Saturday, 26 December 2015

Fair Trade trading is helping consumers in the West to stick to their principles

Fair Trade trading, trading platform


It isn’t always easy to have certain values in life, and it’s even more difficult to stick to them sometimes, but a fairer trading platform has enabled consumers in the West to remain true to their principles with a degree of ease. The modern global economy was once based purely on total capitalism, and there was often an element of greed mixed in with that, but in the 21st century shoppers in all nations can finally buy with a conscience without having to worry about products that were of an inferior quality.

This is especially of benefit to people who want to help those less well off, but who still want certain standards of excellence in their purchases. The advent of Fair Trade trading has changed the way we shop in a most dramatic way, and this development has been particularly welcomed by people who have a genuine desire to help. Everything from the tea we drink and the bananas we eat to the flowers we buy and the cotton we wear can come to market via a fairer trading platform, and Western consumers have been quick to encourage the whole process.

Fair Trade trading is so much more than a way to give money to others


The first thing you need to know about Fair Trade trading is that it’s not a charity; nobody is just giving away free money here. By utilising a fairer trading platform once their crops have been harvested, farmers and growers can look around for the best possible prices from various buyers, thereby bypassing the old method of simply accepting whatever meagre offer came along from hard-bitten, unsentimental multinational corporations. Now that they have more of a choice of purchasers, they can find more preferential prices that can make a real difference to the way they live their lives and the way they run their businesses.


Thanks to Fair Trade trading, growers will be able to invest in the future of their farms. This could mean installing new machinery, employing more people at busy times and leasing more reliable vehicles. There will also be more money to go round in what were once extremely poor communities, and this will inevitably lead to higher standards of education and medical care. That jar of Fair Trade trading coffee that you take from the supermarket shelf is, it should be noted, far more than just a morning drink.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

The best family reunions start with London airport transfers

London airport transfers, Heathrow, Gatwick


Making your way to Gatwick or Heathrow can be a stressful experience, but not if you use London airport transfers to get you to the check-in desk on time. We are living in a world that is becoming increasingly smaller thanks to the ease and convenience of air travel, so more and more men, women and children are able to head to the other side of the globe with relative ease. A trip to Australia or New Zealand used to be a once in a lifetime experience, but these days many people make the journey on a number of occasions.

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From the 1950s onwards, large numbers of families emigrated from the UK to countries like South Africa, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. And many others travelled to Britain from the Caribbean and the Indian sub-continent, of course, and these migrations have left larger family groups rather disjointed and separate. Because of this, our airports are often full of people making their way to or from family reunions in a bid to make contact with loved ones who they haven’t seen for many years, sometimes even for several decades.


There is something wonderfully fulfilling about these trips, and of course there is an opportunity to meet up with younger members of the family who you perhaps have never met before at all. Just imagine making your way from a sunny and warm Barbados village to a cold and wet London house. The experience may not seem overly enjoyable at first, but as soon as you have met up with brothers, cousins, sisters, parents, nephews and nieces the whole trip will have been worthwhile. And using London airport transfers to greet you at Heathrow or Gatwick will mean every trip is always a very special odyssey.

In a similar vein, how wonderful would it be to head from the UK to an isolated town in the wilds of Canada to meet up once again with long-lost relatives? It may be that you haven’t seen these people for twenty years or more, and of course there may be some who you have never met at all. The stunning landscapes of British Columbia and Alberta seem a million miles away from the somewhat congested roads of London, and this is especially apparent when you first lay eyes on the lakes and mountains that are surrounding you.

London airport transfers allow you to take as much luggage as you want


If you are making your way from Heathrow or Gatwick to Mumbai, Melbourne, Montevideo or Mombasa, you will no doubt feel as though the trip is going to be an onerous one. The chances are you will have a number of suitcases to take with you, including plenty of clothes to help you dress for social occasions and, in some cases, to adjust to a change in the climate. It may well be that you are also carrying a number of presents for relatives, perhaps even some souvenirs of how life is lived in the UK.

The good news is that London airport transfers will help you make the trip from your home to Heathrow or Gatwick in the most comfortable and convenient of ways. Just imagine how stressful it will be to take all of your items of luggage on to trains and buses that are already congested with people making their way to work or to the shops. And if you are on your way to a family reunion overseas, you may even be part of a large group of travellers, making the experience even more frenetic.

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The sense of anticipation that precedes a family reunion can only ever be properly understood by those people who have gone through the process. There have been occasions when brothers and sisters have met up once again after more than twenty years apart, and these reunions have turned into extremely emotional affairs for everyone involved. People change over a period of time, of course, but the loving bonds of a strong family can stand the tests that distance can bring. No wonder people crave an opportunity to be reunited with those who are important to them.


In the 21st century, we are able to keep in closer contact with our loved ones via the internet. By using emails, Skype, Facebook and several other platforms, we are able to keep up with the family news, and of course we can chat on a regular basis. This is all very good, of course, but it doesn’t replace the special bond created by physical contact. We may be able to give our brothers and sisters a cheerful hello over the web, and to exchange photos and videos, but of course we aren’t able to physically hug someone over the web.

