Employment law specialist and health and safety advisor Bibby Consulting & Support had a record sales month in October – its best month in nearly four years.

At the same time, the Newcastle-under-Lyme Company has created a number of new posts over the last few months, including a head of projects, Steven Attwood, to manage long-term in-house investments in systems and processes, and a dedicated training manager, Jon Hughes, to further expand their training services.

A key factor in Bibby Consulting & Support’s growth has been its continued expansion into major target markets such as care homes and franchising. Major contract wins from big names like Select Healthcare and the Domino’s Pizza Group have reflected the increasing demand for the company’s expertise in specific market sectors.
Understanding the needs of a sector and being able to deliver skills and solutions that have been refined over the years are the main reasons Bibby Consulting & Support has seen such impressive growth, according to Managing Director Michael Slade.

“By specialising, we have been able to show that we can clearly provide our client base with a level of service and support that is specific to their business needs,” he says. “As a result, confidence is very high within the company and we are achieving all of our goals.”

As well as supporting customers, Bibby Consulting & Support has put long-term investment into its own staff. This includes a programme of having all of its Tele-marketing team in Newcastle under Lyme accompany field sales people to gain a deeper understanding of customer’s needs. The company has also provided funding and support to enable staff to secure further qualifications. This has included training courses for people within support functions, as well as studies leading to qualifications for client facing staff, through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

“We see this as succession planning,” says Slade. “We have some very gifted individuals who, having initially joined the business via the Tele-marketing team, have then gone onto use their degrees to great effect within other departments, such as our Business Improvement function or others who have qualified in specific areas of Employment Law to help run our indemnity activity. We see investment in staff as a great way to prepare the next generation. Whilst some businesses are cutting training budgets, we believe investment in our people is exactly what is needed to create a successful business.”

Bibby Consulting & Support’s parent company the Bibby Line Group has once again won a National Business Award 2011 in partnership with Orange. The judges said: “Demonstrating that a large and diverse business can deliver consistent growth with family values at its core, Bibby Line Group has demonstrated a recognised commitment to staff, and ethical practice has been driven by strong leadership and management.” Slade concludes: “If you are recognised as a good company to work you will attract the best people and that’s vitally important to ensure we continue to provide a top quality service to our customers.”

For further information about Bibby Consulting & Support employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, visit http://www.bibbycas.com



Dec
29
Filed Under (Healthcare) by Mike Andrew

Healthcare interiors whether within nursing homes, care homes or just waiting rooms should be carefully thought out and furnished.

Using a company that specialises in this very specific sector of interior design is a must. The healthcare industry is demanding and it is vitally important that the correct products are selected to suit your project needs be they Care Home, Nursing Home, Village, Hospice or Hospitals.

The interiors of nursing and care homes require a varied range of furnishings, interior design styles and thought. Nursing home furniture can come in the form of as small a detail as occasional tables right through to sofas, suites and beds.

A healthcare furniture specialist will have to create interiors, supply and fit the furniture in all the rooms of the nursing or care home facility. That will start with the reception through to dining areas, lounges and other communal areas, bedrooms, cleaning and laundry areas and even office and meetings rooms for staff and managers.

Creating the right interior in a care or nursing home is paramount both for the inhabitants and the staff. Fortunately there are some very forward thinking care and nursing homes being built and renovated across the country. Light, bright and airy are the orders of the day. Areas for specific patients such as dementia units providing purpose built care furniture and care home equipment specifically designed to aid dementia needs which include memory boxes and themed artwork.

The latest in care facility buildings are being created with a feel of a luxury hotel rather than a care home. These facilities have for example a series of suites each catering for a different type of resident through to apartment rooms and even executive wings with dedicated dementia and high dependency suites, all of which have a feel of luxury and more importantly, a feel of home through the clever use of healthcare furniture and equipment. It is these attributes that make for far better living spaces for patients and help prospective families and patients in choosing care home options.



Nadcap (the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) recognizes Precision Polymer Engineering for its quality systems and manufacturing processes to the Aerospace industry.

