Life in United Kingdom

Farm labourers

2011-09-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

This land is now owned by a farmer called Lovely Earth,
Wrong compost has been put on the land by the previous farmer ,
Now he has to clear up the white rubbish, cost millions worth.
The environmental inspector will be here, so come on labourers!

Four men and a girl in a rolls, with safety boots and gloves, and black bag.
Two British, one Polish, one Chinese, and the black man from Congo.
They bend down and pick up plastic bags, toothbrushes, and bottle caps.
Walking down to the hedge and back like plantation slavery Negro.

It's a nice day with bright sunshine and gentle breeze blowing on the face,
The tranquil dale far from bustling city, a pleasant green land with tall trees,
Bird twittering, cows mooing, and lambs grazing on the far hill with grace,
The labourers take the break eating their sandwiches and drinking teas.

"Oh, my leg's killing me!" the Polish girls complains,
Picking rubbish on a farm is boring and my legs and bum's sore,
But I enjoy the sunshine, and gentle breeze, the break is a paid picnic,
Every job seems to me a holiday and much more.

It's a Level 30 bear!

2011-09-18T18:06:00.000-07:00

I usually tell Brenda a bed time story when we are in bed and just before falling sleep. I was tired the other day. When Brenda asked for a story, I said 'I've told so many stories to you, now it's your turn. Tell me something.'

'Okay, then', she thought for a while and told me a bear hunt story.

It originated from the nursery rhyme:

Going on a bear hunt.

Going to catch a big one.

I'm not afraid.

Look, what's up ahead?

Mud!

Can't go over it.

Can't go under it.

Can't go around it.

Gotta go through it.

...
Going on a Bear Hunt

Going to catch a big one.

I'm not afraid

Look, what's up ahead?

Ohh it's a dark cave

I can't see anything

I can feel something

I can hear something

Oh it's a bear

RUN!(Reverse all motions quickly to get home.)

She made some interesting changes to the story. She was hunting bears with all her friends at the nursery. She finger-counted her bear hunt team: Alisa, Mason, Tori Lee, Abi, Miya ... and when she saw the bear, she exclaimed

'Oh, it's a bear. It's Level 30! RUN!'

This is clearly from the World of Warcraft game. She likes to watch me play the game and is always trying to help. Playing as a Tauren hunter, I tamed a tiger as my pet. Sometimes Brenda reminds me

'Mummy, you need feed your cat. She's not happy!'

'Mummy, don't sell all the meat. Save some for your pet!'

and she watches all beasts I encountered, compares their level with mine, and decides whether I shall attack or run away.

Occasionally, she gets nervous and asks me to 'go back to the road' or 'go to the save place'. She cheers when my Tauren hunter levelled up or killed a difficult enemy; she cries when he died and became ghost.

After she ran quickly to get home from her bear hunting adventure, I asked her 'What's your level then?'

'I'm Level 4. When I grow up, I will be Level 30 too!'

Spider population seems decline this year

2011-09-04T03:11:00.000-07:00

Large spider webs were everywhere in my garden last summer, but I haven't seen any so far this year. Some tiny web or several strings hanging on the washing line. I remembered that my daughter wanted some pets, such as cute dog, or cuddly cat or even a pony. I suggest that she can have spider as pet, because she doesn't know how to clean up dog poo, or gives cat a bath; she can't take dog out for a walk alone, because it is very dangerous to cross the road to the park, and too expensive to keep a pony.

But I found many big spiders inside my house this year, one huge spider even crawled over my mouse and then moved to the table corner and down along table leg, then went to hide somewhere.

I wonder why spider population declines. Will it boom next year?

Yin and Yang of the intro theme of Eastenders

2011-08-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

The more I look at the intro theme of BBC soap Eastenders, the more perfect it seems that the shape and curve of the River Thames has been chosen and shot, and the millennium dome is just on the right place!

I don't know if anybody have been ever aware that the shape of two side of riverbank implies intercourse of Yin and Yang? A male and a female or two males holding together?