Sunday, 13 September 2015

The best upholsterer Sussex can offer is able to perform minor miracles with furniture

upholsterer Sussex, upholsterer Surrey, upholsterer Hampshire


If you have given up on an old armchair, now could be the ideal to contact the type of upholsterer Surrey can really trust. Even if you think your old furniture is past the point of no return, there could well be a highly skilled expert who can bring it back to life. We life in something of a throwaway world these days, so it’s very reassuring to know that we don’t have to head for the local authority’s waste site every time something is in disrepair.

Those lucky men and women who own pieces of furniture that have been handed down through the years can perhaps consider themselves very lucky. In the past, chairs, sofas and loungers will have cost a great deal of money, and as such they represented a major investment by our forefathers. We have perhaps become used to the idea of being able to buy cheap furniture in our local superstores at the drop of a hat, but in the past these items will often have been made specially made by an expert who really knew how to create items that were not far from being works of art.

Take care to use an upholsterer Hampshire can really rely on


There are times in life when you might be tempted to repair things yourself at home, and this course of action makes sense on a number of occasions. You will perhaps be perfectly capable of fixing a leaking tap, changing a plug and mending a fuse, but when it comes to renovating an antique it will be time to call on the services of the best upholsterer Sussex can provide. Taking care of the nicest things in your home can sometimes be a somewhat exhausting process.


Any home owner who has been looking to move in recent times will perhaps need to decide which items they intend to take with them and which they want to jettison. This is a time to evaluate the plus and minus points of each piece of furniture. If there is an old sofa or perhaps a beautiful armchair on the property, a phone call to a specialist may be needed. When it comes to finding a top of the range upholsterer Hampshire home owners know all about the importance of being able to call on the services of a tried and trusted expert.

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Take care when seeking the best commercial property insurance London can provide

commercial insurance London, commercial property insurance London


There are some decisions which can be taken in an instant, but owners of commercial buildings know they need to be careful when they look for the type of commercial insurance London can really rely on. We all know that speed is of the essence with some issues, but others may need a great deal more thought. If you are faced with a choice of policies to cover your retail units, warehouses and office blocks, you need to think long and hard about which route is the best one for you to take.

The UK’s capital is home to a thriving business community, and it plays host to companies of all shapes and sizes working in just about every sector of industry. There are factories producing everything from computer parts to TV remotes and shops selling crisps, crackers, croutons and cress. It’s one of the busiest cities to be found anywhere in the world, and most of the largest corporations on the planet maintain high profile headquarters and branches in the bustling streets of this highly influential metropolis.

With the best commercial property insurance on your side, your business can really go places


If you live and work in another part of the country, you may not be aware of just how busy the capital’s commercial hub can be. Several British cities have a thriving business sector, including Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, but in truth their operations are on a much smaller scale than that of London. Even if you have only visited the capital on a few occasions, you can’t help but notice just how many people there are working in areas like Canary Wharf, Shoreditch and the refurbished area around the magnificent Olympic Stadium.


We all seem to work so hard these days in our jobs, but sometimes you just need to stop for a while in order to smell the coffee. Life is supposed to be about savouring some enjoyment along the way, but if you are too wrapped up in warehouse, factory or office affairs then it will become increasingly difficult to do so. The most sensible option is surely to set aside some quality time at the weekends and perhaps in the evenings as well. These special moments are perfect for some much-needed relaxation, and for taking stock of all the things in your life which need to be sorted out.

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Duane Hanson: Serpentine Sackler Gallery - London

yassmin ghandehari and sasan ghandehari
Time in our capital is a funny thing - such a precious commodity that we never feel we have enough of it and constantly terrified someone or something will take what we do have away from us. With so much emphasis on rushing it’s all too easy for the world, in all its glorious detail to fly by in the blink of an eye. We don’t sweat the small stuff because we don’t see it. Who did you sit next to on the train this morning? What trousers were they wearing? Did they seem happy?


Most of us have only a hazy recollection of the people we encounter throughout our days, and as for those in the background – they may as well not exist.  


The antidote to our modern lifestyle, if you can make time, is visit Duane Hansons show at the Sackler Gallery.  It’s a celebration of the ordinary – in exquisite detail.  A cowboy stands nonchalantly near the entrance, waiting for you to greet him as you go past, lost in his own thoughts and possibly down on his luck. A lady we assume to be a cleaner in her uniform pushes her trolley,  also trance-like and lost in her own thoughts. Does she have anyone to go home to? Where is home? Does she love or hate her job?  Elsewhere a lady sits among a pile of objects for sale, absorbed in her book yet also desperately hoping to do business.


It’s almost impossible not to become absorbed with the figures in Hanson’s exhibition. Hyperreal in their form, Hanson intended that his meticulously detailed figures would transfix the viewer, drawing them in to be captivated by the detail of the sculptures. His subjects, modelled on real people, tend to exist on the fringes of society, easily ignored and frequently passed over in real life. It’s bittersweet testament to his talent that Hanson has succeeded in making the mundane fascinating and the everyday detail of lives extraordinary.

More surprising still is the age of some of the sculptures. Hanson’s ‘Homeless Person’ created 24 years ago in 1991 is as relevant today as it was then.  Hanson’s work has always been intended to reveal the brutal truths about Western society. Spurred on by the criticism he received for Trash, his figures have become the mouthpiece for Hanson’s own social and political views, featuring scenes of social misery and violence. It was only later on that Hanson focused his attention on everyday people, an entire class of ‘typical’ people who he believed ‘did not stand out’.

