Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider Review

Posted on by

Making your own alcohol may sound like something they did during prohibition, or that one of your mates does but doesn’t do a very good job of. Not anymore. Making your own cider is coming to the masses. As featured on Dragon’s Den:  Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider is a brilliant invention. It is easy, convenient and really gets a party started. We tested it and we loved it. Just add water and the yeast, then days later: you have cider! The cider is cloudy and mixed berry. Other flavours are available. It tastes great to be honest and we can highly recommend it. Christmas is coming and this would make a good present and is also a great way to entertain your guests. We like.

victorsdrinksmakeyourownciderreview

History 
Alex Dixon (28) and Ralph Broadbent (27) met at University and hosted many parties during their years studying. Their parties grew and so did the requirement for alcohol. Alex experimented with home brewing, to the delight of his friends who always loved it, although for Alex there was a lot of time, effort and money required to get there. In the following three years Ralph and Alex spent time coming up with a way of changing the way people viewed home brewing and in October 2013 launched the first batch of apple cider drinks kits which is an extremely simple way to make your own alcohol while also having a fantastic taste. Alongside Victor’s Drinks Ralph and Alex put on a number of music festivals across the UK including the award winning 15,000 strong Y-Not Festival in Derbyshire.

Why Victor’s Drinks?
The name Victor’s Drinks is derived from the word “Victory”, and is based around the personal accomplishment gained from creatingyour own drink. The box is designed like a trophy and #TasteVictory is used across their social media channels.

How Does It Work?
The product is based on bag in box technology, and comes ready filled with a specially formulated syrup which gives the drink its flavour. In order to create the drink the customer just removes the cap (which also acts as a valve), removes the plastic seal (which keeps the syrup fresh), adds the supplied sachet of yeast and fills with 18 pints of warm water before leaving at room temperature for 10 days, following which, the drink can be poured directly into a glass. Inside the box the sugar in the syrup and the yeast combine to create the alcohol. Once the drink is ready it can be drunk within 3 weeks.

The Product
The box should ideally be kept somewhere at room temperature and not moved for 10 days. You can keep the cider for up to 3 weeks and the longer you leave it the dryer the taste becomes. The ales are also ready after 10 days. The box features a push tap for easy pouring.

Locations
Victor’s Drinks is based in London Fields, close to Alex and Ralph’s current London home in Angel.
Alex was born in Poole and lived with his family in Wareham until moving to Manchester University at the age of 18. 
Ralph is from Biggin near Ashbourne and like Alex moved to Manchester after his A-levels.

Dragon’s Den 
Victor’s Drinks received an offer of investment as seen on August 3rd episode. After initial worries all but one of the Dragon’s opted “out” and they rejected a sole “offer” from Duncan Bannatyne however Alex and Ralph returned with a counter-offer and a deal was agreed for £40,000 for 25% share, which if after 3 years all profit targets are hit, will reduce to 15%. Following the programme (filmed in April) Ralph and Alex have been working hard on the brand are are excited about re-launching in the coming months.  
Watch the episode here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d4nbc

Stockists
Victor’s Drinks is available on their own website as well as at Cuckooland.com, Victor’s Drinks Apple Cider 20 Pint Kit is available here, Menkind, Fenwicks, QD Stores, Victor’s Drinks Homebrew Cider Making Kit – 10 Pints Elderflower is available here, Hawkins Bazaar and a variety of independent gift shops and garden centres with a rep of £24.99

 

Is The Drive For ‘Quality’ Killing Education?

Posted on by

educationIs the consistent drive for higher quality or at least the control of quality effectively killing our educational efforts? It’s a question that has sparked some very heated debates among parents and among educators.

Quality should be the driver of education, working to improve FE at every level. Some would argue that the push for quality, rather than the delivery itself is distracting us from the mission at hand and additionally detracting from the level of education that we provide. In and of itself, quality is not detrimental. It is, and should be an integral provision of education that our country currently needs. With the right staff, and the right approach, we can use quality as the driving force for improved education on every level.

At any level, it’s the quality of educators that will determine the success of students. Lecturers, support staff, educational management and even non-academic support should all be aligned with the same focus; delivering and supporting a curriculum that leads to success.

