Wednesday 22nd February 2012

It was hailed by the organisers as a huge success, and for those of us who attended a great family day out. In fact, if you have a teenage daughter you’d be well advised to stick this date on the calendar right now. The 6th Annual Charity match, organised by Jamie and Phil Walker, also raised a staggering £19,000 for three charities, with a little (but not inconsiderable) help from a few soapstars. Phil Walker was on record as saying that it was the best event they’d hosted and they were keen to repeat the experience. Phil contacted us yesterday with this statement, "After lengthy talks, I am excited to announce that my son Jamie’s 7th Annual Charity Football Match will be a re-match on Sunday May 27th, 2012, at the b2Net Stadium (KO 3pm), where a team of Chesterfield Legends will play the M1 Management Soap Stars for onceuponasmile.org.uk. "The Soap Stars won last years game 5-4 and the game raised nearly £20,000. In total, Jamie’s 6 charity games have raised over £85,000, so this event should take the fund past the £100,000 raised mark. "Tickets are now on sale from Chesterfield FC’s Club Shop." We also caught up with Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s Director, John Croot and he told us that they were honoured to host the re match saying, "I am thrilled to bits! It’s a great community event and thousands of people turned up last year to support the three charities and I’m sure they will again. We’ve got the soapstars coming along, some fresh faces, but I’m not sure who yet. It’s a great charity event which raised over £20,000 for deserving causes so we look forward to people turning up to support it again." Phil and his son have hosted several of these matches at other grounds, but this is the first time they have returned to one to host the rematch, and John agreed that that was a huge boost for the club and its supporters, "The Community Trust worked hard to make sure it happened last year and made it available and a good time was had by all!" He added that the club is very proud to be involved with this, and the other community events it runs, "We’re engaged with the community locally and are proud to be so. I’m a man who enjoys his job and looking forward to a good 2012!"

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MARK BANKS ON BOOK FOR CHARITY - Chesterfield FC Coach Mark Crossley titled his autobiography, ‘Looking After Number One’ but in fact, the ethos behind the book sales is just the opposite. More…

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DOG-GONE… - North East Derbyshire District Council are asking for help with information on these two dogs. More…

SPIREITES RUN TO SUPPORT ASHGATE HOSPICE - It’s been revealed that a team from Chesterfield Football Club is hoping to net £2,000 for Ashgate Hospice by competing in the Spire10 mile race later this month. More…

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HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW… - ‘Man pain’ was definitely the order of the day in one Chesterfield coffee shop on Saturday morning. More…

NEW ACTIVITY PROGRAMME FOR THE DISABLED - Sportability, the London based registered charity, is expanding its operation of sports programmes for people with paralysis across the nation. More…

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ASHOVER CLASSIC CAR RALLY WILL BENEFIT CHARITIES - 100′s of classic cars and bikes will be at the Ashover Show Ground near Chesterfield this month for a new all-day rally, which could raise thousands for local charities. More…

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2 DOGS WILL BE PUT TO SLEEP TODAY UNLESS YOU CAN HELP? - Bert and Ernie are both being housed at the Dog Control Kennels and as is their policy, they will unfortunately be sadly put to sleep today More…

FERRETS HELP FUND ASHOVER FLOWER FESTIVAL - This week ferret-racing fans from all over North Derbyshire have helped Ashover Church Flower Guild raise £1,700 for charity. More…

ASHGATE HOSPICE FOREIGN COIN COLLECTION - Foreign currency can be used to raise money, however time is running out to receive the best rates but you can still help Ashgate Hospice More…

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YOUR LOSS IS THEIR GAIN - A Charity 12 week Weight Loss Challenge from the 31st May 2011 in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. More…

RSPCA WEEK – PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY - We try and help every animal we come across, we try our best to help but that does come at a cost More…

ASHGATE HOSPICE INVITES YOU TO THE B2NET BALL - Ashgate Hospice will once again be hosting the b2net Ball at the b2net Stadium on Friday 3rd June 2011. More…

CARING FOR CARERS IN CHESTERFIELD - A new centre that aims to offer support, guidance and activities for carers has been officially opened in the town centre today. More…

ASHGATE’S FANCY DRAG RACE, MEN ONLY! - The 3rd annual, men only, Ashgate Hospice ‘Fancy Drag Race’ is taking place on Sunday 15th May and they expect the event to be the biggest yet! More…

