Recent Blogs
- Is spam email getting you down? By Chief Editor| 10 Mar 2008
- HD DVD Is Dead, Long Live Blue-ray By Chief Editor| 26 Feb 2008
- Happy Valentine's Day By Chief Editor| 14 Feb 2008
- Apple Adds New iPhone & iPod touch Models By Chief Editor| 5 Feb 2008
- O2 announces upgrade of Apple iPhone tarrifs By Chief Editor| 31 Jan 2008
Recent News
Unlimited Internet Access on Vodafone’s New Monthly Price Plans
- Published 1 May 2008
As Facebook, Bebo and eBay top the popularity charts on Vodafone Mobile Internet, Vodafone UK has today changed the way it structures its price plans to include access to the internet and email on their mobile as an integral part of the monthly price plan.
The move means that pay monthly customers will no longer need to buy an additional internet bundle for £7.50 but instead every plan will automatically include internet access. The new plans will give Vodafone customers reliable and fast unlimited* access to their favourite social network sites, email and the whole of the internet when out and about in the UK. Vodafone customers will now have even greater confidence to browse the mobile internet without the worry of additional charges, no matter what monthly plan they choose.
Price plans start at £25 and customers who select a £40 or higher price plan will also for the first time have the choice of unlimited texts, unlimited landline calls or unlimited Vodafone to Vodafone calls.
“Our customers want simplicity and services that are easy to select, buy and use. Today with our new price plans Vodafone customers have the confidence to browse for as long as they need with no extra costs when checking their e-mail, visiting their favourite social networking sites or making a final bid on eBay,“ said Ian Shepherd, director of consumer for Vodafone UK. “This will make Vodafone not only the network of choice for voice and text but also the internet. And what’s more, all customers who visit a store to sign up to the new plan will benefit from Vodafone’s simple two minute set up for email so that they can leave the store up and running.”
Since launching the internet on mobiles last summer Vodafone has witnessed the growth in consumers’ appetite for email, instant messaging, and social networking as well as more general services such as Google search. Favourites for customers include quick access to Facebook, MySpace or Bebo to share pictures and news, YouTube to check out videos on the move, and fast connections to eBay to make that last minute bid. (see tables below)
Top 4 searches on the Vodafone Mobile Internet (VMI) (ranked by most searched first)
Top 10 mobile internet sites on VMI (ranked by most visited first)
Notes
*subject to a fair usage policy of 500MB / per month
The following can be used as a guide for approximate usage, which may vary slightly according to different handset and browser functionality:
The move means that pay monthly customers will no longer need to buy an additional internet bundle for £7.50 but instead every plan will automatically include internet access. The new plans will give Vodafone customers reliable and fast unlimited* access to their favourite social network sites, email and the whole of the internet when out and about in the UK. Vodafone customers will now have even greater confidence to browse the mobile internet without the worry of additional charges, no matter what monthly plan they choose.
Price plans start at £25 and customers who select a £40 or higher price plan will also for the first time have the choice of unlimited texts, unlimited landline calls or unlimited Vodafone to Vodafone calls.
“Our customers want simplicity and services that are easy to select, buy and use. Today with our new price plans Vodafone customers have the confidence to browse for as long as they need with no extra costs when checking their e-mail, visiting their favourite social networking sites or making a final bid on eBay,“ said Ian Shepherd, director of consumer for Vodafone UK. “This will make Vodafone not only the network of choice for voice and text but also the internet. And what’s more, all customers who visit a store to sign up to the new plan will benefit from Vodafone’s simple two minute set up for email so that they can leave the store up and running.”
Since launching the internet on mobiles last summer Vodafone has witnessed the growth in consumers’ appetite for email, instant messaging, and social networking as well as more general services such as Google search. Favourites for customers include quick access to Facebook, MySpace or Bebo to share pictures and news, YouTube to check out videos on the move, and fast connections to eBay to make that last minute bid. (see tables below)
Top 4 searches on the Vodafone Mobile Internet (VMI) (ranked by most searched first)
- Bebo
- eBay
- Windows live Hotmail
Top 10 mobile internet sites on VMI (ranked by most visited first)
- BBC
- MSN
- Bebo
- Sony Ericsson
- Yahoo
- MySpace
- Windows live Hotmail
- YouTube
Notes
*subject to a fair usage policy of 500MB / per month
The following can be used as a guide for approximate usage, which may vary slightly according to different handset and browser functionality:
- Streaming three 90 second video clips from YouTube would be the equivalent to (=) 4.5MB
- Download one 3 minute movie trailer from Odeon = 3MB
- Browse 50 Internet pages = 1MB
- Find your way to the restaurant using Google Maps = 0.6 MB
- Check for updates on Facebook and upload a message = 0.1MB
- Check your emails and reply = 0.5MB
- Read breaking news on the BBC (4 pages) = 0.1MB
- Place the winning bid on eBay (10 pages) = 0.25MB
Special smoke alarms protect deaf residents
- Published 30 Apr 2008
Deaf Awareness Week starts next week (5 – 11 May 2008) and Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be pushing ahead with its campaign to raise awareness of the free service it provides to fit specially adapted smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Smoke alarms provide early vital early warning of a fire by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected. But people who are deaf or hard of hearing need additional ways of making them aware the alarm has been activated, such as through vibrating pads and/or a flashing strobe light.