High performance rubber seals manufacturer, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), a Unit of IDEX Corp., is the first manufacturer of its kind outside the Americas to receive Nadcap accreditation for the production of its elastomer rubber seals and o rings.

Nadcap is the highest standard accreditation awarded to suppliers to the aerospace industry and provides an assurance of quality and integrity in component manufacture. Accreditation is awarded only after a rigorous audit of an organization’s quality and manufacturing systems. The audit covers processes throughout the business; from raw materials, tooling and manufacturing, to inspection, packaging and dispatch.

“This accreditation is a great achievement for PPE and reflects our commitment to quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of our business”’ says Paul Gillyon, PPE managing director, “I believe it shows PPE once again taking a clear lead in aiming for the highest global standards of quality in elastomer rubber seals and o rings manufacture”.

“Achieving Nadcap accreditation is not easy: it is one of the ways in which the aerospace industry identifies those who excel at manufacturing quality product through superior special processes. Companies such as Precision Polymer Engineering work hard to obtain this status and they should be justifiably proud of it,” said Joe Pinto, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Performance Review Institute. “PRI is proud to support continual improvement in the aerospace industry by helping companies such as PPE be successful and we look forward to continuing to assist the industry moving forward.”

For more information on PPE rubber o rings, rubber seals and gaskets products, visit http://www.prepol.com



Oct
26
Filed Under (Finance) by Mike Andrew

Invoice Finance has become the most popular choice for small, medium and large businesses to fund their working capital. It is easy and hassle free to set up with the Financial Institution taking the companies invoices and debt ledger as direct security.

It is one of the most effective and flexible funding methods available, as the facility grows with your business. Additional features can be added including customer credit checking, credit control management and debt protection.

Invoice Finance is the term given to a range of services designed to provide working capital and improved cash flow by advancing finance against newly generated unpaid invoices. It is a great way to provide flexible working capital as the finance facility has the ability to grow with the sales of your business; there are two main Invoice Finance products.

Invoice Factoring has the ability to advance up to 95% of the unpaid invoice value. The credit control is normally undertaken by the Financial Institution offering the facility but a few providers offer the option for the business to carry out their own debt collection process to reduce costs for this part of the service.

It allows your business to advance funds on invoices waiting to be paid by your customers which as you probably already know in the current climate can take some time and can represent up to two or three months sales depending on your credit terms. This means you can unlock precious working capital to fund new orders, business expansion or mergers and acquisitions, while the finance provider controls the sales ledger and collects all the outstanding debts on behalf of the company.

Invoice Discounting allows your business to raise up to 90% of outstanding invoice values immediately similar to Factoring but you remain in complete control of the collection of any outstanding debts from your customers. The invoice discounting facility is completely confidential between your business and the provider and is not disclosed to any other party, giving you peace of mind that your customers will be none the wiser.

The Key Benefits to Invoice Finance

•Immediate access to up to 95% of unpaid invoice values
•Improved cash flow for the business
•Free up working capital to reinvest and grow the business
•Allows you to get on with running the business
•Provides access to credit facilities and credit control management

While the high street banks are restricting financing for business loans and overdrafts, invoice finances two main products – invoice factoring and invoice discounting will continue to fill this cash flow need and ultimately expand or replace the banks role with SME and Corporate business finance.

For more information regarding invoice finance please visit www.sgdfinancial.co.uk



There are some important factors to consider before installation of a woodburning and multifuel stove.

What do I do first if I plan to fit a new stove?
If you planning to use an existing chimney it is recommended that you first have a ‘NACS’ registered sweep to sweep it. At the same time they will inspect and test your chimney to ensure that it draws and it doesn’t leak. Your installer will then be able to decide if your chimney needs re-lining.

What Size Stove Do I Need To Heat My Room?
There are two elements to consider when choosing your stove:
1) Physical Dimensions – Is there enough room for the stove to function and conform to building regulations.
2) Output – Do you have the right amount of heat for the room?