LADIES – ZUMBA FOR ASHGATE HOSPICE - There will be a special Zumba Fitness session on Wednesday 6th April, 7.30pm at the Winding Wheel, Chesterfield. Tickets £5 in aid of Ashgate Hospice. More…

7 DOWN, 2 TO GO - They say that cats have nine lives but little Kitty must be down to seven by now after being the victim of TWO RTC’s in four months. More…

SPIREFEST GETS READY TO ROCK CHESTERFIELD - The inaugural Spirefest day long rock festival and guitar show due to be held at the Winding Wheel is drawing ever closer… More…

NETTING FUNDS FOR CHARITY AT THE B2NET - A massive charity football match is being organised to raise funds for a leading cancer charity that helped a former footballing apprentice beat the disease 4 years ago. More…

CATWALK CAPERS FOR CHARITY - Models, from Fairplay, council staff and friends and family of the Mayor’s staff and Chesterfield Post strutted their stuff raising over £750 for the Mayors Appeal. More…

HELP BEAM SCOTTY BACK HOME - The RSPCA is asking for help in tracing the owners of a cat who survived with only burned paws after being found in the engine of a car that had travelled to Chesterfield from Nottingham. More…

EVERY PEDAL HELPS - 15 staff from Tesco, Chesterfield got on their bikes in order to raise cash for Clic Sargent, Tesco’s Charity of the year. More…

CAN YOU SAVE THIS DOG? - A Staffordshire Bull Cross, picked up as stray by the council’s dog wardens, will be put to sleep tomorrow (Friday 4th March at 5pm) if a new home can’t be found for him. More…

GREAVESY’S WILD ABOUT CHOCOLATE - Jimmy Greaves is supporting a new brand of chocolates, made in Chesterfield, helping to do its bit to save tigers from extinction. More…

CHARITY BEGINS AT … ALFRETON - The first charity to benefit from the Alfreton Sunday League’s Grand 40th Reunion has been announced. More…

COMING TO A POOL NEAR YOU - Local residents are being invited to ‘jump in’ and swim to help raise cash for a leading cancer charity. More…

ASHGATE HOSPICE MIDNIGHT WALK FOR LADIES ONLY! - Our 4th annual Midnight Walk is on Sat/Sun 25th/26th June 2011 and is expected to be one of the biggest events in our calendar this year! More…

HAIR OF THE DOG - Bella is a year old Shar-pei and has been at the RSPCA kennels for a long time – 10 weeks in total. More…

NOW MAN’S BEST FRIEND CAN HELP TOO! - Ashgate Hospice is very excited to bring you a new event this year, especially for man’s best friend! You and your dog are invited for sponsored "walkies" in Linacre Woods to help raise vital funds. More…

B2NET BUCKETS BRING HELP TO CHILDREN’S HOSPICE - Generous fans visiting the B2Net have donated £400 to a Children’s Hospice through a bucket collection… More…

GUITAR HEROES - A unique gig, hoping to become an annual event, is being organised in Chesterfield in order to raise money for a leading cancer charity. More..

LEFT OUTSIDE ALONE- Animal Welfare Workers are investigating after two young cats were found abandoned outside the rescue centre in freezing temperatures. More…

EVERY LITTLE HELPS - A Primary School in Chesterfield is celebrating after being awarded £800 by a Supermarket Charity Trust. More…

Brrrrr RABBIT! - The RSPCA has issued an URGENT appeal for homes for 22 rabbits that have been brought to their kennels in Spital this week. More…

STAVELEY MWFC’S GENEROUS GESTURE FOR SCOUTS CANADA TRIP - A local company has made a generous donation towards a local scout group’s Canada trip after reading about the fundraising efforts in The Chesterfield Post. More…

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE? - Fairplay is a registered charity, dedicated to helping children with additional needs and their families. More…

LOVE LIGHTS UP HOSPICE - Ashgate Hospice would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who dedicated a light in this year’s Lights of Love switch on More…

LOCAL CHILDREN AND B&Q MAKE XMAS SPARKLE FOR ASHGATE - A Primary School in Chesterfield has helped to spread a little Christmas joy after a tree they decorated took pride of place at Ashgate Hospice. More…

RSPCA APPEAL - The RSPCA is appealing for what it calls a ‘special home for a very special pup’ – a near-blind rottweiler called ‘Mac’ and his best friend – a kitten called ‘Boyd’. More…

YOUR VOTE COUNTS - The Football League would like your help to help them decide which charity The League should select to be its Official Charity Partner for Season 2010/11. More…