Serpentine Sackler Gallery, Hyde Park
Tuesday August 11th 2015 - Sunday September 13th 2015

Footnote:

The Sackler is one of the many London galleries that benefit from the support of generous patrons who happily give their time and resources to ensure the arts continue to thrive in the capital.  Figures such as Ian Taylor, Yassmin Ghandehari, Sasan Ghandehari, Lance Uggla, Viktor Vekelsberg, Sir David Verey, CBE and Anita Zabludowicz.






Wednesday, 2 September 2015

The Imaginative World of Joseph Cornell

“Logic will get you from A-B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Enstein

“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” Muhammad Ali

sasan ghandehari, yassmin ghandehari
If you have ever taken a glance at some of the works by the great 20th century artist and sculptor Joseph Cornell, you might have imagined you were looking through the eyes of someone who has travelled the world and experienced all it has to offer. 
After all, as one of the most celebrated exponents of assemblage there is, his ability to transform everyday objects into spellbinding treasures is a wonder to behold.

But, when you step into this magical world of adventure and discovery, you might be surprised to learn that it comes solely from the imaginative mind of an artist who suffered with shyness bordering on the reclusive – so much so that he rarely even left his home in New York City.

Cornell loved exploring the streets of his home town, absorbing the museums, culture, ballet and opera that was so abundant in Manhattan. As an habitual hoarder, he also spent hours trawling the junk shops and book stores of the city searching for the ephemera that no one else wanted, including feathers, marbles, pebbles, stamps, toys, photographs, maps and prints.

His imagination was vast and unhindered by his lack of worldly experience, and despite never crossing an ocean, he was fascinated by fragments of once beautiful objects, which depicted far flung destinations around the world.

When he put together the bits he found in his glass fronted shadow boxes, they portrayed a taste of the artist’s varied interests that included cinema, Romantic ballet, ornithology, European culture, the past, world travel and even space exploration.

The Wanderlust exhibition, currently being shown at The Royal Academy of Arts, is a truly wonderful spectacle which features 80 of Joseph Cornell’s most remarkable shadow boxes, collages and films.  It really is something special to see as the pieces of art, like the artist, have rarely left their home in the USA. Filled with delicate bits and moving parts, it is incredibly rare to find so many of his shadow boxes together in one exhibition.


The intricate, intriguing and diverse contents display the artist’s sense of adventure and wonder of the world around him – possibly why Wanderlust has won such deserved acclaim from visitors and critics alike.

The art of Joseph Cornell is often hailed as a one-off style, so unique that it doesn’t fit into any movements of his day. His aim was to provide pieces that everyone could relate to and this is so magically presented in the miniature worlds on display.

This the first London survey of this outstanding artist in 35 years. Given the playful and intriguing nature of the exhibition, it’s easy to see why The Guardian described it as a “first rate exhibition of one of the 20th century’s most inspiring artists”, with the Telegraph simply describing it as “spellbinding”.

The exhibition is yet another example of how London supports and promotes the global arts scene, with so many collectors and patrons taking a keen interest on promoting the capital as a center of artistic excellence.  The invaluable support of patrons such as Yassmin Ghandehari and Sasan Ghandehari continues to ensure London’s place at the top of the artistic world.




·       If you would like to see this magnificent work by Joseph Cornell, Wanderlust at The Royal Academy of Arts is now showing until 27 September, 2015.





Finding a job as a Brighton web designer may not be as easy as you think

Brighton web designer, WordPress Brighton, WordPress website designers Brighton,


We all know how volatile the job market can be in the United Kingdom, and that’s why becoming a Brighton web designer won’t be a particularly simple process. Even when the economy is booming, vacancies in this somewhat specialised field are not overly common, so when an opportunity arises there could be a high number of eager applicants all looking to scoop the top prize. In truth, there are a lot of hurdles which need to be overcome before you find the position that you crave.

It should be noted that new applicants will also need to display a full set of skills in their pursuit of a job. When it comes to using WordPress Brighton specialists know all there is to know, so if a would-be designer doesn’t have all the necessary attributes he or she could struggle to make their mark. As is always the case, those who work hardest at school and college and who take on board any relevant training will often be the ones that are able to persuade interviewers that they have what it takes.


With the best WordPress website designers Brighton has to offer, they have all the skills, all the expertise and all the experience that they’re ever likely to need. At the highest level of achievement, competition for the rather meagre number of jobs is likely to be extremely fierce. There are only so many digital agencies in the area, of course, so when a vacancy comes up there will soon be a rush of applications. Trying to stand out in this field, to put it bluntly, is never going to be particularly easy.

It may sound like an all too obvious statement to make, but it can’t be denied that the cornerstone of a successful job application is almost always the curriculum vitae. If your CV is not of the required standard, it won’t be strong enough to attract attention from specialist recruiters in Sussex or indeed anywhere else. This hugely important document is perhaps the most crucial one you will ever have to compile in your life, so it needs to say all the right things in all the right places. We all like to think our ambitions and our achievements will stand out on their own, but of course this is rarely the case.

A Brighton web designer can look forward to a very rewarding career


The south coast of England is home to a number of highly prestigious digital agencies, and the area has become well-known in recent years for offering interesting and varied careers to those who work in this go-ahead industry sector. Getting a foot in the door might seem to be a somewhat daunting prospect for many, but that doesn’t mean potential newcomers should be disheartened. Once a vacancy arises that piques the interest, every effort needs to be made to ensure a successful application.