Joyce Grant, who recently had a specially adapted alarm fitted at her Smarden home by KFRS community safety officers when they carried out a home fire safety check, said: “My newly fitted alarm provides a much greater peace of mind. I wear a hearing aid during the day but when I remove it at night to sleep, I wouldn’t hear an ordinary smoke alarm sounding. The special flashing light unit by my bed will definitely wake me up in the event of a fire.”
Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: “I would like to remind everyone of the importance of having a working smoke alarm in their home. Deaf Awareness Week is an ideal opportunity for those who know someone or live with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing to make sure they have alarms that meet their safety needs, as often standard smoke alarms are unsuitable, especially during hours of sleep when hearing aids are removed.”
He continued: “A home fire safety check takes about 30 minutes to carry out, we will visit your home to identify potential fire hazards, offer fire safety and prevention advice. We will check you have suitable working smoke alarms and fit them for free where needed. We also have an important partnership with the Deaf Services Bureau and Hearing Impaired Kent (HI Kent) to ensure we can assist their assessment officers by supplying and fitting appropriate smoke alarms in homes where people have hearing difficulties”
To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check or to find out more, simply call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit the website www.kent.fire-uk.org.
Smoke alarms provide early vital early warning of a fire by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected. But people who are deaf or hard of hearing need additional ways of making them aware the alarm has been activated, such as through vibrating pads and/or a flashing strobe light.
Joyce Grant, who recently had a specially adapted alarm fitted at her Smarden home by KFRS community safety officers when they carried out a home fire safety check, said: “My newly fitted alarm provides a much greater peace of mind. I wear a hearing aid during the day but when I remove it at night to sleep, I wouldn’t hear an ordinary smoke alarm sounding. The special flashing light unit by my bed will definitely wake me up in the event of a fire.”
Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: “I would like to remind everyone of the importance of having a working smoke alarm in their home. Deaf Awareness Week is an ideal opportunity for those who know someone or live with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing to make sure they have alarms that meet their safety needs, as often standard smoke alarms are unsuitable, especially during hours of sleep when hearing aids are removed.”
He continued: “A home fire safety check takes about 30 minutes to carry out, we will visit your home to identify potential fire hazards, offer fire safety and prevention advice. We will check you have suitable working smoke alarms and fit them for free where needed. We also have an important partnership with the Deaf Services Bureau and Hearing Impaired Kent (HI Kent) to ensure we can assist their assessment officers by supplying and fitting appropriate smoke alarms in homes where people have hearing difficulties”
To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check or to find out more, simply call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit the website www.kent.fire-uk.org.
Counties to celebrate Compost Awareness Week
- Published 21 Apr 2008
The eighth annual Compost Awareness Week will be celebrated nationwide from May 4 until May 10 and Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council will be supporting the week by holding promotional events and activities during the week.
Compost Awareness Week aims to encourage more people to recognise the benefits of home composting and the great results that can be achieved by using peat free composts containing recycled materials.
More than one third of the contents of an average UK household bin can be home composted, not to mention all the garden waste that can also be added to a compost bin.
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It’s easy to make and even easier to use. And composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all the CO2 your kettle produces annually, or your washing machine produces in three months.
Household waste and garden waste can be combined in your compost bin to make excellent compost. For example, grass cuttings can be mixed with shredded confidential paper work, egg boxes and scrunched up newspaper to produce fantastic results. Fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells and shredded garden waste can all be added to the compost bin.
To learn more about home composting, come along to one of the Compost Roadshows, have a look at the composting exhibition, speak to informative advisors and volunteers and try your hand at winning prizes. A Bosch AXT 2200 Rapid shredder will be up for grabs for all visitors who enter the competition. Every visitor will receive a free packet of sunflower seeds.
