Why is it important to use an OFTEC registered company for heated oil tank installation and maintenance?

As a trusted provider of heating oil tank installation and maintenance, Forecourt Installation Services is registered with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC), and every single one of our engineers is trained to OFTEC 10-600A for our oil tank installations. OFTEC accreditation is an important qualification to check for if you’re buying a heating oil system or changing your current tank, or even if you’ve moved to a property and inherited a system.

A registered OFTEC engineer will aid you in selecting the type of tank that you need and more importantly, will help you to determine where the oil tank needs to be placed for it to be within UK safety regulations. These regulations help to mitigate environmental and fire risks - OFTEC certified technicians will ensure that your tank meets them, as well as ensuring that its placement complies with building regulations.

Safe service doesn’t end with installation though, as you should have your tank inspected each year by an OFTEC certified technician to make sure that the system is in good working order. Getting the tank checked regularly will mean that any potential problems are spotted early on, which could save a considerable amount of money and effort in the future. It is particularly important to arrange an inspection if you’ve recently moved to a property with a heating oil tank. You don’t want to end up paying the price for the previous owner’s poor choice of tank, or their neglect of proper inspections.

If the tank is found to be in need of replacement, you can rest assured that the new one will be of high quality when you take advantage of our installation services. We stock heating oil tanks from Tuffa, Deso, Atlas, Harlequin, and Envirostore – some of the most reliable names around. Of course, our highly trained staff will help to select the right one for you.

In addition to being an OFTEC registered company, Forecourt Installation Services are members of the Association of Petroleum and Explosive Atmospheres and have achieved Safe Contractor Accreditation. We’re also a proud member of Checkatrade, so you can be confident that trust in our services will not be misplaced.

The ex-IYLO, helping to make Croydon a true star attraction

Croydon has not always been seen as a destination in its own right, its close proximity to central London having arguably hindered as much as helped it in this regard. Even today, when many people think of this part of south London, they might merely imagine industrious, utilitarian 1960s office blocks and (admittedly extensive) transport links.

However, Croydon is not merely a functional part of the capital. It is certainly not an area only to be seen within the wider context of the sizzling and ever-active metropolis that is London. Sure, it is certainly an advantageous place to live for those requiring a convenient connection to the rest of the capital. That is thanks to the presence of such well-entrenched transport infrastructure as the East Croydon and West Croydon stations, the London Tramlink light rail system and various well-serviced bus routes.

But Croydon has also long been one of the capital's best-kept secrets - a place where art and culture, fine dining and the very best in recreation and leisure sit side-by-side. This is the home, after all, of arts venues like the Fairfield Halls, with its history of famous faces like the Beatles, Bucks Fizz, Johnny Cash and Tom Jones. In much more recent times has come the opening of the Spread Eagle Theatre, a 50-seat studio theatre that supports emerging artists and theatre companies.

Indeed, Croydon can also boast in-demand restaurants like Preto and Khyber Restaurant on the High Street, fitness and leisure amenities such as LA Fitness and Virgin Active, and bars and clubs like Tiger Tiger and Reflex. In short, Croydon is most definitely the place to be, and the gradual realisation of this is also triggering the gradual gentrification that has already made so many other, previously underappreciated parts of the capital true go-to destinations.

More and more, people are coming to live in Croydon with an expectation of living the high life, which is where the one-time IYLO building, now ISLAND set of apartments, comes in. An elegant structure with a protracted and sometimes troubled construction process thanks to the economic slowdown of the late 2000s and the associated difficulties of obtaining credit, ISLAND is now complete and ready to welcome ambitious newcomers to the city.

ISLAND has come a long way since its days as the IYLO building, and Croydon has come a similarly long way from its sometimes unglamorous past. An ISLAND penthouse or apartment, conveniently situated right in the centre of Croydon, presents the perfect opportunity to appreciate both.

Reasons to make Practical Cycles your Christiania cargo bike retailer

We've always been such great proponents of cargo bikes here at Practical Cycles, not just for the ability that they give you to transport people and goods cost-effectively, but also all of the advantages that they bring that you would associate with any kind of bike. There's nothing quite like feeling that bracing outdoor air on your way to and from work, as well as on the school run, in the knowledge that you're also making yourself fitter and healthier.