When trying to look for the best WordPress website designers Brighton has available, employers will be on the lookout for talented youngsters which have yet to be moulded as well as experienced professionals who can tick all the right boxes. This can at times be akin to trying to find a very small needle in a very large haystack, of course, but recruiters know that the right people are out there. Bringing them to the interview room may not be easy, of course, and that is why many organisations use specialist recruitment companies to start the ball rolling.

If you have been thinking about moving to the so-called Silicon Coast in a bid to work in one of the many digital agencies that are found here, you will be pleased by the vibrancy of the local job market. When recruiters seek specialists in WordPress Brighton is often their first port of call. This charming seaside city is buzzing with potential, and it has remained relatively free of economic problems that have blighted many other towns and cities in the UK. In addition to being a nice place to work in, it’s also a wonderful location in which to live.


Given the fact that Brighton has such an exciting nightlife, it comes as no surprise to discover so many young people moving to the area every year. There’s a high standard of living to be enjoyed here, helped by the fact that the fresh sea air is there for all to enjoy. The schools in Brighton are good, there are plenty of parks and open spaces to enjoy and you will be pleased by the number of sporting and entertainment venues in the city. And of course the seafront, with its famous pier and its iconic beach, is the centrepiece of it all. A Brighton web designer is generally a very happy bunny indeed.

Thursday, 13 August 2015

Property can be a very good investment, but make sure you have the best commercial insurance London can provide

commercial property insurance London, commercial insurance London


When the time comes to find the most suitable commercial property insurance London owners know that they have a number of highly tempting choices. This is a very competitive market and for providers the margins are often extremely thin. While this isn’t great news for them, for the consumer it represents some exceptionally good reading. The fact that rents in the capital tend to be high and insurance premiums low means property investment is generally a very good idea indeed.

If you were fortunate enough to have a sizeable sum of money in the bank and you were looking to do something with it, how would you choose to spend it? It goes without saying that many men and women would head straight to the travel agent in order to book an unforgettable holiday. There are a number of bucket list destinations around the world which for some of us are must-visits, including the major cities of Australia and the breath-taking beauty of the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. These are wonderful destinations, of course, but it’s not cheap to go and see them.

There will no doubt be plenty of people who have dreamt about owning classic cars for many years, and when a windfall comes along they plan to look at various sleek, historic vehicles with a view to building up a fleet of them. Some have fallen in love with the sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s, made famous by the likes of Steve McQueen and Sean Connery, while others might prefer the elegant limousines of the 1930s that we tend to associate with heads of state, members of the Royal family and, it has to be said, some of the most infamous gangsters the world has ever seen.

It goes without saying that some will prefer to use their money in a more philanthropic way, perhaps investing cash in the arts scene in London or committing to a specific charitable cause such as the homeless, underprivileged children or the elderly. These are all very noble gestures, of course, and it will give the individual involved a great sense of self-worth to do so. You can be sure that there are plenty of causes from which to choose, each of which will be more than eager to accept some much-needed help from a wealthy, well-meaning individual.

Finding the commercial property insurance London can be proud of


Investing in property is a good idea for those who want to establish a steady income stream through monthly rents, but it’s vital for the owner to check out the commercial insurance London providers have to offer. Shopping around for the right deal is a must for anyone, whether they are buying theatre tickets, summer holidays or the weekly groceries, but it’s even more vital when you have already invested a great deal of money in the property market in the UK’s bustling capital.

There are some people who will tell you that all policies are pretty much the same, and as such you should therefore always go for the cheapest one on the market. This advice is, to put it bluntly, complete nonsense, because every single policy is likely to differ in some way from all the others. A little research is required in this matter because you need to be completely safe in the knowledge that you are covered for all the eventualities that really matter. It is worth noting that the true test of any policy is how good it is when you need to make a claim.


It should also be pointed out that the most in-depth, comprehensive and reliable policy doesn't necessarily have to be the most expensive one. When you are looking for the most appropriate commercial property insurance London has, you really do need to ask a few questions of the providers. One company’s definition of a comprehensive policy may well be very different from another’s so don’t be afraid to make enquiries and, perhaps most important of all, make sure you retain an open mind throughout the search for the right type of cover.


London is a wonderful city, full of life, throbbing with excitement and packed to the rafters with things to do, landmarks to see and experiences to enjoy. Every time a newcomer arrives to make a life here, he or she will need a place to live. As more and more people are shunning the idea of owning their own homes, the rental market continues to thrive. This is excellent news for those who have invested in property because there is therefore a steady stream of potential renters who all need to obtain a roof over their heads and a place in which to make a home.

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Pubs for walkers in Sussex offer the perfect post-golf experience

pubs for walkers in Sussex, dog friendly pubs in Sussex


There are plenty of occasions when the comforts of various pubs for walkers in Sussex are very welcoming, but after a round of golf they can be particularly pleasant. The average round of golf involves four hours of steady exertion and around six miles of walking, so a refreshing drink or two and perhaps a top quality meal will both taste all the more delicious after all that hard work. If you are a regular golfer, you will know that this wonderful sport is a great way to build up a thirst, not to mention a great deal of hunger.

