Discover The Fine Cider Company

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Kesh

Olivers Fine Cider

It’s no surprise that the UK are the biggest consumers of cider in the whole World. We wanted to help you by whittling your search down in finding the best The UK have to offer. Introducing, The Fine Cider Company’s Fine Cider. Felix Nash the founder, together with his team set out to find the finest ciders in all the land and making the art of drinking our ‘native wine’ a refined experience by introducing new ways to drink it as well as pairing them with fine foods. The ciders are picked by Felix and are chosen based on exceptional quality and flavour profile. He wanted to make sure the ciders and perry which were picked matched well with fine foods to rival the competitive wine market. In the process Felix developed a close relationship with the cider produces and chose the finest of products from them. The very best bottles have been supplied to some of the city’s most prestigious restaurants including The Clove Club, Lyle’s and Fera at Claridges, as well as them selling through whole-sale on The Fine Cider Company website. So cider afficionados make sure to try some ciders which are a cut above the rest and find out more;

www.thefinecider.company

Business of Books: Jane Cable interviews designer and digital marketing specialist Aimee Coveney

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Jane Cable

BUSINESS OF BOOKS: BETTER BY DESIGN

Jane Cable interviews designer and digital marketing specialist Aimee Coveney

What is your book-related job or business?

I started out by opening my own freelance design consultancy after finding my niche of working with industry professionals and directly with authors themselves. I am now co-founder of Bookollective and run the Design and Digital Marketing areas of the business. As part of this, I regularly design book covers, websites and promotional material, as well as running social media campaigns and blog tours. I see design and digital marketing as increasingly appreciated areas of the publishing sector, with many having put these on the back burner for years. Design is key to visually presenting yourself as an author and also transitions over to the marketing of your work both on and offline. Digital marketing is regularly misused, but its values are increasingly apparent to authors and professionals. When understood and targeted correctly it can quickly grow your visibility and credibility within the marketplace.

What is the most rewarding part of it?

I love hearing back from authors and publishers on how much they love a design; especially book covers. After what can be years of writing their book, it can often be an emotional moment seeing it in its final ‘wrapping’. I think independent authors sometimes feel their writing doesn’t deserve a professional design and when they decide to take that route, it is an honour to be the person to work with them and create something that visually represents their hard work. Publishers are always passionate about books and I love their enthusiasm for good design.

On the digital marketing side, I love finding new opportunities and contacts for both authors and Bookollective as a business. There’s no greater feeling than building on something you feel strongly about and helping others to do the same. Interacting online, sharing knowledge and the Bookollective mission to create a community within the publishing industry is a reward in itself.

What do you consider to be your major successes?

With a vast amount of books being published every day, it is always a success when one you represent gets favourably acknowledged in some way. This year I was thrilled to win a cover design award and also seeing my expertise recognised with an article in the UK’s bestselling writing magazine. Bookollective was also ‘Start-up of the Week’ in The Bookseller which was a fantastic accolade. It’s been a busy and exciting start to the year and I can’t wait to see what else it will bring.

Have you always loved books and what are you reading at the moment?

Absolutely! I can vaguely remember being delighted at winning a book whilst in nursery: it’s one of my earliest memories. I grew up reading classics such as Beatrix Potter and Judy Blume before being brave enough to read outside of my comfort zone and now enjoy a wide array of genres. At the moment I am reading Asking For It by Louise O’Neill; an emotional roller-coaster for me. I don’t read every book that I work with, but I am a self-confessed book hoarder!

Bio: Having enjoyed years in the publishing industry, Aimee’s award-winning experience means she is well-placed to offer top advice on the design and online marketing of your book/s. Aimee regularly contributes articles for the ALLI Self-Publishing blog as well as other publishing related websites and magazines. Aimee is a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors.

To find out more about Bookollective’s services for authors and publishers, visit her website bookollective.com

You can connect with Aimee on social media:

Twitter: @authordesigner / @bookollective Facebook: @bookollective

For further information, authors & publishers can email: aimee@bookollective.com

Screening programme reduced life-threatening infection in newborn babies by over 80%

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Frostie

A leading London hospital dramatically reduced the rates of a life-threatening infection in newborn babies thanks to a simple screening test.

New research published today from a pilot study[1] at Northwick Park Hospital reports that screening pregnant women for group B Strep (GBS) reduced the rate of these potentially deadly infections in their newborn babies by 83%.

The results, published in the prestigious BMJ Open come just days after the National Screening Committee said there was “insufficient evidence” to introduce GBS screening for mums-to-be in the UK.

Yet in countries that have introduced antenatal GBS screening – recognised internationally as best practice – rates of these infections have fallen by significantly, by 70-90%.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Strep B) is the UK’s most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, causing sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis, and claims the life of one baby a week.

Previously Northwick Park Hospital had one of the highest rates of group B Strep infection in newborn babies in the country, almost three times the national average, despite following national guidelines.