The first shot in 1985 used a miniature model of London and the River Thames, then we got a true to life birds'eye camera shot of the same sequence in 1993. With the flowing of music, the picture moves and turns, on one head the millennium dome, and on the other head are two adjacent parks, one big and the other small, or you may focus on just one side of the river, then you make out that one recess, and the other protrude.

With the developing of the fighting for love plot between Syed and Christian, you may now confidently apply this intro scene to two man. I have never feel comfortable about the bed scene of gay love on TV, but it seems a fashion to pepper up all soap operas with a gay couple.

To accept the reality of gay love is a slow and difficult process to me, and until tonight I have been kept in my mind the question that if Marc Elliott and John Partridge are gay in real life. I solved this question when I was trying to find out why there are so many gay bed scene in the new Torchwood series, the supernatural twists and turns of the love drama between Jack and Angelo. In one BBC special program, John Barrowman tried to find out if he is born gay or not, nature or nurture, and at some extent he seems to blame his father dressed him up in bikini when he was a young boy.

FW: PM Club Derby - Exclusive Networking Event

2011-07-13T01:25:00.001-07:00

Has anybody been to the event? Is this a scam or real help to your business?

Jim Sheng
Dalriada Books Ltd
http://www.dalriadabooks.co.uk

> From: pmclubderby@gmail.com
> To: jim.sheng@dalriadabooks.co.uk
> Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 10:08:04 -0700
> Subject: PM Club Derby - Exclusive Networking Event
>
> Good evening,
>
> The PM Club would like to invite your company to the first of our business networking social events, taking place from 7pm to late in the prestigious Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby on Thursday 21st July.
>
> This will be an exclusive event for business owners, senior managers and professionals to socialise and network together.
>
> Please let us know if this would be of interest to you and we will be pleased send you more details.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
> The Organisers,
> PM Club Derby
> http://www.pmclub.co.uk
> http://pmclub.eventbrite.com
>

Smoking and stress affects digestive system

2011-07-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Went to see doctor.

My stomach's very noisy, always rumbles like when you're hungry.

Doctor says smoking and prolonged extreme stress affects the digestive system. I know that smoking is very harmful to all parts of digistive system, but not stress.

Earliest Children’s books in England

2011-05-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

Children’s books existed even before the printing press had been invented, they are “the Golden Key that opens the Enchanted Door.”

There were many books written for children well before Caxton set up his first printing-press. Generally they were written and copied by the monks in their monastery cells and they combined the teaching of reading with religious instruction. The first children’s book ever printed in UK was probably “The Primer in English Most Necessary for the Education of Children,” published about 1537. After reading came writing, and the first copy-book in England was printed about the year 1571. Later there were “Writing Sheets” or “School Pieces” and it is really from these School pieces of the late eighteenth century that our modern Christmas cards developed.

Story books and nursery rhymes appeared later. Probably “Old Mother Hubbard” was the first of the nursery rhymes, though the earliest printed edition still in existence was only published about the same time. History books had also been published and some publishers were quite anxious to avoid boring their young readers: “Choice Scraps, Historical and Biographical, Consisting of Pleasing Stories and Diverting anecdotes, Most of them short to Prevent Their Being Tiresome, Comprehending Much Useful Information and Innocent Amusement for Young Minds” was published about 1790.

More exciting books and adventure stories for young readers could also be bought. One of the earliest was the “The Renowned History of Guy, Earl of Warwick, and containing his Noble Exploits and Victories,” first published about 1700 and still being printed a century later. “The History of robin Hood,” which, with its many imitations, must be counted among the best-sellers of all time, appeared in different volumes before a collection of the stories was published.

The earliest fairy tales came from the French, written by an author’s son, Pierre Perrault, and at least six of these stories are still popular: “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Red riding Hood,” “Puss in Boots,” “Cinderella” and “Blue Beard.” These first appeared in France in 1697 and in due course English editions were published. “The Arabian Nights” also first saw the light of day in France and the stories of “Aladdin,” “Sinbad the Sailor” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” were quite well-known to English children by the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Then there are books such as “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame which tells the story of Toad of Toad Hall, the humble-minded Mole and the practical Water Rat. This has often been described as a delightful book for a family of all ages.

