Infusion

How to make a tea cosy

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:23:00 +0000

Brighten up the breakfast table with a handcrafted tea cosy. Top textile designer Lisa Stickley shows you how to make a tea cosy:

Tea, cake and .... the radio in the background are all particular favourites of mine. This is a nice easy project to ensure that your tea will be steamy hot even after the cake is gone!

Print v iPads: books win!‏

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 05:30:00 +0000

Although e-book readers might be heralded as the future of literature but a new report shows that it's still quicker to read the old-fashioned print version of a book. However, the study found that although traditional printed books are faster and 'more relaxing' to read, but iPads and Kindles are 'more satisfying'.

The bookcase you'll want to live in

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:24:00 +0000

The Ark bookcase is for storing your books. But it's also for so much more . .

Fairtrade towns to top 500‏

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:26:00 +0000

Fair trade is growing fast with ever more Fairtrade towns that promote ethical shopping and even twin with their producer communities. A decade on from Garstang in Lancashire being declared as a Fairtrade town, the Fairtrade Foundation is set to crown the UK's 500th Fairtrade town, with Basingstoke and Deane borough in England, Fife in Scotland and the Welsh town of Llanelli all in the running. Fairtrade groups are as likely to be found in urban areas as in rural idylls. Twenty-three London boroughs have Fairtrade status, and Fairtrade cities include Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool.

Being at a computer makes us crave chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:20:00 +0000

Computers can make you fat - and not just from lack of exercise! Research shows that staring at a computer screen makes us work up an appetite for sweet treats like chocolate cake and biscuits. It is thought that the mental stress of computer work triggers changes in blood sugar and hormone levels that trick the brain into thinking it has worked off lots of calories that need replaced.

How to pour the perfect cup of coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:52:00 +0000

The Guardian reports on years of research that have resulted in the discovery of the definitive way to pour the perfect second cup of coffee.

Hedgehog voted number one Icon of the Environment

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:16:00 +0000

The humble hedgehog – immortalised by the character “Mrs Tiggy-winkle” in Beatrix Potter’s classic children’s books – has been voted by the public as England and Wales’ number one Icon of the Environment. As part of the Environment Agency’s 10th anniversary celebrations people were asked to take part in an ICON of the Environment poll and to nominate and vote for their favourite environmental icon, at the official ICONS – A Portrait of England website.

From a field strewn with more than 70 nominations, the hedgehog emerged victorious ahead of the otter, red squirrel, and oak tree, with bluebell woods rounding out the top five.

Don't forget SuperBadger

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:20:00 +0000

SuperBadger is Tearfund's Facebook campaigning application. It allows Facebook users to send emails direct from their profile to the people making the decisions. Whether it is badgering politicians about climate change, or badgering supermarkets to stock more Fairtrade products, start badgering now!

Find SuperBadger on Facebook now (Facebook sign up required)
You can also follow SuperBadger on Twitter and SuperBadger's very own blog

John O’ Groats to Lands End?

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Rohantime are asking: How many Rohan Shops have you visited? as the stores cover pretty much John O’ Groats to Lands End (or actually Aberdeen to Jersey). Infusion members have visited quite a few, including Ambleside and Long Preston on the way to or from waking trips.

Midge Forecast website updated

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Three years ago I blogged about a website to help avoid the midge in Scotland. The Scottish Midge Forecast website is back, for its fifth year, with a brand-new look, sponsored by Smidge midge deterrent (this post is not an endorsement of the product, though I do plan to try it).

The website brings you the power of Google mapping to find your way around Scotland's midges, and it is also available through the social media below:

Social Media: Blessing or Curse?

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:41:00 +0000

From the Desiring God blog:

Many have expressed concern that emerging social media will hinder authentic face-to-face gospel community, but Ed Stetzer (in an article titled The Blessings of the New Media) says Social Media can be a blessing to the local church in four ways:

While social media does not provide community it can assist in building it.
Social media can communicate news within the local church.
Social media can communicate biblical, inspirational messages.
Social media can better acquaint people with the life and ministry of public ministers.

Within the UK, Urban Saints are running the Totally Wired tour: "an essential seminar for all parents, church leaders, youth leaders and anyone who cares about young people and the technology revolution". This comes to Leicester on 1st July.

Get on your bike: Sky Ride Leicester

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:11:00 +0000

Sign up for up to 50 FREE Led Cycle Rides across Leicester starting in July. Discover the traffic-free Riverside Way, Leicester Blue Plaques Tour, Lost Villages of Leicestershire or a range of other family-friendly rides. Trained British Cycling Ride Leaders will be on-hand to lead groups and offer cycling advice. Find out about a range of rides for all ages and abilities at www.goskyride.com.

