General
Want to keep your brain active? Then why not try the game of Sudoku!
Want Broadband
or just a new ISP?
Click on the following icon for more details
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Bored at work or generally on the PC? Then why not try the game of Sudoku!
Into Museums? Then try a visit to the National Virtual Museum, gateway to over 3000 establishments in the UK
Do you buy books on the web? Then try 123PriceCheck or Bookbrain to search for the best deal.
Need help removing stains and other marks from clothes etc? Then read the Queen of Clean's article or better still, download it for future use. (you need a pdf reader for this one - see below)
Want to trace your Family Tree? Then try the new BBC web page for further information.
Live in Tamworth?
Why not take a look at the Tamworth & Tamworth Castle pages
Suitable pdf readers
Size=27.7Mb
Size=1.5Mb
General Information Pages
Recycle and Help a Charity at the same time
With people getting into the swing of recycling these days, then why not help a worthwhile charity like the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People whilst doing it?
The charity is collecting used postage stamps along with picture postcards and information on this can be found on their web site - www.hearingdogs.org.uk.
The charity relies totally on the generosity of individuals and organisations to continue transforming the lives of deaf people and unwanted puppies.
Nearly nine million of the UK population experience some degree of hearing loss. That's one person in every seven. Over 650,000 of these people are severely or profoundly deaf and could benefit from a hearing dog.
Hearing dogs change lives. They alert their deaf owners to sounds we take for granted, providing greater independence, confidence and security. Most are selected from rescue centres or donated as unwanted pets.
Crown Green Bowling as a recreational sport
Last September, with less than 2 months left in the season, we joined our local Bowling Club, Spital Bowling and Tennis Club. We dropped in one afternoon and we were greeted by a number of the members and invited to join them for tea and a chat, and during this chat invited back to play at a day of our choosing. The only condition put on us was that we had to be there for 2:15pm in order that our names could be placed in the hat for the draw of who plays in which teams. This we did and returned as guest players this week.
We were made to feel welcome and we soon settled down and enjoyed the game. Little did we realise the muscles that were then exercised during the game and it was not until after we arrived back home and started to climb the stairs that we found out! We than missed the next day and went back for more torture on Friday 1st September, having decided to join, so paid our fees and played again. This time the pain for me moved from my hip into the top of my right leg! My problem now though is getting the bowls to travel the right length. Most were either too long or too short with a few being fairly well on line and the right length! Maybe our own woods will help! Time will tell!
Have you not thought of joining a sporting or recreational activity? Age is no excuse as we have discovered? So get out there today and have a go!
For more information on "our" local club, The Spital Bowling and Tennis Club, click «here» now!
Garden Ponds and Pumps
How many of you have a garden pond and a pump in it driving a fountain or filter?
Have you noticed any drop off of flow from either the fountain or filter outlet?
Yesterday we noticed that there was no flow from the filter outlet and that the fountain itself had dropped to a dribble. My first thoughts were that the pump filter was clogged and so I got the pump out and cleaned out the filter and switched on. No different! Strange I thought and so I got the instructions out and in there it said to soak the impellor etc in a descaler, as used in the kitchen.
As it happens, when I bought the pump last year, it came with some pump descaler and on the packet it told one how to mix it and how long to soak it, etc. The pump instructions should tell you how and what to strip down.
Having cleaned it in accordance with both sets of intructions and re-assembled it, I put it back into the pond and switched the power back on. I had a fountain of approx 1m and a gushing flow from the filter, so a few adjustments were called for. Even the mating frogs took cover from the flow!
Before I connected up the pipes in the pond I did blow them through just to make sure that any silt or algae deposits were cleared out.
At least, when it happens again, I shall be aware of what to do, and if you are experiencing a similar problem in your pond, you'll have an idea of what to look for!
Scottish Whisky
This article, written by Geoff Slack, originally appeared in a Winter 1990 copy of The Gazette, an In-house publication at Lucas Aerospace, York Rd., of which I was the editor. I hope you enjoy the read!
Geoff went on to make several major contributions and did a splendid article on The Birmingham Ballet, which we may reproduce here at some time in the future if we get any requests.
click «here» to read the article on Whiskies!