WILL YOU SHINE A LIGHT OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR - Will you be remembering someone special this Christmas? It was that time of year again, another summer had flown by and there was more than a nip in the air. More…

CAN YOU OFFER THESE HENS AN EGG-CITING NEW LIFE? - The RSPCA in Chesterfield is urging people to consider buying Free range eggs after accepting 60 ex-battery hens into their kennels at Spital. More…

"BACK OF THE NET!" KICKING CASH FOR CHARITY - Students from Chesterfield College gave a local charity a boost as they took part in a penalty shoot out to raise cash for Ashgate Hospice.More…

BEING CRUEL TO BE KIND? - Chesterfield RSPCA are investigating the circumstances behind one of the most bizarre they’ve seen in 10 years at the Charity. More…

WIRKSWORTH ROTARY 5k SANTA FUN RUN - The Rotary Club Of Wirksworth are staging a 5k ‘Santa’ fun-Run for the Rainbows and Ashgate Hospice Charities on Sunday 5th December 2010 at Carsington Water More…

A LONELY GOAT HERD - If you’re an experienced goat owner (or a Military Regiment looking for your Regimental Mascot), with land to spare, then Chesterfield RSPCA is asking you to consider helping them. More…

PUPPY LOVE UPDATE - The RSPCA in Chesterfield confirms that a woman claiming to be the owner of the pups has contacted them and after checks, they have been reunited. More…

PUPPY LOVE - RSPCA bosses are appealing for help in tracing the people who dumped Barnaby and Benji last week in a Chesterfield field. More…

REMEMBER THEM - The Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion is asking residents to do just that and buy a poppy as the town launched it’s annual Poppy Appeal Saturday. More…

BARGAIN HUNT BONANZA - There was everything to pay for as the Mayor and Mayoress took part in a charity Bargain Hunt on Chesterfield’s very own flea market on Thursday, More…

WHY YOU REALLY SHOULD "GO TO SPECSAVERS" THIS WEEKEND - Have you ever looked at the ‘Mr Men’ characters and thought, what about one called Mr ??? More…

ASHGATE WINTER BALL, 27/11/10 - Ashgate Hospice are holding their ‘WINTER BALL’ on Saturday 27th November, 7pm for 7:30 until 1am at The Winding Wheel in Chesterfield. More…

MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE LOOKING FOR SUPPORTERS HELP - Derbyshire Fundraiser, Laura Read is inviting anyone who is interested to come along to an informal meeting. More…

DROP IN CENTRE OPENS IT’S DOORS – The Nenna Kind centre is situated in Room 5 on the 2nd floor of the Market Hall and offers support and advice in a welcoming environment for anyone affected by cancer. More…

HOPE FOR AFRICA - As children in Chesterfield prepare to return to school this week one charity is promoting the message that  ‘In Africa, education is a privilege not a right‘. More…

Article Sources: Charity events in Chesterfield with The Chesterfield Post

We are always updating the itinerary and adding exciting trips and bookings. Be sure to check out the itinerary on the website frequently to see if Debbie will be in your area. Check out the fantastic trip below.

Trip to see the Scottish Quilt Championships

We want to let you in on an exciting opportunity coming up in September 2012.

G&G Travel in Graham, TX and Debbie Maddy with Calico Carriage Quilt Designs have put together an 8 day trip to England and Scotland, culminating in 3 days at the Scottish Quilting Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland.

We start out with 2 nights in London at the 4 star Millennium Gloucester Hotel with a half day tour of London including the Victoria and Albert Museum . We will take the train to York making a stop at the York Quilt Museum and then on by train to Edinburgh where we will have the opportunity to take a bus tour as well as a walking tour of this centuries old city. The trip includes a three day ticket to the Quilting Championships and guides on the planned tours.

We are limited to only 20 people so you need to act soon to reserve your spot.

Non-refundable deposit of 500.00 per person, plus insurance ($635 total), is due March 31 to

G and G Travel, Inc, 455 Elm St., Graham, Texas 76450 if paying by cash or check.

If paying by credit card there will be a 2.7% surcharge added.

(INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REQUIRES PASSPORT FOR US CITIZENS..IFNOT A CITIZEN, PLEASE CHECK IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GREAT BRITAIN).

