Ashton Kutcher On His New Village.

HELLO ASHTON KUTCHER VILLAGE!

NEWS OF ASHTON KUTCHER VILLAGE TAKEOVERS REACHES US STAR HIMSELF!

Residents from across the UK were left bemused as their villages of ‘Ashton’ became the first villages in the UK to be named after a celebrity, the Hollywood hunk and US actor ‘Ashton Kutcher’.

In a prank, orchestrated by Comedy Central to celebrate the new series of Two and a Half Men, residents across the UK woke to find their small villages of Ashton had been transformed overnight to honour the television star.


The one and only Ashton Kutcher loved the prank, prompting his 9.5 million twitter followers to take a look at the UK tribute. He joked that at ‘least they’re carbon-neutral’ in reference to the village sign in Ashton Hayes, Chester which states the village’s aim to ‘become England’s first carbon-neutral village’. US media are also going crazy for the story too, of the quaint little UK villages that we’re transformed in homage to the US celebrity.

In the early hours, village signs were mysteriously changed to ‘Ashton Kutcher’, flowers beds sprang up spelling out the star’s name and local pubs were re-named the ‘Ashton Kutcher Arms’, serving 3.9% Ashton Kutcher Ale – much to the confusion of many of the regulars.

A mysterious bust statue of Ashton Kutcher himself was also spotted in the local village shop of Ashton Keynes, plus a further statue taking charge at the bar of The Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes. Bus drivers later pulled-up at Ashton Kutcher bus stops to let on passengers.

Details of the phenomenon have now made it across the Atlantic to the real Ashton Kutcher.

From the north to the south of the county, the local residents of Ashton Hayes in Cheshire, Ashton under Hill in Worcestershire, Ashton in South Northamptonshire and finally Ashton Keynes in Wiltshire, were left stunned as their villages were ‘taken over’ and transformed last week – well and truly putting The Two and a Half Men star on the UK map.

Bamboozled locals were led to believe that it was the work of Ashton Addiction – a self-help group of fans completely obsessed by the celebrity, often resulting in strange acts of homage.

Alerted to the news by leaflets and posters, the message to locals was clear: ‘Congratulations! Your village has now been named Ashton Kutcher’.

Shopkeeper Tessa Mills, from Ashton Keynes said: “I think it’s fantastic, and if he could even be here in person, especially as we’ll be having the village shop official opening soon, if he could be at that, I think we’d have really hit the jackpot. We’re a bit light on celebrities in this village so actually, if we could have Ashton Kutcher as our own, that would be fantastic.”

Steve Falder from Ashton said, ‘I think there’ll be quite a bit of debate about changing Ashton to Ashton Kutcher. I think we’d have to discuss that at the Parish Council Meeting, and probably in the Old Crown Pub actually. A little beer might be required to convince everyone’.

Unknown to the residents, the Ashton Kutcher village take-over was orchestrated by TV channel Comedy Central, who decided to play-out the prank in honour of the Hollywood star and celebrate the return of hit series Two and a Half Men, in which Ashton Kutcher plays the part of internet billionaire Walden Schmidt.

Bill Griffin, from Comedy Central said: “It seems the UK has been gripped by a kind of mania for Ashton Kutcher. Even the man himself has commented on this mysterious phenomena. The stunt was genuinely meant in good humour and if any of the locals were amused, bemused or in any way inconvenienced I’ll stand them a drink at the Ashton Kutcher Arms”.

The new series of Two and a Half Men is due to air on Comedy Central on Monday 5 March, 9pm.

Designing a Small Bedroom?

With house prices shooting up it is a much better idea to do up your home than try to move. Who can afford that at the moment anyway? Here is some tips from Warren Evans on how to design a small bedroom.

Award winning bed maker, Warren Evans says: “When you’re designing a small bedroom it’s so important to ensure that every inch of space is used wisely. Take advantage of any unusual architectural feature in the room, such as an alcove or a bay window that could fit a bespoke storage box or shelves.

“De-clutter. Get rid of any bits that you don’t need and decide exactly what needs to be in your bedroom so you know how much drawer or hanging space you need.

“Invest in space efficient furniture like our Space Saving or Divan range at Warren Evans. Under bed storage is ideal as it’s the perfect place to keep your belongings while hiding them from sight. For example, our new range of fitted drawers has the capacity to carry an impressive 365 litres – that’s around 36 pairs of shoes!

“Having mirrors on the wall is also a great way of creating the illusion of having more space. And sticking to fabrics and furniture that are similar colours will also help to make the room look more spacious.”

Warren Evans is the award winning bed makers with nine showrooms in Camden, Clapham, Kingston, Shoredicth, Hammersmith, Brighton, St Albans, Brighton and Enfield.

