Author Archives: Frostie

Pitchup.com Launches Interactive Tour de France Map

Posted on by

cyclingFollow the Tour de France route and stay in holiday parks and campsites along the way using Pitchup.com’s new interactive route planner
Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com is gearing up for this year’s Tour de France with a new interactive Tour route planner on its website. The planner details the 2,000-mile route the Tour de France will take, as well as a comprehensive list of bookable campsites, holiday parks and lodges for every stage of the race.

 

The route planner covers all 20 stages of the Tour, beginning with the Grand Départ in North Yorkshire, on Saturday July 5, right through to the finish at Périgueux, on Saturday, July 26.

 

The interactive planner is in the form of a map, with the Tour route stages clearly marked. Users can click the map anywhere along the route to find details of each stage, the dates they take place, the nearby towns and the route itself. Clicking on the map will also give details of up to 10 nearby holiday parks and campsites along the way, which can be booked on Pitchup.com.
Users simply need to click the name to go to its listing page, add in the dates they want to stay, pick their accommodation and book – all done!
The map also has a ‘Find out more’ section for a lowdown of other attractions in the vicinity.
Stage No 1: Leeds/Harrogate. Saturday July 5

Campsite directly on the route – £12 per person per night

 

Spen House is a family-run site in the village of Minskip, two miles from Boroughbridge, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire and is directly on the Tour de France route. Bookings are coming in quick, but there is still plenty of space on the farm’s second field, for caravans, motorhomes and tents not requiring electricity. The owners will charge batteries at no cost. Dogs are welcome and there’s an off-lead exercise area. There is a combined shower/toilet block with hairdryer and shaver sockets, ladies-only shower, separate washing-up area with hot water and a fridge/freezer for campers’ use.

Price: £72 per pitch for three nights (July 4-7), based on two adults, which works out at £12 per person per night.

 

Stage No 20: Périgueux. Saturday July 26

Holiday lodge with swimming pool and breakfast delivery – from £19 per person per night.

Camping L’Hermitage des 4 Saisons is set in four acres of countryside, surrounded by the forest and farmlands of Périgord Vert in the Dordogne, 13 miles from the Tour de France’s finish town, Périgueux. Accommodation is in two-bedroom holiday lodges, which sleep up to six. There’s a swimming pool, jacuzzi, pétanque court, table tennis, archery and pony rides on site. During high season the owners organise Perigoudin meals, barbecues and local produce tasting sessions. As an added bonus, breakfast is delivered to your door.

Price: Two weeks in a two-bedroom lodge for four people costs £1,069 (£133.75 per person per week/£19 per person per night).

 

Hazardous Chemicals Revealed In Children’s Clothing

Posted on by

toptipskidsbathtimefunChildren’s clothing and shoes by brands including Disney, Burberry and adidas have been shown to contain hazardous chemicals which could pose risks to adults and children when released into the environment, as revealed in a study released today by Greenpeace East Asia. [1]

Tests were carried out on 82 items sold by leading clothing brands including adidas, American Apparel, C&A, GAP, H&M, Li-Ning, Nike, Primark, Puma and Uniqlo and the findings revealed in the the report entitled “A Little Story About the Monsters in Your Closet”.

Chih An Lee, Toxics Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia said:.

“As the starting point of the global clothing supply chain, the world needs to be aware of the dangerous corners being cut in manufacturing processes in regions like East Asia. Parents in particular should know the risks these brands are posing to future generations as they use and release these toxic hazardous monsters into our environment.”

More than half of the products tested contained nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), a group of chemicals that break down in the environment to form toxic, hormone disrupting nonylphenol (NP). High levels were found in products made by brands including Burberry, Disney and American Apparel. Meanwhile, every item tested specifically for per / polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) was found to contain one or more examples from this group of chemicals. [2] For example, an adidas swimsuit contained the highly persistent, PFOA at a concentration higher than the brand’s own limit in its Restricted Substance List. [3]

Though all products tested were intended for children and infants – a group particularly vulnerable to exposure to hazardous chemicals in the environment [4] – there was no significant difference between the range and levels of hazardous chemicals found in this study and those in previous studies looking at adults clothes [5].

“We need the brands to take a good hard look at their supply chain and the monsters they are using to make our children’s clothing. We also need people to recognise the power they have in bringing about change, by joining the growing movement making the industry Detox its supply chain and clean out clothes”, said An Lee

China remains the world’s largest textile producer and chemicals consumer and Greenpeace is calling on the government to help stop the use of hazardous chemicals in the textile industry. It is critical they publish a chemical blacklist to be acted upon immediately and urge factories to disclose chemical information, in order to facilitate chemical elimination and supply chain transparency and create a level playing field for the industry.