There are many books which were not originally written with the idea appealing specially to younger readers, but have since come to be regarded in that class. “Robinson Crusoe “is an example. On the other hand there are books such as Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” and Kidnapped” which first appeared as boys’ serials but became famous when published in book form and grown-up readers hailed them as masterpieces.

Then there is Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” told to three young girls on river picnics and only written in manuscript with amusing but amateurish drawings later on to give as a present to one of the girls because she had asked for it. That manuscript was sold seventy years later for £15,000 and grown-ups have enjoyed “Alice” just as much as children. Yet of no book could it be more truly said that it was “specially written for children.” When the book was eventually published, the famous artist, Sir John Tenniel, illustrated it. Since 1865 when it first appeared many other artists have illustrated the large number of different editions which have been published. Both “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass, “and another story of Alice, have been translated into many languages around the world.

The legend of St. George and the Union Jack Flag

2011-05-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

In the ancient city of Lydda, in Palestine, by the Mediterranean Sea, the king of Lydda a beautiful daughter, and the people of the city were happy and prosperous.

But one day a dragon came out of the sea devouring animals and people. The wise men of the city held consultation with the King, and it was agreed that the dragon might be kept at bay if food were provided for it. So each morning an animal was killed and left for the dragon. But as months passed the supply of cattle grew less, until no sheep or other beast remained.

Again, the wise men held consultation with the king, and they decided that each day one of the citizens must chosen by lot and offered to the monster, and unfortunately the first lot fell to the King's only daughter. Though the people of Lydda begged the king to relent, and a hundred men offered to take her place, the King declared that the princess must pay the price that chance had laid upon her.

It so happened that the young knight George rode that day towards Lydda, and saw the princess in her white dress bound to the stake. He heard the story of the dragon from the Princess. He fought with the dragon and killed it, and rescued the Princess.

This is only a legend of St. George, but St. george was a real person. He was a soldier in the Roman army in the fourth century. When serving in Syria he was put to death for being a Christian.

There already existed the legend of the sea monster at Lydda. Before Christian times the people of Lydda worshiped the sun. The dragon represented the Lord of Darkness and Evil, who rose from the sea when the sun died each night beyond the western hills, to be conquered by the Lord of Light and Goodness when the sun returned at dawn.

The legend became to attached to St. George's name because of the Crusade of the Christian knights of England night hundred years ago. Fighting against the town of Acre, the Crusaders were supposedly led to victory by a ghostly knight riding a great white horse, whom they afterwards learned to be St. George. In tribute to this, the King made him patron saint of England, and the Knights of Garter were founded at Windsor in his honour.

His emblem, a red cross on a white field, was warn over their armour as a jacket by the soldiers. From this comes the name jack, and when the flag was united with the blue-and-white flag of Scotland it became as the Union Jack.

Fairies in United Kingdom

2011-05-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

In the book Phantasmagoria (Ryhme? and Reason) by Lewis Carroll, the Phantom ghost told the man named Tibbets, he has a very big and variety family. His father was a Brownie, and mother was a fairy. His mother seemed very productive and she brought her children in different ways: one was a Pixy, two were Fays (fairy), another was a Banshee. The Fetch and kepie went to school, and gave a lot of trouble; Next came a poltergeist and Ghoul, and then two Trolls, a Gobline, and a Double. Next came an Elf, and then a Phantom that's himself. And last, a Leprechaun.

During the disscussion, the Phantom ghost told the man, just as in human society, in ghost society there is a hierachy, and ghost are answerable to the King who must be addressed as "Your Royal Whiteness". There is even a Knight Mayor, whose job it is to give you "nightmares". There is also Inspectre who caught a "sort of chill", and he can only quench his thirsty and rid himself his chill by visiting his hungting ground which happens to be inns where they serve port-wine; hence his name, the "inn-Spectre".