Height
You should ensure the top of the stove is around 22″ from any combustible material such as wooden lintels or beams. It is wise to check with the manufacturer of the stove you are interested in as the distanced advised may vary. If the top flue outlet is used, he height listed does not include the flue collar.

Width
Check that the stove will fit in the narrowest width of your fireplace if you are using one. If you decide on an inglenook, it is recommended that you have at least 150mm (6″) space either side of the appliance, although slightly for smaller output stoves this may be reduced. This is not a building regulation, but is necessary for the heat from the sides of the stove to enter the room and to protect against heat build up.

Depth
It is important to ensure you have the regulation 300mm (12″) of the hearth in front of the front legs of the Stovax stove once installed. You will also need a 50mm (2″) gap at the back of the stove. If you are planning to use the rear outlet, this will add around an extra 160mm.
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The new Inventory Management Solution from Lambda calibration Ltd.

Lambda Calibration Ltd, the Chorley based UKAS calibration laboratory are pleased to announce their new Inventory Management Solution.

The Inventory Management Solution (IMS) enables clients to have free web access to their measuring equipment calibration records. The client can generate “recall” and “overdue” reports and even export the measuring equipment inventory to a spreadsheet. Calibration certificates can be downloaded, viewed or printed calibration certificates. Simple and easy to use, this new Inventory Management Solution has already been a useful tool for existing clients of Lambda calibration Ltd enabling the storage and viewing of calibration records going back years.

To access the system simply click on the IMS link at the top of the page. Complete the on-line form and submit it. Lambda Calibration will then review the details entered. Once the account has been approved, Lambda will activate the chosen username and password and an email will be sent. The new IMS account can then be used.

Lambda have made the system extremely easy to use as many of their clients are busy and do not have the time to learn a complicated new system. There is a help section inside which will only take you a minute or so to read should it be required.

Lambda Calibration Ltd is an independent laboratory providing UKAS accredited gauge, meter and equipment calibration services throughout the UK and Ireland. With years of experience spanning all sectors and UKAS accreditations across multiple disciplines, Lambda is a genuine “one stop shop” for all measuring instrument services including gauge, tool, electrical, meter, pressure calibration, instrument, temperature, thermometer, torque and torque wrench calibration.

For more information on all the UKAS calibration services offered by Lambda Calibration Ltd, visit http://www.lambda-cal.co.uk



Precision Polymer Engineering, a Unit of IDEX Corp. to announce latest ultra-high and extreme low temperature seals at Offshore Europe.

High performance seals specialist, Precision Polymer Engineering, a Unit of IDEX Corp., is announcing its latest developments in ultra-high temperature and extreme low temperature resistant Perlast perfluoroelastomer and Endura seals for HP/HT/LT offshore applications, at Offshore Europe on Stand No. 3E80.

For continuous use at high temperatures, without loss of mechanical performance, PPE has developed perfluoroelastomer Perlast G75TX for processes up to 327°C (621°F), together with fluoroelastomer V91J for continuous exposure at 250°C (482°F). Overcoming the traditional weakness of perfluoroelastomers at low temperature, all-round sealing performer Perlast G92E is now capable of sub-zero operation down to -30°C (-22°F) at pressures up to 5,500psi.

Endura seals for demanding applications
The Endura range of oilfield elastomers has been specifically developed by PPE for use in downhole, surface and subsea oilfield equipment and offers excellent rapid gas decompression (RGD) resistance. Many of the Endura materials have been tested to international RGD standards such as NORSOK, TOTAL and NACE. Over the past 25 years, PPE has supplied O rings and custom seals for systems operating in the most inhospitable subsea environments in the world at temperatures from -46°C (-51°F) up to +327°C (+621°F).

PPE has sales offices in Aberdeen, the US (Houston), Europe and Asia, in addition to extensive manufacturing and technical development resources at the company’s Blackburn facility in Lancashire.

PPE is a world leading designer and manufacturer of high performance sealing solutions. The company’s elastomers product range is used in many demanding manufacturing environments around the world. Applications as varied as semi-conductor manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, marine engineering and power generation benefit from PPE’s innovative, robust and reliable sealing solutions.