 

Cameras At The Ready – Last Call For Short Film Competition Entries

Posted on by

film festival Less than two weeks remain to enter the UK’s fastest growing short film competition and have work judged by industry experts – including actress Jaime Winstone and producer Lisa Bryer.

Now in its fifth year, the reed.co.uk Short Film Competition invites all filmmakers to create a three minute film for a chance to win a top prize of £10,000, an exclusive mentoring opportunity and bespoke skills training.

Entrants are tasked to write, shoot and edit a funny, artistic or thought-provoking short film around the theme of ‘family business’. The calibre of entries is expected to be high thanks to the expert panel of judges and partners, which includes BAFTA, Channel 4, British Council, Creative England and Total Film.

This year’s competition features more opportunities to win than ever before with four prizes being awarded:

·         Grand Prix – decided by the panel of expert judges, one filmmaker will win £10,000 plus funding,  training and  expert mentoring

·         Judges’ Commendation – also decided by the judging panel, £1,000 prize plus skills training

·         People’s Choice Award – chosen by the public via an online vote, £1,000 prize plus skills training

·         Best Young Filmmaker – entrants who are 25 or under on the 22nd of January 2014 will be eligible to win £1,000, skills training  and a six-week paid internship

 

The deadline for entries into the competition is 22nd January 2014. Visit www.reed.co.uk/film for more information.

Are You The Voice Of Soho? £5000 Up For Grabs In Singing Competition

Posted on by


singingcompetitionNo need to feel ‘Les Misérables’ this January as sophisticated cocktail bar, Archer Street, renowned for it’s unique entertainment by the all-singing bar staff, will be launching the Archer Street’s Got Talent competition, ready to uncover the ‘Voice of Soho’. In keeping with the history of the street as a musical hub for musicians and artists alike, the bar is looking to discover a real gem of talent.

This exciting competition will give someone who is not currently performing in the West End nor in a singing contract, the opportunity to break into their dream career with a cash prize of £5,000 and the coveted title as the ‘Voice of Soho’. The riveting competition will run over four months, with eight heats and with eight contestants in each, beginning on 28th January and culminating in the grande finale on Tuesday 15th April.

The judging panel shall be comprised of West End star and former X Factor finalist, Brenda Edwards, who is currently staring as Killer Queen, the lead role in ‘We Will Rock You’. Mike Hanson a very experienced radio Producer/editor, who currently holds a senior position within the industry, along with one other industry professional and a different guest celebrity each week. The public will also have a chance to vote for their favourite runner up each week, with the most popular securing a wild card entry in the final.

If you’ve “dreamed a dream” that you could be the next West End star or think you know of someone who deserves the ‘Voice of Soho’ title, quick, get your applications in now for the chance to take part. Furthermore, just by registering on the Archer Street website, supporters of acts shall receive guest list entry and 20% off on the night.

On discovering Archer Street on the front cover of The Musician Magazine from October 1951, and the history and significance of the street as the artistic meeting point for West End Musicians during the jazz era of the 1920’s and 1930’s. It was this important history and legacy of Archer Street as an artistic capital, that owner of Archer Street bar, Siobhan MaGill was desperate to rediscover and continue, through the launch of Archer Street’s Got Talent.

Siobhan MaGill, arguably the Queen of Soho, first moved to Soho in 1998 and since then has successfully operated and transformed many bars in the area. With her bars being located right in the heart of the West End it was always her aim to bring an essence of the theatre into the bars. An aim, which she has undoubtedly successfully achieved, not only at Freedom on Wardour Street, where she has created one of the most versatile performance spaces, providing a platform for many unknown artists to showcase their talent but also at Archer Street, where the bar staff are some of most talented singers in London, who have worked at some of the Capital’s leading musical’s including Thriller, We Will Rock You and Book of Mormon and continue to impress guests with their nightly performances.

So, do you “consider yourself” the Voice of Soho?

To enter email: GotTalent@archerstreet.co.uk

Competition dates:
Round 1 – Tuesday 28th January 2014
Round 2 – Tuesday 4th February 2014
Round 3 – Tuesday 18th February 2014
Round 4 – Tuesday 25th February 2014
Round 5- Tuesday 11th March 2014
Round 6 – Tuesday 18th March 2014
Round 7 – Tuesday 25th March 2014
Round 8 – Tuesday 8th April 2014
GRAND FINALE – Tuesday 15th April 2014

Archer Street’s Got Talent
Entry from 8.30pm performance begin from 10.30pm
Archer Street
3-4 Archer Street
Soho
London
W1D 7AP
T: 020 7734 3342
W: www.archerstreet.co.uk
E: bookings@archerstreet.co.uk

Ronan Farrow Publicly Slams Woody Allen Golden Globes Tribute

Posted on by

Not everyone was happy that Woody Allen received a Cecil B. Demille award at the Golden Globes last night. In fact it sparked some controversy and even Allen’s ex-wife Mia and her son, Ronan, had choice words to say about it. Allen did not attend the ceremony but Diane Keaton accepted the award for him.