The Gnomes are said to run all over the countryside they inhabit; but they 'freeze' the moment human beings look in their direction. They can change themselves into one or other of the creatures of the wild they live among. They are fond of playing jokes on people, but only kind ones, which they expect humans to laugh at. If human folk get annoyed, the Gnomes are said to 'make their luck bad'. Usually, though, Gnomes are friendly.

The Imps are not only fond of doing their own housework, and cooking for the other fairies; they are also supposed to help human people who are doing these jobs. The work must be going on well, though, because if the human beings are not doing their best the Imps will move on to other households.

The Sprites are the lightest, daintiest fairies, and love the great out-of-doors. It does not worry them whether the day is sunny or not; they ride along over land and sea on a soft breeze or a fierce gale. They love to go into houses, taking fresh air with them.

Leprechauns are shoemakers, and very clever they are too at this craft. They earn a lot of money -- paid of course, in gold -- by making shoes for the other fairies. No human being has ever found a Leprechaun's hoard of fairy gold. They work in quiet places in the countryside, and wear a leather apron.

Elves love the countryside and wear green so that they cannot easily be seen when in the fields, woods, and hills. They like human beings to enjoy the wonders of nature as they do, but they are said to become angry if you fail to observe the 'countryside code' and keep it tidy.

Píxies often dance in the moonlight to the music of crickets and frogs. They are supposed to have power to help people have pleasant dreams, though sometimes they become mischievous. They like people to leave basins of water out for them to drink. During the night they guide travellers, and in olden times humans believed the Pixies helped them with work in the fields.

Kelpies are water-sprites and live in the lakes and streams of Scotland. They are supposed to have the power to change themselves into fairy horses, and country folk say they have seen them grazing in pastures or dashing along the beds of the streams and lakes. They are regarded as helpers of travellers.

The Little People are known more in Ireland than anywhere else. They will help human beings, but only if approached in the right way and given milk or food as payment. One of the powers they are supposed to possess is the ability to disappear, and this they do if people do not treat them well.

The Tylwyth Teg, as the name suggests, live in Wales, and prefer a small lake near which is a large rock. The rock is supposed to have a door; this is open on one day of the year only - said to be May Day. Human people have been taken through this door have found a secret passage leading to a small island in the centre of the lake. There they have found a wonderful garden stocked with every kind of fruit and flower. Exquisite music floated through the air. One human visitor tried to take away a flower, and had a spell cast on him. Since then the island has remained close, and no bird will fly over it. Sweet music is still sometimes heard coming from it.

Fairies live in tiny houses furnished in silver and gold, and hold banquets at which the most delicious food is served. Sometimes they ride on white horses in long processions. The manes of the horses are said to be braided and have silver bells that tinkle as they move. They love to play pranks, but are always kind and take food and toys to poor children. They also break the bad spells cast by witches.

The Ghillie Dhu are Scottish fairies who have been known to leave their children for human folk to bring up. One mother who brought up a fairy baby with her own found a pile of lovely clothes for them each morning, as well as tempting food for her family. When the fairy claimed her own baby she repaid the human mother by giving her some eye ointment which enable her to watch the fairies as they went about invisible to others.

Bwbachod are friends of Welsh farmers and farming people, and are especially fond of dancing to the music of the Welsh harp. They have been known to take away children, who have lived happily with them for many years, although when returned to their real parents find that they have been away only a few hours. The Bwbacho can be mischievous and cause trouble on the farm, but mostly they help all good people who earn their living on the land.

Poisonous British Plants

2011-05-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Many British plants are poisonous to a greater of less extent. The leaves, fruits and roots of many plants act as irritants when they are eaten, but in others the effect is much more than merely irritating and is definitely poisonous, especially monkshood, deadly nightshade, and foxglove.

The root of monkshood is dark brown outside and white inside, and from it is obtained aconite and preparations made from it. In appearance the root is very like horseradish and has often been mistaken for it. When it is taken by mistake there is a severe tingling sensation and burning in the mouth, followed by numbness. In an hour or two vomiting usually takes place, and is severe in character. The burning sensation begins to be felt in the stomach, and the skin is cold and clammy. The pupils of the eyes become enlarged, and the eyes are staring. The pulse becomes irregular and there is a feeling of suffocation.

