Londoners lack a getaway plan {Travel}

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RESIDENTS ONLY LEAVE THE CAPITAL SIX TIMES A YEAR AT THE WEEKEND – AND EVEN THEN ONLY GO 42 MILES FROM HOME

Weary Londoners fed up with the hustle and bustle of the city may be promising themselves they’ll escape this weekend – but new research reveals that people who live in the capital only manage to go beyond the M25 an average of six times a year.

The findings by train companies show that while Londoners love nothing better than to move around within the city in their leisure time, they rarely travel outside the M25 – with the average city dweller making a weekend trip away just once every two months.

And even when they do get away for the weekend, they only go 42 miles on average, which wouldn’t even get them to the capital’s nearest beach at Southend, Essex – which might explain why nearly half of Londoners (45%) haven’t even been there.

The survey also reveals:

· Camden residents are the least likely to travel outside London at weekends, at just five times a year – while those in Wandsworth are the most likely (eight times)

· People in Haringey travel the furthest, journeying 135 miles when they get away at weekends

· Over half (56%) of the capital admit they should make an effort to get out of London more

· North Londoners get away from the capital more than South Londoners

· The London celebrities people would most like to travel out of London with is Stephen Fry followed closely by Lily Allen…while they would LEAST like to travel away from the capital with Peaches Geldof

· 60% of Londoners say the main reason for getting out of London would be to visit friends and family they haven’t seen in a while

· The main reason for not leaving London is due to cost (45%) and 20% said they simply can’t be bothered

Train companies, in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL), are running a special promotion to encourage Londoners to explore Great Britain this summer by offering Oyster card holders huge savings on Off-Peak rail fares to over 500 selected destinations in the South East and beyond, from 26th June – 25th July inclusive.

Cardholders simply need to download their chosen voucher offer at www.daysoutguide.co.uk/oyster and present it at a London mainline station ticket office along with an Oyster card to enjoy a trip out of London – including destinations such as Brighton, Chichester and Southend-on-Sea all for just £5 Off-Peak return (or £10 First Class).

David Mapp, Commercial Director at the Association of Train Operating Companies, on behalf of National Rail, said: “Londoners are great at planning busy lifestyles – but occasionally forget the simple things, like getting away from it all for the weekend.

“Train companies understand that while the country might technically be out of recession, many people are still feeling the pinch.

“We hope that this promotion helps people to get out and about to enjoy Britain’s many wonderful destinations this summer, perhaps with rather more spending money in their pockets.”

Kulveer Ranger, transport adviser to the Mayor of London, said: “Now that Oyster is available on both TfL and National Rail services, all that Londoners need to do to take advantage of this fantastic offer is to download a voucher from the website, travel to the relevant mainline terminal using Oyster to get their discounted ticket from the ticket office and hop on the train.”

The research into city dwellers’ leisure travel habits also identified different types of ‘London tribes’, depending on what they do and where they go at weekends:

1. Commoners: These are outdoor types such as ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who likes to visit London parks for picnics, playing sport, walking and general fresh air – and are the most likely to leave the city to get away from their stressful jobs.
2. Perkies: 20-30-somethings like Daisy Lowe, in a tight social clique with whom they spend all their leisure time – like a constant episode of TV classic ‘Friends’ (‘Perkies’ are named after ‘Central Perk’, the meeting place coffee shop in their favourite sitcom).
3. Pubwallers : Like fun-loving Johnny Vaughn, Pubwallers are those who spend most of their time propping up the bar, watching the match and putting the world to rights.
4. Westies: Bargain hunters such as fashion conscious TV favourite Fearne Cotton, whose urge to shop is stronger than any addiction; they spend their days combing Oxford Street and Westfield for an outfit to wear that evening.
5. Sohoistas: Fashionable types who like to spend their days in Soho coffee shops and restaurants watching the world go by, such as London’s very own Jude Law.
6. Twitterati : Media types whose lives depend on tweeting every action of the day, no matter where they are or what they are doing, much like celebrity DJ, Chris Moyles

According to the research, Sohistas are the least likely to leave London at the weekend with an average of just five times a year and nearly two thirds (63%) of the Twitterati London tribe admit that they should get out of the capital more. The London celebrity that Pubwellers would most like to get out of the capital with is Lily Allen – while Perkies would prefer to be accompanied by Stephen Fry and Westies would much rather hop on a train out of the city with Prince William.