Founded in 1974, PPE has over 35 years specialist sealing expertise, offering an unrivalled range of products from over 170 elastomer materials. The company’s materials scientists and applications technologists are working at the forefront of elastomer technology, developing new materials for specialist applications. These include PERLAST®, the world’s leading perfluoroelastomer for critical sealing applications such as semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and ENDURA® which was specifically developed for use in the oil and gas industry.

For details of PPE’s range of Perlast and Endura O rings, T-section rubber seals, special profiles and custom-made seals and rubber gaskets, visit http://www.prepol.com



Aug
29
Filed Under (Transportation) by Mike Andrew

Week off work…check, beautiful vistas required, the English Lake District…check, want to see as much as possible, camper van…check!

With such vast, varied and breathtaking scenery as in the Lake District, it is far too difficult a task choosing one destination for a holiday or short break. Great driving roads+breathtaking scenery=the perfect recipe for camper vans.

Camper vans give you:
The opportunity to visit and experience numerous locations in one trip.
Give you the freedom to stop off when and where you like and for what duration.
No need to worry about there not being a hotel or guest house available in the area.
You are protected from the elements unlike camping.

You’ll never tire of driving on the roads in the Lake District and Cumbria which has some of the most scenic roads in England. In particular, Hartside Pass which The AA and Top Gear list in their top 10 driving roads in England. Other great driving roads include the Kirkstone Pass, the A591 which passes through Ambleside, Grasmere and onto Keswick and not for the faint hearted Hardnott and Wrynose passes.
VW camper vans are particularly suited to the roads in the Lake District. They are compact and allow you to drive on the stunning, narrow roads which other, larger camper van and mobile homes would not be able to.

Camper vans have seen a renaissance in recent years both in terms of new camper vans and mobile homes but especially the popularity of the classic VW camper van. Their iconic status continues to grow and excite young and old. Driving around in the VW camper van is guaranteed to turn heads and makes a holiday even more special.

A mobile holiday is the ultimate in economical holidaying. The cost of parking up on a camping or caravanning site is nominal and sometimes areas can be found that are free. You can self cater as much of the meals as you wish although the Lake District has some fantastic eating houses that really should be visited.

Many people simply can’t justify purchasing a VW camper van for themselves due to lack of annual leave and other commitments. A camper van has to be used regularly both for economy and for the wellbeing of the van. The perfect solution is in the form of hiring. VW camper van hire is now available in the Lake District and enables those who want to experience a camper van holiday but that do not want to purchase one. Volkswagen camper van hire is also great for those thinking of purchasing a van to gain knowledge of driving one. Lake District VW camper hire, sorted.



Aug
26
Filed Under (Retail) by Mike Andrew

Dee began her career as a graphic designer working in design studios for over 10 years. She began printmaking 3 years ago and is now a full time print maker hand printing all her own work from her small printmaking studio in the Peak District Derbyshire.

Many things including nature, animals and plant forms inspire her work. She also loves the pattern and colour of vintage Scandinavian folk art that is often reflected in her work.

At the moment most of her prints are produced on a Japanese Print Gocco. Print Gocco is small self-contained tabletop screen-printing machine first produced in Japan in the 1970s. The process is very similar to screen-printing and at one time a Print Gocco was found in most Japanese homes.

Dee has exhibited in a small selection of UK galleries and currently has a selection of her prints published on note cards by Attic Art Publishing London.

Design Supremo supply limited edition prints, art posters, wall art and screen prints.



Aug
16
Filed Under (Healthcare) by Mike Andrew

Wharrams are specialist suppliers of furniture, furnishings and equipment to the Healthcare industry.

Led by Chris Wharram who has a life time of experience in the furniture manufacturing business, Wharrams understand the complexities of furnishing and equipping that is required when commissioning new buildings for Healthcare use.

Wharrams use this experience in their design processes and are ever mindful and focused on the ever changing needs and desires of their target market.

Please visit www.wh-interiors.co.uk for more information about the range of Healthcare furniture, equipment and interiors provided by Wharrams.