In the counties of East and West Sussex, you will find a number of excellent golf courses, each designed to offer a stern test to players of all abilities. Regular players know there is no more optimistic feeling than the one you get when you’re standing on the first tee box in readiness for yet another round. Needless to say, that optimism can soon start to disappear, and if you take a look at the golfers trudging off the eighteenth green four hours or so later you will often see players in a disappointed and somewhat shell-shocked state.

Start the inquest at the dog friendly pubs in Sussex


Once the round is over, the debate over what went right or wrong can begin in earnest. A quiet drink or two at the golf club is the usual scenario, but a growing number of people are heading to the pubs for walkers in Sussex for a delicious meal and several sympathy drinks. It’s during this experience that golfers will start to wonder about the good and bad points of the round they have just played. It’s a somewhat familiar scenario that’s repeated in pubs all over the country at the weekends.


Many golfers, although they will often refuse to admit it, find that they are only really happy with perhaps six or seven of the shots they played during their most recent round. They will perhaps be delighted by one or two long, straight drives, a handful of accurate approach shots and maybe one long putt that managed to go in. These, in truth, are the shots that make them come back again a week or later, because golf is always more enjoyable when you feel you have done something well. No wonder the dog friendly pubs in Sussex always play host to a great deal of debate.

Saturday, 1 August 2015

Noise barriers help to keep the neighbours happy

sound barriers, noise barriers, environmental noise barriers


We all like to think we can live in peace at the weekends, but for some people this can only be achieved thanks to the provision of sound barriers in the local area. Working hard from Monday to Friday is a reality for millions of people in the United Kingdom and beyond, and because of this we often like nothing more than a bit of tranquil serenity when Saturdays and Sundays come along. It may not seem like too much to ask for, but if you lived close to a source of unbearable noise you might well think otherwise.

Every day of the working week, millions of commuters make their way to work by train. They head off from their homes in the suburbs and travel into the centre of our towns and cities, and of course they make the return journey later in the day. For many of them, the trip offers a chance to catch up on emails, or to keep abreast of current affairs via the newspapers or even to read a chapter or two of their latest books. There are plenty of others, of course, who have to stand and can only stare out of the windows instead.


It’s a sad yet inevitable fact that most of the commuters who travel by train rarely take note of the countryside that passes them by, and they take even less of a note of the houses that are located close to the train lines themselves. This is perhaps understandable, because we all tend to travel in our own little bubbles without really noticing our surroundings. If we were to do so, however, we might realise just how vital environmental noise barriers can be to the people who live in these dwellings

If you live in a somewhat peaceful location, perhaps at the end of a long drive or in the heart of a tranquil village, you could be forgiven for thinking that sound barriers don’t need to be a particularly high priority. It goes without saying that while you may not need them, others might be desperate to have a few situated in their neighbourhoods. It’s not likely to be easy to relax fully if there are speeding trains going past the house and rattling the windows on a regular basis. For some people, this is an unwanted everyday occurrence.

Environmental noise barriers near airports are crucial


You will find plenty of men, women and children in the UK who live very close to Britain’s main airports, and these people know all about the desperate need for sound barriers. There has been a great deal of talk about the number of flights that take off and land at night at these locations, and you can be sure that the local residents are all too aware of the impact this has on their everyday lives. Noise barriers perform an excellent job, of course, but they are never going to be able to deflect or absorb all of the sound that is generated.

In and around London, there are four main airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted - as well as London City Airport, a smaller facility that operates mainly business flights. This may seem like a sufficient number of airports to satisfy the needs of any major international destination, but in truth they are operating at more or less full capacity already. This spells bad news for people who live close by, because there is likely to be little or no respite either during the day or overnight. The racket, it would appear, is surely here to stay.

Needless to say, the UK’s major roads are exceptionally busy at times as well. In fact, they are often at a standstill when the morning and evening peak hours are upon us. The resultant noise can be pleasingly low at these points, but of course at others times, when the traffic is moving, the effect on local residents can be awful. Just imagine what it must be like to settle back in your favourite armchair to read a book for an hour and to have constant disruptions caused by passing cars, trucks and vans.


This is even worse for anyone who has to work from home as well. Whether you are a freelance copywriter, a self-employed proof-reader or a full-time student who studies from home, you need as much peace and quiet as possible in order to perform to the best of your abilities. No wonder some people would never even consider noisy neighbourhoods when they seek a new place to live. It seems a shame that the various environmental noise barriers dotted around the country do a superb job, but there are occasions when even that is not going to prove to be enough.

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Where will your London airport transfers take you?

London airport transfers, Heathrow, Gatwick


Every year, millions of people pack their suitcases, book their London airport transfers and head off to exotic foreign lands in a bid to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. It seems that we are working harder than ever before in the nation’s offices, factories and workshops, so the therapeutic qualities of a good vacation surely cannot be underestimated. For many people, the annual trip is often the highlight of the whole year, a fact that makes it more and more important. The big question is, however, where would you go if you had the choice?

It seems the most common answer, whether you are flying from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester or anywhere else in the UK, is to a sunny resort which offers good hotels, cheap refreshments and miles of golden beaches. There are times when nothing beats the sheer pleasure of a relaxing day (or ten!) spent on a comfy sun-lounger under clear blue skies. These odysseys are ideal for anyone who really wants to recharge their batteries, and in many ways they make the rest of the year more bearable than it would normally turn out to be. Even if you get bored easily, these holidays are always fun.