Allen married his adoptive daughter with Mia Farrow, Soon-Yi, and has been with her for 12 years. Allen has been accused of abusing his daughter, Dylan (who has since changed her name), when she was seven-years-old. The allegations have been going for years and the allegations flared up in a recent Vanity Fair article. See the tweets below.

Ronan Farrow Publicly Slams Woody Allen Golden Globes Tribute

What do you think?

Win A Taste Of BAFTA

Posted on by

The EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony will be taking place on Sunday 16th February and to celebrate, Champagne Taittinger and Villa Maria invite you to sip like the stars! As the official Champagne and Wine and Partners to BAFTA, Champagne Taittinger and Villa Maria wines from New Zealand are delighted to offer the chance to win a special BAFTA branded bottle of Taittinger Brut Réserve NV, a bottle of Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2013 and Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, as served to the glittering guests at the Awards.

winatasteofbafta

To win follow @Frostmag on Twitter and Tweet, ‘I want to win a taste of BAFTA with @Frostmag’ or like us on Facebook.  Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.

Adding extra sparkle to the awards, Taittinger is the only leading Champagne house to remain owned and actively managed by the family named on the label. Taittinger is widely available. www.taittinger.com.

Villa Maria has been New Zealand’s most awarded winery for over 30 years and remains proudly family-owned. Villa Maria wines are widely available in all good retailers. Visit www.villamaria.co.nz

Terms & Conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. Entrants must provide a mainland
UK address and telephone number for delivery. Visit www.bafta.org for more information.

Competition closes at the end of the month.

 

Does The Twitter Office Give The Best Fire Safety Advice Ever?

Posted on by

At the Twitter office in New York they mix humour with sound advice, advising workers to leave the building BEFORE tweeting. This hilarious tweet came from Vivian Schiller, who started at Twitter last Wednesday as the company’s new head of news.

twitter new york office tweet

 

What do you think?

Keep Off The Cold With A Cardigan

Posted on by

Just about every famous modern day UK woman has been photographed wearing a cardigan. They are quintessential components of every female life.

We throw them on and off all day and all year long. We shrug one on to go out and fetch the milk from the doorstep in the morning. We reach for the cardie on the back of our chair when we are working, if the room suddenly feels a little cold. We grab one on the way out to watch the kids enjoying their football practice. We decide to pop one on top of the picnic basket “just in case.” We wear the lovely cashmere ones to formal occasions and hang onto the shabby, baggy ones to do the hoovering and housework.
cardigan
Lots of us drape one over our shoulders in bed while we’re reading a book or watching a favourite show on our laptop. They are the nearest thing in clothing terms to a girl’s best
friend – and we would all be lost without them.

In years gone by, the cardigan had a bad reputation. It was associated with a downtrodden and world weary look. It represented an attitude of “couldn’t care less” about what you wore and how you presented yourself to the world. But with modern manufacturing processes, the wealth of superb materials to work with, and all the top designers, including David Emmanuel, weaving their magic over the garments, cardigans are no longer the poor cousins of the wardrobe.

Just as well really because cardigans are lifesavers. It is hard to imagine surviving in
the British Isles without a good selection of them. They slip on and off so easily, unlike
jumpers, and this is what really makes them stand out from the crowd. The majority of women would much prefer the choice of a cardigan over a jumper for the pure and simple reason that it is uninhibiting. If you are too hot, you take it off; if you are too cold, you put it back on. It’s as simple as that. Jumpers are a great deal more hassle, as they involve all that pulling on and off over the head, and there is no guarantee that this process won’t mess up your hair, leave you feeling flushed and maybe even a bit ridiculous, in the effort required to wriggle out of it.

Why put yourself through such an ordeal when a cardigan will save you from all that stress? There has never been a better time to buy from the extraordinary range of styles, colours and shapes that are now widely available. It is certainly not a case of one size fits all. Cardigans can be long or short, sculptured or straight, patterned or plain, hugging or loose, chunky or tight. You need never worry about looking frumpy if you choose wisely and opt for a well-made garment that fits you nicely and keeps you cosy into the bargain.

For some cardigan inspiration, and some retail therapy at the same time, why not take a look at the Bonmarche range of knitwear? This is a company which knows what women want and that, in a word, is a cardie. It can be comfy, it can be casual, it can be smart, it can be sophisticated, but we all know we need them.

From Virginia Woolf to the Royal family, every woman worth her salt has posed in a cardigan, secure in the knowledge that she is an icon of British womanhood. And if
it’s good enough for the Queen and top celebrities, it surely is good enough for the
rest of us? Wear your cardie with pride. We are the women of Britain and we love our
cardigans.