Before we can improve education, the system within any FE organisation should be analysed to determine its effectiveness. This should involve benchmarking, as well as competition analysis. Benchmarking will determine the capabilities of courses and modules, as well as the support structures around them. Academic results only tell part of the story, because it’s the function of the whole organisation that leads to these results. Competition analysis can indicate where processes are working, and where they are failing. Studying competing universities, polytechnics, and private FE providers can provide insight in to why a particular system is failing, and adapting successful strategies to an underperforming institution can help to improve quality and deliver results.

Quality of leadership will be the determining factor in the improvement of education through the quality of FE providers. Directors, vice principals, and principals etc. will continue to play a key role in the decision-making process. They will offer tips and assistance in strategy and focus, and have the task of driving these strategies through their leadership teams. Through the trickle-down effect, lecturers, leadership, assessors, trainers, and other support staff will all have the responsibility to drive strategies that eventually result in improved education for students.

Because quality is a huge focus in education, from a government, and private institutional level, there is currently a high demand for skilled individuals in all areas of education. Academic and vocational lecturers of the highest quality are required to deliver learning in a way that is engaging to the current generation of students. Apprenticeship assessors and trainers are also required to facilitate learning and grade competency in the trade industries outside of traditional academia.

There is even a need for high calibre guidance counsellors, and student support professionals. These are the people who will be able to gauge the effectiveness of any FE institution, because they are the ones who can view the structure holistically, right down to the experience of students.

A strong leader will be able to build the right teams consisting of professionals from all areas, while fostering the change required that will raise quality in their institution. Are you prepared to raise standards in further education?

As a senior educator, it will be your drive that raises the bar when it comes to quality in education. Whether you’re tenured in your current role, or seeking your next opportunity as a senior FE professional, a market leader in academic recruitment has a lot to offer you. At Morgan Hunt, their vastly experienced education team have the knowledge and inside view of market shifts to help you discover the roles where you can make a difference, or to find the professionals that you need to assist you in delivering excellence at your current facility.

 

Styling Tips

Posted on by

I’m constantly telling my clients what to wear, how to style thing up. How to create loads of amazing outfits, but what I rarely say is what not to wear. So here goes…this is my list of 10 things to avoid.

Those of you that love any of these items I do not mean to harm your confidence and just so you know none of the following examples of clothing where harmed in any way while writing this and getting it out of my system. For one factor…I don’t own any of them as the images have been borrowed via *Google!!

1. The dreaded scrunchie and yes I know I should like Carrie in that episode of Sex and The City with Burger her writer lover how quite frankly irritated me from the start. Scrunchies should be burnt. Simple as that..you don’t look good in them even if your in the bath.

 

2. Crocs, those things are the least sexy, unflattering item of footwear to ever be created. They hold no style and not a ounce of street credibility. Large, flappy and down right nasty. You could get me on the Birkenstock’s but I wouldn’t want to offend many of you fellow fashion bloggers that have fallen into this bewildering trap!! The only crocs you should own are stunning ones!! Not necessarily these below but you get my drift!

 

3. Quilted coats, you know the ones that look like you have just wrapped yourself in a black seamed doublet duvet. Who needs to add about 6 inches to their frame and most are made from the most horrendous unbreathable fabric. I rest my case…

 

4. Any form of skirt, or shorts that end at the thickest part of the thigh or calf. You will add 2 or 3 stones in weight to yourself without even trying. Always have the hem sitting at the slimmest part. Just where the legs look slimmer as this will create the illusion of a set of Bambi pins to kill for. Here is a great look to show off slim calfs and this will hide bulky legs if worn with darker tights and boots.

 

5. Cheep bags of any description that are threadbare. Or that the stitching looks unfinished, tatty or wonky. Hunt for one off good quality leather bags in thrift stores and charity shops. It’s amazing what you can find.

 

6. White bras. They are the work of the devil. They look nasty after one wash, dreadful under white clothing as they can be seen. Bras should be hand washed at all times to keep them strong and in perfect shape. Nude is a more appealing colour and will sit very nicely under your crisp white shirt to blouse.

 

7. Legins as trousers…I’m not raging about this one too long. If you can’t see why this is wrong then you need to book my styling services more than you think!

 

8. Matching your bag with your shoes, it’s so circa 1980s it’s just not cool, try and clash with the other accessories and try different things. You will look way more effortlessly put together and it will spice up even a very simple jeans and T-shirt number.

