To frack or not to frack, that is the question that is on everyones lips here in the North West, and it seems fracking is like marmite, you are either all for it or you feel it is going to be the death of all of us in the not too distant future.
Lancashire County Council have now deferred a decision over whether they are going to allow the firm Cuadrilla to start hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in their area on the Fylde coast until Monday, in the meantime they are going to seek more legal advice over the issue. Meanwhile anti-fracking protesters have been massed outside the County Hall in Preston determined to show the strength of feeling against this process and telling Cuadrilla to `Frack Off`!!
So what do we know about the process of fracking? Here is what they do, they drill about 1 to 2 kilometres down into the ground and then they drill laterally from there for about another 1 to 2 kilometres. Then huge amounts of water, sand and chemicals are directed through massive pressure down into these holes which then releases gas from the shale and this carries up to the head of the well.
The problem is that in many countries this fracking process has led to small earthquakes, contaminated water, and land unfit for any purpose. Cuadrilla claim that this is down to bad working practices in these areas and they would have regulations in place that would ensure this would not happen.
Of course believing a multi-national company who see profit as the only real value of any process would be naive in the extreme, so will there be enough independent regulators and evaluators in place to assess and control the fracking process?
Many countries have thought better of it and banned fracking from their shores. If the Council say yes to fracking and anything goes wrong the legal implications are grave for them and the company.
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Improvements In Health And Nutrition Mean We Can Keep Younger And Fitter For Longer
If you are savvy enough to look after yourself and keep up with the latest guidelines on health and nutrition then it is fair to say that you can be fit and healthy to a ripe old age. Advances in nutritional science mean that we know so much about how the body reacts to and digests different foods, what are the foods we should be eating, when, and at what time and in what quantity.
We have known for the last 40 years or so of course that too many pastries, sugar and alcohol etc is bad for you and not only makes you fat but can lead to various diseases too, such as heart disease and cancer. But we are learning more and more about how processed foods can be such a health hazard to us. Fresh, natural foods are the way to go, using wholemeal and wholewheat products.
It is important to get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables of course, but it is also important to have a balanced diet and ensure that you get enough protein and carbs in your diet. Nuts and pulses are particularly an excellent food source for all sorts of reasons, and oily fish an absolutely essential element of your diet.
Whereas once the emphasis was on cutting down on fatty foods we are now told that some fatty foods can actually be good for you, but you have to be careful to avoid the nasty trans-fats which can do so much damage to you. The key to good nutrition seems to be to eat non-processed foods and avoid sugary foods whenever you can.
And how you exercise is sooo important!! High intensity training is far better for you than lifting heavy weights and you can now get your personal trainer to set you a training regime to keep you in peak condition and to get the maximum out of your trips to the gym. Activities such as aerobics, dance classes, yoga and pilates are all great for your heart, health and soul.
And if all else fails you can try one of the beauty treatments to keep you looking young and beautiful such as laser treatment, botox and facelifts etc. We truly do live in enlightened times!!
We have known for the last 40 years or so of course that too many pastries, sugar and alcohol etc is bad for you and not only makes you fat but can lead to various diseases too, such as heart disease and cancer. But we are learning more and more about how processed foods can be such a health hazard to us. Fresh, natural foods are the way to go, using wholemeal and wholewheat products.
It is important to get plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables of course, but it is also important to have a balanced diet and ensure that you get enough protein and carbs in your diet. Nuts and pulses are particularly an excellent food source for all sorts of reasons, and oily fish an absolutely essential element of your diet.
Whereas once the emphasis was on cutting down on fatty foods we are now told that some fatty foods can actually be good for you, but you have to be careful to avoid the nasty trans-fats which can do so much damage to you. The key to good nutrition seems to be to eat non-processed foods and avoid sugary foods whenever you can.
And how you exercise is sooo important!! High intensity training is far better for you than lifting heavy weights and you can now get your personal trainer to set you a training regime to keep you in peak condition and to get the maximum out of your trips to the gym. Activities such as aerobics, dance classes, yoga and pilates are all great for your heart, health and soul.
And if all else fails you can try one of the beauty treatments to keep you looking young and beautiful such as laser treatment, botox and facelifts etc. We truly do live in enlightened times!!
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
The Tories Show Their True Colours After Their Election Victory
As expected the Conservative Party, now they have a majority in the House of Commons, are showing their true colours and there have been some very concerning developments already. Lets inspect the evidence:
Chancellor George Osborne has pinned his flag to the austerity mask, saying they were looking to make more budget cuts across the board. This is worrying news for everyone trying to scrape a living on the bottom rungs of society or who rely on benefits. Cuts to social services, legal aid, health care, probation services, work and pensions, police etc affect the people at the rough end of the scale and there are thousands of people hanging on to the edge of the cliff for grim life.