As you can see here on the Practical Cycles site, we stock a lot of cargo bike brands, but we're especially proud of our selection of Christiania trikes. This Danish company has been offering its cargo bikes under the Christiania brand since 1978, with the last three decades having seen a revolutionary change in family transport in Copenhagen as a result. Now, a quarter of families in the Danish city who have two or more children also own a tricycle.

Unsurprisingly, such success has seen the Christiania trike imported far and wide, and when you're in need of a UK Christiania cargo bike retailer, you really can't do better than Practical Cycles. Right now, we give you three options for a Christiania trike: the Sloping Box, Straight Box and LONG Box. The first of those is, of course, the least expensive and is very much the classic model of Christiania trike, enabling you to easily carry one or two children and a bit of shopping in a nippy, lightweight package.

Even this so-called 'basic' model of Christiania cargo bike incorporates such features as a seven speed Shimano Nexus internal hub gear, a rear Shimano coaster brake, front mechanical disk brakes on each wheel, highly puncture-resistant Schwalbe Big Apple tyres, a lightweight aluminium frame and stainless steel mudguards. This is without even considering such advisable optional extras as a Bugatti Panorama Hood to fit the sloping box, a wooden bench, lights and 'Y' belts for extra security. Every Christiania model can also be specified with electric assist.

Opt for the Straight Box model, and you'll be able to carry up to four children and/or a bit more shopping, while the LONG Box version is very much the ultimate model. At 30cm longer than the Straight or Sloping Box, this trike allows as many as six children to be safely transported. It's also the Christiania trike to go for if you are intending to purchase one for business purposes - such as for delivery, ice cream, food vending or as a mobile coffee stall.

As you can imagine, many people in the UK who would like to travel more conveniently and affordably, but still practically, are buying themselves a Christiania trike. Take a look at our range here at Practical Cycles today, and you'll see why we are building a reputation as possibly the UK's premier Christiania cargo bike retailer.

Chamfer skirting - just one of the many choices at Midland Skirting

Many aspects can be identified as underpinning the exceptional overall service that Midland Skirting provides to those seeking only the most beautiful skirting profiles. These range from the company's in-depth experience in the skirting industry and quality manufacturing process to its level of consideration to the environment as well as, of course, the skirting profiles themselves.

Certainly, the sheer choice of such profiles that Midland Skirting can offer leaves those refurbishing their home with little need to look to any other online or offline store. The company realises the importance of creating profiles that are not merely aesthetically appealing in isolation, but that also fit in well with almost any home decor scheme.

This consideration informs a selection of high quality skirting encompassing such designs as Angle Edge, Lambs Tongue, Pencil Round, Square Edge Groove and Victorian. As has long been the trend at Midland Skirting, these are all examples of truly classy, clean and understated skirting designs, with exactly the same able to be said of the company's Chamfer skirting.

Midland Skirting's Chamfer skirting is an especially timeless choice of skirting board design, but it also caters for the very real practical requirements that the homeowner has of skirting of any style. Not only is it already prepared for its final coat of paint, having been sanded twice and primed for the smoothest possible finish, but it is also available in 3 and 4.2 metre lengths (in certain profiles), as well as in widths ranging from 70mm to 400mm.

One can even select Chamfer skirting in the depths of 15mm, 18mm and 25mm, although only the middle of those three options is possible for those specifying it in 4.2 metre lengths. This profile, in common with the rest that Midland Skirting stocks, is also made from truly robust Kronospan MDF. When prospective buyers also consider the option of cable rebates for hiding those awkward house pipes and cables, it becomes clear that this skirting really does address every practical need.

What so many homeowners who purchase Midland Skirting's Chamfer skirting will most realise, however, is just how well it complements the wider appearance of their home. For the most distinguished skirting in any of the above designs and more, there's only one company to choose.