Deadly nightshade is well known in English hedges and woods, and is recognized by its clusters of small purple flowers with orange contres, usually found climbing among a tangle of other plants in the hedges. Later on the flowers turn into bunches of bright scarlet berries, and as they ripen about the same time as the blackberries and often grow among them they are easily eaten in mistake by children. The symptoms of poisoning are great dryness of mouth and throat, enlarged pupils of the eyes, vomiting, palpitation, and in advanced stage, delirium.

The purple foxglove is well known in the English countryside, but it is also specially cultivated, for its leaves is obtained the important heart stimulant, digitalis. This is a poison in any but small doses. The symptoms of digitalis poisoning include vomiting and slowing of pulse beat.

Other common English plants that cause poisoning are laburnum, cuckoo-pint, black and white bryonies, common hemlock, including cowbane, fool's parsley and water-dropwort, privet and holly, and yellow vetchling. Toadstools and other fungi may be poisonous. They can be distinguished from the harmless edible ones by their bright colour, a bitter taste and an unpleasant smell. All of these poisonous plants cause vomiting and diarrhoea, cramps, and sometimes drowsiness and convulsions.

UK Census 2011

2011-04-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

"Everyone should be included in the census - all people, households and overnight visitors."

Does the government go mad? How could overnight visitors have time to fill 32 pages long questionnaire?

How could the MPs make such ridiculous regulations?

Bingo Night

2011-03-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

We went to Bingo night, organized by the my daughter's primary school, she is now on year one.

I had no idea at all how to play Bingo, so I didn't buy the Bingo books which should have cost me £4. The head teacher Mrs. Smith sit opposite us to teach us how to play.

The basic rule: One person call out as many numbers as needed, you have to cross out the matched number on your Bingo book, until you got a single line or all numbers which called a full house. Kids have two chances to match a single line and one full house, the adults have one chance of single line and then a full house.

My Daughter almost started to cry when she proceeded to the last page, and said, "I want to win!"

"You will win on this page, I am sure of that!" I said, though I have no confident at all.

Then she won a skipping rope.

She skipped all the way home, feeling too excited to say tired.

coat-of-arms

2011-01-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Heraldry probably began with the knights in armour. When wearing a helmet in battle or in tournaments a knight could not be recognised; so he used symbols to decorate his shield and surcoat. The surcoat was the loose garment worn over the armour to protect it from rain or hot sun and actually was the "coat-of-arms"; it was decorated on the front and back with the same device as on the shield.

The correct expression for entire design is an achievement. An achievement consists of the shield, helmet, rest, wreath, mantling and motto. These are the main parts. To them can be added supporters and a compartment.

In the centre is the most important part, the shield. The surface of the shield is called the field and on it the colourful charges are placed. The shield is called the arms or coat-of-arms and can be drawn in any shape - in an upright position or slanting, which is the position it would fall into if hung on a peg. In Heraldry it slants to dexter.

The helmet denotes the rank of the owner. There are four types of helmet design:

Sovereign: gold, full-faced, with bars
Peers: silver, in profile, gold decoration
Baronets, knights: steel, open visor, full-faced
Esquires and gentleman: steel, in profile

They can be of any design, but should keep to the positions and metals stated. When drawn in profile they should always face "dexter" A common fault is often made in drawing the helmet too small. It should be drawn almost as large as the shield.

The mantling (or lambrequin) represents the cloth cape which hung down the back of the helmet to keep the hot rays of the sun off the metal. I battle this became torn and hung in rags, and artists when drawing the cape turned these rags into simple, slashed design. The mantling is coloured in the principal metal and and colour of the shield, the underside of the mantle being the metal.

The wreath (or torse) was silk, a skein of cloth formed into a circle with a gold or silver cord twisted round it. This was worn on the helmet to cover the joint between crest and mantling. It is always drawn with six twists and coloured alternately, metal first, then colour.

