Thursday 28 November 2013

#WinterWonderland in a wheelchair


With Christmas only a few weeks away, get into the spirit, by visiting Winter Wonderland!
Returning for winter festivities until 5th January with FREE admission there will be even more entertainment and new attractions than before!

Following its sell-out success last year, The Magical Ice Kingdom will return and double in size with even more breathtaking snow and ice sculptures. You can also take a wheel through the medieval village and enter the giants’ forest, not forgetting to enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar.

The UK’s largest outdoor Lycamobile Ice Rink (wheelchair accessible) stretching over 1,600m2 will once again be located around the picturesque Victorian Bandstand, on which there will be live music played throughout the day and night as skaters take to the ice for a spin. For those who want to gaze at the action from above, the iconic Giant Observation Wheel will illuminate the skyline.

Other attractions include Santa Land, festive markets, Zippo’s Circus and the Bavarian village.

 
There is a 2-for-1 Carer / PA ticketing scheme to provide disabled visitors who require full time assistance with a free ticket for a partner, accompanying friend or personal assistant (PA) for all pre-bookable attractions. To apply for the 2-for-1 scheme you will first need to purchase your ticket(s), DO NOT purchase a ticket for the Carer/PA, this will be allocated upon a successful application. Once you have purchased your ticket please fill out the application form, the form must be received at least 5 working days before your visit.You will need to provide the name of your carer prior to the event. Please note your carer must be 16 or over.

The walkways of Winter Wonderland have been made  as even as possible, with ramps to bars and cafes. Wheelchairs are welcome on the Ice Rink, there are pods in the Giant Wheel and spaces in the Circus shows designed to accommodate wheelchairs. The Magical Ice Kingdom is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Ice Castle.

There is no ride-wide policy for the suitability of the fairground (token) rides for those with disabilities. This is due to variant conditions – e.g. unfavourable weather, the type of ride – and the nature of the disability, as some rides will require more support than others. The individual ride operator on the day will determine whether the ride is suitable, for safety reasons, and how they will grant admission.

Parking is free for Blue Badge holders for 4 hours and there are disabled toilets.

Wheelchair users must call directly to make a booking on 020 8241 9818 between Monday to Fri day, 10am – 6pm.

 

 

 

Monday 25 November 2013

Share Your Luxury Trip

SWAROVSKI OPTIK, has launched a new online scheme that aims to encourage and inspire travellers to share their online content while they travel.

The CL Pocket Journal, inspired by SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s latest compact CL Pocket binoculars, is an online sharing portal and has been created in partnership with luxury, boutique Travel Company, Mr and Mrs Smith.


A unique experience created by travel lovers for travel lovers in order to see the beautiful and hidden, and share stories; the Pocket Journal allows users to post images, videos, sound-effects and personal travel stories enabling them to be inspired by each other’s content. Additionally, once registered on the website consumers are also able to earn Smith points with every social media post, redeemable for discounts on a luxury break or holiday.

Travellers staying at one of the participating Mr and MrsSmith Hotels before 31st December 2013 will have the opportunity to be one of the first people worldwide to try a pair of CL Pocket binoculars for free. Participating hotels include:

·        Soho House Berlin, Berlin (Germany)

·        Mystique, Santorini (Greece)

·        Frégate Island Private, Seychelles (Indian Ocean)

·        The Scarlet, Cornwall (United Kingdom)

·        Areias do Seixo, Torres Vedras (Portugal)

·        Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur (United States)

·        Hotel Crillon le Brave, Provence (France)

·        Soho Beach House, Miami (United States)

·        Chewton Glen, Hampshire (United Kingdom)

Each hotel has three pairs of binoculars available for the duration of a guests’ stay which will hopefully inspire travellers to seek the beautiful and hidden, and share their discoveries on Pocket Journal.

Friday 22 November 2013

Emigrate to New Zealand?

New Zealand has been rated the fifth most prosperous place and financial forecasts predict it will out strip the world's leaders in terms of economic growth this year.
This economic boom has resulted in a huge skills shortage down under and the country is actively looking for Brits to emigrate to New Zealand.

The Legatum Prosperity Index which ranks 142 nations on their "wealth and wellbeing" in eight categories, including health, education, safety and security, and economy, rated New Zealand fifth.

 The International Monetary Fund's annual World Economic Outlook also forecasts that New Zealand's growth rate this year will be 2.5 per cent, which means of the 35 advanced economies in the world, the country's growth is only bettered by Israel, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea. The average for advanced economies in 2013 is just 1.2 per cent.


Paul Arthur, director of The Emigration Group said: said: "There has never been a better time to emigrate to New Zealand.  With the country’s strongly performing economy, Brits will find it much easier to find job opportunities and qualify for a visa to live and work down under."
 
Inspired? Now watch the latest Air New Zealand video - Just another day in Middle-earth #airnzhobbit        You will also have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip either to the world premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in LA or to New Zealand

For more information and advice on migrating down under, applying for residence visas and finding jobs visit www.emigrationgroup.co.uk or call 01244 321414.