Manor of Groves: the perfect location to host far-off wedding guests

Manor of Groves offers a combination of modern luxury and historical character and is nestled within 150 acres of idyllic English countryside– it’s unsurprisingly one of the most sought-after locations for weddings in Hertfordshire. It can be hard to imagine when viewing the rolling rural beauty of our grounds, but all of this is just a stone’s throw from London and the best national and international transport links in the country.

This is one of the reasons why wedding planners have found Manor of Groves to be such a fantastic place to tie the knot. We know that weddings often draw friends and family from around the country, if not from around the world. Indeed, one of the best things about a wedding is that it brings people together; there will probably be guests attending your special day who haven’t seen you – or each other – for years.

It's also a reason why people planning a wedding have to think so carefully about location. Nobody wants people to decline their wedding invitation because the venue is too hard to get to. Of course, getting married somewhere too central means you’ll be sacrificing a beautiful venue for a convenient one, but at Manor of Groves, you don’t need to make that choice. Harlow Town rail station is only half an hour’s journey from London Liverpool Street station, and from Harlow Town we’re only a short and scenic taxi ride away. Arriving at Manor of Groves from one of London’s huge international airports is a breeze.

Of course, people who come to your wedding from afar are probably going to be keen to have somewhere nice to sleep once the celebrations have come to an end. Manor of Groves has over 80 bedrooms to choose from, all including a number of features to make people’s stays as comfortable as possible. All rooms include an LCD television, 24 hour room service and beautiful marble bathroom with a power shower. These guests will often choose to bring their children, so they can take advantage of our interconnecting rooms that provide additional space while still keeping the family together.

Manor of Groves offers a captivating venue within arresting natural beauty, but it’s also one of the most practical locations for a wedding in Hertfordshire. Manor of Groves is the perfect venue for every single one of your guests.

How share capital can be claimed back, tax-free

Shareholders making use of London Registrars' support for business who started a company with a certain amount of share capital that is no longer necessary may be interested to learn whether they can take back some of their money without incurring a significant tax bill.

When you start a business that is to be run through a company, you have a choice of how to inject the necessary capital. Going for minimum share capital is one option, with the rest being provided as a loan. The reverse strategy, however, may be more suitable for riskier ventures. That way, in the event of the company failing and you losing some of your money, you can claim tax relief for your loss.

However, should the business become an established success to the point of your money no longer being needed, you might wish to take some of it back. Although your capital could obviously be claimed back if you simply sell your shares to the company or someone else, this has the downside of reducing your stake in the business. This makes both aforementioned methods unsuitable if you would simply like to take back money no longer required by the company.

An alternative means of taking back part of your original investment is to have the company cancel some of its share capital so that it can be repaid to you. Although a majority of other shareholders need to agree to any plan to repay share capital, it shouldn't be difficult to obtain such agreement. That's because each shareholder will be given a repayment in proportion to the number of shares they own, meaning that there will be no effect on the balance of power and voting rights.

In the event of share capital being repaid, HMRC doesn't treat the amount that you receive as a distribution - i.e. income - but instead as capital with capital gains tax (CGT) liability. However, only the increase in value is taxable, rather than the entire payment. This means that some of the original cost of the shares is allocated against the amount that you get back, leaving the balance chargeable to CGT.

However, to use the CGT formula, you will need to know what the share value is at the time of repayment. This makes it necessary to enlist a share valuer's services. Help may also be available from your accountant. You are able to repay share capital as frequently as you and your fellow shareholders wish, as long as it is affordable for your company.

Using the CGT formula on each occasion enables you to determine the amount of the payment that is taxable, meaning that you can cancel just enough shares to ensure that your CGT annual exemption - £11,000 for 2014/15 - covers the gain. The net effect will be the tax-free withdrawal of some of your company's growth in value. Contact London Registrars' support for business experts for more information about the CGT formula.

Discover the rich history of the Canal du Midi

You would always expect us here at La Souqueto B&B to wax lyrical about the many beautiful and fascinating attractions of the Languedoc. It is, after all, one of the parts of the France with the richest historical and cultural inheritance. Much of that revolves around the region's centuries-old status as a winemaking centre, although it was another trade - wheat - that motivated the construction of one of the present day area's most remarkable assets.