Aug
02
Filed Under (Conference Venues) by Mike Andrew

With the personality and design of a boutique hotel, but with the service and facilities of a top class Surrey conference hotel in Surrey, Brooklands Hotel’s meeting and events space benefits from its own dedicated entrance and an experienced team that is second to none.  Perfect for corporate events and ideal as a sophisticated Weybridge conference venue.

Those considering booking a romantic Surrey wedding venue will also be delighted at Brooklands. With our eye for detail and attentive staff, you can be sure you’ve picked one of the finest wedding venues in Weybridge.



Jul
31
Filed Under (Retail) by Mike Andrew

Made from warm micro fleece, Hunter welly socks will keep your feet cozy and also provide a snug fit in your boots. Not only a practical solution but a great boot accessory or gift for those with Hunter boots. Available in a myriad of vivid colours, they give the wearer the opportunity to personalise their boots and update their look every season. The cuff folds over the welly, displaying the Hunter label centre front mimicking our Original boot.



Citypadz, one of the north east’s leading property letting agents, has revamped its online marketing strategy.

The new marketing strategy has been as part of a strategic move to raise their profile with audiences across the region and in the rest of the UK.
The agency’s revitalised marketing approach has seen it redesign its website to improve reader experience and included the development of a presence across social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

These changes reflect the organic growth of the company over the last year, which has seen it expand its property portfolio to cater to the whole of the North East. Running alongside this the team at Citypadz has seen an increase in contracts for investors and landlords based out of the region as well as working with corporate companies and individuals on relocation packages.

Citypadz, managing director Mike Brown said: “As we grow our reach across the region and beyond it is critical that we have a website that is easily accessible and a good source of information.

“Our properties are already linked to all the major property portals including rightmove.co.uk and findaproperty.co.uk, but with the explosion of social media over the last few years, we felt it was important to strengthen our online presence and engage with customers on a number of different levels.”
The new site provides a platform for users to search for properties as well as providing a wealth of advice and guidance on legal and logistical issues to prospective tenants and new landlords.

Citypadz Newcastle lettings has not, however, forgotten its existing customers. A new interactive ‘live chat’ function has been incorporated into the site to ensure that maintenance issues can be dealt with in real time.

Mike continued: “We are really pleased with our new website, which now adequately reflects our position in the market and offers a good baseline from which to raise our brand profile.

“It is an exciting time at Citypadz as we grow our services and focus expansion.”

Kino Creative was brought on board to redesign and develop the site.

To browse the new website of Citypadz the Newcastle lettings agents, visit http://www.citypadz.com



Industrial Steel Partitions and steel partitioning are easily overlooked as a solution to your office needs.

Steel partitions provide a tough yet flexible way of dividing your workplace as an alternative to more traditional stud and board or block-built partitioning systems.

Just as modern building techniques trend towards prefabricated buildings, the industrial steel partition and steel partitioning sections are created (and painted to the colour of your choice) in a factory. They arrive ready-made and are simply bolted to existing industrial steel partitioning wall panels on site, in situ. No wet trades, no plasterboard dust and no decorators – it’s simple, quick and easy. You’ll hardly know installation has ever happened (well, other than the fact that you have new great looking offices made from our steel partitions ready to use).
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Jul
20
Filed Under (Electrical) by Mike Andrew

Formed in 1991, Electrical Testers are one of the leading companies in the UK. Offering full National Coverage they also regularly cover Northern Ireland, Eire and Central Europe. Their electrical services include PAT testing, fire alarm testing, emergency lighting testing and fixed wire testing.

Directly employing only fully qualified electricians, they offer a level of technical capability and service which is unparalleled in the Industry.

With continued growth over the last decade, the company is rated as an exceptional performer by industry analysts.

Electrical Testers have the culture, people and systems to provide the ultimate service.

UK Health & Safety legislation is extensive and requires that whatever your activity, you must provide a safe environment for your staff and your customers.

The services provided by Electrical Testers Ltd are designed to comply with a variety of legislation, regulations and British Standards.