16 September….2 nights in London at Millennium Gloucester Hotel *4

18 September….1 night in York at Holiday Inn*3

19 September….5 nights in Edinburgh at King James Hotel*4

8 Breakfasts at the hotels

2 Dinners at the hotels (1 in London and 1 in York)

Visits to Victoria and Albert Museum in London, York Quilt Museum and Edinburgh Castle (all including tour)

Half day sightseeing tour of London

Single train journey London to York

Single train journey York to Edinburgh

Panoramic (bus ride with city views) tour of Edinburgh

Walking tour of Edinburgh

3-day ticket to Scottish Quilting Championships

Half day guide on September 17, 19 and 20

Cost of the trip is $2,507.42, (double occupancy) $3,207.42 (single occupancy) not including airfare.Travel insurance for the land portion of the trip is mandatory and is $135 per person, payable at time of the first deposit and is included in the first deposit for the trip. It is with Travel Guard and covers trip cancellation because of medical reasons, baggage, pre-existing conditions, medical reasons, emergency evacuation, death and dismemberment and trip interruption. (Flight insurance is separate and handled with your airfare).

Additional details to follow.

Calico Carriage Quilt Designs

Article Sources: Join us on a trip to Scotland

Budget airline Ryanair has announced it is axing routes from Scotland’s busiest airport in a dispute over costs with operator BAA.

The airline claimed the cuts at Edinburgh Airport could lead to 300 job losses and passenger traffic dropping by 15%, from 1.8 million to 1.5 million. But BAA said they were not expecting any job losses and “did not understand” where Ryanair got that figure from.

Ryanair announced it would reduce its operating aircraft at the hub from seven to six. It means the end of flights to and from Berlin in Germany. Other flights expected to begin later this year to Malmo in Sweden, Murcia and Ibiza in Spain and Estonia have been cancelled.

The airline said the number of flights Ryanair operates from the airport each week will drop by a fifth (21%), from 140 to 110. The company blamed a “breakdown of negotiations” about costs with BAA.

Ryanair warned that further cuts could be on the horizon if BAA Edinburgh does not extend its five-year competitive cost agreement, due to expire in October.

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief executive, said: “Ryanair regrets BAA Edinburgh Airport’s rejection of our proposals for a competitive cost base which would allow Ryanair to further grow our traffic and routes for summer 2012. Sadly, BAA Edinburgh seems to prefer higher costs, even if it means fewer passengers and jobs at Edinburgh.

“We hope even at this late stage that BAA Edinburgh will realise that the way to grow traffic and jobs is by working with Ryanair to lower passengers fares, not raise them.”

However, Jim O’Sullivan, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We have tried extremely hard to negotiate with Ryanair but sadly on many issues have not been able to find common ground. For example, we cannot accept their wish to not pay the agreed air traffic control costs that all other airlines pay.”

A spokesman for national agency Transport Scotland said: “The Scottish Government regrets Ryanair’s decision to cut back its services out of Edinburgh Airport. We hope that the airline and the airport can reach a mutually acceptable agreement to maintain services and connectivity out of the airport.

“There is no shortage of interest by airlines wanting to develop connectivity from Scotland’s airports, as has been exampled by Emirates offering a double daily service to Dubai from June, Jet2′s continued expansion at Glasgow and Lufthansa’s and Azerbaijan’s growth at Aberdeen.”

Article Sources: Ryanair blames cuts on cost dispute

Ryanair's claims that its plans to reduce services from Edinburgh Airport could mean up to 300 job losses have been dismissed by industry insiders.

The budget airline said it would reduce its number of aircraft based there from seven to six and would cut five routes.

This followed the breakdown in talks with operator BAA over a reduction in charges for using the airport.

It will stop flying to Berlin in Germany; Malmo in Sweden; Murcia and Ibiza in Spain; and Tallinn in Estonia.

However, the Tallinn flights are already suspended for the winter and the Malmo, Murcia and Ibiza routes were only announced on 31 January and have not yet begun flying.

At a news conference, Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary claimed hundreds of jobs would go as a result of his company cutting back.

Ryanair does not directly employ any staff at Edinburgh Airport, and a spokesman for its handling agent Servisair said he could make no comment.

However, the BBC understands that there will be "little or no" impact on jobs at the company.

One industry insider said he was "gobsmacked" by Mr O'Leary's claims.

BAA said it would not be making any job cuts, claiming the effect of one fewer aircraft would be minimal at an airport where its 485 employees deal with 9.3 million passengers every year.

Mr O'Leary blamed BAA's "high costs" for the route cuts, accusing the company of rejecting its proposals for a "competitive cost base."