That asset is, of course, the simply unparalleled Canal du Midi. It is easily reachable for those staying at La Souqueto B&B, with Canal du Midi boat tours being offered on the recently restored Broom Mahogany Broads cruiser, Bella Mia. Whether you rent the boat as a residence moored to the bank or instead make the most of the opportunity for day trips, you'll have plenty of time to marvel at the simply idyllic scenery.

Canal du Midi boat tours are available for those booking a stay at La Souqueto B&B between April and October, and offer the perfect opportunity to uncover the length and breadth of this astonishing construction. You may opt for a three hour tour with lunch or remain on the water for a full day. Evening trips, complete with wine and nibbles, are another possibility.

However, our Canal du Midi boat tours aren't merely for enjoying a bit of scenic opulence - they're also for getting  a sense of the majesty of this astonishing meeting of the manmade with nature. Snaking some 241 kilometres (150 miles) through Southern France, this long canal was built between 1666 and 1681 - during the reign of Louis XIV - under the supervision of Pierre-Paul Riquet.

The result was nothing less than remarkable, and the feat continues to be appreciated to this day - not merely by those paying a visit on their holidays to this gorgeous part of France. One of the oldest European canals still in operation, the Canal du Midi was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Canal may no longer be used to transport goods, as was the case in its heyday until the arrival of the railways hastened its demise in this respect. However, it remains a star attraction for almost anyone taking in the Languedoc and surrounding areas as holidaymakers. We are proud to offer Canal du Midi boat tours here at La Souqueto B&B; contact us now for more information.

Closet dresses for any occasion? You can depend on us

Known for its bold colours and diverse prints, the Closet label was founded in 1996 to provide London-made dresses that transcend seasons and will always be in style.

Producing pieces in both contemporary and classic styles, collections of Closet dresses are made up of smart, professional looking dresses for office-wear, cool and simple day dresses for casual wear and striking party dresses for weddings and big occasions. Available in a variety of arresting colours and prints, Closet dresses are the perfect choice for any girl – whether they are heading to work or the party of the year.

Make sure you look both sophisticated and professional with Closet's Blue Textured Tie Back Dress. This sharp and attractive blue dress is characterised by a flattering tie back that provides a defined waistline. Structured cap sleeves and deep pockets ensure that the dress is not just eye-catching, but also practical for the busy office environment.

Smart enough for the office but stylish enough to be worn anywhere, the Blue Textured Tie Back can perfectly transition from work to out and about, so there's no need to bring a change of clothes for after-office drinks.

For an evening outfit, try the ¾ length Ribbed Panel Dress, available with both red and beige ribbing. Expertly crafted, this contrasted beige or red rib flatters the contours of your body against the sleek black base colour of the dress. The Ribbed Panel Dress has a high neckline, capped sleeves and a gold zip fastening to the back, giving you an air of elegance. Combining classic style with a seductive design, this is the perfect party dress.

Made from beautiful soft fabric, the Floral Tie Back Dress is light, airy and comfortable – a perfect casual dress that still, like all Closet products, retains a strong sense of grace. The dress features a light beige background overset by an appealing floral design of pink and green. Although tailored for comfort, this dress also makes use of a tie back to bring out your figure.

Why not take a look around our extensive range of Closet dresses? They offer a fantastic range of choices, whether you're looking for clothing for work, play, or every day. Furthermore, given that you're shopping with I-Candy, you can rest assured that these clothes will always be available at our legendarily affordable prices.

Are you conducting proper fire drills?

There’s no need to talk about how dangerous fires can be – you already know. However, many companies underestimate the need for fire safety awareness training because they aren’t properly aware of everything that needs to be done. Some of the most common mistakes that this training can correct are made during fire drills. If your company is guilty of any of these, we would urge you to arrange training as soon as possible.

No PEEPs for your people

PEEP stands for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. Having a PEEP ensures that every member of your team can safely exit the building in the case of a fire or other emergency. People with various disabilities or a health concern that prevents them from following standard evacuation plans will require evacuation plans that take their unique needs into consideration – this is especially true if your offices are situated in older properties that weren’t built with these people in mind. Under normal conditions, physically challenged staff usually take lifts to higher floors, but this can be catastrophic during a fire.