Although not exhaustive, most of the relevant regulations and standards are listed below:

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 PAT Testing

BS5839:Pt1:2002 – Fire Alarm Inspection & Testing
BS5266:Pt1:1999 – Emergency Lighting Inspection & Testing
BS7671:2008 – Periodic Inspection of Fixed Installations
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – Fire Risk Assessments



Bibby Consulting and Support compliance specialists, respond to the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’.

Reducing red tape for businesses can only be a good thing, compliance specialist Bibby Consulting & Support has said in response to claims that the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ might actually mean more work for companies as opposed to less.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has revealed that many visitors to the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ website have called for existing regulations to be maintained or even increased. The suggestion is that fewer regulations could mean diluted rights and protections, particularly in health & safety.

Although he said the site had been “bombarded” by such messages, Cable insisted that one of the government’s top priorities was to reduce the amount of regulation that small companies and start-up businesses face. But he warned companies: “Please don’t pretend this is easy.”

Bibby Consulting & Support understands that many regulations are essential to protect businesses and employees but also supports efforts to minimise the amount of complex legislation that companies have to abide by and which has been generated over the years.

Managing Director Michael Slade says: “Clearly, it is in everybody’s interest to have health and safety safeguards within businesses to ensure that all staff members are able to work in a safe environment. This is not in dispute.”

“However, it also needs to be recognised that there is a considerable amount of employment law regulation that does nothing to help businesses work at maximum efficiency and to expand as they become more successful. As long as rights are maintained, we consider the time and effort required to cut down on regulation to be a very worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately however recent reports state that the site currently appears to be used more by members of the public and consumer groups who are expressing a one-sided view that existing regulations should be maintained or more worryingly still, increased. We are strongly urging business leaders to add their own views and ensure that their voices are heard.”

For employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, consult Bibby Consulting & Support http://www.bibbycas.com



From 2012, changes to pensions law will affect all employers with at least one worker in the UK. This document is a summary of these changes, including what employers must do and how they might set about getting ready.

We have published a series of guidance that explains the new employer duties in detail and how they should be implemented. The guidance is available for download from our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/pensions-reform

The changes in a nutshell

Employers will need to:
• Automatically enrol certain workers into a pension scheme
• Make contributions on their workers’ behalf
• Register with The Pensions Regulator (‘the regulator’)
• Provide workers with certain information about

When are the changes happening?
The new employer duties will be introduced in stages over 4 years, starting in 2012. Each employer will be allocated a date from when the duties will first apply to them, known as their ‘staging date.’
This date is based on the number of people in an employer’s PAYE scheme. Employers with the largest numbers of workers in their PAYE schemes will have the earliest staging date.
Employers can check their provisional staging date on our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
To allow some flexibility, employers can choose to bring forward their staging date, provided the regulator is informed. However, employers cannot choose a later date than the one they are allocated.
Finding out when the staging date is likely to be is the first thing an employer should do, so they can plan what they need to do to be ready in good time.

What will employers need to do?
• Assess their workforce
• Identify who to automAtically enrol
• Choose a pension scheme – i.e. National Employment Savings Trust – NEST Pension
• Register with the regulator
• Make contributions
• Process any opt-out notices
• Process opt-in or joining requests
• Avoid inducements and prohibited activity
• Keep accurate records
• Provide workers with information about changes

What should employers do now?

Employers should:
• Look up their provisional staging date at www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
• Plan for when they might need their pension scheme in place and take action if necessary – including planning when and how they will assess their workforce
• Budget for these changes
• Look out for further information and guidance from the regulator. This can be done by signing up to the regulator’s free news-by-email service www.tpr.gov.uk/news



Jun
07
Filed Under (Scanning) by Mike Andrew

PiciScan, based in Kendal is an independent negative, slide and photo scanning service, working for customers throughout the UK.

Do you have a large number of photographs, tucked away in cupboards, the loft or just piled up somewhere? Do you have slides that you barely look at any more? Perhaps you have negatives tidied away in envelopes that you’re no longer sure what they are. Or maybe you have precious memories kept on home videos that are beginning to show signs of wear.