Thursday 21 November 2013

#JackTopping switches on #StPancras lights


Are you getting in the Christmas spirit yet?
This week, Christmas number one favourite, Jack Topping, marked the start of the festive season at St Pancras International as he switched on this year's Christmas lights.

The 11-year-old chorister from Liverpool performed his charity single 'Tomorrow' (released 9th December), which will feature on a Save the Children TV advert.
'Bookies favourite for Christmas number one, Jack Topping, switches on festive lights at St Pancras International'

In addition to the festive lights, the renowned St Pancras Christmas tree was also unveiled too - this year provided by Fortnum & Mason, the latest company to take up residence at St Pancras.


Jack is the first of many charitable performances to be held in St Pancras International this winter. The station will play host to charity buskers every day throughout December in the run up to Christmas. From the classic Christmas sounds of the Salvation Army band, to the soulful music of the Amy Winehouse Foundation Choir, the space will be filled with music to help shoppers and trave;lers alike get into the festive spirit and donate to worthy causes.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Tasty Train Food!


Do you travel by train often but avoid the stodgy food?
First Great Western has promised that 50 products in a newly launched on-board menu will be sourced from specialist producers within 15 miles of its railway lines, as part of its pledge to banish the memory of terrible food. This includes awarding-winning produce from a third generation family butcher, fourth generation family baker and fifth generation family cheese maker.

To celebrate this ‘50/15 pledge and make ‘food navigation’ easier for travellers,  a foodie version of its route map, replacing station names with those of its local food suppliers has been created. View it here.
 
Find out more about using the train in a wheelchair here.

Friday 15 November 2013

THE CO-OPERATIVE LAUNCHES INDEPENDENT LIVING STORE!

The Co-operative has launched a new store providing products and specialist advice to help keep people mobile and independent.  The first Independent Living store has been opened in Poynton, Cheshire. 

The store offers people who require some day-to-day help practical assistance and specialist products, so that they can lead as full a life as possible. Following the pilot store, the concept will be rolled out to additional stores and online in the future.

The new store features a vast range of products, from mobility scooters and beds to chairs, bathroom aids and specially shaped cutlery.
 
The layout of the store is designed to offer customers easy access to items with everything arranged room-by-room, so whether you need a jar opener for the kitchen or an adjustable bed, you’ll know exactly where to go.
 
 
The store will also feature paediatric and orthopaedic products, wheelchairs and walkers.  A number of products come with a free warranty and customers can receive servicing on certain items including scooters and wheelchairs.  VAT exemption is also offered for all customers who qualify.

Staff at the store have received specialist training to offer expert, one-to-one advice and customers can also benefit from a free consultation and product demonstration in their home to ensure products are right for them.  A large range of items can be personalised or tailor-made to suit individual requirements and a free delivery and installation service is also available.

There is also free parking next to the store with disabled spaces.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Postcard App

When was the last time you sent a postcard to friends and family whilst on holiday?

Modern technology has banished the pen for many but a mobile app called ‘ByPost Postcard Marker, allows you to send real postcards from your iPhone!


Set up by Luke Heron in November 2010, the app has grown to become number one in the iTunes Chart in 22 countries and over 5% of UK iPhones have downloaded the app.

ByPost was recently named winner of the ‘Best Mobile Business Award’ at the Smarta 100 Awards, sponsored by O2.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

#AgathaChristie's #Poirot In A Wheelchair

Agatha Christie's Poirot: Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (video) | presscentre

Will you be watching the last, ever, Poirot tonight?

Poirot and Hastings come full circle at Styles- where they first solved a crime together. Now wheelchair bound, there is still one case for Poirot to solve. Who is the serial killer X?

10 Facts About Agatha Christie's Most Famous Detectivea

Tuesday 12 November 2013

#HestonBlumenthal comes to Heathrow!

Heston Blumenthal is to open a new restaurant at Heathrow Terminal 2  in June 2014.

The concept and menu, currently being developed, will showcase Heston's love for nostalgia and celebrate his pride of all things British.



"This is an incredible project,” Heston explains. "There are so many different elements to consider when people are travelling. We want to deliver a broad spectrum of easy to enjoy, familiar dishes from fish and chips to pizza.”

 Passenger satisfaction scores now rank Heathrow as among the world’s very best large airports. What is your favourite?

Monday 11 November 2013

Mascara vs Eye Health!

UK spends more on mascara than on eye health research!

A new report by the charity think tank and consultancy NPC has found that, while visual impairment will affect around four million people by 2050, eye care services in the UK are stretched and people are not thinking about their eye health. The direct and indirect cost of eye disease and sight loss in the UK is estimated at almost £8 billion and yet reported spend on eye research in the UK is £30 million per year (equivalent to just £83 for each person registered as blind or partially sighted). In contrast, the UK mascara market is worth £130 million per year.

Sight tests are free for people over 60, but less than half of those eligible take advantage of this, and fear of the cost of purchasing glasses is one of the key barriers to people accessing eye care, particularly for those with low incomes.