 

9. Never go out with dark smoky eyes and deep red lips. It’s too much and my rule of thumb is dark eyes, nude lips. Red or deep lips, simple eyes, say just a black flick and no eyeshadow.

 

top

10. Finally the last and most important rule. Don’t get too tied up in size and label snobbery. Try different brands and visit shops you are unfamiliar with. A multitude of amazing finds are just hangers away. Rummage through all size tops. The larger more slouchy ones are sometimes so much more sexy as they drop off the shoulder. Play with your style and have fun with it. Just remember fashion is only in the shops for a few weeks, it’s style that you want to create.

For more styling advice or to book styling session head over to the main SLB Style.com website where you can learn loads more styling tricks and tips

For Photographic work check out sarahbacchus.com

Follow me on Twitter here

Maternity Burden On Small Business ‘Overstated’

Posted on by

1024px-Mother_Kissing_BabyWe found this very interesting at Frost: Small business owners over-estimate the burden of providing maternity protection to their staff a new review, conducted by a team of experts from Middlesex University for the International Labour Organization, has revealed in a new report, out now.

The review, led by Middlesex University Professor of Organizational Psychology Suzan Lewis, suggests that effective maternity protection has a positive rather than negative on SMEs and can have a range of positive productivity related outcomes for firms, as well as wider social benefits.

 

 

The team found:

SME owner-managers are often adverse to maternity protection regulations, fearing the time and costs involved can lead to a competitive disadvantage.

There is a link between maternity protection and improvements in performance and productivity, linked to enhanced employee satisfaction and commitment.

There are wider societal benefits of effective maternity protection including poverty reduction, reproductive health, gender equality, fertility rates, and economic development.

Commenting on the review’s findings, Professor Lewis said: “Anything that is going to impact the financial stability of a business is naturally of concern to its owner, and that is why it is so important to understand that many maternity protection practices can have little or no costs and considerable benefits.

Middlesex University Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) Research Associate Dr Bianca Stumbitz added: “It is clear that a supportive workplace is crucial – one that is sensitive to gender-specific issues and that recognises the joint roles that both men and women play in family life.”

The report shows that women who know their employer will support them as they start a family and avoid stereotyping their role in the workplace are happier, more loyal and therefore more productive. For these positive effects to arise and maternity, paternity and family responsibilities to become a normal fact of business life, maternity protection and other work-family balance measures need to ‘fit’ into practices and interests of SMEs.

The review also found there was space for government to help ease any financial strain on small businesses complying with maternity provisions.

Professor Lewis said: “The economic reality means that if we want small business to implement strong maternity protections, some financial compensation by way of tax breaks or public subsidies may be necessary – and that is something policy-makers ought to consider seriously.

“Additionally, education campaigns designed to raise awareness and provide practical advice to employers struggling with maternity entitlement issues is also vital – especially information which highlights the potential productivity benefits.”

The report also highlighted the urgent need to address economic and cultural challenges facing working mothers in developing countries, which has largely been ignored by research.

Compiled for the International Labour Organization, the review was authored by Professor Suzan Lewis, Dr Bianca Stumbitz, Dr Lilian Miles and Dr Julia Rouse.

 

 

Charity Auction For Rare Bremont ‘Chivalry’ Watch

Posted on by

To be in with the chance to own a rare watch crafted by Bremont Watch Company look no further! Simply visit http://www.chivas.com/en/int/chivas/auction/ and bid in auction.

Only 12 rare pieces of this design will ever exist and the proceeds of those sold will be donated to philanthropic causes. The first auction of one of these watches will benefit The Prince’s Trust and  will go live tonight (22nd October) at 20:00 and will close on 9th of November!Watch

The oak contained in the back of this limited edition collectors item was used in the maturation of Chivas Regal Scotch whisky, so if you were to open the back you would experience it’s fine fragrance!

A fine piece for a great charitable cause, so head to the link above and make sure you place a bid!

All 12 watches are beautifully hand crafted by Bremont Chivalry. They represent the pinnacle of an ongoing collaboration between The Bremont Watch Company and Chivas Regal, at the heart of which is craftsmanship, style and generosity. So make sure you don’t miss out on this rare opportunity, as none of these watches will ever be sold in retail.