The most worrying new announcement is that they are determined to go ahead and scrap the Disability Living Allowance. This is beyond cruel as this allowance is a lifeline for thousands of disabled people who without it will in many cases lose contact with the outside world, will no longer be able to get out and make a contribution to society, and many will be forced to give up their independence and move into care.
The Tories claim that the Councils will now be able to provide the necessary help for these disabled people but as their budget will be further cut it is unlikely that they will receive adequate aid from them. They have not ring fenced care for this section of society so it will be up to individual councils to give provisions or not.
David Cameron thankfully, for the moment, has had to climb down from his proposal to scrap the Human Rights Act which is a safeguard for all countries right across Europe and beyond. This utterly ridiculous proposal has been shot down due to opposition from both ministers in Parliament and human rights groups and indeed anyone who has an ounce of common sense!!
All this is just the start. Coming out of the EU could be the next disastrous move if the proposed referendum goes ahead. Cameron is opposed to such a move but many in his Party would certainly welcome it leaving us increasingly isolated and prey to this unforgiving Tory government.
I know they have a majority but isn`t it time we fought back?
Chancellor George Osborne has pinned his flag to the austerity mask, saying they were looking to make more budget cuts across the board. This is worrying news for everyone trying to scrape a living on the bottom rungs of society or who rely on benefits. Cuts to social services, legal aid, health care, probation services, work and pensions, police etc affect the people at the rough end of the scale and there are thousands of people hanging on to the edge of the cliff for grim life.
The most worrying new announcement is that they are determined to go ahead and scrap the Disability Living Allowance. This is beyond cruel as this allowance is a lifeline for thousands of disabled people who without it will in many cases lose contact with the outside world, will no longer be able to get out and make a contribution to society, and many will be forced to give up their independence and move into care.
The Tories claim that the Councils will now be able to provide the necessary help for these disabled people but as their budget will be further cut it is unlikely that they will receive adequate aid from them. They have not ring fenced care for this section of society so it will be up to individual councils to give provisions or not.
David Cameron thankfully, for the moment, has had to climb down from his proposal to scrap the Human Rights Act which is a safeguard for all countries right across Europe and beyond. This utterly ridiculous proposal has been shot down due to opposition from both ministers in Parliament and human rights groups and indeed anyone who has an ounce of common sense!!
All this is just the start. Coming out of the EU could be the next disastrous move if the proposed referendum goes ahead. Cameron is opposed to such a move but many in his Party would certainly welcome it leaving us increasingly isolated and prey to this unforgiving Tory government.
I know they have a majority but isn`t it time we fought back?
Monday, 8 June 2015
All You Need To Know About Sliding Sash Windows
If you are thinking of getting new windows for your humble abode then you maybe want to think about sliding sash windows. For your information a sliding sash window is made of one or more movable panels/sashes, and these help to form a frame to hold the panes of glass, which can often be separated by narrow muntins. If you are wondering what a muntin is they are strips of wood or sometimes metal that are there to divide and hold panes of glass in a window, and they can also be sometimes called sash bars.
Classically these windows have 3 panes across and 2 up on each of 2 sashes and this gives what is commonly known as a six over six panel window.
The term sliding sash window refers to the type of window that is opened by sliding vertically or horizontally, and these types of window have been around since at least the 17th Century in England. Many Georgian and latterly Victorian homes had sliding sash windows.
The windows can be opened at either the top or the bottom, or sometimes both depending on the style, and although you cannot swing these sash windows outward many of the more modern types of sash windows tilt in and out which is great both for cleaning and ventilation.
If you already have a sliding sash window installed in your home but it is getting a little worse for repair, if possible it may be a good idea to get the window repaired and waterproofed but if the window is beyond repair you can get a window company to design an authentic replacement for you.
If you are a traditionalist I am sure you would want your sliding sash window to be made of timber, but an alternative is to use a composite structure with timber on the interior so it retains that classic look but clad with aluminium on the outside so that they will be very durable.
Classically these windows have 3 panes across and 2 up on each of 2 sashes and this gives what is commonly known as a six over six panel window.
The term sliding sash window refers to the type of window that is opened by sliding vertically or horizontally, and these types of window have been around since at least the 17th Century in England. Many Georgian and latterly Victorian homes had sliding sash windows.
The windows can be opened at either the top or the bottom, or sometimes both depending on the style, and although you cannot swing these sash windows outward many of the more modern types of sash windows tilt in and out which is great both for cleaning and ventilation.
