Try Wheelchair Rugby

GBWR are offering the chance to try out Wheelchair Rugby on Monday 28th April at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke.

The free taster session will be for any potential players, male or female, with a physical impairment. Wheelchairs and coaching will be provided. There will also be an appearance from a player from Stoke city football club joining in the fun on the day. Journalists brave enough to have a go are welcome too.

An exciting fusion of ice hockey, handball and rugby, the game was originally founded in Canada in 1977. It’s not only based on speed and chair contact, but is also a tactically intelligent game to be involved in. Eight rolling substitutes make up squads of 12, with four players on court per team at any time, with the aim of driving the ball across the opponents' goal line. Contact between wheelchairs is permitted, as players use their chairs to block and hold opponents. The emphasis of the sport is on fun, excitement and inclusion, particularly for players with higher levels of impairment.

This taster session is part of a wider week of Wheelchair Rugby taking part in Stoke leading up to the Wheelchair Rugby National Championships taking place 3rd – 5th May at Fenton Manor in Stoke. It will see the UK’s top Wheelchair Rugby teams battle it out for the cup including some of the stars of London 2012 and future athletes of Rio 2016.

The taster session takes place between 12pm – 2pm on Monday 28th April at Fenton manor Sports complex in Stoke, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2RR. More information can be found on the website: www.gbwr.org.uk 

Learn About The English Country House

Celebrate St George’s Day by delving into 450 years of literature inspired by the English country house.

A revolutionary digital course launched today by the University of Sheffield will give people from across the world a unique glimpse into the extraordinary life, culture, drama and literature of the traditional English country house.

Fans of Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice will be able to delve into 450 years of literature inspired and set in some of the country’s most magnificent buildings such as Chatsworth House – home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire which has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family and has one of Europe’s most significant art collections.

The Literature of the English Country House is the second FutureLearn Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) hosted by the University which is transforming education and making learning free and accessible to all.

The eight week course is ideal for 18th century literature lovers and costume drama enthusiasts who would like to discover the secrets behind the exquisite English country houses which are steeped in history, romance and sometimes scandal.

Learners will explore the magnificent 17th century wall paintings of Bolsover Castle often hailed to be the best of their kind in the country and visit Haddon Hall, frozen in the time of William Shakespeare and a great inspiration for the great gothic novelist Anne Radcliffe 200 years later.

Throughout the course participants will learn techniques to analyse literature and make their own connections with the English country house.

There are no prerequisites for registering for this or any other MOOC hosted by the University. Education or academic background is not important – budding learners from around the world simply need an internet connection.

Registration for the course is open today and learning will begin on 2 June 2014. The online lecturers will not only take learners on a literary journey but give them the unique opportunity to go through the key hole of six of Yorkshire and Derbyshire’s most famous addresses.

Would You Move Away?

Seven out of ten British young people consider a future away From the UK, with the weather, quality of life, and the current government being the leading factors, shows a recent survey.
When asked for specific reasons, more than 20% blamed the economy and over 30% said they were unhappy with the current government.

The survey – carried out by Robinsons Relocation – showed that one third of those that wished to leave agreed that life in the UK was too expensive and that they would like to live somewhere cheaper, whilst one in five would like their family to have a better future than what currently seems available in the UK.

Employment and job opportunities were other popular reasons for considering life abroad, as was the cost of attending university.

East Anglia, The North West, The West Midlands and Northern Ireland saw the largest rates of unhappiness, with over 80% of youngsters from each considering an escape.

In contrast, 80% of young people in the East Midlands saw their long term futures there.

When asked where they would like to move, The United States was by far the most popular location with over 60% of the votes, followed by Australia, and Canada, showing British Youth prefer English speaking countries.

Holiday Like #MadMen

With the final 14 episodes of Mad Men about to start, British Airways have put together a guide to the best places to stay in New York if you'd like to experience 1960s glamour and visit some of the places featured in the show.

Roosevelt Hotel

The Roosevelt hotel was featured in the show. Visit the Madison Club Lounge bar to absorb yourself in the glamour of the 1960s.

 Stay at the 4* Roosevelt From £699

Room rate discounted included on selected dates.

Based on travel in June

The Waldorf

One of New York’s first grand hotels, and mentioned on the show in relation to its menu. British Airways recommends the hotel’s original waldorf salad.

 Stay at the 5* Waldorf Astoria New York with British Airways From £749

5* Waldorf Towers (Occupying the 28th to 42nd floors of the iconic Waldorf Astoria) From £879

Based on travel in June

The Pierre

The Pierre is Manhattan’s premier social and business address. The characters used one of the rooms here as an office.