Create PEEPs for everyone who needs one and make sure they’re properly implemented and written in consultation with the individuals concerned

Misunderstanding the purpose of drills

A lot of people think that a drill means simply going through the motions of safe evacuation – this is wrong. It is obviously imperative that everyone knows these basic procedures, but the primary purpose of a drill should be to fully test the efficiency of anyone with special responsibilities, and to get better at safely vacating the building.   Employees with specific roles (Fire Marshals) will need additional fire safety training to ensure that they can perform their duties effectively during any evacuation of a building.  These skills can be effectively tested and fine-tuned during fire drills.

Fires don’t spread on schedule, and people can be more panicked when a fire occurs for real, so it’s important to use objectives, records and reviews to properly understand where your procedures can be tightened up. When the drill is over, you should look over the results and provide feedback to employees so that they can improve each time a drill occurs.   

Poor planning

Arrange fire drills with as few people as possible and give advanced notice to employees instead of letting them know a few days before. Fire drills are most effective when they recreate the environment of a real emergency. If people know exactly when a drill is on its way, they’ll be unnaturally prepared for it and the practice won’t be as effective. An added benefit of properly planning your drill well in advance of the event is the ability to choose a time and date when it will cause the least disturbance to your business.

Contact us today if you would like a copy of our free Fire Drill Observation Sheet which can be used as a means of capturing key information during your fire drill.

Here at Howlett Health and Safety Services, we have over 25 years of experience in many diverse areas of workplace health and safety, and we’re here to assist you however small your organisation. Get in touch if you think we can help.

Why you need a refurbishment survey if your property is undergoing work

An asbestos refurbishment survey is required if your property is undergoing upgrading, refurbishment, or invasive maintenance work. Unless you’re one hundred percent sure that no asbestos is present in the building, you’ll need to hire experienced professionals to undertake this surveying in order to safeguard the health of those undertaking the refurbishment work.

A refurbishment survey aims to locate and identify any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within the property, and is much more thorough and invasive than a management survey. A management survey locates the ACMs that could be disturbed during the standard use of the property, or light maintenance work, and so is relatively un-intrusive. A refurbishment survey locates ACMs that could be disturbed by substantial work on the property, and so is invasive and destructive to all areas that might pose a threat. Thoroughness is the mark of a proper refurbishment survey.

Work carried out by tradespeople during renovation will involve far greater disturbance to these areas, and so this work requires a more exhaustive surveying. A proper survey will identify ACMs and remove them prior to the refurbishment taking place, making sure that nobody involved in your project puts their health in jeopardy.

Make sure you hire a trusted surveyor. Inhalation of ACMs can produce fatal and debilitating diseases – the importance of eliminating this risk should be paramount. Poor surveying also leads to ACMs being improperly disposed of in landfills, often creating soil contamination issues. Given that the surveying is disruptive and often disturbs ACMs, the property should be vacated while it takes place. A good surveyor can lessen the structural damage to the building.

You should supply a surveyor with a site layout, building plans and specifications, as well as any history of work or asbestos surveying conducted in the building. If only one area of the property is undergoing refurbishment, then only that part needs to be surveyed – on the condition that a management survey has already been undertaken for other areas.

Contact H.I.C.H. LTD today to arrange your refurbishment survey. Our experienced team has the knowledge to confidently ensure the safety of your project, while our highly detailed reports are delivered with a quick turnaround and at an affordable cost.

Why ETI hairdryers have long taken their place in the leading salons

 

For more than 10 years now, when salons throughout the world have needed to ensure that their hairdryers exude nothing less than the utmost professionalism, ETI hairdryers have so often been their choice. This is certainly no accident. The ETI brand has never been one for following trends - it's always been much more content to set them.

ETI hairdryers are designed and built in the company's high-tech Italian factory, assuring users - both within and outside the salon - of the greatest power, performance and reliability. Every single component in an ETI hairdryer is manufactured in Italy, which helps to ensure absolutely no compromise in quality, compared to the sometimes undependable offerings of industry rivals.