Digital TV - the big switchover!
Households will have to pay between £80 and £570 to receive digital television if they wait until the switchover in 2012, according to estimates from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Digital switchover will happen between 2008 and 2012 by ITV region in the following order:
- 2008 - Border
- 2009 - West Country, HTV Wales, Granada
- 2010 - HTV West, Grampian, Scottish Television
- 2011 - Yorkshire, Anglia, Central
- 2012 - Meridian, Carlton/LWT (London), Tyne Tees, Ulster
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said last week that equipment and installation would be provided free for the elderly and the disabled, but concern is growing that households already receiving digital TV may face additional costs owing to the need to convert other sets and video equipment.
The department estimates that such conversion will cost £80 to £190 per device, based on set-top boxes costing £40-£80 and indoor aerials at £30. It also indicated that 10 per cent of houses will need to convert an outside aerial at a whacking cost of around £570.
Households that upgrade the first TV set to Sky's Freesat service would pay from £230-£340, the department said.
Figures from Ofcom suggest that 63 per cent of the country already has digital TV access.
Colin Tinto, chief technology officer at Home Media Networks, which develops media centre software, said: "We found that very few people need to upgrade their aerials, meaning that the set-top box is the user's only cost.
"For homes with more than one TV a set-top box is not the only solution. Some TV tuner cards for PCs can be purchased more cheaply than a set-top box.
"By using additional third-party software the consumer can view TV schedules and record hundreds of hours of TV, all for less than £100.
"One of the main reasons that the government wants to switch everyone to digital is to free up the radio spectrum which will allow it license this space, as it did with 3G, making billions for the Treasury.
"With this additional cash, we suggest that the government should provide all homes with set-top boxes to ease the cost of households turning to digital programming."
Home Insurance
It's something most of us have and need so here's something to interest you all I trust.
Buildings and content insurance quotes involve enough variables to shave a slide rule's edges off. Yet Martin's MoneySavingExpert.com has a four step plan to quickly find the cheapest policy, possibly halving your costs.
Follow «this link» for more information.
Looking to move to Broadband?
With the current situation where upgrades and security updates are done on-line nowadays maybe it's time you moved to broadband.
If you're thinking of moving away from dial-up to Broadband then a very useful site to visit is the ADSL Guide site as it is totally independent and provides useful information on the different providers.
Before settling on any provider make sure you read the SMALL PRINT as there are limitations etc on the cheap deals so make sure it's what you want BEFORE you enter any agreements as the majority of the ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have a contract period of 12 months.
When you have decided on an ISP and if it's PlusNet sign on via this site and by so doing, you'll help me to provide a service to you! It costs no more than signing up directly!
Social Groups for the older generation
There are two main groups catering for the 'older' generation, namely Heyday and U3A, with links provided here to both organisations.
Have you heard of the University of the Third Age? No? Neither had I until recently and what it is is basically as the title above says, lifelong learning for older people, people no longer in gainful employment and want to learn new things.
You can find out more about what they are all about on their Web page and also find your local branch.
Around the country groups of people organise themselves for the purpose of learning. To quote one of the founders of the movement, Peter Laslett,
"Those who teach shall also learn and those who learn shall also teach".
The subjects tackled vary with each U3A and the number offered will depend on the size and enthusiasm of the group so visit their site for information for your area.
There is another group catering for the Over 50's (O50's), 'Heyday Community'. Why not visit the site and have a look, see what you think.
Here's a quote from their site ..
"Heyday provides its members with the inspiration to enjoy senior life in today’s fast-paced society. This includes our exclusive magazine, special offers, information on topics such as health and money, and a lively social network."
Both these organisations offer various activities for the older and retired people, from recreational through to learning new languages and skills and socail groups.
Ever wondered about your consumer rights?
You've been and bought something, get it home and it goes faulty or goes faulty within a couple of years. Ever wondered what your rights under law are? I have and doing a little research I came up with the following.
I was also under the misapprehension that the rest of Europe were receiving a 2yr guarantee on electrical goods and as I tried to get to get this clarified, I discovered that it was never implemented, although when you look in the shops, in some countries in the EU, at these items, they do generally carry a 2yr guarantee.