To combat this worrying figure, Dr Gopal Rao, Consultant Microbiologist at Northwick Park Hospital, decided to set up the screening programme in his busy UK multi-ethnic community to see whether this would help reduce the rate of group B Strep infection in newborn babies.

Over 6,000 pregnant women chose to have the test. This involved taking two simple swabs (which the majority of women chose to do themselves at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy) – after being given information about GBS.

[1] Outcome of a screening programme for the prevention of neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infection in a UK maternity unit: an observational study. Rao GG, Nartey G, McAree T, O’Reilly A, Hiles S, Lee T, Wallace S, Batura R, Khanna P, Abbas H, Tilsed C, Nicholl R, Lamagni T, Bassett P. BMJ Open 2017;7:e014634. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014634.

Corkcicle Canteens and Tumblers

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Tracy Baines

Time to ditch that boring flask and brighten up your day with the Corkcicle Canteen. What a joy to have something bright, funky and functional in which to store your favourite tipple. The Corkcicle Canteen will keep your drink cold for 25 hours and hot for 12.

It comes in a triple-insulated stainless steel casing with easy grip flat sides. It also features a non-slip bottom which comes in handy if you’re balancing it on the dashboard as I am wont to do.

The Canteen comes in multiple sizes and colours – and what lovely colours they are. They also come in a collection of three beautiful finishes including gloss, brushed and matte.

Available in Small (235ml), Medium (473ml) and Large (710ml – a full bottle of wine – and why not!)

They not only look great they actually do keep your drink hot or cold for the stated time. Perfect for even the longest journey.

Drinking is such an important part of the day, whether it is your morning coffee, a beer at a picnic or a glass of wine by the fire so why be dull when you can be bright and bold.

Also available as a tumbler.

You can now keep your favourite drinks cold for up to 9 hours and warm for up to 3in the Corkcicle Tumbler.

Its innovative design features a non-slip bottom and easy grip sides to ensure that it fits perfectly into your hand. Just like the Corkcicle Canteen, the Tumbler range comes in a range of different sizes and colours.

Prices start at: Canteen £20 Tumbler £22

www.root7.com/corkcicle-tumbler

Humanitas Announces A New Season Of Diddy Rascals Fun

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

The Family Friendly Raves Return To Raise the Roof AND Raise Money for Family, Healthcare and Education

Big beats for tiny feet are back, as a new season of Diddy Rascals events are launched for 2017, with the exciting addition of Diddy Rascals Movies, and a festival.

Launched in 2016 by former Ministry of Sound alumni and now part of the charity Humanitas all Diddy Rascals events are not for profit, helping Humanitas provide long-term, professional support to individuals in areas of devastating poverty around the world. Three basic human rights are family, healthcare and education and this small but mighty charity has been on the ground providing real relief since its inception in 2001.

Diddy Rascals Raves: live DJs play a soundtrack of classic house pitched perfectly to both parents and kids, while inflatables, face painting, horns and glow sticks give it an authentically ‘old-skool’, playful vibe. A chill-out room gives younger kids the chance to hang out in the ball pool, enjoy the lights and soak up the ambience. Ideal for 2 to 8 year old mini-ravers, younger or older siblings are welcome.

EVENT LISTINGS

Saturday 20^th May, 1-3pm, Half Moon, Putney, London

Sunday 28^th May, 2-4pm, Harpenden Halls, Harpenden, Herts

Sunday 11^th June, 1-3pm Hitchin Town Hall, Hitchin, Herts

Saturday 1^st July, 1-3pm Half Moon, Putney, London

Sunday 30^th July: 2-4pm Harpenden Halls – Harpenden, Herts

Diddy Rascals Movies

A rolling programme of enjoyable movies for mums and dads, screened in an entertaining, safe environment that allows mini wanderers the chance to roam and play without fear of being ‘shushed’. Kicking off with a screening of la La Land on 16^th May.

MOVIE LISTINGS

Tuesday 16^th May Harpenden Halls – La La land (12A, 2016)

Tuesday 20^th June: Harpenden Halls – Clueless (12, 1995)

Tuesday 18^th July: Harpenden Halls – Pitch Perfect (12A, 2012)

Tuesday 6^th May: Hitchin Town Hall – La La land (12A, 2016)

Diddy Festival

Lets pump it up and get raving in our special inflatable fun factory out in a field. Expect all the wild antics from our raves but in our inflatable room, plus face painting, messy play and much more family fun.

FESTIVAL LISITNGS

Sunday 16^th July, 12-6pm, The Priory, Hitchin, Herts

Prices

£5 Entrance fee / under 18 months go free.

