you are a person who enjoys hiking on regular basis, then you won’t be just hitting the trails, you can even enjoy staying in shape. There are studies which proved that hiking or going for trekking for five days in a week can even reduce the chances of stroke in half. Walking in nature will enhance the conditions of your heart and this is indeed is the best way to be in the outdoors. Hiking is a kind of aerobic exercise which helps to boosts the levels of HDL in your body, the good cholesterol levels and reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride, which in turn are considered as the harmful elements present in your body.
All these components help to lower the chances of getting heart disorders along with cut shorting higher levels of blood pressure. In short, we can say that taking a walk into the Mother Nature will help to maintain your cardiovascular system along with maintaining your fitness levels. Use trekking poles while carrying heavy backpacks. They help to lower the wear and tear on the joints by properly placing into the ground and then taking it out with a forward push.
In addition to this, using trekking poles also helps to lower the chances of falling during hiking in steep areas. You can even adjust the length of the poles based on the terrain you are choosing for hiking. It also helps the muscles in your upper body to function more, providing an enhanced cardio workout session. The above-mentioned factors will also help you in losing your extra calories and increasing physical stamina.
You can check out the below mentioned 23 Ways Hiking Makes You Healthier. Find more detailed benefits of hiking from http://www.riderstrail.com/
NEW RESEARCH REVEALS
AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP IS THE MOST DEMANDING TIME FOR MUMS
Forget the morning rush to get out the door on time, new research by Knoppers from Storck UK, reveals that the after school period is the most challenging time for mums. Almost two thirds of mums (59%) named 3.30pm – 5pm as the time when they most need a pick me up after a tiring and busy day.
A huge 82% of kids attend one or more after school activity and more than half (54%) of these take place at multiple locations, meaning mum is often driving all over the place – no wonder parental burnout is on the rise.
Vanessa O’Farrell, Knoppers Marketing Manager, comments: “The research reveals that in today’s hectic world, there have never been more demands on mum’s time, from confidante, to chauffeur, to personal assistant. According to our research, nearly all mums (91%) need a pick me up during the day, whilst 67% feel their children also need one too, to help give energy for after school commitments (34%) and to keep them going until dinner (36%).
“With this in mind, we have introduced Knoppers, a crispy baked wafer with milky hazelnut layers and a chocolatey coating that offers that much needed pick me up for mum that her kids will love too. It’s ideal for giving kids an energy boost without ruining their appetite ahead of dinner – the top two priorities for mums when choosing an after school snack.”
With wholesome ingredients of milk, hazelnuts and wheat, Knoppers is a great choice with less guilt for those looking for a tasty snack and for busy mums looking to keep their kids’ hunger at bay.
National Awards announce The Diana Award as Charity Partner
The SME National Business Awards are delighted to announce today that The Diana Award will be their Charity Partner for 2018.
These Awards are a celebration of the best SMEs from throughout the UK and are now open with entries closing on Thursday 17th May. The awards final will take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium on the 7th December and with over 500 people expected, they hope to raise a significant amount of money for this very worthy cause. This year, our partnership extends even further with the exciting introduction of The Diana Award Mentor of the Year category! This brand new award is designed for business people who have been involved in a mentoring programme at some point over the last 12 months, with the judges looking to identify a business person who has gone above and beyond to support an individual/individuals either within their business, school or local community, in order to create a positive social impact.
Speaking on behalf of The Diana Award Mentoring Programme, Tessy Ojo, CEO commented…
“We are delighted to have been selected as this year’s charity partner for the SME National Business Awards. Our Mentoring Programme recognises the role mentoring has to play in breaking down the barriers to social mobility. Through the programme we are matching over 3000 pre-GCSE students with mentors from the world of work to improve post-secondary work readiness and instil active citizenship. With the money raised from the partnership we hope we are able to engage more young people in this programme.
At The Diana Award we celebrate active citizenship in young people through our Awards Programme. The launch of the National Mentoring Award is a great opportunity to recognise adults from local businesses who are going above and beyond to support someone in their workplace, or community through mentoring.”
For more information and details on how to enter, please visit www.smenationals.co.uk. For further information about The Diana Award’s Mentoring Programme, please visit: http://diana-award.org.uk/about-mentoring/
Photo: (L-R) Tessy Ojo – The Diana Award, Elaine Diviney – SME National Business Awards
Fit for a Queen:
www.Lunarcon.com
Let’s be honest; buying a Mother’s Day gift can be tough. How do you pick the perfect gift to show the woman who raised you and loves you unconditionally how much you appreciate her? While there’s nothing in the material world that comes close to a mother’s love, there are some gorgeous things you can gift her on Mother’s Day to make her feel special. Here are three of our favorite Mother’s Day gift ideas for this season.
Vintage Rolex Ladies’ Datejust
While a yellow gold Rolex ladies’ Datejust is a classic, this particular version pops with color thanks to its stunning coral dial. Over the years, Rolex has produced some remarkable hard stone dials using semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, and onyx. The coral dial on this ladies’ Rolex Datejust is not just striking because of its vibrant color polished to a glossy shine, but also because of its textured look similar to wood grain.
Housing the bright orange/red coral stone dial is a 26mm Oyster case crafted in 18k yellow gold topped with Rolex’s signature fluted bezel. Of course, this being a Datejust, there’s the famous date window at 3 o’clock along with a Cyclops magnification lens on the crystal above the dial. The classic five-link Jubilee bracelet is also in 18k yellow gold, completing the look of this vintage luxury Rolex watch for women. This Rolex beauty will look fantastic on mom’s wrist.
Cartier Love Bracelet
Another classic from a big luxury brand is the Cartier Love bracelet. Designed in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier, the Love bracelet has been one of the most sought-after fine jewelry pieces for decades. Characterized by its solid gold oval bangle design secured by a tightening a screw, along with a repetitive screw pattern dotting the exterior of the band, the Cartier Love bracelet is instantly recognizable.
Although the Cartier Love is available in different shades of gold and with the option of diamonds, we’re partial to this solid rose gold version for mom. And we’re sure mom will love it too!
Versace Wallet
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift that isn’t a watch or jewelry piece, then a luxury wallet is a good option too. Very ornate and very Versace, this Barocco Print wallet features famous icons from the Italian House.
From the baroque pattern that has been a Versace staple since 1992 to the iconic Medusa head logo, this black and gold leather wallet is ideal for moms that appreciate opulence. What’s more, this special wallet isn’t available for sale just yet, but it will be very soon, which means mom will be one of the first to have it.
Don’t forget, Mother’s Day this year is May 13, 2018. Mark your calendar, pick out a great gift, and send it straight to her doorstep. You’ll surely be her favorite child of the moment.
Top findings along with tips from Nadia Pomare, founder and director of Best of Houzz 2018 winning landscaping business Stylish Gardens include –
Textural throwdown. Most Houzz users are updating their interior decor (46%), adding soft furnishings such as cushions, throws and rugs to style their home for the cooler season with minimal effort. While one in ten users leave their decor as is (13%).
Bring on the edibles. When it comes to the outdoors, one in three users are prioritising edible gardens (33%), followed by raking up and composting autumn leaves and planting spring flowering bulbs (22% and 11%, respectively). Nadia’s tip: To get started on an edible garden, Nadia suggests, “having a raised garden bed around 1 square meter with an automatic timer and sprinkler to run twice daily. Start with lettuce, cherry tomatoes and spinach.”
What’s blooming? Results show that most Australian Houzz users will be planting freesias (33%) followed by tulips and bluebells (22% and 10% respectively). Nadia’s tip: To ensure the most vibrant blooms by spring, Nadia says, “planting these flowering bulbs during autumn is great and it’s best to keep them mulched while dormant.”
And what’s trending in autumn gardens according to Best of Houzz 2018 winning landscaping designer? Nadia’s pick of the bunch are tall green hedges with silhouettes of deciduous trees, and a littering of coloured foliage.
You can check out the rest of Nadia’s work and hire her for your next landscaping project at: https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/nadiapomare
ELLIS RUGBY ANNOUNCE NEW FRANCE SIGNING
Ellis Rugby has appointed FB Distribution as exclusive Agent within the whole of France. Ellis Rugby, founder Kevin Ellis met Francis Bouchez in Paris on Tuesday last week to agree the collaboration.
Kevin Ellis, commented ‘We have been looking for the right partner to help distribute our collections in what is the perfect territory for our product range’, he continued ‘Francis and his team have a vast amount of experience, understand our brand and provide the perfect match’
A number of new collections targeting the patriotic French Rugby supporter will be developed over the coming months and these will be planned in to a twelve monthly program with Spring/Summer, Autumn/Winter and capsule ranges being developed.
Ex-Adidas, Champion USA Sales & Commercial Director and Managing Director of FB Distribution, Francis Bouchez, commented ‘I believe our sales network combined with the exceptional quality of heritage rugby garments offered by Ellis Rugby will appeal to the French market and we are really excited at the prospect of working with the brand’
Pictured, Kevin Ellis, Ellis Rugby Founder along with FD Distribution MD Francis Bouchez.
Starry line-up revealed for
Royal Albert Hall Christmas
Spring may have finally sprung in London, but today at the Royal Albert Hall it’s Christmas, as the venue announces its full line-up for this year’s festive season, with a stellar cast ranging from the Welsh Guards to a gospel choir, and Birmingham Royal Ballet to Father Christmas.