See here for a list of Sky Ride Leicester Local Rides: www.goskyride.com/find-a-ride/default.aspx?cityid=6

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:04:00 +0000

The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins today. The Church of England has composed three prayers for the World Cup: two for the teams, the hosts and the fans - and one for those not interested. The prayers ask for blessings on all those involved, for generous sportsmanship and for the competition to be a source of celebration.

The prayer for those just not interested:

Lord, as all around are gripped with World Cup fever,

bless us with understanding,

strengthen us with patience and

grant us the gift of sympathy if needed.

Amen

Doctor Who: coming live to a stage near you‏

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:55:00 +0000

Doctor Who is soon set to step out of his Tardis and onto a theatre stage. The Doctor, together with assorted adversaries including the Daleks, Cybermen and Oods, is to tour the UK this autumn in a new stage show. Based upon the BBC’s smash-hit award-winning series Doctor Who, the doctorwholive.com show promises to deliver a spectacular audio/visual experience featuring live music, special effects and appearances from the show’s most popular monsters

Doctor Who Live will come to the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th October 2010.

Win an iPad with Rohan

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:47:00 +0000

Rohan are offering their fans an opportunity to win an iPad over on the Rohantime website.

Wear Marmite?

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:41:00 +0000

As we've noted before, you either love or hate Marmite. If you fall into the former category, you can now wear a cycling top to proclaim your love of Marmite.

Drinking coffee doesn't make you more alert

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:40:00 +0000

Drinking coffee doesn't make you more alert, a caffeine study reveals.

John Beatty on the Iceland volcano

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:54:00 +0000

In February, some of us caught John Beatty on his Wild Vision tour, sponsored by Rohan. Little did we realise that a month later he would be an eyewitness to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. He was subsequently interviewed by John McCarthy on Excess Baggage, the Radio 4 travel programme.

Free Christian iPhone applications

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:58:00 +0000

If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch then there are plenty of great Christian applications and websites that you may be interested in. You can find a range of iPhone and iPod Touch Christian applications listed in five sections on the free Christian resources website to make it easier to find exactly what you are after.

Cherish your churchyard

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 05:11:00 +0000

Thousands of growing churches are preparing to celebrate Cherishing Churchyards Week this June as part of the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity. The nationwide project is being run by conservation charity Caring for God’s Acre (CfGA) and is supported by the CofE’s national environmental campaign Shrinking the Footprint. There are an estimated 12,000 CofE churchyards.

10 moments when Britain prayed

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:22:00 +0000

Heaven help us : 10 moments when Britain prayed for its survival (Faith Central blog) provides a summary of a recent article in the BBC History magazine. Quoting Praying for Britain by Natalie Mears, it highlights 10 out the 540 nationwide prayer calls made by English monarchs and other leaders between the Reformation and 1947, the last time that England held a nationwide day of Prayer.

Bus driver filmed reading while driving

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:01:00 +0000

A bus driver has been suspended after a passenger filmed him apparently reading while driving along a dual carriageway in Birmingham. The National Express West Midlands driver was steering with his elbows while holding a small book. The passenger said they took the footage (which has since been posted on YouTube) after getting on the number 61 bus at Selly Oak at 2005 BST on Monday. National Express West Midlands said "immediate action" was taken.

We regularly post about books and reading on this blog but this is definitely not something to try yourself!

Doctor Who slays St George

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:19:00 +0000

From the Guardian's Comment is free blog:

"Other than that, and our crusade-inspired flag, George has not much to do with being English in the 21st century..... I suggest a new [patron saint]: The Doctor, the shape-shifting time-travelling guardian of humanity from Doctor Who. In fact, the Doctor shares many striking similarities with St George. Both are dragon-slaying outsiders, fighting on foreign shores to protect their adopted people. But we know so much more about the Doctor, and thus can proudly and sensibly sing his praises. If we as a people demand collective narrative from legend, we might as well make it a ripping yarn."

YHA Great Outdoors Challenge‏

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The YHA is setting you a challenge…to turn off the TV, put that book down and get yourself, friends and family in the open-air and start enjoying the British Spring Time. The YHA is throwing down the gauntlet for you to share your photographs and any moments that capture the great outdoors.
Email the YHA your pictures and they will publish the best one in their next newsletter. It’s time to don those wellies, umbrellas and smiles, spring into action and get outside! Be creative and see if you make the top spot with your spring-time images . CLICK HERE for more info.

Leicestershire Walking Week 2010: 4-12 Sept

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:24:00 +0000

Leicestershire Walking Week 2010 has been announced: it will take place from 4-12 September. The Walking Week brings walking, health and fitness, social, wildlife organisations and local authorities together to provide nine days of walking oportunities, exploring the delights of Leicestershire's countryside, villages and towns.

With guided walks taking place throughout the county, the programme aimed to cater for all ages and abilities. The walks included countryside rambles, health walks, heritage trails, and guided walks with themes, such as a history tour, or wildlife wander. The full programme of walks will be available mid-summer 2010.