"Sadly BAA Edinburgh seems to prefer higher costs, even if it means fewer passengers and jobs at Edinburgh," he said.

Edinburgh Airport has become the Ryanair's largest hub in Scotland.

‘Hard to negotiate’

Its contract with Edinburgh is up for renewal in October and the company warned of "significant further cuts" if the new five year agreement "is not extended on more competitive terms".

BAA is selling Edinburgh Airport following a decision by the Competition Commission with final bids due to be lodged by early April.

Jim O'Sullivan, the managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said it was disappointed that Ryanair has reduced its services.

"We have tried extremely hard to negotiate with Ryanair, but sadly on many issues have not been able to find common ground," he said.

"For example, we cannot accept their wish to not pay the agreed air traffic control costs that all other airlines pay."

Article Sources: Doubt over Ryanair job loss claim as airline cuts Edinburgh routes

Fears have been raised that a proposed takeover of the airline bmi could give one of its rivals a “monopoly” on some Scottish routes.

British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), wants to take over bmi.

Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson has warned the move could “take British flying back to the dark ages”.

Leading figures from the SNP and the Conservatives have also voiced concerns. Both Alyn Smith, an SNP MEP, and Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser fear if the takeover goes ahead, IAG will have a monopoly on flights between Heathrow and Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

That could mean travellers being forced to pay more for flights and possibly facing a reduced service. Scottish MEPs, including Mr Smith, have highlighted their concerns in a letter to European Competitions Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.

He warned: “If this move goes ahead, IAG would have a monopoly on the Edinburgh-Heathrow and Aberdeen-Heathrow routes: this could lead to reduction in service and increase in price.”

Meanwhile, Mr Fraser said that if the deal went through, IAG’s share of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow would rise from 45% to 53% “consolidating its position as the airport’s most powerful carrier”. He added that “the sale of BMI more generally will have implications for BMI Regional and the near 300 staff based in the north-east of Scotland”.

Virgin has now submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission about the IAG-bmi proposal. It argued if the merger was approved three key domestic routes to and from Heathrow would become BA “monopoly routes” – Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Sir Richard, the airline’s president, said: “This takeover would take British flying back to the dark ages. For years, pioneering airlines have fought to provide consumers with more choice and lower fares.The regulators cannot allow BA to sew up UK flying and squeeze the life out of the travelling public.”

IAG said it was confident that regulatory authorities would approve the deal. It added: “Bmi is a massively loss-making airline. Selling it to IAG offers the best solution for British consumers and UK plc, securing more jobs than if the airline was broken up and sold off for its Heathrow slots. This deal is the only option for safeguarding services to the UK regions.”

Article Sources: icRenfrewshire – bmi takeover plan concerns raised

Professor Peter Woodward, one of the world’s leading experts on the geo-engineering of railways, said that high-speed running created “new problems” in track which “may threaten the stability and safety of the train”.

In papers lodged with the Government’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Prof Woodward warned that speeds as high as those proposed by HS2 could trigger “significant amplification of train-track vibrations” causing “rapid deterioration of the track, ballast and sub-ballast, including possible derailment and ground failure”.

High-speed rail in the West has a fairly good safety record, but experts are worried that HS2 plans to run trains faster than any other line in the world. Trains will travel at 225mph, rising to 250mph within a few years.

Most high-speed lines, including Britain’s existing Eurostar, run no faster than 186mph and the world’s current fastest rail-based trains, France’s TGV Est, travel at 200mph.

Some trains on the new Chinese high-speed network used to run at 220mph, but were reduced to 186mph last year on safety grounds.

Prof Woodward declined to answer questions about his work.

However, he told The Engineer magazine that he was worried about “ground waves” of vibration, known as Rayleigh waves, developing in the rail at a certain speed.

“The analogy is that of an aircraft going through the sound barrier,” he said.

As “critical track velocity” was approached, the track would “start to undergo strong ground vibrations,” rippling visibly along the rails in front of the train.

“It is possible that if the train was allowed to run at this critical track velocity it would derail at high speed,” he warned.

Professor Woodward, who is professor of railway geo-technical engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and a colleague, Prof Mike Forde of Edinburgh University, have now been awarded almost £500,000 by the Government to investigate the issue.

Using a purpose-built test track bed, they are trying to find out what the danger speed is and whether HS2 will exceed it.

Emails released under the Freedom of Information Act show that Andy Went, HS2′s head of track, now a senior engineer at Network Rail responsible for HS2, is closely involved in the research.