INSIDE OUT BACK ON THE LONDON FESTIVAL SCENE

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Booking now open for a packed week of arts and current affairs events

INSIDE OUT FESTIVAL 2010

In association with New Statesman

Monday 25 – Sunday 31 October 2010

www.insideoutfestival.org.uk

The Inside Out Festival is set to return this October in association with New Statesman with an even bigger and better programme of talks, debates, exhibitions and performances.

The popular annual event celebrates the exciting and often unexpected contribution made by London universities to the cultural life of the capital. This year festival-goers will be able to hear from some of the most inspiring and experimental thinkers, writers and artists of the day and get creative themselves.

Goldsmith’s, Birkbeck, Central St Martin’s, the London College of Fashion, the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama are amongst the nine university institutions throwing open their doors for the week of public events which will include film screenings, music and theatre performances, art and fashion exhibitions, and talks with well-known academics and high-profile commentators. The events will take place all over London at cultural venues such as the Barbican, the National Portrait Gallery and Somerset House, and in rarely-seen spaces in the universities.

Sally Taylor, Inside Out Festival Director, said: “There is certainly no shortage of festivals in London but this is an arts festival with a distinct twist. The sheer breadth of talent in the nine universities involved is staggering. We want as many people as possible to come and enjoy the fruits of this talent and passion in October. From the art of Cézanne to the art of war, from the abuses of contemporary history to the history of men’s underwear, this year’s Inside Out Festival will be a feast – a cultural ‘pick and mix’ – for bright thinkers and art lovers, young and old.”

Jason Cowley, Editor of New Statesman, said: “We are delighted to be associated with Inside Out. As a magazine, we like to look beyond the obvious and seek out the unusual, the witty, the irreverent and the thought-provoking. In this festival we have found all of these things and more.”

Festival highlights will include:

* A debate on New Labour Literature with author and Goldsmith’s academic Blake Morrison, novelist and columnist Will Self and Robert Hampson, Professor of Modern Literature at Royal Holloway. Chaired by Jason Cowley.
* The Art of War – a panel discussion on war as entertainment led by Iain Burnside, Guildhall academic, pianist and Sony-Award-winning radio presenter, drawing on his current theatre piece Lads in Their Hundreds. With human rights barrister Philippe Sands QC
* An exhibition of Japanese fashion at the Barbican Art Gallery including a talk with experts from the University of the Arts London
* A debate on the uses and abuses of contemporary history with historian and former journalist Peter Hennessy, Tessa Jowell MP and constitutional expert Vernon Bogdanor

· The launch of a new history of men’s underwear by Shaun Cole, principal lecturer in history and culture at the London College of Fashion

· A Q&A with Harvey Cohen of King’s College London on his new book Duke Ellington’s America followed by music from the Guildhall Jazz Band

* Exclusive late viewing of the Courtauld Gallery’s landmark Autumn exhibition of portraits by Paul Cézanne
* Publishing a first novel – an opportunity to hear from recently published authors Penny Rudge and Kristan Hawkins, literary agents Judith Murray and Caroline Wood and tutors from City University’s highly successful Certificate in Novel Writing, as well as an opportunity to compete to have your work read by a literary agent
* A London film history walk led by expert Professor Ian Christie followed by an illustrated lecture at Birkbeck’s state-of-the-art cinema in Bloomsbury
* Creative writing workshops led by academics and writers from Birkbeck
* Minute Maestro – a conducting masterclass, following which participants have the opportunity to conduct a string quartet

The Festival will open on 25 October with a high-profile panel debate – ‘Should the university continue to exist in its current form?’ – at the University of London Senate House.