Diddy Rascals Dates & Venues – check website for latest updates

Tickets available at www.diddy-rascals.com

www.facebook.com/diddyrascal

https://twitter.com/familyraves

https://www.instagram.com/diddyrascalsevents/

Baileys Launch New Iced Coffee Cans

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Kesh

Hip Hooray, the Sun’s out and finally we don’t need a fireplace to enjoy the delicious taste of Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur. Introducing the pick-me-up you’ve been waiting for… Baileys Iced Coffee. For the very first time Baileys lovers’ can enjoy the delicious taste of Baileys on the go in a convenient single serve can. Available in Iced Coffee Latte and Iced Coffee Mocha, the creamy, velvety combination of Baileys Irish Cream, pure milk and Arabica and Robusta Coffee go down as smooth as silk. Pure refreshing indulgence from start to finish. It’s a revelation, who doesn’t love an iced coffee, but on a lazy Saturday afternoon with the sun shining bright we like it laced with Baileys. So swap your regular Irish coffee with a Baileys Iced Coffee, we tried ours as a digestif and this will be firmly on our menu for all the warm summer evenings ahead of us…

Baileys Iced Coffee Latte (200ml, 4% ABV) and Baileys Iced Coffee Mocha (200ml, 4% ABV) will be available in a store near you for RSP £1.90.

Find out more here; Baileys

Funding Initiative aims to Provide all UK Neonatal Units With Personalised Video

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Frostie

Personalised video specialists, vCreate, today announce a new funding initiative aimed at ensuring that all 200 UK neonatal networks are equipped with personalised video by 2018. According to Bliss, the UK’s special care baby charity; over 90,000 babies are admitted to neonatal care in the UK because they have either been born prematurely, or full term but sick.

The decision to look for corporate sponsors to fund the provision of secure video within neonatal units will make technology, that would have previously been out of reach due to unavailable budget, accessible for the wider neonatal community.

Ben Moore, founder of vCreate, explains why he believes this innovative approach to funding will make all the difference: “It’s clear from our discussions with medics that digital technology such as this has huge potential to transform the way services are delivered across the NHS. Delays or lack of central funding can leave the people who deliver the care hamstrung; there’s a proven case for a solution, a need for change, but budget for such initiatives isn’t readily available.”

The team at vCreate is in search of corporate sponsors to fund instances of vCreate by neonatal region. With vCreate, staff are able to send short videos of babies to parents when they are away from this hospital. Ben added: “We’ve already seen how secure video is enhancing patient care following the successful pilot programme at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, and there’s been widespread media and public interest in the project.”

Royal Glasgow Hospital for Children is the first in the UK to trial vCreate in their neonatal unit.

Neil Patel, Consultant Neonatologist, explains how vCreate is supporting mums and dads through what can be an extremely stressful time: “The idea originally came from a parent of one of our patients. He uses personalised video in his work to connect with clients and asked if we could send him video updates of his own baby. We then asked more families who all told us there is nothing more reassuring than actually seeing their baby. It’s a personalised video platform that makes it quick and simple to create a video which can then be securely accessed by the baby’s parents on any device at any time.”

vCreate believes that the funding proposition delivers for both the public and private sectors. The public sector gains innovative video technology when they need it, and private sector sponsors have the opportunity to support families of premature babies.

As part of the sponsorship package, corporate sponsors can expect to see their company logo across the vCreate application which would be seen by the parents logging in to watch the videos; plus media coverage across multiple channels, and positive brand and CSR association.

For corporate sponsorship enquires in relation to vCreate, get in touch on 0333 121 8422 or via email at theteam@vcreate.tv.

The Hourglass By Tracy Rees Book Review

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

The Hourglass is a book that hooked me quickly and would not let go. Set in the present and the past: The Hourglass perfectly intertwines the stories of Nora, a woman in her forties who is troubled by anxiety and feels like her life is falling apart, and Chloe, a teenager in 1950. Both go to Tenby in Wales but have a different story to tell. Tracy Rees is an excellent writer. Her characters are so well rounded you feel you know them, and she really knows how to set a scene. I want to go to Wales now. The Hourglass is a brilliant, atmospheric, and multi-layered book that will leave you guessing until the end. Unputdownable

2014. Nora has always taken success for granted, until suddenly her life begins to fall apart. Troubled by anxiety and nightmares, she finds herself drawn to the sweeping beaches of Tenby, a place she’s only been once before. Together with a local girl she rents a beautiful townhouse and slowly begins to settle in to her new life. But Tenby hides a secret, and Nora will soon discover that this little town by the sea has the power to heal even the most painful memories.

1950. Chloe visits Tenby every summer. She stays with relatives, and spends the long, idyllic days on the beach. Every year is the same, until she meets a glamorous older boy and is instantly smitten. But on the night of their first date, Chloe comes to a realisation, the aftermath of which could haunt her forever.

The Hourglass is a moving novel about finding love even after it seems too late and the healing power of a magical place by the sea.

The Hourglass By Tracy Rees is available here.

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Monthly Archives: May 2017