The crest was warn on top of the helmet and was originally designed to ward off a blow aimed at the head. It was made in wood or leather. A crest can be used on its own, and many people who have a coat -of-arms with a crest use it on their personal belongings, such as silver, cutlery, notepaper, etc. No one should use a crest unless entitled to one.

The motto can be anything, and often has a personal meaning, usually written on a scroll; it can be in any language or colour. In Scotland the scroll is often over the crest; otherwise it is under the shield.

The supporters fill up the spaces either side of the shield. Not every "achievement" has them. they are a great honour, being granted only in special cases, Supporters can be human beings, animals, birds or imaginary creatures, painted in heraldic or "proper" colours.

The Compartment. In Scotland "supporters"stand on a mound, rocks or seashore, with some special feature mentioned, such as plants of their clan-badge. On the scroll at the foot of the mound was the cry of the clan. Many other older "achievements" show the supporters standing on the edge of the scroll or some other ornamentation, but now most are drawn with a mound for the supporters to stand on.

All these things made up and achievement, and the heraldic description describing them is called the matriculation of arms.

Where to Shop in Derby

2011-01-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

FOOD SHOPPING:

Sainsburys, a much larger supermarket and more expensive (but more choice) in the Westfield Centre in the centre of town

Farm Foods, on Albert Street near HSBC Bank, selling frozen foods, bread and cheap drinks

Indoor Market, in the Guildhall opposite the Assembly Rooms, selling lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, clothes and other goods.

CLOTHES AND GENERAL ITEMS:

Wilkinsons, just outside the Westfield Centre on London Road, for cheap household items such as kitchen equipment and bedding plus much more

Argos, (next to Wilkinsons) also for cheap household items and jewellery and much more – choose from the catalogue in the store, pay for your items at the pay desk and wait for your items at the customer collection desk

Matalan, also close to Wilkinsons and Argos, for cheap clothes, jewellery and household items. You need to register as a customer (which is free) and you will be given a Matalan card to use on future visits.

Primark, on the Cornmarket for cheap clothes and shoes

INTERNATIONAL FOOD SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS

There are people from many cultures living in Derby and there are many international food shops and restaurants in the city centre.

On Normanton Road, just outside the centre, you will also find shops and restaurants serving food and selling goods from India, Pakistan, the Caribbean, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Santa stuck in the chimney

2010-12-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Brenda's first written story:

Santa stuk in the chimne

One's a pon a time there livd Santa and it was christmas eav and santa dlivd the presant's out wen he got home he was so tiyerd he just fell on to the grownd and he didant giv up he just got on to he's feet and went to bed in the morning he sgrechd his arms with a crac and got up and made mor presants the next christmas he dun evrsing the same as larst christmas stuk in the chimne agayn giving presant's agayn but he orways dooing the same things evry christmas

Santa stuck in the chimney

Once upon a time there lived Santa and it was Christmas Eve and Santa delivered the presents out when he got home he was so tired he just fell on to the ground and he didn't give up he just got on to he's feet and went to bed in the morning he stretchered his arms with a crack and got up and made more presents the next Christmas he done everything the same at last Christmas he stuck in the chimney again giving presents again but he always doing the same things every Christmas

eBooks in Derby City Library

2010-12-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

eBooks: "Electronic books (ebooks) can be downloaded from the electronic library service (elibrary) through a home computer for up to three weeks, and then transferred to a range of devices such as a Sony eReader. After this period the loan will expire and the books will be automatically returned to the online stock for others to use. There are no charges and no late fees.

You'll need to visit your library to subscribe to this service. You will be asked for proof of ID to confirm that you either, live, work or study within the Derby City boundary."

This service is new and exciting. You guys could have a try.

Mackworth Online

2010-11-18T01:57:00.000-08:00

Three landmark building, the clock tower in front the the co-operative store, the water tower, and the Mackworth castle.

Mackworth

This is a community website, providing local services you will need, such as builders, garden services, health and beauty, pets and vets, plasterers, and business services.

You can promote your business free with mackworthonline.