The Hall has played a central part in the country’s Christmas celebrations for more than 145 years, and this December the building and its surroundings will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland as it welcomes carollers, composers, musicians, TV comedians and, of course, the man himself – Father Christmas – for a festive party like no other.
The season will include the unveiling of stunning new Christmas compositions from David Arnold (Sherlock, James Bond) and John Rutter, while focusing on reaching out to those who are lonely and isolated at Christmas, through a reduced-price ‘Friendship Matinee’ for members of charities and community groups, and a Relaxed family concert.
Lucy Noble, Artistic Director at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that our Christmas season in 2018 will celebrate all that audiences love about Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall.
“It’s especially thrilling to see the programme open to such a diverse range of people, with traditional family events alongside brand new events, including concerts for people who might be lonely or isolated, or those who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment.
“This year’s Christmas season is about opening our home to everybody: we can’t wait to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to come and celebrate Christmas with us.”
The programme includes jazz (Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas), comedy (a 30th anniversary Christmas Whose Line is it Anyway?), gospel music (courtesy of the London Community Gospel Choir), cinema (Home Alone screening in the Films in Concert series), and a perennial festive favourite in Handel’s Messiah.
For glitz and glamour, there’s A Hollywood Christmas: a glittering, all-new show featuring tunes from beloved films such as A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Nightmare Before Christmas and many more, hosted and compèred by the great American musical conductor John Mauceri.
Traditional Carols return for four performances on 23 and 24 December, with original compositions from John Rutter, President of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain (NYCGB), and James Bond composer David Arnold, whose new version of Silent Night will celebrate the piece’s 200th anniversary. These concerts also feature the Royal Choral Society, a key part of the Hall’s history since 1871, the NYCGB – the most inspiring organisation for young choral singers in the UK – and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Especially for families, My Christmas Orchestral Adventure brings a festive flavour to the smash-hit classical show, My Great Orchestral Adventure, introducing children to classical music with the help of a full symphony orchestra, and encouraging them to sing, dance and join in as they help the conductor to get Santa’s map to him ahead of the Big Delivery on Christmas Eve.
Also for children, The Snowman™ and Paddington Bear™ – live in concert – celebrates two national institutions. The event marks 40 years of Raymond Briggs’ enchanting, timeless picture book, with the indelible 1982 animated adaptation accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Howard Blake’s famous score, injecting tingle-down-the-spine magic into Walking in the Air. The other half of the show features Herbert Chappell’s charming score – commissioned by Michael Bond – as the audience is taken on a journey from Paddington’s first meeting with the Brown family to his debut as a conductor at the Royal Albert Hall.
Christmas will commandeer the Hall’s families shows in the smaller spaces too, with a trio of distinctive takes on Dickens’ seasonal classic to choose from, including a live recital, Michael Rosen reading his own Bah! Humbug!, and Brother Wolf Theatre presenting A Christmas Carol as told by Jacob Marley (deceased). The Hall’s magical Father Christmas adventure also returns, after selling all 2,360 spots in 2017.
As well as Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas in the auditorium (“this show really does have the makings of a midwinter institution” – the Times), there’ll be festive Late Night Jazz in the Elgar Room from Michele Drees Jazz Tap Project and Phoebe Katis. That’s also the venue for a special edition of acclaimed feminist spoken word project That’s What She Said.
Taking the festive message beyond the building, the ‘Royal Albert Hall Songbook’ will be filled with seasonal songs, as Albert’s Band take their specially-created show for elderly and isolated audiences to care homes, hospitals, day centres and hospices.
True to the venue’s vision of being open to all – and on the heels of an award-winning Relaxed Prom in 2017 – there will be a special Relaxed Performance of The Snowman™ and Paddington Bear™ on 20 December especially for people with autism, sensory and communication impairments and learning disabilities as well as individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted.
Acknowledging that Christmas can be a lonely time of year for many people, there will also be a Friendship Matinee performance of Carols at the Royal Albert Hall on 23 December, providing people who are part of a charity or community group, and may not usually come to the venue, the opportunity to celebrate Christmas together for just £5.
Young singers will perform alongside the London Community Gospel Choir at their concert on 18 December, giving them the incredible opportunity to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, and will also participate in Education & Outreach workshops during the season
Finally, as the angel atop the Christmas tree, Birmingham Royal Ballet will return with their critically-acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, which was adapted especially for the Royal Albert Hall in 2017.
Tickets for Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall are on sale from 9am on Friday, at www.royalalberthall.com/christmas.
Car insurance prices in Northern Ireland U-turn for the first time in three years
– Good news for drivers in Northern Ireland as the average cost of car insurance dropped -£71 (-7%) in the past three months alone to £935 –
The UK average premium is now at £768 after seeing a -£13 (-2%) drop in 12 months.
59% of UK drivers renewed with the same insurer according to a survey of UK drivers – even though motorists said their renewal premium went up £45 on average.
Insurers soften prices after Government announces a review of the Ogden Rate discount and reforms to the law on whiplash
Confused.com urges drivers to check their renewal quote and shop around as research shows renewing customers are not benefitting from savings.
Drivers in Northern Ireland are celebrating an unexpected U-turn in car insurance costs as prices in the region drop for the first time in three years.
Car insurance now costs drivers in the region £935, on average, and is -£71 (-7%) cheaper than it was just three months ago – a small win for drivers in the region after facing a raft of price rises in recent years. And prices in Northern Ireland are also down year-on-year, dropping -£8 (-1%). That’s according to the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK based on more than six million quotes a quarter from Confused.com and powered by Willis Towers Watson.
To give a view on how car insurance premiums have changed, Confused.com has created a car insurance calculator, which allows drivers to search for the average price for their age and region, and compare it to other parts of the UK.
Overall, drivers across the UK are offered some relief from inflating prices as the UK average premium dropped -£13 (-2%) in 12 months to £768. However, new research reveals customers who renew with the same insurer are not benefitting from these savings. In fact, a nationally representative survey of UK drivers reveals those who stayed with the same insurer and renewed their car insurance between January and March this year saw their premiums go up by £45 on average1. This suggests loyal customers who choose to stay with the same insurer are not taking advantage of price reductions available by shopping around. And worryingly 59% stayed with the same insurer rather than seeking out a better deal elsewhere1.
Insurers seem to have softened prices as the Government announces a review of the Ogden Rate discount2, expected in April 2019, which could mean insurers pay out less when a claim is made. The Government has also announced a reform to the way whiplash claims are calculated and paid2 which may have also had an impact. The significance of these announcements can be seen within the last three months (Q1 2018) especially, as Confused.com’s index reveals UK prices dropped by a whopping -£59 (-7%).
But the research suggests customers who are savvy enough to shop around are more likely to see these savings reflected in their car insurance premium. Confused.com says drivers should check their renewal notices to see if these savings have been passed on to them. It also says they should shop around to take advantage of even greater savings to make sure they get the best deal available. And to help motorists take advantage of declining prices Confused.com is guaranteeing to beat their car insurance renewal price, or give them the difference plus £20.
These unexpected price reductions seem to be a result of insurers over-inflating their prices when the Government set the Ogden Rate Discount to -0.75% in March last year2, as well as an increase to Insurance Premium Tax3. And this means we will have to see UK prices drop by -£269 before drivers benefit from the rock-bottom premiums of 2008 (Q2), when car insurance cost just £499 on average. In fact, prices are still +£97 (+14%) more expensive than they were two years ago, and +£261 (+52%) more expensive than they were 10 years ago.
Despite recent price drops, some drivers are facing more expensive car insurance costs than others – particularly male motorists. Men across the UK are paying £95 more than women, although the gap has closed somewhat since the previous quarter when it was £114. Insurers are unable to assess a driver based on their sex, as outlined by the EU gender directive, but there are other risk factors which cause men to have higher premiums. For example, men tend to drive more expensive cars with larger engines, on average, so they make higher-value claims4. They also tend to have significantly more motoring convictions than women.
And there are certain age brackets which are bucking the downward trend. In fact, 68 year olds across the UK will be groaning as their premiums rise by £40 (+8%) since last year. However, they are only paying £543 – significantly less than the national average. 21 year olds also saw an increase, with their premiums going up £38 (+2%) policy to £1,621. But it’s 18 year olds who are currently paying the most for their car insurance, as they face bills of an eye-watering £2,114 on average.
Of any age, 17 year old drivers are celebrating the biggest price reductions and are paying -£118 (-6%) less than they were last year, and -£201 (-9%) less than drivers of this age bracket who took out a policy three months ago. Yet, the average car insurance policy for a 17 year old driver is still a whopping £2,003, making it crucial for them to shop around when it comes to renewal.
As ever, male UK drivers aged between 17 and 20 are still paying the most of any demographic ̶ £2,348 on average, compared to the £1,699 paid by their female counterparts. While female drivers aged between 61 and 65 are paying the least and less than half the national average, with a bill of just £363.