Booking for the Inside Out Festival is now open at www.insideoutfestival.org.uk More events will be confirmed over the summer.

Beyonce gets animated.

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WOW! WOW! WUBBZY! “WUBB IDOL” DVD FEATURING BEYONCÉ KNOWLES AS SHINE IN STORES NATIONWIDE

19 July 2010

Lights! Camera! Wubbzy! WUBB IDOL, the animated preschool movie hit from the Emmy® Award-winning Nick Jr. TV show, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, takes center stage as it comes onto DVD on 19 July from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Multi-award-winning international pop sensation Beyoncé Knowles makes her voiceover debut in WUBB IDOL – her first-ever children’s project – as Shine, the lead singer of the most awesome girl group, The Wubb Girlz! The standout DVD features a new original song composed and performed by Ms. Knowles titled, “Sing-a-Song.”

“Wubb Idol” hit a high note when broadcasted in the US on Nickelodeon when the TV movie capped off a weeklong “Wubb Girlz” spectacular, capturing the imagination of audiences all across America and reaching a combined 6.5 million total viewers. The series can currently be seen on Nick Jr 2 in the UK and is most loved by kid’s aged 4-6 years old.

DVD PRODUCT DETAILS

Title: WOW WOW WUBBZY! WUB IDOL

Release Date: 19 July 2010

Certificate: TBC

Running Time: 1hr 26mins

Format: DVD

Price: £9.99 SRP

Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Genre Kids

The Polo industry get behind SANDS & bereaved parents {Charity}

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The polo industry get behind SANDS and bereaved parents to help raise money for Sydney

Female polo players take to the field as male players take to shaving their heads for a good cause

On the 31st July and 1st of August over 20 all women polo teams will be taking to the field to play for the prestigious Women’s Nationals Polo Tournament, held at Ascot Park Polo Club in Surrey. To make this year’s event even more special, professional polo players Oliver Hipwood, Gaston Devrient, Richard Blake-Thomas, Charlie Wooldridge and Josh Nimmo will be attending the event to support raising money for SANDS a national charity, established by bereaved parents in 1981 to support anyone affected by the death of a baby; to improve the quality of care and services and to promote research and changes in that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

The professional polo players have committed to raising £1000 pound each and to shave their heads in the name of a good cause, while the event will be used to raise awareness of SANDS and help fundraise on behalf of Sydney. Organised by Janet and Pete who are local to Ascot Park Polo Club and avid polo fans, they are encouraging the polo industry to get behind the cause by getting everyone to get their favourite player to lose his precious locks by donating at www.justgiving.com/sydney-abigail-augusta-mcivor. Janet Jokat commented:

‘After 4 years of IVF Pete and I fell pregnant in May last year. Our hopes and dreams were shattered when our little girl Sydney was born still born at week 38. Rather than feeling the elation of holding a newborn we were planning a funeral for our daughter. Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity have been supporting us ever since the most tragic day of our lives, and continue to be an enormous support as we deal with the loss of our beautiful daughter Sydney.’

There will also be a silent auction taking place over the weekend; once in a lifetime experiences include £500 worth of polo lessons from Glen Gilmore (Australian Polo Captain) and a champagne helicopter tour over London donated by E.B.G Helicopters. Girls must-haves will also be included with a beautiful Links of London silver charm bracelet and charms, a fashionable handbag from Hide and an equine fashion shoot and makeover from Centaur Photographic.

A fashionable way to show your support is to purchase Sydney’s Fund Bracelet. Hand Made and blessed by Monks in Thailand this multi coloured cord bracelet will keep you safe, whilst making you look good and showing that you care. To purchase one of these please go to www.sydneysfund.co.uk

To find out more about Sydney’s story and the sands project please go to www.sydneysfund.co.uk

Gensler unveils Design for Museum of Bond vehicles and espionage {Cult}

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LONDON — International architecture, design and planning firm Gensler today, unveiled its design for the Museum of Bond Vehicles and Espionage, which is slated to open in Momence, IL, in 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond movie, Dr. No.