Support East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service and win wildlife art

East Sussex WRAS was established as a voluntary group in 1996, but some of its rescuers have been rescuing since 1985. The organisation was set up in order to provide a front-line rescue service for wildlife casualties who unlike their domesticated cousins, do not have owners to help look after them. WRAS covers a large area and works with 11 different veterinary practices.

On average it costs WRAS £65 to be on call for and respond to a call-out. The vans, the mobile phones, veterinary bills, equipment stored in the vans etc are expensive and need replacing on a regular basis. This is why they need your help.

Local pet and wildlife artist Sandra Palme is helping to raise funds for WRAS and has created a unique pastel portrait of a little fox cub exploring his world. You can win this beautiful portrait and support British wildlife at the same time. All you need to do is donate as little as £5 – either here http://www.justgiving.com/foxportrait or via PayPal (to donations@wildlifeambulance.org – just add the words “Fox raffle”). It’s similar to a raffle ticket and your name will be entered into the prize draw on 31st March 2012. If you donate £20, your name will be entered 5 times!

On behalf of WRAS, the many animals they rescue and nurse back to health and artist Sandra, thank you for your support!

BRITISH WOMEN ‘SEAL THE DEAL’ WITH A LEAP IN PROPOSAL PURCHASES

Today is the day when women propose to their boyfriends and OCADO has reported a change in deliveries this week as love-struck women prepare for more than just a traditional proposal. The online grocer has seen today’s deliveries of romantic, sometimes risqué, goods soar as British women hope to woo their men into wedded bliss.

If all goes well, it’s sure to be a night to remember, following the increase in sales of:


– Massage oil – sales up 133 per cent

– Candles – sales up 32 per cent

Proving that the way to a man’s heart is, of course, through his stomach, it seems that loved-up ladies are also hoping to bake their way to the alter…


– Pink icing – sales up 200 per cent

– Heart-shaped cookie cutters – sales up 127 per cent

– Cake sparkles – sales up 33 per cent

– Italian Red Wine – sales up 5 per cent

Ocado is making life easier for those planning proposals by celebrating with a range of special leap year offers. The emporium of food has discounted many aphrodisiacal ingredients, in addition to a selection of traditional grocery essentials, by a fitting 29 per cent. Ending today, visit www.ocado.com for further information.

London Fashion Week Trends: ONEPIECE

At London Fashion Week I noticed a number of, how to put it, “different” trends on men. One was skirts – not kilts, actual skirts- and another was the onepiece. This reminded me of when I first saw it; on the men of Manchester.

Intro, the long established menswear boutique based on Deansgate in Manchester, has reported that its best seller this winter is Norwegian all- in-one brand, OnePiece.

Manchester men have been following the cult zip -up tracksuit trend, worn so well by soap star, Ryan Thomas; Joey Essex, Micah Richards and Danny Simpson to name just a few male celebrities who have shopped at Intro and embraced this stand out and arguably brave look this winter.

Photo: Ryan Thomas – Corrie’s Jason Grimshaw wearing his Intro bought OnePiece.

Intro has also provided most of the cast of Coronation Street (including female soap stars, Helen Flanagan, Alison King and Shobna Gulati) with their cosy OnePiece and, last week http://www.intro-clothing.com/ reported a last minute rush online for customers getting their orders in before the cold snap kicks in again.

Adam Grant, Intro owner said: “Our customer have literally gone mad for OnePiece, with some customers ordering up to four different colours. It was the best seller at Christmas, and OnePiece has taken loungewear to another level, continuing to fly of the shelves.”

More sparkle for this year’s prestigious Butterfly Ball

One of the UK’s most exclusive charity balls has re-named its annual fundraiser in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations.

The re-branded “Diamond” Butterfly Ball is an annual fundraiser, staged by national charity Caudwell Children, which attracts worldwide media attention and a host of A List stars; and will take place on Thursday, May 31st.

Each year the event raises millions of pounds to help change the lives of sick and disabled children living in the UK. In 2011 alone the Butterfly Ball raised £2.2million, which has helped change the lives of hundreds of disabled children in desperate need.

In previous year’s the prestigious evening staged at Battersea Evolution has included live performances from an array of world famous artists, including Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John and the late Whitney Houston.

This year’s live act is still a closely guarded secret.

The 2012 event will be hosted by West End star Jonathan Wilkes and the fundraising auction will be led by former politician and best-selling author, Jeffrey Archer.

Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, said “Since launching our flagship fundraiser in London during 2007, the event has gone from strength to strength.

The charity is truly privileged to receive the support we do year on year and in 2012 we hope to build on this success.