HS2, Professor Woodward and academics at Southampton University are also set to obtain Government funding for a further and larger but secret research project on the same subject.

The emails show that Hs2′s chief engineer, Prof Andrew McNaughton, was closely involved in drawing up the new research proposal.

Heriot-Watt refused Freedom of Information Act requests about the new project, saying that releasing any information on it would cause “substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs”.

HS2′s involvement in the Edinburgh and Southampton projects calls into question Prof McNaughton’s assurance to MPs on the Transport Select Committee that a 225mph service can run safely on current forms of track.

“We do not consider it requires technology development to achieve [the proposed service] at 225mph and we believe that only limited, foreseeable development would be necessary for [250mph],” he said.

Another expert in the field, Professor Victor Krylov of Loughborough University, who produced an influential early academic paper on the subject, said the danger was of a “ground vibration boom, similar to a sonic boom” which caused a sudden and “very large” increase in generated ground vibrations.

“What matters is when you cross the [speed] barrier,” he said.

“If you do that, ground vibrations can increase twenty, thirty times.”

Professor Krylov said the effect was greatest in soft ground and had been observed in trains travelling as slowly as 110mph in Sweden, across alluvial soil.

“The most straightforward way to improve the situation is just to make the ground stiffer – by injection of concrete, or by piling,” he said. “But the best or cheapest measure you can do is just to reduce the speed.”

However, HS2 needs to run at 225mph if it is to meet its ambitious business case and capacity claims.

Its planned two-track core route between London and the Midlands is supposed to be able to handle the traffic currently served by three separate main lines, to destinations including Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield, Leeds and Scotland.

HS2 claims it will be able to run up to 18 trains an hour – one every three minutes 20 seconds – along the core route, more than on any other such high-speed line in the world.

If the trains had to be slower, frequencies would have to be reduced, putting at risk the promised service to many destinations.

Running at the industry standard of 186mph would cut the £34 billion scheme’s already shrinking benefit-cost ratio by 15 per cent.

A spokesman for HS2 said: “It is nonsense to suggest that we would design a railway that did not take into account the effects of Rayleigh waves.

“We are designing HS2 so that there is no possibility that Rayleigh waves would lead to any problems such as derailment.

“We will continue to work closely with and support leading researchers such as Prof Woodward to develop and design safe and efficient high speed train operations in the UK.”

Article Sources: High speed rail link ‘at risk of derailment’ because of 225mph trains

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If you haven’t been to Edinburgh or Scotland before, you might not have heard of Scottish tablet, a super-sweet confectionery that’s popular here as a treat. Most of the shops and stores along the Royal Mile promote Scottish fudge, but if you were to go to someone’s home for a sweet treat, and you were lucky, they’d make table.

Tablet is said to have first made an official presence in Scottish cuisine back in the 18th century! The product is simple, usually just sugar and condensed milk with butter, though some fancier recipes include additional flavours like whisky or vanilla – or both!.

I’ve made it several times before and while the recipe for how to make Scottish tablet is simple, it’s also easy to screw up Here’s a recipe for you to try it at home. Be sure to read through it a couple times first, because “in the heat of the moment” – literally – it can get a bit hectic.

Ingredients

• 1 kg white granulated sugar
• 400g sweetended condensed milk (1 tin)
• 100g unsalted butter (not margarine)
• a small bowl of fresh milk
• a splash of vanilla extract

How To

Get your large, non-stick pan and put it on the stove on medium-high heat. Put the sugar in the pan with a little bit of the cold milk just to dampen it – you don’t want very much, hardly more than a couple spoons full. Add the butter and the condensed milk.

As it heats, stir it constantly – you must make sure it doesn’t stick. As it comes to a boil, turn the heat down and keep on stirring. You’ll notice it really rising up in the pan but just keep stirring.

It will take about 20 minutes after it boils to start to settle. You don’t have to have a sugar themometer to know when it’s ready – just drop a piece of it into cold water, and if it forms a soft, sticky ball, then it’s ready to go.

Once you take it off the heat, you need to stir EVEN MORE. Yup, go crazy. Once you feel the batter is quite smooth and almost starting to stick to the pan, you immediately then need to put the mixture into a glass tray, which you’ve buttered. The mixture will really freeze on you quickly so move fast.

You’ll need to leave the mix now to cool, usually overnight, before cutting into squares. Be sure to store in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out.