The 14,000 square foot museum will house the exclusive collection of the Ian Fleming Foundation, including the world’s largest collection of vehicles used in Bond films. A partnership between the Ian Fleming Foundation, the Kankakee County Museum and the City of Momence, this Gensler-designed museum will also feature cultural artefacts of espionage with exhibits exploring contemporary culture’s impact on the Bond films as well as Bond’s influence on popular culture.

With projections of 20,000 visitors per year, the museum hopes to revitalize Momence, Illinois, a historic border town located 50 miles south of Chicago.

The project itself is a bit of a double agent, says Gensler Design

Director Brian Vitale. At face value, we¹ve designed a showcase for a world-class collection of James Bond vehicles and the culture that surrounds them. But its real mission is to become a powerful catalyst for the revitalization of a once-vibrant city.

With a limited budget, Gensler focused on a single bold design move to make a statement against a simple backdrop. The result is the 007 window (named so because the windows angled jamb resembles a 7), located at the buildings prominent corner. The window does quadruple-duty, providing exhibit display space, signage, a day lit interior, and an iconic backdrop for photographs. The remainder of the building is clad in black horizontal corrugated metal. It’s a mysterious silhouette that reveals very little of the museum’s content, much like James Bond himself, said Vitale.

Get more info at the Museum Of Bond Vehicles Facebook Page

The Fat of the Land {Carl Packman}

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There is a simple reason why I predict the two taser shots received by Raoul Moat on the morning of 10 July had nothing to do with his eventual death. Not because disruptions to ones nervous system couldn’t release a spasm that would set off a trigger to an unfortunate whose gun happened to be pointed at his own head. No (although I’m sure you can find these conspiracies on Moat’s popular facebook fan page). Rather, a bit of shock therapy could shake a bit of sense into the bugger.

Subsequently, I would like to prescribe a bit of shock therapy to our health minister Andrew Lansley if he expects fatty food producers to take it upon themselves to cut salt, sugar and spice (and everything that’s nice) out of the nations food, now that the regulators are out.

With no regulation, why wouldn’t Dave Osler be right to say:

“Anti-obesity campaigning in Britain will soon be brought to you courtesy of Bombay Bad Boy-flavour Pot Noodles, Snickers, Golden Wonder and Fanta. Or at least it will be, if Andrew Lansley gets his way.”

Lansley recently told food manufacturers that if they were to be nutritionally responsible then they could be spared regulation. The next week it is revealed that the Food Standards Agency is to be abolished.

This has been met with calls that government has “caved in to big business”. Either that or food manufacturers, in a week, suitably impressed Lansley that they would be culinary ethical (to coin a phrase). Although Labour health spokesman, and leadership candidate, Andy Burnham, probably hit the nail on the head when he said that: “It does raise the question whether the health secretary wants to protect the public health or promote food companies.”

The same food companies that Professor Terence Stephenson, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, among many other leading doctors, asked Lansley and the government to stop giving a platform to by allowing them to advertise their products during sports events, shortly after Lansley announced that manufacturers of crisps and confectionery could play a central role in the Change4Life campaign.

One of the main beneficiaries of austerity, be that the killing off of the FSA or for customer popularity, is bad foodies. McDonalds, it was reported in 2008, defied the credit crunch by recruiting 4,000 people to fill ‘McJobs’.

KFC, also back in 2008, according to one report, enjoys “strong growth as Britons are drawn towards cheaper eat-out deals in the face of the recession.”

There were gasps of horror when George Osborne announced OBR predictions of 2m more private sector jobs within five years(although how much of this should be taken at face value is questionable, with the early departure of Sir Alan Budd, whose parting gift was to say the Treasury needs more outside regulation – and he should know). The McJob could be the future; which means less unionisation, less workers rights, and an almost robotic allegiance to the French fry.

There has been one overall winner of this period of negative economic growth, and that is bad food. Unhealthy people die, so why wouldn’t our government want to cosy up to the winners. Lets just hope the public isn’t reminded that Andrew Lansley is being bankrolled by some dreaded private health firm now… (whoops).