We have named this year’s event the Diamond Butterfly Ball to celebrate the festivities taking place on Jubilee weekend.

The success of the ball is crucial in our bid to provide a lifeline to disabled children and their families by providing vital donations of treatment, therapy, equipment and family support services.”

To date Caudwell Children has provided services worth over £17 million to thousands of children with over 350 different medical conditions.

The Caudwell Children Diamond Butterfly Ball will take place at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, on Thursday, May 31st from 6.30pm.

Anyone interesting in attending the event or receiving more information should contact the Caudwell Children events team on 01782 600611 or email events@caudwellchildren.com

CHARGE UP AT WARWICK CASTLE.

INNOVATIVE WATER-POWERED MOBILE PHONE CHARGERS NOW IN USE

Warwick Castle now ensures that visitors to Britain’s Ultimate Castle stay fully charged and in touch with friends and family throughout their fun-packed day out. The Castle has installed three free to use, state-of-the-art mobile phone chargers designed especially for its 600-year old water mill, powered solely by the waters of the River Avon that thunder round the waterwheel.

The three custom-made chargers have been installed in the Engine Room of The Mill and are powered by electricity generated by the waterwheel. The service is free to visitors and the environmentally-sound chargers take no longer than a standard device. Visitors can see the waterwheel in operation and learn how the Mill used to grind flour for centuries before being converted to generate electricity and pump water.

Warwick Castle General Manager, Tim Harrison-Jones said: “The specially-designed water-powered mobile phone chargers continue our tradition of innovation, as the Earl of Warwick installed one of Britain’s first hydro-powered electricity generators here in 1894. The Mill remains an integral part of Warwick Castle and we’re proud of the fully operational water wheel, water pump and generators that now offer an environmentally-sound way for visitors to recharge their mobiles. ”

Records show there has been a water mill at Warwick Castle since the 11th century. In the 14th century a wooden structure was constructed in which flour was ground and this was replaced by the current stone structure in the late 1700s. Damaged by fire in 1880 the site lay unused until 1894 when the latest technology was installed to create one of the country’s first hydro-powered electricity generators upon which the Castle depended for power until mains electricity was installed in 1940. Ten years ago, The Mill opened to the public for the first time and now, once again harnessing innovative technology, the mobile phone chargers ensure visitors are able to keep in touch as they explore the Castle and its 60-acre grounds.

Book online 48 hours in advance to save 20% off admission fees: purchase a Warwick Castle Kingdom Ticket for entrance to Warwick Castle, The Castle Dungeon (over 10s only) and Merlin: The Dragon Tower for adults from £24.41; children aged 4-11 years £20.64.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE UK’S FIRST WIE SYMPOSIUM

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE UK’S FIRST WIE SYMPOSIUM
THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER POWERFUL THOUGHT LEADERS TO INSPIRE
AND EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION

A host of prominent women from the worlds of business, politics, fashion and entertainment
will congregate at the Women Inspiration and Enterprise (WIE) Symposium to lead a series of
panels and workshops designed to equip women with the tools and confidence to succeed. WIE
first launched in New York in 2010, and over the years has featured a stellar lineup of speakers
including Donna Karen, Nancy Pelosi, Queen Rania of Jordan and Christy Turlington. The
UK conference takes place on International Women’s Day, March 8th 2012 and will feature hi-
fliers such as Jo Malone, Jo Elvin, Kathy Lette, Lynn de Rothschild, Lynne Franks, Julie
Meyer, Stella Creasy, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, Celia Walden, Baroness Scotland and
former BT President Julie Woods Moss.

The WIE Symposium will offer a full day of thought-provoking panels, inspirational master
classes and powerful keynote speakers. Tickets are on sale from 23rd January, available at
www.wienetwork.org at £150.00 per person. The day commences with the inaugural WIE50
Power Breakfast – an annual event that will honour 50 of the top female business trailblazers at
the iconic London Stock Exchange.

Subjects to be addressed at the conference include Tools for the Entrepreneur, Women and
Leadership, Women in Media, The Luxury Industry and Financial Tools for Success.
Additionally the Symposium will launch the WIE Mentorship Scheme – a program designed to
provide long term support and advice from leading businesswomen to young women about to
embark on their careers.

The WIE Symposium is the brainchild of television presenter June Sarpong and former film
executive Dee Poku, who conquered New York with an initiative designed to create a platform
for this generation’s women leaders to inspire and empower the next.

June Sarpong and Dee Poku said; “We are incredibly excited about launching WIE in the UK.
The UK is filled with incredible female thought leaders who are already doing their bit to
empower the next generation. Our goal is to harness the legendary creativity and innovation of
London to empower women and girls across the country and help them reach their full potential.”