According to Confused.com survey research, almost two out of three (63%) drivers say they are fed up of the rising cost of car insurance1. In fact, one in three (32%) would go as far to say that it’s becoming unaffordable1. But there are other motoring costs which are also pinching drivers’ pockets. According to Confused.com’s fuel price index, which collates prices from 83% of the UK’s fuel stations5, drivers are now paying 120.8p for petrol and 123.4p for diesel, on average. This means that the average driver of a medium-sized car is now paying £68.83 for a full tank of petrol and £70.37 to fill up with diesel. And with further taxes being imposed on diesel drivers this year, plus climbing interest rates predicted for 2018, it looks like it is going to be an expensive year for motorists.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com says: “Finally drivers in Northern Ireland have had some good news with the end of rising car insurance costs in sight. However, it’s clear that many motorists are not seeing these savings reflected in their renewal letters, so it’s more important than ever to shop around if they want to get a better deal.
“Being loyal doesn’t always pay, so to get the message across to cost-burdened drivers, Confused.com is guaranteeing to beat the price insurers are charging at point of renewal. If we can’t beat it, we’ll give you the difference, plus £20.
“Please take a few minutes to check your letter and get a new price from Confused.com.”
Lionel Richie has shown his support for local football teams before his UK summer tour kicks off.
The 68-year-old, who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, also wishing all the teams luck for the remaining post-split fixtures.
Quotes and images from Lionel below –
CARLISLE UNITED:
“Good luck to Carlisle United for the rest of the season! Looking forward to performing at the legendary Brunton Park in June.”
SHREWSBURY TOWN FC:
“Good luck to Shrewsbury Town for the rest of the season! Looking forward to performing at the legendary Montgomery Waters Meadow in June.”
PERTH / ST. JOHNSTONE:
“Good luck to St. Johnstone FC for the rest of the season! Looking forward to performing at the legendary McDiarmid Park in June.”
CHESTERFIELD FC:
“Good luck to Chesterfield FC for the rest of the season! Looking forward to performing at the legendary Proact Stadium in June.”
STEPs Club For Young People receives £1,000 award
Vodafone award will help fund activities for young people in Weymouth
From right to left, Tom Lane (Principal Youth Worker at STEPs Club For Young People) and Chris Stewart (Store Manager) outside the Vodafone store in Weymouth
29th March, 2018: Members of STEPs Club For Young People are celebrating after receiving £1,000 from Vodafone UK. The charity collected the Vodafone Community Connection Award last week after staff in its Weymouth store chose the deserving cause.
STEPs Club For Young People – founded in 1964 as Weymouth Boys Club – opened a brand new centre in 2013 following a £3 million capital grant from the government’s Myspace Programme. The club was set to close in 2016 when Dorset County Council ceased funding for all youth centres in the county, and was saved by the charity STEPs who took over the running. Since the new centre opened 5 years ago, over 3,000 young people have joined the club and benefitted from the activities available. Each year, the charity requires substantial fundraising to cover building maintenance costs, staff salaries and to run its programme of activities for young people.
Tom Lane, Principal Youth Worker at STEPs Club For Young People entered the charity for the award and said “Our work provides young people with educational and developmental opportunities as well as crucial support. Currently, our focus has been on improving young people’s health as well as enabling them to gain confidence and develop self-esteem and a range of skills. On behalf of the trustees, staff and young people, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Vodafone and those who nominated us for this fantastic award, which will be put towards funding new activities and projects at the club.”
Vodafone’s Community Connection Awards, launched in 2014, have already made a difference to more than 160 local communities across the UK. Selected by local Vodafone staff and aimed at supporting local causes, the awards have been used to help support everything from new equipment for soup kitchens and day centres for the elderly to helping people with disabilities take part in sporting activities.
Chris Stewart, Vodafone Store Manager in Weymouth said, “We are delighted to be able to help STEPs Club For Young People – they do amazing work helping to engage young people in Weymouth. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to support the hard work and dedication shown by Tom and all of the other volunteers.”
Check out how some charities have already used their Community Connection Award, or for further information on the Vodafone Community Connection Awards please see Vodafone Social, the official Vodafone blog: http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2015/02/02/vodafone-community-connection-awards/
BRITS IN A KATSU HURRY WITH THE RISE OF THE ‘NANO’ LUNCH
THE TRADITIONAL LUNCH HOUR IS OVER AS A QUARTER OF PEOPLE TAKE LESS THAN 15 MINS FOR LUNCH
Monday 16th April – wagamama, known for serving nourishing food, fast and fresh, today reveals a rise in the trend for a ‘nano lunch’ with almost 25 per cent of time-poor Brits taking under 15 minutes for lunch (8-15 minutes).
Nearly 70 per cent of the UK take 40 minutes or less for a ‘quick lunch’, and only 13 per cent for 60 minutes, indicating an end to the traditional lunch ‘hour’.
‘The Lunch Report’, released to celebrate the launch of wagamamago, shows that in addition, almost 30 per cent (27%) of the UK regularly enjoy a ‘micro lunch’ (under 25 mins). wagamamago, a world-first app described as ‘Uber for diners’ allows time-poor Brits to walk in, order, eat and for the first time ever, simply go.
TIME is of the essence when it comes to taking a moment for lunch, with half the nation refusing to wait longer than seven (6.9) minutes in a queue for food.
Eating in restaurants is also time sensitive, with ‘waiting for a seat’ and ‘waiting for a bill’ on equal footings as the biggest pet hates on lunchtime pressure (24 and 23 per cent each).
And it seems with good reason, on average of 54 per cent of people eating out at least once a week, all wasting over 11 hours a year simply waiting to pay.
In response to the trend and customer demand, wagamama has launched wagamamago,
in partnership with Mastercard. The new app will save Brits an average of 12 minutes at every meal, according to research. That’s almost a month of your life not having to wait for the bill! The research also showed that almost 40 per cent of Brits will use technology to speed up elements of life in general.
For the very first time, Brits can dine in the same stress-free way people take an Uber; smart-ordering where your details are stored securely, enjoy the dining experience and then simply get up and go. And just like a taxi can be, it’s cashless, so forgetting your wallet is a thing of the past (one in ten people of those surveyed stated that they often forget their payment card and regularly rely on technology when eating out at lunch.)
Through the revolutionary technology, payment can be taken automatically from the app without the need to hit a pay button; the first time any restaurant in the world has ever offered a “walk out” payment option in this way.
wagamamago is available to download for free on iOS and Android devices now. For further information please visit:
www.wagamama.com/wagamamago
Jägermeister Celebrates Big Nights With Friends
This June, Jägermeister will be launching a series of six limited-edition bottles, each emblazoned with eye-catching flags from famous footballing nations: England, France, Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain.
Synonymous with big occasions, it has been reported that 51% of consumers drink Jägermeister on a big night out with friends (Millward Brown usage research 2017). This year’s big summer of sport is a key opportunity to drive incremental sales for both the on and off-trade.
35,000 70cl flag bottles will be available across the on-trade, including free-trade and managed outlets and 80,000 bottles will be available across the off-trade, including multiple grocers and convenience stores. The bottles will help to drive incremental sales across both channels, encouraging consumers to get behind their team and celebrate the 2018 summer of sport.
The launch follows a successful on-trade trial coinciding with the 2018 Six Nations Championships in February. All outlets merchandising the limited-edition bottles experienced a boost in sales, with some seeing an increase to 30%.
To further amplify the herbal liqueur’s presence across the on-trade, this summer will also see the return of Jägermeister’s ‘Jägerettes’ floor staff wearing their distinctive Jägermeister uniforms. Starting with the main football matches, the Jägerettes will be providing the perfect serve of ice cold shots straight to table and taking the pressure off the bar staff in key venues across the UK. The Jägermeister field sales force will support the implementation of the floor selling programme as well as the limited-edition flag bottles in outlets and venues nationwide.
The off-trade will benefit from the launch of the Yard of Jäger flag pack, an eye-catching pack featuring 10 x 2cl bottles. Launching in May this is the ideal product for fans to enjoy in a group setting at home.
Jonathan Dennys, customer marketing & insights controller, comments: “Jägermeister is often associated with big occasions and with this summer being packed with major sporting events it is the perfect time to get together with friends for that ‘Jägermeister moment’ whether at home or in-venue.
“It is an opportunity for Jägermeister to be put at the fore of this summer’s offering and for both on and off-trade to think beyond the typical category sales of beer and cider and consider spirit brands like Jägermeister which can offer huge prospects to drive incremental sales.”
NEW RUGBY LEAGUE DOCUMENTARY TO BE RELEASED ON
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO IN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
A brand new sports documentary called ‘As Good As It Gets?’ is set for its international release. Leeds-based media company and film studio The City Talking is thrilled to announce that their latest documentary will be released through Prime Video Direct on Amazon Prime Video in countries around the world including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
‘As Good As It Gets?’ is a film about the rebirth of British rugby league side Leeds Rhinos, the team’s ‘Golden Generation’ and the battle for a historic treble in 2015. It stars Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Clare Balding. Narration is by actor and long term Leeds Rhinos fan, Matthew Lewis — best known for his role in the Harry Potter film series.
The film premieres at a sold-out screening at Everyman Cinema, Trinity Leeds as part of Leeds International Festival 2018 on 30th April. It will be available the following week to Prime Video customers.
Lee Hicken, the Director of ‘As Good As It Gets?’ revealed his delight at the news: “It’s incredible to be making this documentary available on Prime Video,” says Lee. “One of our early objectives was to take this story to new, international audiences. We wanted to challenge the sports documentary genre and create something that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their knowledge of the team and the sport.” He adds: “We have asked a lot from both the cast members and our crew. I think we’ve managed to create something that’s really special for audiences, both in the UK and beyond.”