If you already have a sliding sash window installed in your home but it is getting a little worse for repair, if possible it may be a good idea to get the window repaired and waterproofed but if the window is beyond repair you can get a window company to design an authentic replacement for you.
If you are a traditionalist I am sure you would want your sliding sash window to be made of timber, but an alternative is to use a composite structure with timber on the interior so it retains that classic look but clad with aluminium on the outside so that they will be very durable.
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
If You Could Just Wear One Piece Of Jewellery-----
Imagine if you could only wear one piece of jewellery (besides from your wedding or engagement ring if you have one) for the rest of the year, then what would it be? It would be devilishly hard to choose I am sure particularly for the ladies.
I think most people would pick some piece of jewellery that was very visible if this was the case, as obviously a nipple ring or toe ring or navel jewellery, although great if you like that kind of thing, would probably not be your first choice of jewellery.
The best way to choose would be first to think of your favourite pieces of jewellery and make a note of them all and lay them out on your bed. Then think of the pieces that you really do not like doing without and take the rest out of the equation. Next choose the ones which are the most versatile in that they look good whatever outfit you are going to wear or whatever occasion it is whether it be work or a casual night out or a more formal setting.
By now you should not have a great deal to choose from!! From there I would just use your instinct and choose the one which makes you feel good when you wear it. Of course this is all make believe as you will never have to make such a choice but it is actually good to do this as it gives you a good idea of a hierarchy for all your jewellery so that you can put your more essential pieces in one box, put your versatile pieces in another box, the rest of your favourite pieces in another and all the others in another box (you may feel that you could do without some of the remaining items and sell them on or give them to charity). So this can be a good exercise for you.
I suspect most people for their one essential piece of jewellery would pick something like a favourite necklace or bracelet or maybe their favourite earrings or ring. As I do not wear any jewellery at all this is totally irrelevant to me!!
I think most people would pick some piece of jewellery that was very visible if this was the case, as obviously a nipple ring or toe ring or navel jewellery, although great if you like that kind of thing, would probably not be your first choice of jewellery.
The best way to choose would be first to think of your favourite pieces of jewellery and make a note of them all and lay them out on your bed. Then think of the pieces that you really do not like doing without and take the rest out of the equation. Next choose the ones which are the most versatile in that they look good whatever outfit you are going to wear or whatever occasion it is whether it be work or a casual night out or a more formal setting.
By now you should not have a great deal to choose from!! From there I would just use your instinct and choose the one which makes you feel good when you wear it. Of course this is all make believe as you will never have to make such a choice but it is actually good to do this as it gives you a good idea of a hierarchy for all your jewellery so that you can put your more essential pieces in one box, put your versatile pieces in another box, the rest of your favourite pieces in another and all the others in another box (you may feel that you could do without some of the remaining items and sell them on or give them to charity). So this can be a good exercise for you.
I suspect most people for their one essential piece of jewellery would pick something like a favourite necklace or bracelet or maybe their favourite earrings or ring. As I do not wear any jewellery at all this is totally irrelevant to me!!
What To Look For In A Solicitor
When you require the services of a Solicitor you need to make sure you choose one that ticks all the right boxes as it is massively important to pick the best one available to you at the right price. Here are some of the qualities you should be looking out for in a Solicitor:
- First of all integrity is crucial and don`t always think this comes as a given!! Choose one that you feel is going to be straight with you and be honest and reliable.
- Recommendations from friends, family or colleagues are always good to have. If you ask around I am sure you will find a few people who have used a Solicitor in the past so ask them about their experience with them, if they dealt with them efficiently and professionally, if they were friendly and most of all did they get the results they desired.
- If you are looking to make a claim for compensation for an accident or negligence etc, I would make sure that the Solicitor worked on a no win no fee basis and also that you will receive 100% of the compensation from them if you win the case as the Solicitors fees can be paid as costs from the defendant.
- It is always worth checking online and seeing if there are any reviews about Solicitors in your area. If you find a Solicitor that has a few reviews and they are all positive then there is a good chance they will do a decent job for you.
- Some Solicitors specialise in certain areas, be it criminal law, medical negligence, road traffic accident claims, conveyancing or employment law etc, so it is worth checking out who is an expert in the area you are requiring a Solicitor for.
- One of the most important aspects is how they deal with their clients, so ring around one or two solicitors to ask for advice and see what their customer service is like, if they are prompt to get back to you and if the staff are all helpful and friendly.
If you use these snippets of advice as a template you should not go far wrong. The Solicitors I have had dealings with and who I trust implicitly is Gus Campbell Solicitors in Armagh and Portadown in Northern Ireland.
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