It goes without saying that plenty of men and women prefer to be a little more active when they go away. Thankfully, not every vacation is about rest and recuperation, so how would you spend your perfect week or two? For many, a golfing holiday is perhaps the ultimate pinnacle of them all. There are a number of top quality courses to be found in Florida, Spain, Portugal and the south of France, and of course if the weather is good the experience is even more memorable. Golf is a great leveller, so it can be played by many people.

When the winter months come around, a growing number of men, women and children start to plan their annual ski trips. With cumbersome equipment and luggage to carry with them to Heathrow and Gatwick, it comes as no surprise to hear that many people use London airport transfers to get them to the check-in desk in the right frame of mind. There is nothing worse than starting a holiday in a bad mood, especially if the bad mood is caused by a stressful journey from your home to the terminal building. It’s so much better to let someone else drive you there.

Take London airport transfers and savour the peace

We all know that a holiday is supposed to be one of life’s pleasures, whether you are a copywriter going to Corfu, a painter going to Paris or a librarian heading for Lanzarote, and that’s why London airport transfers can be such a boon. By using a car service with an experienced, friendly and knowledgeable driver, you can keep the stress levels in check from the moment you lock your front door and leave. We all need to get away from it all at least once in a while.

There are some people who simply couldn’t bear the idea of a holiday that involves little more than lying in the sun, of course. Those who enjoy walking can head off on specialist walking holidays in various parts of the world. It can be great fun to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside in Cyprus, for example, or perhaps along the coastal paths of Italy. Walking may not be everyone’s cup of tea, of course, but we are all different and we all have our own idea of perfection.

There can be little doubt that holidays to overseas destinations can be very exciting and may even be intensely rewarding, but it needs to be borne in mind that they might not cheap. Many people will tell you that they are saving up for a special trip, one that has been on their bucket lists for many years, and these are the vacations that remain in the memory for a lifetime. Favourite destinations include the Rocky Mountains in Canada, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the safari routes of Africa and the Andes trails in South America. Items on the bucket list are there to be ticked off, after all.

When they need executive taxis Farnborough business owners know they only need to make a quick phone call. When they need to impress clients by using an executive chauffeur Guildford entrepreneurs know how easy it can be.

If you take a look around you when you first arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, you will probably be able to pick out those passengers who have arrived via London airport transfers. The chances are they will be the ones who appear to be very calm, who are not in a frazzled state and are not arguing with their companions. To these people, the travel experience begins as soon as they leave home, not at the moment when they step on to the tarmac of their chosen destination. After all, the trip needs to be as enjoyable as it can possibly be.

We have a whole world in front of us, and it's good to know the most reliable executive cars Camberley can provide are so easy to obtain. When they need the services of the best executive chauffeur Farnborough can trust they know who to call.

Monday, 13 July 2015

No wonder pressure groups campaign for environmental noise barriers

sound barriers, noise barriers, environmental noise barriers


Every local authority in the UK has to deal with a number of important issues, and they can include arguments about the provision of sound barriers in the area. Residents who have to live and work close to noisy roads, to use an example, will have to contend with a great deal of sound interference at times, especially perhaps during the morning and afternoon rush hours. If you have ever lived within earshot of a motorway or even a dual carriageway in Britain, you will know just how welcome those noise barriers can be.

In Britain, councillors who have to deal with the complaints of local residents and organised pressure groups will already be aware of the passion that can be generated by arguments from the public. We all like to live our lives in peace and quiet, but of course many people have to accept the fact that the perfect conditions rarely exist. If there is a major road nearby, those who live in the area will be keen to ensure environmental noise barriers are on hand to make each day that little bit more peaceful.

Noise barriers perform a hugely important role


As you might expect from a major city, there are a number of important sports stadiums to be found in London, including Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wembley and the Wimbledon tennis venue. These places generate a great deal of excitement, of course, and in the process a huge increase in the decibel levels at times. If there are several sound barriers strategically sited, the disruption to local residents can be rather more negligible than it once was. Sport is loud, passionate and exciting, but if you live nearby it can also be something of a nuisance.


Many of us dream about living in a very peaceful village in the heart of the English countryside, perhaps in a thatched cottage in West Sussex, Cornwall or maybe even the Lake District. It goes without saying that this is little more than an unreachable fantasy for most men and women, but of course it will not stop us dreaming that one day we will win the lottery and be in a position to purchase the house of our desires. In the meantime, we just have to make the best of what we have, so if you live in the city be grateful for those oh so wonderful environmental noise barriers.

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

When the pubs for walkers in Sussex call you, it’s impossible to say no!

pubs for walkers in Sussex, dog friendly pubs in Sussex


There are some things in life which are simply too tempting to say no to, and on a hot summer afternoon that dog friendly pubs in Sussex are surely among them. Just imagine how welcome it would be to suddenly see one of these hostelries on the horizon after you have walked with your beloved dog for several miles. That first refreshing taste of a sensational craft beer will be all the more delicious when you are feeling tired after all of your exertions. No wonder so many people seek these places out when they are at the end of a long and thoroughly enjoyable amble through the countryside.

That first pint and that first bite into a fresh and delicious sandwich is always a special moment. There are several excellent pubs for walkers in Sussex, Surrey and Kent, so walking in the countryside of the south-east of England is always the purest of pleasures. Many people work all through the week and think of little else but those exquisite times when they can get back to nature in one of our rural idylls.

What’s not to love about the dog friendly pubs in Sussex?