“We know our members enjoy watching sports on Prime Video, so we’re delighted to offer ‘As Good As It Gets?’ as another great sports documentary alongside our growing stable of high quality sports content available to stream,” said Alex Green, European MD of Channels and Sport at Amazon Prime Video. “This story of a team battling for a historic treble trophy win will be compelling viewing for not just passionate Rugby League supporters, but for all sports fans – we think Prime Video members around the world will love it.”
‘As Good As It Gets?’ is being made available on Prime Video via the Prime Video Direct self-publishing program, which helps content creators and storytellers make their video content available to millions of Prime members, and earn royalties based on hours streamed. To learn more about Prime Video Direct, visit http://videodirect.amazon.com. Content creators and storytellers can start distributing their premium content today.
‘As Good As It Gets?’ joins a great selection of live and on-demand sports content available on Prime Video, including:
Sports Docuseries: Prime Original Series Le Mans: Racing is Everything, GRAND PRIX Driver and three seasons of the behind-the-scenes sports docuseries All or Nothing with American Football teams Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and Michigan Wolverines. Further Prime Original sports docuseries All or Nothing: New Zealand All Blacks, All or Nothing: Dallas Cowboys and All or Nothing: Manchester City are coming to Prime Video later this year.
Live Sports: Prime members around the world have enjoyed NFL Thursday Night Football matches at no extra cost to their membership, and in June, Prime members in the U.K. and Ireland can watch live and on-demand content covering the ATP’s Queen’s Club Championships and Eastbourne International on Prime Video, a partnership that will feature 37 ATP World Tour events annually beginning in 2019. This year, Prime Video will also deliver live and on-demand coverage of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and the Next Gen ATP Finals to customers in more than 200 countries and territories.
Prime Video Channels: Through Prime Video Channels, Prime members can access sports content by subscribing to services such as Eurosport Player in the U.K. and CBS All Access in the U.S., which provides coverage of the NFL, NCAA football and basketball, and the PGA Tour.
The documentary also joins the Prime Video catalogue of great TV series including The Grand Tour, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Transparent, The Man In The High Castle, MR. ROBOT, Vikings and American Gods.
‘I FORGOT’ – BRITONS FAILING TO PROTECT BLUE PLANET FROM SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BECAUSE IT’S A HASSLE
New research shows only a third of us feel guilty about buying a disposable plastic bottle rather than refilling from the tap
Embargoed until 00.01am, 17th April 2018 – Blue Planet has failed to shift the British public’s behaviour when it comes to single-use plastic, with only a third of people bothering to carry around a refillable water container and just 17% of us strongly committed to going the extra mile to find an alternative to plastic bottles.
Despite the David Attenborough show being last year’s most watched programme, and even with ongoing focus on the damage single-use plastic litter is causing to marine life, a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by BRITA UK and environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, found that only a third (31%) of people feel guilty purchasing a throwaway water bottle rather than refilling from a tap or fountain.
The research follows the Government’s ambition to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042 and pledge to introduce a deposit return scheme. Yet increased awareness appears to have done little to influence behavior, with only 44% of us admitting to feeling bad for the environment if we buy bottled water. Millennials, thought to be more environmentally conscious, are no different; 39% of those aged 25 to 34 feel no guilt buying plastic bottled water, and only 14% are firmly committed to putting in extra effort into finding alternatives. A fifth of us still buy bottled water for use at home.
The report, finds that we are a nation of excuse makers – blaming inconvenience or forgetting to bring our reusable bottles out with us. A fifth of us own a refillable bottle but either fail to use it regularly, have never used it, or lost it and didn’t bother replacing it. Of those who own one, half (51%) still purchase bottled water because they forget to take their reusable bottle out; while 23% do so because carrying one is ‘inconvenient’. Nearly a third of millennials (29%) don’t use refillable bottles because they claim they are too heavy.
This ‘hassle factor’ means that, when out and about, only three in ten of us drink from a reusable water bottle. In particular, the lack of options at transport hubs appears to be fueling the single-use plastics crisis, with 63% of us prone to relying on bottled water when travelling long distances, and two fifths of us likely to purchase it at the airport (including 42% of those who regularly use a reusable bottle). Lunchtime meal deals are also a culprit, with 27% of us likely to purchase bottled water when it is included in offers.
The research, which is being launched in Parliament today, makes clear that ending our reliance on single-use plastic bottles will take a significant cultural shift – and it won’t be as simple as making more water fountains available, as 59% of us worry about their cleanliness, rising to 64% of women. Currently only 9% of us use public fountains, a figure almost unchanged from when this survey was carried out a year ago[1].
The Government is currently considering a levy on single-use plastic, but the research suggests this alone is unlikely to make much of a difference, with many of us willing to swallow the cost. Only two fifths of us would swap to reusable bottles if there was a 5p levy, while 45% say it would make no difference. Despite this, 68% of us support such a tax, and 65% think paying for a plastic bottle of water is like buying a plastic bag.
The Blue Planet effect has also failed to diminish embarrassment about asking for free tap water when out and about, with 69% of people uncomfortable asking for a glass without buying something else (down from 71% in 2017) and 27% awkward asking for their reusable bottle to be refilled even when making a purchase.
Three quarters of us (73%), however, say we would be encouraged to use a reusable bottle if we could help ourselves to drinking water in shops or cafes and not need to ask staff for it, while two thirds (63%) think food and drink businesses should be required to provide free tap or filtered water to anyone who asks for it.
Equally, the survey suggests there is opportunity for businesses to capitalise on those who do want to cut down on single-use plastic by offering free, easily available refills. Two thirds of us (67%) would be more likely to make a purchase if we were getting a refill. 64% say it would make us more likely to return for future purchases and 62% say it would make us choose this business over a competitor.
The survey also found that:
§ Women are more likely than men to own and regularly use a reusable water bottle, with 40% doing so compared to 31% of men. 49% millennials do so compared with just 27% of over 55s
§ 78% of us think there should be greater availability of free tap water across the UK
§ 73% of us would view a business more favourably if it gave free tap or filtered water on request
§ 27% of reusable bottle owners purchase bottled water because they are unsure whether there will be somewhere to fill up
§ Although 64% of us say we don’t buy bottled if tap is available, under half of us (48%) are willing to go looking for it, and only 17% strongly agree we would do so
§ 61% say if we could be sure water out and about is safe to drink we would be more likely to use reusable bottles
§ 47% would be more likely to use reusable bottles if more were designed to filter tap water
§ Two fifths of us still don’t know our rights when it comes to getting water out and about[2]
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “There has been encouraging progress in the past year to address litter levels from single-use plastic, but this report demonstrates that we are not there yet. Too many people still find it challenging to fill up on the go, while many more are still embarrassed to ask for tap, worried about the safety of water fountains, or just unwilling to go the extra mile and carry around a reusable bottle. We’ve simply got to get to a situation where topping up in glass or refillable bottle is the norm.”
Sarah Taylor, Managing Director of BRITA UK, said: ‘The damage single-use plastic is doing to our marine and wider environment and marine life has been well documented, and it is clear many people are committed to tackling this. At the same time, this research shows that old habits are ingrained and that often the ‘hassle factor’ outweighs concern about the environment. What’s clear is that there is much more we can all do to help people swap to things like refillable bottles and reduce their single-use plastic footprint, whether that is reassuring them about the safety of water fountains or making it as easy as possible to fill up and stay hydrated on the go.”
Fashioned from Nature Generously supported by the European Confederation of Flax and Hemp – CELC Fashion, Gallery 40 | 21 April 2018 – 27 Jan 2019 vam.ac.uk/FashionedFromNature | #FashionedFromNature A pineapple fibre clutch-bag, Emma Watson’s Calvin Klein dress made from recycled plastic bottles and a cape of cockerel feathers are amongst the 300 beautiful, intriguing and unsettling objects from the V&A’s next major fashion exhibition.
Fashioned from Nature will trace the complex relationship between fashion and the natural world since 1600. It will show how fashionable dress recurringly draws on the beauty and power of nature for inspiration, with exquisite garments and accessories from Christian Dior, Dries van Noten and Philip Treacy. It will explore how fashion’s processes and constant demand for raw materials damage the environment, featuring campaigners and protest groups that have effectively highlighted this issue such as Fashion Revolution and Vivienne Westwood. It will also look at the role of design in creating a better, more sustainable fashion industry. The exhibition will showcase contemporary designers of desirable, creative and sustainable popular fashion. Menswear and womenswear from Stella McCartney, known for a commitment to and success in developing new alternative sustainable materials, will be displayed alongside an upcycled dress by Christopher Raeburn. At the 2016 Met Gala, actor Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein look made from recycled plastic bottles. With separate parts, it was intended to be re-worn in different ways. The look was created as part of the ‘Green Carpet Challenge’ with Eco-Age, an initiative to pair sustainability with glamour. It will be shown with a floral dress from Erdem’s Green Carpet Challenge collection. Fashioned from Nature will draw attention to the use of innovative fabrics. Vegea use grape waste from the wine industry to form a leather-substitute and their Grape gown will be on show, as will a Ferragamo ensemble made from ‘Orange Fiber’ derived from waste from the Italian citrus industry and an H&M Conscious dress made from recycled shoreline plastic. The exhibition will look to the past 400 years of fashion to explore what we can learn from fashion practice in the past, with objects dating to the early 1600s. Items include an 1875 pair of earrings formed from the heads of two real Honeycreeper birds – a hugely popular item sold in enormous volume at the time – and a 1860s muslin dress decorated with the iridescent green wing cases of hundreds of jewel beetles. They will be shown alongside natural history specimens to indicate the ways fashion has used animal materials in its designs and production.