Friday, May 9: Angel Place, Worcester 10:00 – 15:30
Saturday, May 10: Hereford High Town 10:00 – 15:30
Special promotions will be running at local Household Recycling Centre throughout the week.
Compost bins can be ordered from as little as £12. Go online at www.recyclenow.com/compost or call 0845 077 0757 to order your bin. Everyone that orders a compost bin during Compost Awareness Week will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of National Garden Vouchers.
For more information about our other waste prevention initiatives log on to www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk or call the Mission Impossible hotline on 01905 766883.
Compost Awareness Week aims to encourage more people to recognise the benefits of home composting and the great results that can be achieved by using peat free composts containing recycled materials.
More than one third of the contents of an average UK household bin can be home composted, not to mention all the garden waste that can also be added to a compost bin.
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It’s easy to make and even easier to use. And composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all the CO2 your kettle produces annually, or your washing machine produces in three months.
Household waste and garden waste can be combined in your compost bin to make excellent compost. For example, grass cuttings can be mixed with shredded confidential paper work, egg boxes and scrunched up newspaper to produce fantastic results. Fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells and shredded garden waste can all be added to the compost bin.
To learn more about home composting, come along to one of the Compost Roadshows, have a look at the composting exhibition, speak to informative advisors and volunteers and try your hand at winning prizes. A Bosch AXT 2200 Rapid shredder will be up for grabs for all visitors who enter the competition. Every visitor will receive a free packet of sunflower seeds.
Friday, May 9: Angel Place, Worcester 10:00 – 15:30
Saturday, May 10: Hereford High Town 10:00 – 15:30
Special promotions will be running at local Household Recycling Centre throughout the week.
Compost bins can be ordered from as little as £12. Go online at www.recyclenow.com/compost or call 0845 077 0757 to order your bin. Everyone that orders a compost bin during Compost Awareness Week will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of National Garden Vouchers.
For more information about our other waste prevention initiatives log on to www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk or call the Mission Impossible hotline on 01905 766883.
Featured Articles
Time To Panic? Tips For Last Minute Job Interview Preparation
- By Gail Kenny
- Published 25 Apr 2008
- Employment and Jobs
- Unrated
Working with candidates for jobs in travel quite closely, one question comes up time and time again: So, let’s say you’ve been waiting for months for the perfect job interview to come along, and suddenly you have one, with one small catch They’re exceptionally keen (or pressed for time) and can only give you a last minute job interview
Earn yourself an “open air degree” in Herefordshire…and play tag rugby with Ieuan Evans
- By Chief Editor
- Published 31 Mar 2008
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Earn yourself an “open air degree” in Herefordshire…and play tag rugby with Ieuan EvansFull details of the two-day outdoor-activity spectacular in Herefordshire have just been unveiled.
Scheduled to take place at Eastnor Castle over the May Bank Holiday weekend of Sunday, May 4, and Monday, May 5, The University of the Great Outdoors is being heralded as the only regional event focusing exclusively on outdoor activities, where visitors can pay a one-off entrance fee, which will then enable them to circulate within the grounds, and enjoy taster sessions in a choice of 29 different activities.
As such, it's the opportunity in The Midlands this year for anyone to come and "have a go" at a new and exciting outdoor activity.
The action-packed sessions available include grass sledging, orienteering, canoeing and kayaking, off-road driving with Land Rover, mountain boarding, pony trekking, abseiling, archery bungee trampolining, and zip-lining along the longest line in the UK over Eastnor lake.
Full details are now featured on the website www.visitherefordshire.co.uk, as well as in a free University of the Great Outdoors leaflet, which is available by telephoning 01432 260621.
The event also offers visitors to the county the opportunity to camp-out under the stars and learn the true art of bushcraft.
And for anyone not feeling quite so energetic, there will be some more-leisurely activities available during the two days - including wine tasting, green woodcraft, photography, and golfing skills – or simply a chance to spectate.
Exhibitors and leisure equipment suppliers will also be on hand throughout the event to provide expert advice, and essential kit, to anyone interested in taking the taster sessions on to the next level.
Former Welsh rugby player Ieuan Evans will be the “face” of this year's UGO event. The record-breaking rugby player and current-day broadcaster will be at Eastnor Castle on both days, encouraging all-comers to try their hand at some different outdoor activities…especially the “Tag-rugby”!
The University of the Great Outdoors will be open to participants from 10am to 5pm on both Sunday and Monday.