The following is from an email received recently from a Martyn Rapley, Consumer & Competition Policy Directorate, of the DTI.
"There is no EU law requiring guarantees to be given on electrical or any other goods. This 2 year guarantee myth grew out of the mention in Directive 1999/44/EC on Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees that Member States had to give their consumers a two year limitation period, in connection with their rights to redress for faulty goods, against the seller of the goods.
The limitation periods in the UK are the periods under which this type of legal proceedings must be commenced: namely six years in England Wales and Northern Ireland; and five years from discovery in Scotland. These were therefore already longer than the Directive's two years and are quite different from a guarantee period.
The Directive was implemented in the UK by the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002."
See if you can understand it ?!?
Register with the Telephone and Mail Preference Services to avoid unsolicited calls and mail.
Do you suffer with annoying telephone calls with people trying to sell you something or maybe when you get to the phone there's no one there? The latter is usually a company ringing you anyway but their automatic dialling software cuts out when the first person they rang answers, hence you hear nothing when you pick it up.
The only real way to avoid these unwelcome telephone calls is to register via the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which you can do very simply by either calling 0845 070 0707, via their web site, or email: tps@dma.org.uk. Whilst this won't stop ALL calls it will dramatically reduce them!
There is a similar service for junk mail via the Mailing Preference Service, and they can be contacted via telephone 020 7291 3310; the web site; or e-mail: mps@dma.org.uk.
There's also a site for registering your fax line too in the same way, and that's via the Fax Preference Service.
It's worth a visit to the above sites to see what they can do and how it affects you. Just click on the blue italicised text to visit the sites in question.
Laugh? Modern man doesn't know how!
This was the title of an article in The Sunday Times back in October 1998 and how it still stands today! Well worth a read so click here to cast your eye over this item.
Clocks! We all have them - all shapes and sizes - and from time to time they do go wrong.
I know, I have one that went wrong! I went along to an antiques dealer in Tamworth, where I bumped into the guy that actually did the repairs and got talking to him. I ended up taking my clock, an antique mantel clock to him for repair. The clock has more of a sentimental value than monetary one and so I had it repaired.
Having said that I have no hesitation in recommending Kevin Skates & Austrey Antique Clocks to anyone that needs this facility. You can visit his web page by clicking here. Beside doing repairs, Kevin also sells Antique Clocks and you'll find some on his web pages.
Do you have any leather furniture?
Do you polish it or just wipe it with a damp cloth? We found
wiping it with a damp cloth tends to take the colour out and leave
streaks etc where one has wiped. I took one of our cushions
to a leather specialist company at Orton on the Hill to ask their
advice as to how to clean it etc and ask why the colour is coming
off. It's all to do with the finish basically and the Italian
Leather appears to be not so hard wearing a finish and hence it
was suggested that anyone buying Italian leather suites should
get them treated before use in order to reduce the wear and extend
the colour fastness.
The company recommended some cleaning and polishing product that they
do and hence you might find it useful yourselves. The company concerned
are Phoenix Leathercare and can be contacted either by phone (01827 881061);
email at sales@phoenixleathercare.co.uk,
or they have a web site. Click here to
be transported to their site!
Tea and biscuits anyone?
A rather nice little site if you like afternoon tea and biscuits is NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown.com. Visit it and you'll see what I mean !! Nice and relaxing after the stress of the current occasion! There's some lovely biscuits on there ranging from Iced Gems (sweet tooth breakers as I remember them) through to some really mouthwatering chocolate orange coated ones; to ginger crinkles and so on. The sight of them makes you feel hungry! They go on to talk about other things like Scones and jam with clotted cream to Strawberry Newton's - look like fig biscuits but with a strawberry filling!! Oh, I can't go on - you'll have to look at their site!! Just click on the link above!
Theft of mobile phones?
Theft of mobile phones accounts for half of all street crimes in Britain. Many of those thefts are in the London area, where organised gangs are believed to be working, to send the handsets to Africa and Asia. But now the police and phone companies are to take action: from this morning, a new police unit will deal specifically with mobile phone theft.