Henley Royal Regatta 2010

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Henley is one of England’s beauty spots and the Henley Royal Regatta is one of the highlights of the social season. As well as a wonderful sporting event it is also a wonderful day out all on it’s own. The Pimms, the rowing, the hats. It smacks of old England in a quieter, more refined time. Henley is like teleporting to the past.

As well as the rowing you can have a wonderful lunch at the seafood restaurant, go to the exclusive Leander club, see some fireworks, go to Temple Island and go to one of the parties held later on. Be warned though – any dress not completely below the knee, or any men not wearing ties, will not be admitted to the Stewards enclosure. Also, bring cash and sun lotion.

Myself and my companion watched the rowing from the Stewards enclosure. Cheering on racers from as far and wide as Princeton and Japan. If you are into rowing you will be in heaven. The best of the best come to Henley. I had a great time. The Henley Regatta is class personified. I am also now a proud owner of a pink hippo. The Leander club mascot.

Other things to see:
The Fireworks -on Saturday night, starting at 10pm.

The Henley Festival. You could stay on and catch this if you are having fun.

The Regatta Ball – This is one of the social highlights and is in support of a charity each year. <http://www.cavendish-hospitality.co.uk/events/ data/ Henley_Regatta_Ball.html

Temple Island. Beautiful spot. http://hrr.co.uk/pdisp.php?pid=8

History
Henley Regatta was first held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars. Originally staged by the Mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose.
 
The 1839 Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. In 1886 the Regatta was extended to three days and to four in 1906. Since 1928 its increased popularity meant entries exceeded the permitted numbers in several events, and so Qualifying Races are now held in the week before the Regatta to reduce the number of entries to the permitted maximum. In 1986 the Regatta was extended to five days, with an increase in the maximum entry for certain events.
 
 Royal Patronage
In 1851 H.R.H. Prince Albert became the Regatta’s first Royal Patron. Since the death of The Prince Consort, the reigning Monarch has always consented to become Patron. This patronage means the Regatta can be called Henley Royal Regatta.
 
During the course of its history, the Regatta has often been honoured by visits of members of the Royal Family, of which the most recent was that of H.R.H. The Princess Royal in 1999.

For tickets and more information. http://www.hrr.co.uk/pdisp.php?pid=5

Blatantly Blazers {Style}

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It is very rare that a garment is guaranteed to complement the wearer but whether it’s an elderly gentleman or a teenage fashionista, the classic tailored blazer is always a timeless piece which works in tandem with most wardrobes. The piece is versatile and timeless.

It is perfect for this time of year as it becomes too warm to wear that winter coat however still not warm enough not to wear any kind of jacket. Be it drinks with the boys or a romantic dinner by candle light, whenever there is the possibility of a slight chill your blazer is a sure fire hit.

The options available are so varied there is a version of the blazer for every taste and style, they range from the very classic tailored men’s suit jacket in plain wool such as Armani’s extensive range www.emporioarmani.com through to the fitted women’s brightly coloured ones.

Some designers stick to simple and classic styles where as others like to push the boundaries and create something spectacular. If you want something with a traditional tailored fit but an unusual fabric choice Paul Smith does a nice range www.paulsmith.co.uk .

For something still very accessible but a bit more interesting, Pauls Boutique have a couple of interesting ones www.pauls-boutique.com

Whether you are wearing rolled up suit trousers with a simple t-shirt or your comfy jeans, your favourite summer day dress or your specially selected wedding guest outfit, or even your festival chic styles, the blazer will complement your style. The modern one or two button emphasise your slim waist, the open v-neck style emphasing you guys wide shoulders.

Depending on how courageous you are feeling you can either stick with the ever flattering and versatile black blazer or you can jump out for the shadows and select something much more out going and obvious. You can either treat yourself to a trip to Savile Row www.savilerowtailor.com for a tailor made blazer or perhaps select something off the shelf; Jack Wills has some interesting ones for men and for women if you fancy something a little more modern. www.jackwills.com .