The natural world has always provided rich inspiration for beautiful fashion. This will be shown in displays of exquisite garments from the historic to the contemporary. They range from a 1780s man’s waistcoat, expertly embroidered with a pattern of playful Macacque monkeys, to Gucci’s contemporary bag decorated with stag beetle motifs. One of the earliest pieces in the exhibition, a women’s jacket from the early 1600s, is intricately embroidered with designs of pea-shoots and flowers. A 2016 Giles Deacon haute-couture dress features a pattern of delicate bird’s eggs, whilst gowns from Jean Paul Gaultier (1997) and Busvine (1933-4) both feature leopard print. The exhibition will also focus closely on the raw materials used in the production of fashion. Arranged chronologically, it will introduce the main fibres used in the 17th and 18th centuries – silk, flax, wool and cotton – as well as now controversial materials like whalebone, demonstrated by an x-ray by Nick Veasey of a pair of 1780s stays, and turtle shell, used in a fan from 1700. It goes on to chart the expansion in international trade, import of precious materials, and later introduction of man-made materials, which brought fashionable dress to the masses but also contributed to the air and water pollution to which the textile industry is such a significant contributor. A bold display of posters, slogan clothes and artworks will show how protest movements have helped draw attention to the harmful side of fashion. Figures like Vivienne Westwood have popularised these issues and a mannequin will pay homage to an outfit worn by her whilst protesting against climate change. A man’s outfit from Katharine Hamnett’s 1989 ‘Clean Up or Die’ collection will be on show alongside posters from Fashion Revolution, a collective aiming to change the way clothes are sourced, produced and consumed. Customising and re-wearing clothes will be highlighted through a vintage outfit and a jacket customised by London designer Katie Jones for fashion writer and editor Susie Lau to wear during Fashion Revolution Week 2015. The exhibition will present a range of solutions to reducing fashion’s impact on the environment from low water denim and using wild rubber to more conceptual and collaborative projects. These include a dress grown from plant roots by the artist Diana Scherer, who uses seed, soil and water to train root systems into textile-like material, a bioluminescent genetically-engineered silk dress created by Sputniko!, the MIT Lab and the National Institute of Agricultural Science (NIAS), South Korea, and a tunic and trousers made from synthetic spider silk from Bolt Threads x Stella McCartney. Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) at London College of Fashion, UAL, will present two interactive installations which explore ‘Fashion Now’ and ‘Fashion Future.’ ‘Fashion Now’ will take five iconic contemporary fashion pieces and using sensors, visitors will be able to explore the unseen impact on nature of the construction, making, wearing and discarding of each item.
‘Fashion Future’ will immerse viewers into the fashion world of the future, inviting us to question what fashion means and show us a future we are yet to imagine.
Festival season has officially kicked off and Flying Tiger have you (and those portaloos) covered…
Handsfree drink holder, £5
Toilet seat covers, £1
Inflatable cool box, £10
Drink bags, £1
Lanterns, £2
Shoe covers, £5
Megaphone, £10
All from Flying Tiger stores nationwide.
Find your nearest store at uk.flyingtiger.com
MEATER Probe
£79 / https://meater.com/
The first wireless smart meat thermometer designed to help experienced and budding chefs achieve perfect and consistent results when cooking meat.
Perfect for use on the BBQ or whilst cooking a roast dinner or steak, MEATER Probe is easy to set up and works by monitoring the internal and ambient temperature of a piece of meat. Connecting to an iOS and Android app that walks you through every step of the cooking process and alerts you when meat is ready (and how long it needs to be rested) MEATER Probe is a versatile cooking gadget for foodies. Better than a Sous Chef, MEATER is also Alexa compatible meaning that users can simply ask questions like, ‘How long does my burger have left to cook?’’
Relevant dates in the diary include:
• National BBQ Week (28th May – 3rd June)
• Bank Holiday (7th and 28th May) – ideal to use when entertaining
• Healthy Eating Week (11 – 15th May) – don’t dry out lean cuts of meat
• Father’s Day (17th June) – great gift for dad
• World Cup (14th June) – ideal for World Cup parties
Are you the ‘go-to’ for all the celeb goss – keeping up with ‘who’s with who’?
Put your knowledge to the test and match famous duos, past and present with the techno-free retro card game with a twist.
Get ready for your next games night and show off your skills certain to entertain you and your guests with the Celebrity Couples Memory Game from the National Theatre Bookshop.
shop.nationaltheare.org.uk
The unspoken problem that over 60% of women in the UK have – but don’t talk about.
Women admitted to be more comfortable discussing mental health and funeral plans than incontinence problems or vaginal health problems.
In an age of oversharing and ‘if it isn’t on social media, did it even happen’ culture, women are still keeping quiet about a problem affecting so many. New research has found that 62% of UK women have experienced vaginal or pelvic floor problems- which includes regular urinary incontinence. The problem has stopped 52% of women from having sex or exercising. However, despite the fact so many suffer from the problem, a third of women have not told anyone about their vaginal or pelvic floor problems – and that includes a doctor or their own partner.
New research from 2,000 women1 has found that 62% of women aged 18+ have experienced vaginal or pelvic floor problems which range from periodic urinary leakage, regular urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness.
1/3 of women have put up with this issue for over 5 years, To address the problem, only 39% of women are doing pelvic floor exercises, 38% have bought sanitary or incontinence pads and 26% use lubricants. Sadly, 20% of women admit their embarrassment to talk about it with a doctor has stopped them taking preventative action. The problem is preventing over half of all women from enjoying a normal life with almost a fifth admitting to avoiding sexual intercourse (18%), and 13% avoiding exercising.
39% of women would not tell anyone if they are wearing sanitary protection/protective pads because of urinary leakage/stress incontinence. Understandably, a third of women admit to suffering with anxiety directly linked to the condition. Sadly 43% of women aged 35-44 say their partner finding out that they have a problem and wear protective pads is their greatest concern.
Given the limited treatment options available, most women – as the research demonstrates – suffer silently. Women can finally take control of their pelvic floor issues and no longer have to suffer in silence.
vSculpt, the brainchild of high-tech beauty executive and first-time mum Colette Courtion, was designed in partnership with female Obstetricians/Gynaecologists. After more than three years of development, extensive testing, and clinical studies, vSculpt made its UK debut. Women gain control and confidence as they improve the health of their pelvic floor in just 10 minutes every other day over the course of six to eight weeks, from the comfort of their own home. vSculpt has been clinically validated to improve stress incontinence, strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, and regenerate the vaginal tissue in as few as 45 days. In an independent clinical study, study participants reported that:
· 90% experienced a reduction in bladder leakage,
· 91% saw a reduction in vaginal dryness, and
· 95% saw an improvement in pelvic floor tightness.
vSculpt is available in the UK for £375. An accompanying Photonic Gel, which aids in accelerating the light and maximizing the benefits of vSculpt, is also available. For more information visit www.vsculpt.com
Push your boundaries with the new moto g6 and moto e5
LONDON, 19, APRIL 2018 – Motorola today announced the new Motorola moto g6 and moto e5 families at a global launch event in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Packed with features and premium functionality, the new moto g6 and moto e5 families are designed with the consumer in mind, offering exceptional value. The devices will be available in the UK from 2nd May starting from £119.
Five years ago, Motorola set out to address a gap in the market: quality smartphones that could do great things – at a price that even more people could afford. These phones had to be current, designed that year – not last year’s models at cheaper prices.
The first moto g became the best-selling smartphone in Motorola history. Since then, we have continued to push the boundaries of the value equation even further with the debut of the moto e, a smartphone that was fully loaded and fairly priced. The moto g and moto e product families offer the perfect combination of features for consumers who don’t want to compromise on quality, style or experience.
This year the legacy continues with the newest generations of the moto g and moto e families. They have the innovations that matter most to you. They are smarter than ever and focus on display, design and power. They have the speed and power of Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors and run Android™ 8.0 Oreo™. They have great Moto Experiences that unlock AI opportunities.
moto g6 plus: Smart camera. Serious performance
The new moto g6 plus is picture perfect in every way. Featuring a 5.9″, 18:9 aspect ratio, its Full HD Max Vision display delivers vivid colours and all the fine details. Capture the most creative shots using its advanced software and focus in an instant with Dual Autofocus Pixel technology.
Taking great pictures even in low light just got easier, thanks to its large f/1.7 aperture and 1.4um pixel size. But capturing those breathtaking moments is just the beginning, the smart camera system supports text scanning as well as landmark and object detection.
moto g6: Designed to impress. Built to create
The moto g6 is designed to impress. Its 5.7″ Full HD Max Vision display delivers vivid colours and fine details, while its attention-grabbing 3D glass back creates a gorgeous shape and look that stands out among other premium smartphones.