Stay at the 5* The Pierre, A Taj Hotel From £979

Based on travel in May

 

 

Other places featured in the show and hotels nearby….

The Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station

Featured as a location in the show and a romantic and glamorous location for any Mad Men enthusiast.

5* Andaz 5th Avenue, a Hyatt Hotel – a luxury boutique hotel, perfect to feel like you’re on the set of Mad Men.

From £799. Travel in May/June.

 PJ Clarke's is one of the oldest bars in New York

Christina Hendricks, the actress who plays office manager Joan Harris is rumoured to be a frequent visitor - Hotels near PJ Clarke’s include:

4.5* Smyth Tribeca – This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is inspired by a Madison Avenue ad man's boutique bachelor pad.

From £799. Travel in May/June.

5* Conrad New York - Contemporary all-suite luxury hotel with magnificent views of the Hudson River

From £679. Travel in June.  

Madison Avenue

Provides the setting for the famous advertising agencies featured in Mad Men Hotels in the area include:

4* The Roger – A  Mr & Mrs Smith hotel with Mad Men inspired style and décor and very appropriately named, as it’s somewhere you could imagine bumping in to Roger Sterling.

From £739. Travel in June.

 

5* The Surrey - This boutique hotel is grand and glamorous and perfect for a Mad Men visit.

From £919. Travel in June.


Add your accessible New York reviews!

All packages are for return British Airways World Traveller flights and three nights hotel stay for two adults sharing one room on a room only board basis.  No book by date unless stated.

Wheelchair Rugby Grant

The National Governing Body for Wheelchair Rugby, GBWR, has agreed a deal with the Middlesex Sports Foundation worth £50,000 that will run for the next four years.

Rhidian Jones, Chairman of the Middlesex Sports Foundation, said: “We were all impressed by the courage and commitment of the athletes at the Paralympics in London in 2012. As a charity with assets derived from the rugby community, and focussed on aiding sport for youth and those with special needs, we considered GB Wheelchair Rugby an ideal partner with which to develop a strong relationship.”

David Pond, Chief Executive of GB Wheelchair Rugby, responded: “We welcome the Middlesex Sports Foundation as partners at this very exciting time in the development of our sport. Our relationship with the able bodied rugby community continues to grow and we are very grateful to the Foundation for this generous funding which will help fund our new youth programme.’’

The money will help support and develop the sport across the country as well as to prepare the elite squad for the Paralympic games in Rio. GBWR is a charitable organisation and continues to forge strong links with charities such as the Middlesex Sport Foundation, as well as able-bodied rugby clubs, in an effort to engage communities with new initiatives and programmes.

Snap The World #aviscantbelievemyeyes

Are we nearly there yet? A familiar sound whether young or old - we're all in a
hurry to get to our destination. But today Avis is encouraging us to enjoy the
journey and capture beautiful moments we might otherwise miss along the way.

To inspire others to open their eyes, Avis is calling out for the best images
caught on camera as part of a journey. Upload to Facebook where a panel of
judges from Avis and photography experts Getty Images will shortlist the best
photos to be voted for by the public. The winning shot will not only win a trip
from BA Holidays, but it will also form part of the Avis advertising campaign
to encourage others to open their eyes and see further than the destination.

Beauty can be found anywhere. Yes, cruising along a coastal road on the Cote
d'Azur is full of picture postcard views. As is driving through the snow
covered Alps, travelling through the ruggedly beautiful Yorkshire countryside
or passing by the majestic Colosseum in Rome. But even on those less than
glamorous journeys there is still splendour to be found, especially if you get
off the beaten track - something often only possible when traveling by car.

If you look hard enough, you won't believe your eyes at the beauty you can see
- be it a magnificent stained glass window on a building covered in graffiti,
wild flowers growing on the side of a motorway, or even a stunning sunset when
driving through the 'rough end of town'. Anywhere from Bognor to Biarritz or
Scunthorpe to Seville, look around and you won't believe your eyes.

Accessible Australia

Have Prince William and Kate inspired you to take a trip to Australia?
 

Witches Falls Cottages, the boutique Bed and Breakfast situated on beautiful Tamborine Mountain, has undergone extensive renovations within two of their cottages to transform them into new all abilities cottages. In the new duplex style accommodation, Witches Falls Cottages have maintained the popular style of stone gables, glass walled bathrooms and private gardens with BBQ facilities. Witches Falls Cottages is proud to announce that with the recent refurbishment their AAA Tourist Star rating has been upgraded from a 4 star rating to a 4.5 star rating. Weekend rates start from $360 per night and weeknights from $310 per night, for two adults including breakfast.
 
Add your wheelchair accessible reviews of 'Down Under'.