Goes well with whisky and/or after a meal, or a long day of sightseeing.Slainte!

Article Sources: How to make Scottish Tablet

Airline punctuality data website flightontime.info has named Thomson Airways as last summer’s most punctual charter carrier.

It is the fourth year running that the Tui Travel airline has beaten Monarch and Thomas Cook Airlines to the top position.

Overall, the average charter flight operated just over 20 minutes behind schedule during the summer 2011 season, among the better punctuality averages seen during the last decade, and a significant improvement since delays peaked at an average of 31 minutes in summer 2008, the website said.

On-time performance was 74% on average, nine percentage points better than in summer 2010 and only 8% of flights were delayed by over an hour, compared with 12% the previous summer.

Thomson Airways had an average delay of 17 minutes and an on-time performance of 77% and only one in 15 flights was delayed by more than an hour over the season compared with one in 10 the previous summer. The carrier was also the most punctual at all but two of the eight UK reporting airports analysed.

Thomas Cook Airlines recording the best improvement in average delay of the three analysed charter airlines, dropping by 43% from 35 minutes to less than 20 minutes overall.

On-time performance for Thomas Cook flights was close to the level demonstrated by Thomson at nearly 76%, though a larger proportion of longer delays adversely affected the average delay for the airline, according to the website.

Monarch finished the season in third position, though also improved its timekeeping significantly year on year with the average delay reducing by over 25% to 22 minutes. On-time performance for Monarch charter flights was 70.5%, some five percentage points lower than Thomas Cook, though in terms of the proportion of flights delayed by over an hour, the airline achieved the second best performance at 8.1%, flightontime said.

The website placed each airline in a league table and measures the average number of delay minutes over a period between April and October based on flights from Manchester, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Luton, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Thomson Airways operations director Dawn Wilson said ”We know how frustrating delays can be for holidaymakers so we do everything we can to reduce waiting times when we do have to deal with unexpected delays.

“We are continually reviewing our performance and will continue to reduce the delay time even further on flights operating across the whole of the UK.”

Article Sources: Thomson Airways heads up punctuality table

LONDON, Feb 14, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –Polycom Inc. /quotes/zigman/60019/quotes/nls/plcm PLCM -1.15% , the global leader in standards-basedunified communications (UC), is helping NHS Lothian to improve healthservices internally and with other health boards across South EastScotland. Over the last 18 months, NHS Lothian and Polycom havecreated a highly collaborative working environment built aroundPolycom HD video solutions. Using video to conference face-to-faceover long distances, rather than having to be there in-person,benefits staff with improved efficiency, benefits patients withgreater convenience, and benefits the health board as a whole withsubstantial cost savings.

To date, Lothian has deployed seven Polycom(R) RealPresence(TM)Immersive Solutions and 10 Polycom Practitioner carts in areas suchas neonatal care, stroke consultations, and healthcare support inprisons. These solutions have already helped NHS Lothian makesignificant savings in operational costs — for example, running oneparticular meeting via videoconferencing solutions saved GBP 1,600(~US$2,500) in travel expenses alone.

NHS Lothian is responsible for patients in a geographically dispersedarea, providing care for people living in Edinburgh, East Lothian,Mid Lothian, and West Lothian and providing a range of regional andnational services which cover patients across Scotland. Inparticular, the health board works closely with NHS Fife, NHSBorders, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The health board has around27,000 staff, 200 sites, and three A&E (accident and emergency)departments, making it the second largest in Scotland.

The health board had previously used videoconferencing for internalmeetings typically in conference rooms, but staff felt the technologycould be used in a more collaborative and flexible way forconsultants and the treatment of patients. NHS Lothian chose Polycombecause of the superior quality of Polycom video.

Iain Robertson, head of IT infrastructure and operations at NHSLothian, said: “We have a number of partnerships with technologyorganizations, and it is important that these are two-wayrelationships. Not only does Polycom have the right technicalsolutions, it has an incredibly experienced healthcare team offeringa complete service solution.

“We made the right decision in choosing Polycom, and the resultsspeak for themselves. We have kept all of our original meeting roomsand we now have the ability to connect to remote teams. We are moreconnected than ever, with the ability to use voice, video, unifiedcommunications, and telepresence all in one call,” said Robertson.

“NHS Lothian is realizing the full benefits of truly unifiedcommunications built around HD video collaboration,” said AndrewGraley, director of healthcare, Polycom EMEA. “Residents in Lothianand across the South East of Scotland can now communicate withhealthcare professionals like never before — encouraging aself-service approach to health. Together with the cost andenvironmental savings from video collaboration, NHS Lothian is on toa winning formula.”