Advanced imaging software means studio quality portraits, artistic black and white shots, and hilarious face filters come to life through the dual rear 5MP and 12MP cameras. And it keeps getting better, instantly lock or unlock your phone with the multifunctional fingerprint reader.
moto g6 play: Play today. Charge tomorrow
The moto g6 play works as hard as you do, helping you set aside plenty of time to play. Its powerful 4000 mAh, all-day battery1 can last up to 32 hours on a single charge, giving you the ultimate peace of mind when out and about. Take it a step further with its powerful 1.4 GHzOcta-core processor that gives you the speed to access photos, apps, and everything in between, without any stutter or lag time.
moto e5 plus: Big screen. Big battery. Hello entertainment
From dawn until dusk, the moto e5 plus is there for you. Make the most of even the longest commutes with its powerful 5000 mAh battery1 and 6” Max Vision screen. The moto e5 plus’ sleek 18:9 aspect ratio means it still fits perfectly in your hand and comes designed with a reflective wave pattern and a curved back that looks as great as it feels.
Unlocking your phone has never been easier with just one touch of the fingerprint reader, located within the phone’s iconic Motorola logo. Even those crowded trains are no match for this home entertainment in the palm of your hands.
moto e5: See more. Do more
The moto e5 is there to see you through your day. Even with a big 5.7” Max Vision display, the moto e5 still fits perfectly in your hand thanks to its 18:9 aspect ratio and ergonomically curved back. Do more with ease by unlocking your notifications, calls or home screen in an instant with its discreet fingerprint reader2 hidden in Motorola’s iconic logo. A dedicated microSD4 card slot makes room for more photos, songs and videos.
Unlimited high-quality storage
And as with all Motorola phones, Google Photos5 is the default gallery for all your photos and videos. So, all your memories are automatically backed up, searchable and can easily be accessed, shared and edited from any device.
Availability and Pricing
The moto g6 plus will go on sale in the UK from 2nd May at a starting price of £269 and will be available exclusively at Carphone Warehouse. For full information and specifications, visit: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-g-plus-gen-6
The moto g6 will go on sale in the UK from 2nd May at a starting price of £219 and will be available from Vodafone, Amazon, Argos and John Lewis. For full information and specifications, visit: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-g-gen-6
The moto g6 play will go on sale from 2nd May at a starting price of £169 and will be available from E.E, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Tesco, Amazon, Argos and John Lewis. For full information and specifications, visit: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-g-play-gen-6
The moto e5 plus will be available in the UK from early June at a starting price of £149 and will be available from Amazon and selected Independent resellers. For full information and specifications, visit: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-e-plus-gen-5
The moto e5 Will be available in the UK from early June at a starting price of £119 and will be available from Carphone Warehouse, Vodafone, Amazon and Argos. For full information and specifications, visit: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-e-gen-5
Disclaimers
Features, functionality, and product specifications vary by mobile carrier, and are subject to change without notice or obligation. Certain features, functionality and product specifications may be network dependent and subject to additional terms, conditions, and charges. Please review the product details for your specific mobile carrier prior to purchasing.
Demijohn, the liquid deli
The Demijohn News – Spring a ding ding! Welcome to salad season…
Overall winners revealed for 2018 Sony World Photography Awards
British artist Alys Tomlinson named Photographer of the Year
10 Professional category winners and finalists revealed
Overall Open, Youth and Student winners announced
Images available at www.worldphoto.org/press
The World Photography Organisation today names the overall winners of the prestigious 2018 Sony World Photography Awards at a London ceremony.
The coveted Photographer of the Year title was presented to British artist Alys Tomlinson for her series Ex-Voto, winning the photographer $25,000 (USD). The work was praised by the jury for its beautiful production, technical excellence and sensitive illustration of pilgrimage as a journey of discovery and sacrifice to a greater power.
Tomlinson was selected from the 10 category winners of the Professional competition who was announced today alongside those in 2nd and 3rd place in each Professional category. The overall winners of the Awards’ Open (best single image), Youth and Student Focus competitions were also revealed.
All winners were flown to the London awards ceremony and received Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in the winners’ book and their work will be shown as part of the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London.
Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient Candida Höfer was also at the ceremony to collect her prize.
Produced by the World Photography Organisation, the Sony World Photography Awards is the world’s most diverse photography competition. The 11th edition saw a record breaking 320,000 submissions by photographers from more than 200 countries and territories, presenting some of the world’s finest contemporary photography captured over the past year. The Awards’ annual London exhibition brings together the best established and emerging talent from around the world, providing winning and shortlisted photographers the opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage.
Photographer of the Year – Alys Tomlinson, British
Ex-Voto is a personal project by London-based photographer Tomlinson (age 43). The winning work encompasses formal portraiture, large format landscape and small, detailed still-life images of the ‘ex-votos’ (offerings of religious devotion) found at pilgrimage sites of Lourdes (France), Ballyvourney (Ireland) and Grabarka (Poland).
The photographer mainly explores themes of environment, belonging and identity. She recently completed an MA (Distinction) in Anthropology of Travel, Tourism and Pilgrimage and has been recognised by a number of photography prizes.
Open Photographer of the Year – Veselin Atanasov, Bulgarian
Selected from 10 category winners as the best single image in the world, Atanasov is recognised for his work Early Autumn and receives a $5,000 (USD) prize. An IT specialist, Atanasov is a self-taught photographer who began shooting in 2014. The winning photograph captures autumn in the Central Balkan National Park.
Professional category winners and finalists
From insightful documentation of worldwide cultural and political events to showcasing the natural world, the photographers below were selected by judges as the best series of photographs in the world.
Architecture: Gianmaria Gava, Italian with Buildings
2nd Edgar Martins, Portuguese / 3rd Corentin Fohlen, French
Contemporary Issues: Fredrik Lerneryd, Swedish with Slum Ballet
2nd Margaret Mitchell, British / 3rd Alfio Tommasini, Swiss
Creative: Florian Ruiz, French with The White Contamination
2nd Patricia Kühfuss, German / 3rd Eduardo Castaldo, Italian
Current Affairs & News: Mohd Samsul Mohd Said, Malaysian with Life Inside the Refugee Camp
2nd Luis Henry Agudelo Cano, Colombian / 3rd Rasmus Flindt Pedersen, Danish
Discovery: Alys Tomlinson, British with Ex-Voto
2nd Antonio Gibotta, Italian / 3rd Maria Petrenko, Ukrainian
Landscape: Luca Locatelli, Italian with White Gold
2nd Rohan Reilly, Irish / 3rd Tomasz Padlo, Polish
Natural World & Wildlife: Roselena Ramistella, Italian with Deep Land
2nd Mitch Dobrowner, American / 3rd Wiebke Haas, German
Portraiture: Tom Oldham, British with The Last of The Crooners
2nd Anush Babajanyan, Armenian / 3rd Andrew Quilty, Australian
Sport: Balazs Gardi, Hungarian with Buzkashi
2nd Behnam Sahvi, Iranian/ 3rd Matteo Armellini, Italian
Still Life: Edgar Martins, Portuguese with Siloquies and Soliloquies on Death, Life and Other Interludes
2nd place Tristan Spinski, American / 3rd Werner Anderson, Norwegian
Youth Photographer of the Year – Megan Johnson, American, Age 16
Open to photographers aged 12-19, Johnson was awarded for her image Still.. Shot on the cliffs near her house in Connecticut, the black and white image captures the complex and intricate solitude the photographer faces in everyday life.
Student Photographer of the Year – Samuel Bolduc, Canadian, Age 20
Bolduc was chosen by the judges from students worldwide for his photographic series The Burden. The work beautifully illustrates the physical burden of plastic waste in the environment to highlight the urgent need to halt plastic pollution. Bolduc represented College de Matane, Quebec and has won €30,000 (Euros) worth of Sony photography equipment for the institution.
Outstanding Contribution to Photography – Candida Höfer
As one of the world’s foremost contemporary photographers, German artist Candida Höfer is renowned for her precise methodology and technique. Her powerful portraits of vast, empty interiors are held in collections around the world. The Awards recognise the artist for her contribution to the medium.
The news of the overall winners joins the March announcement of 2018’s 10 Open competition category winners and 63 National Awards winners, to complete the announcements of 2018’s awards. All winning, shortlisted and commended images can be seen at the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London from April 20 – May 6 www.worldphoto.org/2018exhibition.
Sony World Photography Awards
The objective of the Sony World Photography Awards is to establish a platform for the continuous development of photographic culture. The Awards do this by recognizing great advancements in photography through the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize as well as finding and promoting new talents of the future, whether this be in the Professional, Open, Youth or Student Focus competitions. Sony is committed to supporting global photography. This is demonstrated not only via the Awards, but also by its significant grant program which offers winners of the student competition $3,500 (USD) and professional competition $7,000 (USD) to develop personal projects.
The 2019 Sony World Photography Awards opens for entries 1 June, 2018. All entries are free at www.worldphoto.org
Common Running Injuries: Consultant Surgeon Assesses the Damage for London Marathon 2018
Over 300,000 people applied to take part in this year’s London Marathon, and of those 40,000 people will be running the 26 mile stretch across the capital. Around 58% of those competing, have never run a marathon before, but will be valiantly pushing themselves to run for fun, charity or health reasons.