Calling Lifestyle bloggers: Enter The UK’s Most Prestigious Digital Awards

Posted on by

Entries for the National UK Blog Awards will close in 10 days on Friday 31 October 2014 and provide a unique opportunity for bloggers from the lifestyle industry to be recognised nationwide.

blogawards
The first ever National UK Blog Awards took place in April and achieved huge success with over 900 bloggers entering the awards and 16,000 members of the public voting to determine which blogs deserved a finalist spot.


Alongside the category for the lifestyle industry, bloggers will have the chance to enter into 13 other categories including fashion and retail, education, health and travel, whilst members of the public can also nominate their favourite individual or company blogger.
Gemma Pears, director of the National UK Blog Awards, said: “The UK Blog Awards provide a unique opportunity to be acknowledged and recognised as a true knowledge provider within your industry.


“Blogging is growing increasingly important in the UK; it’s a great way to position yourself as an expert in your field to build your credibility, as well as being able to showcase your knowledge whether you’re blogging as an industry professional or simply because you love to write.


“Awards are a hugely powerful marketing tool. They give you and your business immediate credibility and set you apart from the industry norm.


“Whether your blog is your business, a hobby or it’s part of your daily working tasks, a good blog can really help develop your client’s trust and helps close the gap between the ‘you’ and ‘ them’.”


You can enter your own blog or nominate a blog at www.blogawardsuk.co.uk with entries closing on Friday 31 October.

 

 

A Day In My Writing Life: Lynne Hackles

Posted on by

I’m a busy writer, working under several different names. Here’s my typical day. Wake at 5am, do a thirty minutes run, thirty minutes housework and then sit and write until five in the afternoon. Some days I take a ten minute break for lunch.

And, if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.

Lynne Hackles

The truth is I get up when I feel like it. Some mornings I really do exercise. I stretch out my arms from under the duvet and clench and unclench my hands five times, then rotate the wrists five times.

Wearing my dressing gown, I stumble into the next room and switch on the computer, ready to start work. But I don’t. Start, I mean. I check emails, check my online horoscope, check Facebook, check my blog to see how many hits it’s had, then I do an online crossword, or two. I suppose I sort of creep up on work.

On my desk is an open notebook holding my To Do list. I’ll decide which job I am going to tackle, then set my kitchen timer for 25 minutes and while it ticks away I get stuck in and write. Once the alarm goes off I stop, get up and move. A few minutes later I start another 25 minute session. Moving regularly is necessary for me. I have a collection of lumbar discs in a jar so need to take care of my back.

Lately, my writing work seems to be mostly journalism and non-fiction stuff. There was a time when I churned out stories for women’s magazines but I’m having a rather long rest due to being all story-ed out. Some days I have student assignments to mark – I’ve been a tutor for Writers’ News Home Study for 20 years. (They keep ignoring my hints about a golden clock.) Other days I try to ‘push’ my work. Writers are expected to do more than their bit when it comes to publicising their books. Handy Hints for Writers is one of my latest but I’m still telling people about Writing From Life and I give talks about writing down personal experiences as well as going the whole hog and tackling life stories.

Lunch is taken whilst listening to Tim Wonnacott on Bargain Hunt. I reckon, by now, I must have earned a degree in Fine Art and Antiques.

Afternoons are for doing other things. The LSO (Long Suffering One) and I will be in the garden or, if the weather’s not good, we’ll be inside stripping wallpaper, painting cupboards and doing the 1001 things that are needed in order to finish renovating the house we moved into a year ago.

Most evenings I carry my laptop downstairs and, while the television is on in the background, I’ll answer emails and do the admin’ side of my writing job. Other evenings, like tonight, I go out to give a talk.

And then there’s the Sabbath which can be any day of the week but which is work-free. It’s a time to recharge the batteries and do something different. We are working our way through a long list of places to visit, people to see and things to do.

handyhintsforwriters racingstart writingfromlife

Racing Start – a Kindle best-seller. Fast paced cycling fiction for 8-12 yr olds
Kindle/Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Racing-Start-Lynne-Hackles-ebook/dp/B00HNFOM8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389086256&sr=8-1&keywords=lynne+hackles+racing+start
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/racing-start
iTunes/iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/racing-start/id785373782?mt=11
www.lynnehackles.com
www.lynnehackles.blogspot.com
Handy Hints for Writers – Compass Books
Writing From Life – How To Books
Ghostwriting – Aber Publishing