PiciScan can help! We scan all sizes of photograph up to A4 and all sizes of mounted slide and photographic negative. We also convert a variety of different video formats to DVD, including the transfer VHS to DVD.

Just call 01539 741418 or visit our online scanning service shop to order your scanning directly.

What you can expect from PiciScan:

* Personal, friendly and helpful service.
* High resolution scans carried out by hand with colour correction.
* Free return delivery on all orders to mainland UK.
* Free secure courier, home collection service on all orders over £45.
* Every order comes with a DVD, personalised with your choice of text and image.

Preserve your memories today.



A new set of family procedure rules will apply in England and Wales from the 6 April 2011.

In particular, the new set of family procedure rules effective from the 6 April 2011 will affect divorce and financial cases and extra care must always be taken where a family case has an international dimension to it.

One of the significant changes to the rule is that there is a requirement for any Applicant to first see a mediator to determine whether or not mediation is in fact suitable for the case. The difficulty is that where a case, in particular, involves European Union countries (except Denmark) then this could allow the other party i.e. the Respondent to receive advance notice of what is happening. He or she may then tactically try and claim jurisdiction in the EU country which best suits his/her case. Contacting the other party could therefore be fatal. The reason for this is that the financial outcome in the different countries could be significantly different.

All is not lost however as there are some exemptions available which could still allow a party to issue proceedings in England and Wales and therefore to claim jurisdiction in the usual way. There are mixed thoughts about this (often called the lis pendens rule) because it creates tactics and it can actually inflame a situation presently there is no real way round it because as I say to delay could be fatal where a case has an international element to it. In many none EU countries, some regard is given still as to who was first to start the proceedings and therefore it is arguable that the exemption from seeing a mediator should apply in all cases of possible foreign proceedings.

There is justifiable criticism of European Union policymakers who have created this “first to issue” rule in divorce proceedings or it can create what is often called “anti-settlement” and “anti-family life” problems. Whatever the rights and wrongs, extra care should always be taken where the case has some international dimension to it.
A divorce or separation can be a very difficult and stressful time. Not only does it affect the status of a relationship but it also has implications both in relation to the finances and any children.

Extra care must be taken where the case has an international element to it because there could be more than one country where the divorce could start. The financial outcomes in each country could be starkly different and specialist advice from a family law solicitor Cheshire must be taken in each country.
Legally, however, a divorce is a relatively straightforward procedure. There is one ground for a divorce: the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
There are five ways of showing this to a Court:
•    Adultery
•    Behaviour
•    Desertion for more than two years
•    Separation for two years or more with the other person’s consent
•    Separation for five years or more without the other person’s consent



May
31
Filed Under (Business Services) by jennyandrew

Cypher Digital Imaging Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of their latest service, digital wallpaper.

Ideal for restaurants, attractions, hotels, residential, holiday lets, service areas and retail, Cypher’s digital wallpaper is prepasted so needs no additional adhesive. It is so simple to use that the customer can fit it themselves or a commercial decorator can fit it. The digital wallpaper is PVC free and is printed using HP’s environmentally friendly Latex inks. Unlike solvent inks these are not harmful to the environment and have no odour, making it safe for any domestic or commercial applications. The ultra smooth finish and the latex base of the inks provide vivid colour graphics with high-definition detail.

The benefits of this new digital wallpaper compared with the older PVC based substrates are vast.  As well as the environmental benefits of this new digital wallpaper, it also meets commercial wall covering standards and for indoor use, has a permanence of 10 years+. Should that length of permanence not be required, the digital wallpaper comes with a manufacturers warranty for clean removal. In terms of safety, the wallpaper is flame retardant so meets health and safety guidelines.

It was a colourful start to 2011 at the new Furmanite IT & Training Centre in Kendal. Furmanite commissioned a full colour digital wallpaper graphic for the new centre from Cypher. The graphic which is a very colourful montage of Furmanite workers undertaking various tasks is a huge 9.5m wide and just under 2.5m high. It was printed on the latest HP PVC-free wall paper using environmentally friendly 1.5m wide HP latex printer.