The wide range in abilities and disabilities of runners also determines the chances of injuries during or after the race. A medical specialist team will be on hand to support the participants in the event of any strain or injury but in the event that those taking part only feel discomfort or anything unusual when they arrive home, we asked Mr Harold Nwaboku, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon of Total Orthopaedics at Highgate Private Hospital to give us a breakdown of the most common injuries suffered as a result of such a long distance trek and how to spot those symptoms:-
What is iliotibial band syndrome?
Iliotibial band syndrome is a recognised problem in runners which can surface at this time of preparation for the London Marathon. The iliotibial band runs from the hip region to the knee and its function includes movement of the knee. This injury arises from overuse when the band becomes inflamed, which can hamper the training programme of runners.
What are the symptoms and who is susceptible to this injury?
Pain and sometimes swelling on their outer side of the knee. It can often become very painful and difficult to run, but the pain subsides as soon as you stop. Athletes who do repetitive forward motion exercises for extended periods of time, most commonly including long distance runners, cyclists, and gym goers who perform repeated squats.
How do you test for this injury?
You can self-test by bending the affected knee whilst standing, you feel pain on the outside when the knee bends. Touching the outer side of the knee will also elicit the pain, and an ultrasound or MRI will reveal the inflamed site.
What are the treatment options?
Most patients will respond well to rest or change in activities. Physiotherapy assessment and treatment is also an option which can assist with recovery. If rest or physiotherapy do not help, an Orthopaedic referral and assessment is the next recommended course of action. Steroid or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections can offer pain relief. Surgery is usually a last resort when all the non-operative options are unsuccessful
Patella tendinitis (Runner’s Knee)
What is patella tendinitis?
Patella tendinitis is commonly known as ‘runner’s knee’. It is a common cause of anterior knee pain which occurs at the front and centre of the knee, where the tendon attaches to the bone. The pain is often constant and can negatively affect the motion and motivation of the individual.
What are the symptoms and who can be susceptible to this injury?
You will experience a dull or sharp pain under the knee cap while running, kneeling and climbing stairs. Pain can also occur after sitting for long periods of time. Knee instability is also common, leading to the knee giving way or falling. Individuals involved in running and jumping sports, and the condition is found to be more common in females.
How do you test for this injury?
The act of squatting is a common test, in addition to touching along the patella tendon from where the pain starts and ends.
What are the treatment options?
Assessment of footwear and of the training equipment can aid in preventing patella tendinitis, in addition to maintaining a healthy body weight. Physiotherapy can help aid recovery as well as activity changes. The RICE regimen may be recommended to calm inflammation: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Steroid or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections can offer pain relief. Surgery is usually a last resort when all the non-operative options are unsuccessful.
Hip stress fracture
What is a hip stress fracture?
It is a fracture of the top part of the femur (hip bone). It occurs when there is repeated stress to the bone over time and can occur in high mileage runners and those training for a marathon. At the start of this condition there is a small crack, which can lead ultimately to the fracture of the hip if left untreated. While it is a rare cause of hip pain, it should be ruled out to prevent further injury.
Who can be susceptible to this injury?
Athletes who take up running and jumping sports, who repeatedly put pressure and stress onto the hip. When stress to the bone is applied repetitively, it can cause an overuse injury like a hip stress fracture. In addition to runners, gymnasts, ballet dancers, and power walkers and marchers can also experience this injury.
How do you test for this injury?
The condition may be suspected after learning of a patient’s history. Rotation of the hip will be tested and could lead to further investigations like imaging scans being needed. X-rays may not reveal anything visible for several weeks, so an MRI scan will likely be recommended as it is the most sensitive and specific test for this condition.
What are the treatment options?
Orthopaedic referral and assessment is recommended if a hip fracture is suspected. Rest and protection from weight bearing, so repetitive activity will need to be stopped. Bed rest will be recommended in cases of severe pain, but surgery will only be recommended for cases with two complete hip fractures.
For more information or to assess any strain or injuries, please contact Total Orthopaedics at Highgate Private Hospital on https://totalorthopaedics.london/ or call 020 8108 3798
English Tea Shop named as the official cuppa of DCCC
20 April 2018. Durham County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that English Tea Shop, the independent and speciality organic tea company, will be the club’s official afternoon tea partner for the 2018 season.
English Tea Shop have signed a one-year deal with the club and their branding will feature on the back of both DCCC’s Academy whites and limited over kit.
Founded in 2010, English Tea Shop pride themselves on producing the most delicious, refreshing and diverse range of teas from the heart of Sri Lanka, sourced from the best farms in the world.
English Tea Shop also makes all its teas 100% organic, and by doing so, has helped to further drive up the prices farmers can command.
Most recently, English Tea Shop has been awarded the prestigious Business Award for Sustainability at the National Business Awards, the UK’s most esteemed nationwide business awards.
English Tea Shop’s branding will feature around Emirates Riverside and their product will be prominent around the ground’s boxes, conference rooms and function suites as well as being able to purchase in Austin’s Bar.
Durham County Cricket Club Sales Director, Tom Seymour, said: “This deal with the English Tea Shop is a welcome addition to our ever-expanding commercial partner family.
“Cricket and tea go hand-in-hand and English Tea Shop is a brand that fits Durham County Cricket Club’s values perfectly.
“We look forward to working with such an exciting, ambitious and exuberant company like English Tea Shop over the next year.”
English Tea Shop CEO, Suranga Herath, said: “At English Tea Shop, we are huge fans of County Cricket and are delighted to be Durham’s official afternoon tea partner for the 2018 season.
“We also place learning and development at the heart of our business, so we are particularly thrilled to be supporting the Durham Academy in both red ball and limited overs cricket.”
MARVELLOUS MUSLINS WITH A DIFFERENCE
A baby bag essential, the Matchstick Monkey Muslin Blankets stand out from the crowd with their clever design including an ingenious silicone teething label, perfect to sooth sore gums, along with a tactile label for them to play with. Crafted from 100% luxury organic cotton, these marvellous muslins are soft and kind to your baby’s skin and great for comforting and helping them through their teething.
Choose from Matchstick Monkey’s signature pink, grey and blue designs.
Matchstick Monkey 100% Organic Cotton Muslins, £19.95 (pack of three, 70cm x 70cm) from:
www.matchstickmonkey.com
Watch Commonwealth Games Medalists on Home Soil at HSBC London Sevens
Following the double bronze win at this year’s Commonwealth Games, the returning team will now have their sights set on another win this coming June in London! The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Twickenham on 2nd-3rd June to celebrate two days of international rugby sevens with its biggest and best event yet.
Celebrating the iconic city of London as its theme, this will be the penultimate leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and as well as world-class sport, fans will also be treated to a weekend packed full of gourmet street food, live music and entertainment for the whole family.
Sevens-goers will experience the diversity and uniqueness of London and the best that it has to offer all under one roof at Twickenham Stadium, alongside watching the non-stop rugby sevens action that’s packed into this two-day event.
Due to the high demand for tickets last year, and the success of the new-and-improved event, there are 50,000 available per day, giving avid rugby enthusiasts and newcomer crowds the chance to be a part of this unrivalled event.
The HSBC London Sevens is also the only chance to watch England in action on the hallowed turf at Twickenham before they compete in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco in July.
Steve Brown, CEO, England Rugby, said: “The HSBC London Sevens 2018 aims to offer a fresh, new look with even more for our loyal rugby fans to enjoy while encouraging new audiences to join in the spirit of this unique event. The tournament builds fantastic bonds between international crowds and, with the varied activities at this year’s event, we are striving to offer something for everyone to enjoy at the ultimate sporting event of the summer.”
Head of England Sevens, Simon Amor, added: “This season has already seen the England Sevens travel to some incredible locations around the world to represent their country, but nothing can beat playing at a home tournament in front of friends, family and incredible home fans.
“The feeling of running out onto the pitch at Twickenham, regardless of whether you’re making your debut or whether it’s your tenth time, is so special and it means a huge amount to the players to have such strong support in the stands.”
How do I get tickets?
To be a part of this year’s HSBC London Sevens, secure one of 100,000 exclusive tickets by booking today. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
When?
2nd and 3rd June 2018
Where?
Twickenham Stadium, Whitton Rd, Twickenham TW2 7BA
Style-savvy and health-conscious commuters face a dilemma. Taking to two wheels for the journey to the office can burn a few extra calories but means having to don garish lycra or risk changing weather conditions in your everyday attire.
Luckily, a new brand is reinventing the look and feel of the outdoor activewear market, offering a stylish alternative for those who want to tame the road on their next urban adventure.
The vision of Scottish-based Meander Apparel is to provide a new take on lifestyle clothing for cyclists. Its launch product – a multi-functional commuter jacket – is now available exclusively via Indiegogo.com, offering premium quality at an affordable price, without the luxury retailer mark-up.
Equally suited to the fashion conscious commuter or the casual weekend adventurer, Meander’s chic new jacket offers the wearer style and functionality in equal measure, whilst staying true to the company’s brand mission to create sustainable, timeless pieces.