Prices for one day are £8 (adult), £7 (concessions), £5 (child) and £21 (family – two adults, three children). For two days, the prices are: £12, £10.50, £7.50 and £31.50.
"Spectators" entry fees, meanwhile, are just £4, £3, £2 and £10. All admission fees include entry into the Castle.
Hundreds Taking Part To Keep Cotswolds Clean
- By Chief Editor
- Published 20 Mar 2008
- Gloucestershire
- Unrated
Litter-pickers across the Cotswolds are doing their bit this Spring to keep their towns and villages clean and tidy.Cotswold District Council’s annual ‘Spring Clean’ event allows a range of community groups to get out and improve the appearance of their town or village by targeting known litter hot-spots.
Groups taking part collect crisp packets, food cartons, drink cans and other litter, and the Council helps out by providing free litter-picking tools, high-visibility tabards, gloves and litter sacks – and arranges for hundreds of sacks of rubbish to be collected afterwards.
Any events held in March and April and organized through the Council are also covered by its insurance.
At the end of March, nearly 500 people had volunteered to help the Spring Clean effort, including Scouts, parish councils, schools and church groups, in locations ranging from Tetbury in the south to Blockley in the north.
Further events are still being lined up across the Cotswolds until the end of April, with groups in Ampney Crusis, Winstone, Cherington and Withington among those set to play their part with litter-picking.
Scott Williams, the Waste Manager at Cotswold District Council, said: “The involvement from community volunteers and members of the public to help out with the annual Spring Clean event is always greatly appreciated.
“The Council has a limited budget to clean the streets and look after the upkeep of the District. We cannot be everywhere at once, so it is hugely encouraging that so many volunteers are prepared to support our efforts to keep the Cotswolds clean.”
If you are planning a clean-up and would like to order bags and gloves, please contact Cotswold District Council’s waste department on 01285 623000 or email caroline.ballinger@cotswold.gov.uk
Coming to a screen near you…
- By Chief Editor
- Published 15 Feb 2008
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
They’re unlikely to ever get nominated for an Oscar, but a series of on-line videos in a handful of languages giving advice about affordable housing in Herefordshire has become an overnight hit.The eight short videos are being screened on the Home Point website to help local people, particularly those who don’t speak English, understand how to sign up with the organisation to secure affordable housing in Herefordshire.
Use Your Mobile Phone Safely When Driving
- By Roberto Sedycias
- Published 8 Sep 2007
- Motoring , Mobile Phones
- Unrated
Modern life means that a mobile phone is a basic requirement The user can be contacted at any time, can get assistance in an emergency and can stay in touch with anyone when anywhere on the globe
Recent Articles
Warm weather prompts fire safety warning
- By Chief Editor
- Published 7 May 2008
- Kent
- Unrated
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is warning people to be extra careful not to start fires during the recent period of hot weather.
Dried out grass verges and hedgerows can easily catch light if people are careless with cigarettes or don't extinguish fires or barbecues properly.
Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: “During warmer weather grass and crop fires can be serious problem for the Service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources. We want to encourage people to take care and think about what they’re doing. For example, drivers should refrain from discarding cigarettes through car windows while driving along as this, combined with dry grass verges and hedgerows, can easily lead to fires.”
He added: “Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires so, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, as well as keeping matches and lighters out of their reach.”
By following these important safety tips people can help to prevent fires starting in the first place:
• Don't discard cigarettes out of car windows as this can set light to grass verges and
grassland areas
• Don't light fires in the countryside or drop litter which could be set fire to
• Don't accumulate rubbish which can act as potential fuel for deliberate fire setters
• Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture, or to report abandoned vehicles or fly tipped waste
• Extinguish bonfires and barbecues properly
• Keep matches and lighters out of the way of young children and remind them that they are not toys
• If you are a parent you are strongly advised not to leave youngsters to wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire
• Report any information on fire setting activities and those responsible (anonymously if need be) to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Dried out grass verges and hedgerows can easily catch light if people are careless with cigarettes or don't extinguish fires or barbecues properly.
Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: “During warmer weather grass and crop fires can be serious problem for the Service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources. We want to encourage people to take care and think about what they’re doing. For example, drivers should refrain from discarding cigarettes through car windows while driving along as this, combined with dry grass verges and hedgerows, can easily lead to fires.”
He added: “Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires so, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, as well as keeping matches and lighters out of their reach.”