For more information on digital wallpaper and to obtain quotes, visit http://www.cypherdigital.co.uk/new05/printed-wallpaper.html



May
28
Filed Under (Retail) by Mike Andrew

Childs and Co is a design and make studio based in the historic market town of Kendal in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Specialising in functional solid wood furniture for the home, colourful and child friendly children’s furniture including toy storage products such as wooden toy boxes. Our home furniture product range includes breadboards, wooden platters, pegboard and footstool products, tables and ottoman products. In addition to our stylish product range Childs and Co also commission and produce one off pieces tailored to your personal needs and taste.

Using predominantly local materials, Childs and Co furniture and products are renowned for their clean lines, durability and sustainability. In traditional or contemporary styles, Childs and Co furniture and accessories are designed for you and your home.

Choose from the existing product line or call for a bespoke solution, and be comfortable in the knowledge a Childs and Co piece will add a statement to your home.



May
23
Filed Under (Industrial Goods and Services) by Mike Andrew

Calibration, basically involves the comparison of a measuring instrument, the Unit Under Test (UUT) to a Standard of known accuracy.

The standard comparison for calibration would ideally be more accurate than the UUT and have its own calibration certificate which can be traced back through an unbroken chain of calibrated standards to an appropriate standard held by a National Laboratory. In the UK, this would be the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

UKAS Calibration is essentially calibration undertaken by a laboratory which has been independantly audited and subsequently accredited by UKAS to carry out the work.
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Rubber seal and gasket manufacturer invests in new production equipment.

High performance rubber seals manufacturer, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), a Unit of IDEX Corp., has invested in new production equipment to meet growing demand for Endura seals by leading oil and gas companies around the world.

PPE specializes in standard and customised rubber seals for demanding applications in the oil and gas industry as well as semiconductor manufacture, chemical and food processing and pharmaceutical manufacture. Through a combination of innovative elastomer compounding, seal design expertise and rapid, precision manufacture, the company is able to meet customers’ most challenging rubber gaskets needs.
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Chlorine Monitors are used in many applications requiring the measurement of residual chlorine concentration for chlorine monitoring or residual chlorine dosing control.

A residual chlorine analyzer or meter has various applications including:

•    Continuous chlorine monitoring
•    Water treatment plant residual chlorine control
•    Secondary chlorination free chlorine control
•    Distribution monitoring for total residual chlorine
•    Cooling tower chlorine monitoring and control
•    Pasteuriser chlorine dosing control
•    Seawater chlorination control
•    Chlorine in seawater monitor

The membraned amperometric chlorine sensor is enhanced with a third, reference, electrode which eliminates zero drift. pH correction is often not required at all. (NB. These chlorine sensors are often known as polarographic chlorine sensors although this is a misuse of the word polarographic).

The chlorine sensor used by the Residual Total Chlorine Meter and the Residual Free Chlorine Monitors are both largely pH independent meaning that both chlorine analyzers are bufferless and reagentless. They both utilize amperometric chlorine sensors and both show remarkable sensitivity and stability. For those making a chlorine measurement at high pH (>pH 8.5) on variable pH water it is possible to provide pH compensation from either a pH sensor connected to the chlorine analyser or from an external pH meter.
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Apr
28
Filed Under (Chemicals) by Mike Andrew

Choose Clean Around the Bend for Septic Tank cleaning using Biobug SEP, the environmentally friendly Septic Treatment additive.
All of their products are made with environmentally friendly and naturally occurring biological microbes.
They are designed to help you clean your home and keep it smelling fresh.
If you have a touring caravan, a motor home, a mobile home, a boat or a second home Clean around the Bend can help you keep them fresh and clean too.
There are products to keep your drains clean and running freely; to maintain your septic tank; and to improve your compost heap.
And products for Hotels, Cafes, and B&B’s including grease trap cleaner products.
It’s not just drains that cause funny smells in the home, so do some pets. Clean around the Ben have products to help with those too.