Those opting for ETI hairdryers may choose the company's Turbo dryers on account of their world-beating reputation, or perhaps the Fusion, given this light and powerful dryer's resistance to damage in the event that it is dropped. Here at Fantastic Hair and Beauty, we are proud to be able to offer the 2000, 3200, 3500, 3600, Stratos Fusion 2200 and Stratos Fusion 2500 dryers of this highly acclaimed brand.

For many of those in need of a reliable professional-standard hairdryer, the ETI Turbo 2000 will serve them nicely, with its combination of a technologically advanced Italian motor and high quality, shock resistant casing. The range of colours in which this hairdryer can be specified makes for the perfect blend of style and functionality.

Further up our up-to-date selection of ETI hairdryers can be found the 3500 Turbo that offers 2000 Watts of professional power within casing that has been aerodynamically optimised, the airflow being channelled for more power and a shorter drying time. Such characteristics have made this hairdryer - which weighs just 515 grams - a popular choice among professional and home users alike.

The range-topping Stratos Fusion 2500 hairdryer, meanwhile, is available in the colours of Black, Cherry, Kiwi and Mulberry, but also pairs plenty of practicality with that undeniable style. In addition to producing a whopping 2500 Watts of power, this dryer features a contoured grip and soft touch finish for the ultimate ease of use.

It rounds off a range of ETI hairdryers here at Fantastic Hair and Beauty that really is unparalleled among UK online stores. Take a look at our current selection when you are next in the market for a professional, salon-standard hairdryer.

Keep your school energy efficient with Easy Light Bulbs

When you’re ordering light bulbs for your school, you’ll probably try to find an option that promises great energy and cost savings. Easy Light Bulbs knows that responsible schools are currently trying to cut back on their energy consumption in order to lower costs, help the environment and demonstrate proper energy efficiency practices to the students themselves. We stock a great range of energy efficient lighting solutions, so that your school can accomplish those goals irrespective of the size of its budget.

If the school requires bulbs that come with both a low upfront cost and the promise of reduced energy bills, then you should consider our energy saving light bulbs. According to reports made by the Energy Saving Trust, these bulbs use as much as 80 percent less electricity than a conventional light bulb, while producing just as much light. We carry a comprehensive range to fulfil all needs, including candle, globe and spiral shaped bulbs, as well as strip lights.

Alternatively, you could invest in some of our halogen bulbs. These come at a slightly higher cost, but their longevity and energy saving credentials offer long-term affordability. Some schools have reported that the pure white light that halogen bulbs emit has a number of advantages in the classroom. The brightness reduces eyestrain, so children won’t become as tired during reading and writing exercises, while it’s also great for display lighting as colours appear more vibrant, perfect for showing off art projects or illuminating graphs and illustrations.

However, for the most reliable, long-lasting and energy efficient bulbs, LED technology can’t be beaten. Although more expensive than other options, these bulbs consume far less electricity and can last for up to 25 years! They also produce less heat than halogen lights and can be more easily arranged in various patterns. Feel free to check out our range of LED bulbs, strip lights, tubes and panels.

Of course, you might be teaching children about how lighting has changed over the years. Kids love examples, so if you want to show them how far lighting technology has come, try adding one of our antique filament bulbs to your main order. These have been created in Victorian and Art Nouveau styles and have been used in museums and restoration projects – a great way to bring history into the classroom.

Look no further than Easy Light Bulbs if you need to need to order more lighting supplies for the school year.

Are you using Megazorb yet? Purchase it cheaply at Broadfeed

Megazorb is an increasingly popular bedding material for animals of all types – from horses to guinea pigs. Made by the people at Northern Crop Driers, Megazorb is manufactured from virgin wood pulp, a totally natural by-product of the paper making industry, and animal owners across the country have been finding out just how great it is for bedding.

Manufacturers take the pulp by-product and then heat it at temperatures of up to 500°C. This is done to remove any biological contaminants, such as mould or bacteria, as well as to do away with any moisture remaining in the pulp. This is why Megazorb is so hygienic for animals, and why it is so incredibly absorbent. To complete the process, any remaining dust is extracted, before the finished product is packaged.