The phone industry forum's Jack Wraith told us about its new initiative, which means that you can report your stolen mobile to a phone-line which will immediately disable it.
The help line for stolen mobiles is 08701 123 123
The new police unit which is being launched today will be known as the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit, and security staff from the mobile companies will be seconded to the unit. Home Office minister Hazel Blears, Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin from the Metropolitan Police and Jack Wraith from MICAF will unveil the new unit today.
It will examine ways of dealing with the initial crime, the handling and re-programming. Assistant Commander Tim Godwin said he wanted to see all the organisations involved in the issue working side by side: "I am extremely pleased to have been part of setting up this new Unit and look forward to seeing the results further down the line. The industry has played a full part in this process and I thank them for their continued support."
MICAF - the industry body which looks at mobile crime welcomed the establishment of the new unit saying it was an example of the industry working on new initiatives to combat the problem.
If your mobile is stolen, you can now make sure that no-one else can use it on any network, call 08701 123 123 to disable it!
Telephone Scams
Telephone scams can be reported to ICSTIS, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone
Information Services, which is the industry-funded regulatory body
for all premium rate charged telecommunications services.
ICSTIS can also be reached on the telephone - 0800 500 212 or 020 7940
7474; email: secretariat@icstis.org.uk;
or via their web address http://www.icstis.org.uk
Cheaper Telephone Calls.
To keep up with the cheapest telephone call charges, I would suggest you visit Martin's Money Saving Expert's Web site as he updates the ever changing information on a regular basis.
Credit Card & Mobile Phone thefts!
Here are a few Do's & Don'ts for your phone.
- Did you know that if your phone is stolen report the number to the network operator and the police as the handset can be barred on all networks and will then be useless to the thieves.
- Don't use your phone in crowded areas or where you might feel unsafe and be aware of your surroundings.
- Always lock the keypad on your phone with a PIN number and DON'T leave it where it can be seen or be taken.
- If anyone asks to use your phone in an emergency DON'T give it to them - call the emergency services for them.
Internet Banking
I would guess a number of readers of this page are Internet Bankers and enjoy the flexibility and convenience this brings.
You may have read recent press reports about email scams targeting
customers who manage their accounts online. Typically these emails
attempt to gain access to customers passwords by encouraging them to
enter their Security Details on a fraudulent website. I believe
it is important to bring it to your attention, and to remind you of
some of the things you can and must do to ensure you stay safe on the web.
Know who you are dealing with -
don't follow any published links in any email asking you to login
to your account online. If you are going to login to your account,
either type in the full address of the website or use a link you
have previously set up. If you are unsure if an email you receive
about your account has genuinely come from your bank then contact
them and inform them accordingly.
Never type your Security Details in an email. Your bank will never email you asking for your Security Details, and will never normally ask for your full password over the telephone.
Keep your PC secure - use a personal firewall and anti-virus software (links to these can be found in the section Useful Links) and if your computer uses a Microsoft Windows operating system that you keep it updated using the Microsoft website.
You must take extra care if you are using a computer over which you have no control, for example if you login at an internet café.
Your Bank will re-assure you that they take the security of your accounts online very seriously and they will ask you to call them immediately if you have any concerns or you believe you may have divulged your Security Details.
For other Frauds & Scams see
http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/
Professional and Qualified Tradesmen
A thought has come to mind - that of consulting professional and qualified tradesmen. If you have experience of good or bad tradesmen, then why not feed them back and then we can add them to an on-line register, but we may need to be careful when putting up a black list - any legal eagles out there who maybe can advise on where we'd stand with this one? Maybe if we just say we've not had a good experience with such and such a person/company we'd be exempt - I don't know. Any (qualified) input here would be useful. After all, the web site may as well help where it can!
To feedback information, then click on Contact Us and type away.
Interested in a Broadband Connection? Much faster downloads and upgrades. Microsoft and other companies now distribute their upgrades, updates and patches on line and some of these can be many Mb which takes an inordinate time via a standard 56k modem connection, and the cost of Broadband is lower than you might think. Click on the following graphic for further info! You know it makes sense!