NHS Lothian is using the videoconferencing systems for a number ofdifferent activities including:

— Hosting case meetings in the Regional Cancer Centre and connecting geographically dispersed clinicians working remotely to help them feel engaged and share information. Patients are also invited to speak to experts in Edinburgh in cases where travel is not possible. — Providing more access to ground-breaking medical centers like the Clinical Sleep Services Center in Edinburgh. Patients can go to the center for an initial visit and then connect with medical staff via videoconferencing for follow-up sessions. — Running physiotherapy classes across Lothian, so patients don’t have to travel to Edinburgh for a class but can connect with experts via video. — Improving communication and collaboration between the NHS Lothian executive team and other local authorities to help share best practice and expertise. — Providing training and support for staff to help transfer expert knowledge across Lothian.

** Polycom(R) RealPresence(TM) Experience (RPX(TM)) Series

A fully immersive solution, the Polycom RPX(TM) series delivers theultimate meeting experience, with an all-inclusive meetingenvironment that brings HD video, audio, and content-sharing to acinematic video wall. The technology is cutting-edge and so simple touse, it allows you to focus purely on the visual quality offace-to-face conversations that are as lifelike and natural as if youwere in the same room.

**Polycom(R) Practitioner Cart(TM) HDX(R) Unit

Polycom Practitioner Cart mobile healthcare solutions transform aroomful of technology into a simple, mobile workstation to bringhigh-definition video, audio, and image-sharing to medicalprofessionals and patients no matter where they are located.

About Polycom Polycom is the global leader in standards-basedunified communications (UC) solutions for telepresence, video, andvoice powered by the Polycom RealPresence Platform. The RealPresencePlatform interoperates with the broadest range of business, mobile,and social applications and devices. More than 400,000 organizationstrust Polycom solutions to collaborate and meet face-to-face from anylocation for more productive and effective engagement withcolleagues, partners, customers, and prospects. Polycom, togetherwith its broad partner ecosystem, provides customers with the bestTCO, scalability, and security — on-premises, hosted, or clouddelivered. Visit polycom.eu or connect with Polycom on Twitter,Facebook, and LinkedIn.

NOTE: The product plans, specifications and descriptions herein areprovided for information only and subject to change without notice,and are provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied.

Copyright 2012 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. POLYCOM(R), thePolycom “Triangles” logo and the names and marks associated withPolycom’s products are trademarks and/or service marks of Polycom,Inc. and are registered and/or common law marks in the United Statesand various other countries. All other trademarks are property oftheir respective owners.

Contacts: Sarah Brambley Polycom, Inc. (UK) +44 (0)1753 723130

SOURCE: Polycom, Inc.

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Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

Article Sources: NHS Lothian Expands Use of Polycom(R) RealPresence(TM) Video Collaboration Solutions Across South East Scotland to Improve Patient Health Care and Reduce Costs

Erwin News – Traveling out of town or abroad with the family by using the plane is sometimes quite difficult. Moreover, not all airports have a good infrastructure for its passengers. As reported by Dailymail,  recently conducted a study Skyscanner to know the terminal where the flight is best for the family in England. In this study asked parents to assess Skyscanner 10 airports which is best for the family. The assessment includes facilities children’s play area, food choices, and security systems at airports. And the outcome of those assessments Edinburgh Airport has been named the friendliest airport in the mother and child in Britain. This assessment is based on the Edinburgh Airport has a restaurant for up to 70 percent of the airport. Besides the food offered at the airport is also very diverse. Not only that, Edinburgh airport also has a beautiful view of the foundation as well as easy access to the various terminals.In this study the position of second best airport in the UK family is occupied by the Glasgow International Airport, this airport has a variety of play areas for children. Meanwhile, the third and fourth position obtained and Manchestrer Liverpool Airport, Gatwick Airport and was followed in fifth. While the most bloated in position occupied by Heathrow Airport. Airport located in the City of London is considered not very friendly to the family due to lack of children’s play area, a solid by the passengers, and only a few seats for waiting. Heathrow Airport every year to accommodate 69 million passengers and the airport is the busiest airport in London. Skyscanner itself is a site that provides travel search online comparison on flight costs for millions of airline flights in the thousands, as well as car rental, hotel and offers.

Article Sources: Edinburgh Airport Best For Families