If you thought the various dog friendly pubs in Sussex and beyond offered little more than a modern day watering hole then you need to think again. As well as offering a wonderful selection of craft beers, real ales, refreshing soft drinks and sophisticated wines, they also tend to offer a superb selection of meals to tempt even the most discerning of palates. Whether you’re just passing through and you fancy a light lunch or you have made a special trip in order to tuck into a hearty dinner, you will be mightily surprised, and more than a little delighted, by the fact that the menus offer something for everyone.


There are some excellent shopping areas throughout the south-east, and this enables many people to enjoy some well-earned retail therapy before heading to the pubs for walkers in Sussex for a hearty lunch and a chance to sift through their bargains. We all like a bit of shopping every now and then, and when superb refreshments are to be savoured at the end of the trip it can be even better. Life isn’t difficult sometimes, it’s just that there are occasions when we make it so.

Thursday, 4 June 2015

See the sights of Sussex with help from Cuckfield taxis

Cuckfield taxis, Hassocks taxis


We all love to do a bit of sightseeing once in a while, and thanks to the great service offered by Cuckfield taxis it’s so easy to check out the world famous landmarks that can be found in both East and West Sussex. This is a region that is home to so many wonderfully iconic places, not to mention a superb selection of eye-catching countryside that lends itself perfectly to tranquil solitude. No wonder more and more people are turning to the drivers of Hassocks taxis when they want to get up close and personal with the area.

If you mention the county of Sussex to most people, especially those who are not overly familiar with the place, the chances are they will mention the wonderful coastline that can be found here. This general concept covers a multitude of truly impressive locations, including Brighton’s instantly recognisable Palace Pier, a venue that plays host to some fun-filled fairground rides, an amusement arcade and plenty of stalls offering delicious food and drinks. And of course if you’re in the mood for some beautiful views out to sea, the walkways here provide the ultimate feel-good sights.

For all of the pier’s many attractions, however, it should be noted that there is far more to Brighton than this. Now a city combined with its neighbour Hove, it has a nightlife that includes something for everyone, from lively clubs, famous live music venues and a number of atmospheric pubs. During the day, sports lovers will enjoy the many golf courses that surround Brighton, as well as the football stadium at nearby Falmer and the cricket ground at Hove, the home ground of the famous Sussex County Cricket Club.

Further along the coast to the east, you will find the beautiful Victorian seaside resort of Eastbourne. Home to a number of grand hotels and a promenade that has to be experienced to be believed, it’s a town that welcomes visitors from all over the world throughout the year. If you use Hassocks taxies to get around, you can be sure of seeing all the wonderful sights to be found here. There’s something wonderfully relaxing about Eastbourne, a feeling that is helped by the fact that the pace of life in the town is nice and slow. Relaxation is par for the course in this part of East Sussex.

Hassocks taxis can show you everything


The glorious counties of East and West Sussex are also well known for their natural wonders, and this is especially apparent when you take a look at Beachy Head. This extremely high clifftop location is as spectacular as it is mysterious, and it provides some unforgettable phot opportunities for the visitors who flock here from all over the world. A walk along the pathways will clear the mind in no time, but be careful not to walk too close to the edge, because a sheer drop to an almost certain awaits!

Further inland you will find some peace and tranquillity within the confines of the celebrated South Downs National Park. This is a designated and protected area of natural beauty, and it contains some excellent long walks for those who like to get away from it all. There are peaceful pubs to be explored here, as well as some exceptionally pretty villages which wouldn’t look out of place on the lids of chocolate boxes. If you’re keen to find some complete isolation, just head out to the countryside along one of the public footpaths and bridleways. You may not see another person for quite a while.


If you like the idea of a little retail therapy, make sure you take one of the many Cuckfield taxis into one of the Sussex towns in order to shop till you drop. There are several top quality locations to choose from, including County Mall in Crawley, Swan Walk in Horsham and The Martlets in Burgess Hill. It goes without saying that Brighton is perhaps the most prominent of all shopping locations in the county, thanks to a number of high profile shopping centres like Churchill Place and the world renowned Lanes, narrow streets and alleys that contain so many wonderfully quirky stores.


You could choose if you wish to drive around Sussex yourself in a bid to explore this wonderful county, but it would be far more enjoyable of you used Hassocks taxis instead. That way, you can relax as your driver takes you to all the famous landmarks. There is no substitute for pure relaxation at times, especially when you get to sit in the back of a car and have the many wonders of Sussex passing by the window. There is a world of beauty just waiting for you to find it, and the drivers of Cuckfield taxis can make it happen.

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Cuckfield taxis are the key to a great day out in London

Cuckfield taxis, Hassocks taxis


There are times when the people of West and East Sussex are eternally grateful for the easy availability of Hassocks taxis, and this is especially true when a trip to our nation’s iconic capital is on the agenda. There is always something special about a day out in London, in part because there are so many things to see and do in this wonderful city. For those who live south of the metropolis, the best journeys begin and end in the back of a pre-arranged taxi cab.

One of the most enjoyable ways to spend time in London is to go shopping. There are plenty of shops to be found in Sussex, of course, but the area simply cannot compete with the diversity of the stores that are found in the centre of London. From the world-famous department stores of Knightsbridge and Sloane Square to the big name shopping emporia of Oxford Street and Savile Row, there is every chance that you will be bowled over by the superb products and the excellent atmosphere. In this wonderful location, retail therapy has perhaps never been such a thing of beauty.