It combines high-performance Italian fabrics with innovative features, including a clever back pocket design, which allows the wearer to convert the jacket into a bag or attach it under their saddle. Its lightweight, waterproof and breathable material protects the cyclist in variable weather. What’s more, Meander uses environmentally-friendly materials sourced from a responsible, family-run factory on Lake Como, which is able to sustain itself with clean, eco-friendly energy.
Meander Apparel was brought to market by Co-Founders Steve and Jill Henry, of Edinburgh. Both keen cyclists, Jill boasts experience working for London designer House of Holland and various influential menswear brands, while Steve comes from a career in the finance and asset management industry and has a degree in engineering.
To pre-order the Meander from £199, please visit: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-meander-jacket. The indiegogo campaign starts today and runs through to 28th May.
Harwood cloakroom basin proves that the best things
come in small packages
The perfect statement piece for any cloakroom, the beautifully designed Harwood washbasin is the latest addition to the Thomas Crapper collection.
Made in Britain to the highest quality standards using long-lasting fireclay, the basin is guaranteed to be a centre-piece of the bathroom, with aesthetics that set it apart from the competition, combined with all the practical benefits expected from this trusted brand.
Small yet perfectly formed, the Harwood basin features a deceptively generous bowl depth and a raised cartouche that proudly bears the Thomas Crapper name as a clear symbol of quality and style.
Simple to mount on the wall as an extra space-saving measure in the compact cloakroom, the Harwood washbasin is the perfect partner for a wall-mounted basin mixer and high-level WC set for authentic and quintessentially British styling in the smallest room of the home.
Washbasin is £399 incl VAT
www.thomas-crapper.com / 01789 450522
Marie Chantal Silver Cross Kensington – £1,750
www.silvercrossbaby.com
Hand-built in Yorkshire, England the new vintage-inspired Marie Chantal Silver Cross Kensington pram is truly fit for any Prince or Princess.
This icon of British pram design exudes elegance, quality craftsmanship and luxury.
Professional sportspeople are traditionally believed to require plenty of meat and whey to compete at the top level, and such perception still holds for many today.
However, a number of athletes who swear by a 100% plant-based diet whilst thriving in their chosen sports have proved otherwise convincingly, and they will be inviting everyone to think twice on the subject at one of the UK’s most firmly established vegan events VegfestUK Bristol on Bank Holiday weekend May 26-27 at Ashton Gate stadium, the home of Bristol City football and rugby clubs.
Plant-based athletes confirmed for the event include:
● champion boxer, champion kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter Omowale Adewale,
● strongman Patrik Baboumian (the world’s strongest man in 2013),
● professional cyclist Christine Vardaros (represented USA Cycling at 3 World Cyclo-Cross Championships and over 25 Cyclo-Cross World Cups since 2002),
● triathlete Kate Strong (former age-group 2014 World Champion in triathlon, Guinness World Record holder for cycling non-stop for 24 hours at VegfestUK London 2016 at Olympia London)
● triathlete and high performance coach Dave Sheahan (Body for Life Champion, Coach of Body For Life Champions for 5 years running, NSCA International Competitions Coach For Ireland, shortlisted for UK Gladiators),
● ultramarathon runner Fiona Oakes (Triple Guinness World Record holder, including being the fastest woman to run a marathon on every continent and the North Pole),
● personal trainer and nutritionist Hench Herbivore (worked with the likes of Norwich City FC captain and Scotland international Russell Martin, and pro-golfer Sergio Barba),
● powerlifter Pat Reeves (World Deadlift record holder at the National Singles Championships in powerlifting), and
● former freerunning world champion Tim Shieff (Ninja Warrior UK Last Man Standing)
For more info about VegfestUK Bristol, visit the event website https://bristol.vegfest.co.uk
RAF rugby team aim for world record attempt
This weekend a team of RAF rugby players will attempt to break the world record for the most drop goals scored in three minutes at the London Irish v Saracens Premiership rugby game.
RAF Brize Norton-based Horus Rugby Club will attempt to book their place in the record books at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and raise awareness for the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The Horus 7s, who featured on the 2018 New Year’s Honours, are a team of RAF personnel created after a their colleague was left paralysed following a parachute accident. The group have raised more than £4,000 for charity through a number of activities, including a previous world record for playing the longest 7s game.
Horus and London Irish player RAF Corporal Josh McNally, who forms one half of the pair taking on the unique challenge, is delighted to see London Irish supporting the RAF and their leading charity with activities throughout the day, bucket collections, a Q&A at half time and the Fund’s Ben Elephant mascot welcoming fans.
Josh (27) said: “The Royal Air Force and London Irish have each played a huge role in my life, and with it being the centennial year of the RAF, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the growing relationship between the two whilst raising funds for their main charity.
“I have been in the Royal Air Force since I was 18 and they have given me so many opportunities on and off the rugby field – without them I would not be a London Irish player.
“To be able to support the RAF Benevolent Fund is an honour too. They have done so much for the RAF Family – be that in emotional support or through financial aid – including people I know, so to give something back is the least we can do.”
A London Irish spokesperson said: “The RAF Benevolent Fund are an amazing charity who provide life-changing help to past and present members of the RAF and their families, and we are honoured to be supporting them at our game on Sunday as part of the RAF’s centenary celebrations.”
Paul Hewson, Area Director for the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “What a feat! There will be a lot of pressure on the day, with the eyes of the crowds on Josh and indeed the whole team for what will be the longest three minutes they have encountered, so fingers crossed the moment doesn’t overcome them! Horus have been hugely supportive of the Fund recently, undertaking an array of awareness raising activities for us. Being in the RAF himself, Josh fully understands the support we offer people like him in the RAF Family – for him to want to give something back is truly brilliant.”
In the last two years the RAF Benevolent Fund has spent more than £872,000 supporting RAF personnel based at RAF Brize Norton and their families. This includes support through free relationship counselling sessions with Relate, funding for youth programmes like Airplay and Ben Clubs, as well as individual grants to serving men and women in need.
Volunteers for the RAF Benevolent Fund will be bucket collecting at the game and have a stall to raise awareness outside the Megastore. The South West Regional Air Cadet Marching Band will be performing outside the Megastore at 2pm and inside the stadium before kick-off, while members of the Armed Forces Careers Office will also have a stall outside the stadium with activities and information.
Vit-C 30 Ultra Brightening Serum
A powerful vitamin C serum with 30% ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid, one of the highest amounts in a product available on the market. This brightening serum helps to improve the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles immediately, whilst also protecting from damage later.
Stockist: www.theheroproject.co.uk
RRP £39.00
BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN IN AN INSTANT WITH ELHO
The sun has finally come out after an eternity of grey skies. Friends are coming around for dinner and al fresco drinks would be perfect. But you haven’t picked up the secateurs for months. Don’t panic! It’s easy to turn your unloved garden, patio or balcony into a colourful and appealing space with our top three hacks for transforming any outdoor area.
Hack 1 – Introduce bright pots and planters in different sizes and colours
Create a playful effect and showcase your plants with the Loft Urban collection. Contrast Loft Urban Round in striking Peach with lush green foliage. Or pair subtle Nudes with eye-catching pink blooms.
Get creative and use the funky Loft Urban Frame to introduce different levels. Make your plants stand out and have fun!
Hack 2 – Add interest to plain walls or fences with wall baskets
Take a dull corner and turn it into an outdoor haven with a lick of paint and some Corsica Wall Baskets. You deserve a space for quiet contemplation and what better way than surrounding yourself with the beauty of green and nature.
Hack 3 – Find beauty in unexpected places
Thanks to Elho it’s possible to have function and form. Drainpipes are an unsightly but necessary reality. Cheer up an ugly aspect with a trio of Green Basics Drainpipe Clickers planted up with colourful Campanulas.
The Green Basics Rain Barrel has an integrated planter on top. So you can disguise an unattractive shed or messy wood pile with beautiful flowers – and save precious tap water. Perfect for the design conscious gardener who is also environmentally aware.
The Corsica Easy Hanger (pictured on the balcony below) is the No 1 bestselling garden product in April. Get on board with the growing trend for plants in pots this summer. There’s a Corsica planter to suit any part of your balcony or terrace…
Loft Urban Round
Diameter
Height
Litres
RRP
20cm-70cm
17.7cm-62.2cm
3Ltr-128Ltr
£4.79-£85
Colours: white, warm grey, anthracite, cherry, lime green, peach, vintage blue, jade green, mint, cranberry red, nude, mulberry purple
Loft Urban Frame
Diameter
Height
Weight
RRP
30cm-40cm
38.6cm-51cm
10kg-25kg
£12.99-£17.99
Colours: living black, jade green, mulberry purple
Corsica Wall Basket
Diameter
Height
Litres
RRP
25cmx17cm 39cmx17cm
19cm
17.1cm
3Ltr
5Ltr
£5.39
£6.49
Colours: white, grape purple, cherry, terra, lime green, taupe, anthracite, vintage blue, mint, cranberry red, lovely blush
Green Basics Drainpipe Clicker
Diameter
Height
Litres
RRP
26cmx23cm
17.1cm
2.8Ltr
£4.79
Colours: leaf green, living black, mild terra
Green Basics Rain Barrel
Diameter
Height
Litres
RRP
61cm
107cm
200Ltr
£119
Colours: living black
Elho pots and planters are widely stocked at all good garden centres, retailers and available online.
W: www.elho.com
F: www.facebook.com/elho