This process makes Megazorb highly absorbent – in fact, customers often report that it’s the most absorbent bedding material they’ve ever used. Megazorb’s lack of moisture means that it soaks up liquid waste very effectively, which makes cleaning out anything from a stable to a hamster cage easier than ever. Customers report that Megazorb tends to clump together when it meets liquid waste, making it easy to remove. People who previously spent a good chunk of their day mucking out stables now tell us that the job is done in a matter of minutes!

Of course, higher absorbency also means that odours are drastically reduced, which makes cleaning after your animal that bit more pleasant. It makes the environment nicer for the animal too, with the lack of dust also making Megazorb a great choice for any animals with respiratory problems.

Another reason for Megazorb’s success and popularity is its environmental credentials. The material itself is biodegradable and totally chemical free – great news for animal and environment alike. With Megazorb being made from pulp that was traditionally thrown away, this is a bedding material that saves perfectly usable resources from going to landfill.

The only problem that people have reported with Megazorb is a difficulty finding it! Well, we have it right here at Broadfeed. Order online right away, or come on down to our premises in Royal Tunbridge Wells to make your purchase of Megazorb in Kent in-person.

United States-Japan Girl Scout Friendship Statue hosts reunion over 50 years in the making

Over 50 years ago, an eleven-year-old American Girl Scout named Libby Watson and a seventeen-year-old Japanese Girl Scout named Hiroko Tanaka gave the customary Scouting salute and shook hands. The moment was captured forever in The United States-Japan Girl Scout Friendship Statue, which was dedicated on March 18^th 1962 to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in the United States, and as a welcome back to the Girl Scouts of Japan from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Resting in Yamashita Park in Yokohama, the statue has become a beloved, much-visited tourist attraction. On November 7^th of this year, it will reunite the two Girl Scouts it depicts, 52 years after they made their mutual salute.

Watson returned home to the United States in 1965 and went on to pursue a successful career in public service, reaching important city management roles in Fort Worth, Austin, and San Diego. Watson later admitted that the creation of the statue was "very meaningful." However it was a subject she rarely brought up, while in Japan people slowly forgot about the girls who posed for the statue. Hiroko stayed in Yokohama and eventually became an artist.

Watson told her story to Sandy Kautz, who went on to write an article for the 1992 magazine, Girl Scouts Leaders. In 2006, a former Yokohama Girl Scout, who fondly remembered the statue from her childhood, found an old copy. Kajima-Best shared the story at an exchange program between American and Japanese Girl Scouts in Yokohama, prompting a search for Libby and Hiroko, and eventually a celebration dubbed the Girl Scout Handshake Project. The Girl Scout Handshake Project raised funds in Japan and the United States to bring the girls back together for a rededication of the famous statue.

Here at Big Statues, we’re always happy to hear stories of how these wonderful monuments form enduring memories in people’s minds and help to forge ties between nations. As Watson reflected: "It's not me. It's not Hiroko. It symbolizes the friendship between Girl Scouts of Japan and Girl Scouts of the United States; it symbolizes something very special."

We hope that our own life size statues will leave a similar mark on the world.

What will you use your new garage for?

Installing a concrete garage is a great way to invest money in your property. Even if you don’t need it to park a car in, a garage will definitely boost the price of your home and make it more appealing to buyers when the time comes to sell. The icing on the cake is that you gain the use of an extra room. So, what are you going to use yours for?

A gym?

Whether you like pumping iron, hitting a PB on the treadmill or a bit of both, a garage can be a great place to start your own personal fitness centre. It can be tough to fit proper equipment around the house without making things seems cluttered, and gym memberships are often extortionate, but with a home gym you get the best of both worlds. Plus, the equipment itself is an investment that can keep you fit for life – much better than a monthly charge!

An office?

If you run your own business or just have a lot of paperwork to keep on top of, then a home office is a great place to get things done in some peace and quiet. Having your own work environment will help you concentrate and keep business and home separate for a change. Ideal for budding entrepreneurs.

A playroom?

Playrooms don’t just have to be for kids. Get a pool table, an old sofa and a poker table and you’ve got a great place for the adults to hang out and relax. Options are endless with this one – you can even install your own bar!