It’s good to know that London is never far away from Sussex by train. In fact, Brighton is just an hour or so away from Victoria Station, and Crawley is only thirty minutes from the centre of town. With help from Cuckfield taxis, it can be a piece of cake to get from your front door to the station itself, so you can arrive at the train in a perfectly relaxed frame of mind, ready to head into one of the world’s greatest cities in order to savour a day that will live in the memory for a lifetime.

Every weekend from August to May, thousands of football fans head into London to cheer on their heroes. Whether they are supporters of Arsenal, London’s most successful club and the one with the most fans, or any other team, they are always likely to savour a day of passion, not to mention plenty of highs and lows along the way. Sporting endeavour is always the focal point of a great day, whether it means watching a football game, a cricket match, a rugby cup tie or perhaps a round of golf. London is packed to the brim with world famous sports venues, so make the most of living so close to the city.

A night out in the West End with help from Hassocks taxis


There are so many top quality stage shows to enjoy in the West End, from lively musicals and uproarious comedies to thought-provoking dramas and edge of the seat thrillers. Getting to and from Theatreland is much easier when the journey begins and ends with trips in Cuckfield taxis, in part because we all like to know the occasion is easier to enjoy when we are sure that we will be able to get home late at night with ease.

It goes without saying that London is the perfect city for some sightseeing, whether you have been a regular visitor over the years or you are seeing the place for the first time. Once you have used Hassocks taxis and local trains to get to the centre of town, you can then savour a few hours of experiencing some of the world’s most famous landmarks. The London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament are all ready and waiting to show you just how wonderful this amazing destination can be.

Sometimes we all need to enjoy some fresh air and some peace and quiet, even if we are in the heart of a busy and often congested city. The good news is that London is home to a great many parks, gardens and open spaces. When you spend an hour or two in these wonderful locations you can soon forget that you are even in an urban location at all. To add to the occasion, try a delicious ice cream while sitting on a bench and watching the world go by. This is 100% relaxation at its very finest.


There are too many people who live in Sussex who feel they are too far away from London to ever spend time in the capital, but this is simply not the case. With help from Cuckfield taxis and an excellent train network, anyone can be in the heart of the city in no time at all. And with so much to see, do and experience in our capital you just know there is something for everyone here. London is ready and waiting to unfold before your very eyes, and all you have to do is make a date in your diary with some high quality, high standard, high value pleasure.

Are Analytics By Brighton Web Designers Relevant to all Websites?

web design and dev brighton



Most people in the Brighton web designer community recommend the use of analytics to their clients as a matter of course, and rightly so.  But just how useful are they, and are they relevant to all website owners?
The first thing is to understand what analytics are and what they actually tell you. 
The whole point is to gather information about people who visit a website, namely:

·       Where they come from, i.e. which website.
·       What Device they are using, and if possible what browser they were using.
·       Which page they landed on the website, and how long they took looking around.
·       Where else they went on the website, what pages, how long they browsed and which links they clicked on.

There are several Analytics packages available, but the most commonly used is Google Analytics.  It’s free and, it has to be said, probably the best which is to be expected from the most sophisticated search engine provider available – they really do take website data seriously.

The way any Analytics program gathers information is by your Brighton web designer placing a little snippet of code onto each website page that allows the analytics provider to track visits to the website and, where possible, back-track where that visitor came from.
So how useful is this information?
It really depends on the general marketing approach of the business, but in general you can say:
·       Small websites, possibly,
·       Big websites yes,
·       Ecommerce definitely.
The logic is quite simple.  If you are a small business and your website is purely to have an online presence, and it only has a few pages, then all you really need to know is how many people come to your website each month.  There probably isn’t much value in an in depth analysis of how visitors move between the few pages on the website, particularly if there aren’t that many visitors each month anyway.

App Design Brighton

brighton web designerIf the website has a lot of pages, however, chances are the business is much larger and will have a lot more visitors.  In this case it is important to know who is coming to the website, and which pages they’re heading for.  This can then give real clues as to where to put the main business and selling information so that it is seen by as many visitors as possible and drive up conversions.  It can also indicate which areas of the website are worth investing in for further web design and dev, and even if app design Brighton would be helpful.  The clue to this would be if the vast majority of visitors were coming from smart phones, rather than tablets or PC’s.

Similarly with eCommerce websites, where the data provided could be invaluable.  An example of this would be if the sales were indicating that a particular product was not selling well and the website owner was thinking of dropping that line.  The analytics could show that there were in fact a lot of visitors to that particular web page, indicating people were in fact interested and it was something else putting them off, possibly price.  The owner could then make a more considered decision on what to do (e.g. make it a sale item).

Web Design and Dev Brighton

https://blog.kissmetrics.com/50-resources-for-getting-the-most-out-of-google-analytics/

Of course these are generalizations, and there will always be websites for businesses that don’t necessarily fall into such neat categories.  This could be websites that cater for a niche market that may not have a high number of visitors, but the conversion rates are much higher than industry averages and so having a good idea of where those visitors come from in order to make an in-depth analysis is worthwhile.  In such cases, the Brighton web developers need to have a good understanding of their clients business in order to offer the best advice on the inclusion of analytics with the web design and dev Brighton.


http://www.jsas.co.uk/