Explore the Artic with Hape

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Tracy Baines

Yes, I know we are still waiting for the warm weather but while we do why not treat the children (or yourself) to one of these beautiful wooden puzzles from George Luck at Hape.

The puzzle comes on a wooden base with two pictures that fit neatly, one on top of the other. It’s so lovely to take off one layer to reveal another picture underneath. Tiny fingers will love the feel of the smooth wooden shapes.

Jigsaw puzzles have long been recognised for helping develop a child’s dexterity skills and shape recognition, as well as the important co-ordination of hands and eyes.

George Luck has created an Artic Animals adventure to be enjoyed from 5 years upwards.

This two-layer puzzle introduces your child to a range of animals from the frozen North. Make friends with the furry Polar Bears, friendly Walrus or even the amazing Whale! Gather together all 36 pieces and embark on an adventure.

Have fun with your child finding the animals, snow, water and sky to build a truly magical winter wonderland. Watch as the big Polar Bear looks through a hole in the ice, ready to catch its dinner!

This puzzle, as with all Hape Toys, teaches your child a range of valuable skills such as: developing special awareness, hand-eye co-ordination and problem solving skills.

Best of all, George Luck puzzles are created using non-toxic finishes, water based paints, and only the highest quality child safe materials.

Hape’s Artic Animals for ages 5+ is available online from Debenhams for £13.00.

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

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.

THEATRE REVIEW by Paul Vates

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Margaret Graham

OUT THERE ON FRIED MEAT RIDGE ROAD

Trafalgar Studios 2, London

“If there is one play to see this month – it is this one”

Out There On Fried Meat Ridge Road is not one of the most accessible and catchy titles for a play, but it more than makes up for the tongue-twister.

If there is one play to see this month – it is this one. A bittersweet comedy that dashes at a frenetic farcical pace, absolutely full of laugh-out-loud one-liners. I haven’t heard such laughter in years.

[Flip, Mitchell and JD]

The storyline is, on the outset, quite simple. Mitchell (played to wide-eyed comic precision by Robert Moloney) appears to bounce from disaster to disaster, his life falling apart. He has answered an ad for a flatmate and finds himself in a ramshackle West Virginian motel room with JD (a bear of a man played sublimely by Keith Stevenson – by the way, he wrote the play!). JD believes in peace and love, even though there seems to be little of it about. The meth-addict neighbour Marlene (taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions by the excellent Melanie Gray) regularly bursts in, followed by her adulterous partner Tommy (Alex Ferns playing standard New Jersey-gangster #4, slightly cliched but enormous fun) and the perverted Motel’s Owner Flip (a little too-smoothly played by Michael Wade, not quite firing on the same number of cylinders as the rest).

[Mitchell and Marlene]

What can go wrong, does go wrong; all adding to Mitchell’s woes.

There is genuine feeling here, a warmth from the cast who obviously enjoy these bizarre characters – aided, no doubt, by the sounds of loud and regular audience laughter. The downtrodden motel room almost gets trashed throughout the unfolding chaos. Simon Scullion’s design is neat, messy and precise with some immaculate touches.

[Marlene and Tommy]

This play was first performed in California in 2012 and it has spawned two sequels: A Fried Meat Christmas and The Unfryable Meatness Of Being. On this showing, we deserve to see them all. Just as this show deserves another transfer (it came from the White Bear Theatre in Kennington) to another venue so it can run for a long time.

[JD – doubling up as the playwright]

Director Harry Burton needs hearty congratulations for bringing this play to the UK. I think it must be a struggle holding back the actors so the rhythms of the comedy have time to flow as it veers from zany US sitcom to standard British farce and back again. It’s a rough ride, which the majority of the time, is spot on – just the odd glitch and loss of focus, but the superb cast drag us back and off we go again… Lurching from bathos to high comedy, Out There On Fried Meat Ridge Road shows there is beauty and tragedy within us all.

Brilliant.

[Marlene, Mitchell and JD]

Venue Trafalgar Studios 2, Whitehall, London

Performances running until Saturday 3rd June 2017

Times Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

plus Thursday and Saturday matinees 3pm

Running time 70 minutes (no interval)

Twitter @TrafStudios, #FriedMeatRidge

Facebook @FriedMeatRidgeRdLondon

Website www.friedmeat.co.uk

Writer Keith Stevenson

Director Harry Burton

Production Designer Simon Scullion

Producer Wildcard

Photography Gavin Watson

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