Your private music venue?

Everyone loves a bit of music, but they often have to give up making it as they get older. Equipment is often large and difficult to store, the volume can disrupt other people in the house, and it’s just nicer to play in your own private space. A garage can be the perfect solution. Not only will it be more distant for everyone in the house, it’ll also be a place where you can jam with friends or concentrate on practicing without interruption. Also great for your kids!

These are just a few options for your new concrete garage. If none tickle your fancy, try sitting back and thinking of what interest of hobby you enjoy most in life, then imagine a dedicated space for it. After you’re done dreaming, contact Betta Buildings, and we can tell you all about our available models to help pick the right one for you.

Government to speed up eviction of problem tenants

The Government has launched an initiative to make it easier for UK landlords to evict problem tenants, a process that was often time-consuming and overly-complicated in the past. The Section 21 accelerated possession procedure will require landlords to fill out an N5b form online, then post the printout, along with the tenancy agreement and fee.

Landlord Action, a leading tenant eviction firm, spearheaded the campaign as part of its role in a Government Think Tank aimed at increasing the speed of evictions. They point out that the new method will make it easier for landlords to remove problem cases, with commentators predicting that this is only the first step towards a total digitalization of the process.

Landlord Action found that landlords without legal representation frequently make mistakes on the existing applications to court, which can lead to delays and further frustration. With the suggestion of a digital issue – similar to the Section 8 PCOL service - the HM Courts and Tribunals Service worked with the Ministry of Justice Digital Services to design a new service that would streamline the way claims could be made. This reportedly explains complex legal points in easy to understand language, and is designed to easily collect information about the individual situation and eligibility of a possession claim.

Paul Shamplina, founder of Landlord Action, stated that: "This new online N5b form will go a long way in helping to prevent the most common mistakes landlords make, which often cause costly delays. We also hope that landlords will be empowered by the knowledge that improvements are underway to make possessions quicker and easier in the future."

Even as the Government continues to work to improve the ability of landlords to evict problem tenants, it remains important to use a proper landlord tenant referencing service to help ensure that even the new streamlined service never has to be used. Any landlords who have experienced problems in the past should contact Advanced Rent to take advantage of our DAS approved service, which puts potential renters through a quick but exhaustive check to help ensure that they prove reliable tenants.

Luxury living at a stone's throw from Central London

What with the local council's recent multibillion pound regeneration efforts and burgeoning commercial interest in the area, there's never been a better time to look for penthouses in Croydon. London property markets are fast-moving and ever-developing; areas that were previously overlooked have enjoyed rapid rejuvenation and can look forward to soaring property prices, so now is the perfect time to buy.

As for which properties are an especially sound choice to purchase, there are many reasons why one should not look past ISLAND's penthouses in Croydon, right at the epicentre of London's biggest up-and-coming area, and at prices that won't cost the Earth.

ISLAND's penthouses are based on the 17th and 18th floors of the building and offer chic, contemporary decoration across an impressive 203 square metres of internal living space, alongside a sprawling terrace, from which one can enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

For such high specifications, you might have normally expected to sacrifice your proximity to Central London, or pay an exorbitant price. However, thanks to Croydon's increased connectivity with the rest of London and the affordable prices of ISLAND penthouses, this is no longer the case.

The development is strategically situated only 16 minutes from Victoria and 12 minutes from London Bridge, so you can enjoy your luxury accommodation without feeling disconnected from the city. Both of these stations connect to London's extensive underground system.

From Victoria, it's only a quick trip along the Circle or District lines to reach Embankment, where you can stroll along the banks of the Thames, enjoy the enthralling views across the river, take advantage of the tasty treats and wonderful bargains on offer from riverside street markets, or even take in a show at the National Theatre.

From London Bridge, meanwhile, it's just a hop, skip, and jump to Covent Garden with its beautiful restaurants, world famous shopping and handy proximity to the theatre district.

Of course, growing business development in Croydon has resulted in plans to extend the underground system there, so you might soon be able to bypass Victoria and London Bridge entirely! It is just another fantastic reason to invest in one of our penthouses in Croydon, without forfeiting the opulence and variety of London living.