By following these important safety tips people can help to prevent fires starting in the first place:
• Don't discard cigarettes out of car windows as this can set light to grass verges and
grassland areas
• Don't light fires in the countryside or drop litter which could be set fire to
• Don't accumulate rubbish which can act as potential fuel for deliberate fire setters
• Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture, or to report abandoned vehicles or fly tipped waste
• Extinguish bonfires and barbecues properly
• Keep matches and lighters out of the way of young children and remind them that they are not toys
• If you are a parent you are strongly advised not to leave youngsters to wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire
• Report any information on fire setting activities and those responsible (anonymously if need be) to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Car Hire Belfast City Airport
- By Fiona Hiliard
- Published 7 May 2008
- Travel and Holidays
- Unrated
Renting a car in Belfast allows you to explore not just the buzzing city centre, but also the breath-taking scenery of the nearby coastline The following is a guide to your perfect Belfast getaway
Population forecasts predict 68 percent rise in elderly
- By Chief Editor
- Published 6 May 2008
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council has published population forecasts for the county to 2026, which show that the county’s population of older people will continue to grow, while the number of children is expected to decline until 2016, before stabilising at this lower level.
Herefordshire Council’s research team produces projections and forecasts of the future resident population of the county of Herefordshire. These are based on Office for National Statistics estimates and take account of nationally predicted trends in fertility, mortality and migration, as well as the likely number of new houses in the county.
The results are used to help plan for the future, to make sure there are the right levels of services for different groups in the population.
Key results from the newly published 2006-based principal population forecasts suggest that the total population in 2026 will have grown by nine percent from 2006, but that the number of under-16 year olds will continue to fall until 2016.
The number of 16 to 64 year olds will continue to increase very slightly until 2011, but will then begin to fall steadily as the post-war ‘baby-boomers’ move into retirement age and are replaced by smaller groups of young adults. By 2026 this age group will have reduced to 103,600 people (five per cent fewer than in 2006).
Whilst the younger population is declining, the number of people aged 65 and over is forecast to continue increasing, but more rapidly than in recent years. By 2026 the number of Herefordshire residents of this age is forecast to be 68 per cent higher than in 2006. In particular the number of people aged 85 and over is expected to more than double from 4,800 in 2006 to 10,200 in 2026.
Councillor June French, cabinet member for corporate, customer services and human resources, said: “Herefordshire Council is continually planning for the future and such population forecasts are a very important part of that planning process.”
The population forecasts will be used by organisations and agencies across the county to plan commercial and public services. They are available on the council’s website www.herefordshire.gov.uk/research.
Have you ever stopped to think what it is about golf that you like so much Some people would say that it allows them to enjoy a form of exercise that is not quite so strenuous as running or jogging on the treadmill or pedaling on the exercise bike
How To Remove Window Tinting?
- By William I. Neil
- Published 3 May 2008
- Motoring
- Unrated
Window tinting is not just meant for teenagers, drug dealers and under cover cops, but now-a-days, more and more people are tinting their vehicles and home windows Most mothers want their windows and vehicles tinted as it provides 99% protection from the harmful ultra violet rays for their children
Motorcyclists Urged To Stay Safe
- By Chief Editor
- Published 30 Apr 2008
- Suffolk
- Unrated
Suffolk Constabulary is reminding motorists, particularly motorcyclists to stay safe on Suffolk’s roads this bank holiday weekend.
With the weather warming up and with an extra day off this weekend, this may be the first opportunity that many motorcyclists will have to dust off their bikes and take them out onto the county’s roads.
As part of the Stay Safe initiative, officers from the Roads Policing Unit will also be taking to the road this weekend to issue advice and guidance to motorcyclists and to promote safe and responsible driving.
Reducing the number of collisions in the county is a key priority for Suffolk Police and its road safety partners.
During 2007, seven motorcyclists were killed on Suffolk’s roads, which equals 18 per cent of the total fatalities for the year and 81 motorcyclists were seriously injured.
Inspector Trevor Sharman from the Roads Policing Unit said: “Historically the first May bank holiday is a time when people get their bikes out for the first time. Often their vehicles have been sitting in the garage over the winter period and riders haven’t been out for many months.
“Over this bank holiday weekend, motorists can expect to see highly visible patrols by motorcycle officers. Their aim will be to speak to motorcyclists and give them advice and guidance in relation to road safety, and to promote safe and responsible driving.
“This weekend really is about education and to carry out checks on motorbikes to make sure they are roadworthy and that riders are wearing the correct protective clothing.
“We receive a number of complaints about motorcycles speeding and also being used in an anti-social manner. We hope that our presence will not only act as a deterrent but will also be a reassurance to local residents.”
Suffolk Constabulary will be working with road safety partners including Suffolk Safecam