Morrison: £30 off for Christmas and the New Year

2010-11-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

This £30 voucher seems quite attractive, but if you read carefully, you will find actually Morrison just change 10% off your shopping into a £30 voucher! You have to spend £40 for shopping every week for five weeks to collect the receipts, and spend another £40 to redeem the £25 voucher, so totally you spend £240 to get 10% that's £24.

Claim your £25 Christmas Voucher and £5 for the New Year in 4 easy steps:

Shop in any store between 8th November and 19th December 2010 and spend £40 or more in one transaction each week for five weeks.

Keep your five receipts (only fully itemised receipts will be accepted, no credit or debit card receipts).

Make sure each receipt is collected from a different week. Multiple receipts from the same week will not be accepted.

Put the receipts in this Collector Card (otherwise they won't be accepted) and take them into your local Morrisons store between 16th and 31st December to claim your £25 Christmas and £5 New Year Vouchers.

* Your Christmas Voucher can be used between 16th and 31st December when you spend £40 or more.

Your New Year Voucher can be used between 2nd and 30IN January 2011 when you spend £30 or more.
Merry Christmas from everyone at Morrisons.

DERBY LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2010

2010-11-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

DERBY LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2010

Supported by the Derby Evening Telegraph

Dear Parent,

Your Child's school has given us permission to ask you to support our Annual Christmas Appeal for the Needy and Lonely.

May we kindly ask you to send a Tin of Food or a Packet of Non-perishable Food or Drink that will be included in our Parcels which will be distributed week commencing 6th December.

Your Children's School will be mentioned in the Derby Evening Telegraph and we extend our thanks for your anticipated support.
Dave Bower

Information Helpline
Derby Lions' President

Sue 512420 Malcolm 559954

Children in Need：Wear something spotty

2010-11-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

This is a very good business idea, and generous of course! An insurance broker promises to double any amount of money from the fund-raising event. A colouring competition is also an easy one, every child in the primary school would love to do it. Here is the news letter:

'Wear something spotty' and a fantastic competition!

Children In Need Day takes place on Friday 19th November 2010, Children are invited to wear something spotty to school in support of this day. We ask for a minimum donation of 50p to the Children In Need fund if children would like to wear non-uniform.

Swintons Insurance Brokers of Derby have kindly offered to double any amount of money collected by the pupils of Primary School for Children In Need.

Swintons are also organising a colouring competition for the charity. A winner will be chosen from each of the schools taking part. Prizes will be donated by Swintons Insurance Brokers.

If your child would like to enter the competition, they will need to bring a picture to school, reflecting what Children In Need Day is all about. The picture should be no more than A4 size and be the child's own work. Each picture should be sent to school with a £1 entrance fee. The closing date for entries is Thursday 12th November. The child's name, age and school should be written on the back of the picture. Please do not include a home address or telephone number.

Swintons will collect the pictures on Monday 15th November and display these in their Chaddesden Branch until the judging on Children In Need Day. Winners will be informed shortly thereafter.

The official logo of Children in Needs is a yellow bear with a red spotted bandage which was designed by Joanna Ball, a BBC graphics designer, who named originally brown cuddly mascot Pudsey after the West Yorkshire town where she was born.

ON THE FULL MOON

2010-10-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

She comes in her robes of silver bright,
Our lady of love, the queen of night;
Pale art thou Cynthia, yet thy brow
Loveliest is when wreathed with snow:
The fleecy clouds that around thee bide
Are light as the spray of ocean's tide,
And every beauteous shining star
Seems a gem that decks thy moonlight car.

'Mid the cloudless skies, with smile serene,
In splendour array'd ride on fair queen;
Thine are the sceptre, and crescent pale,
That softly look on the evening veil;
Thy beams of silvery radiance keep
Their tranquil watch o'er the mighty deep.
And gaze on creation's emerald breast
When the shades of earth lie hush'd in rest.

Aloft in thy bower of spangl'd light
Look down on the world in beauty bright,
Tinging heaven itself with lustrous hue,
Op'ning as't were its glories to view;
Lightly thou'lt kiss with thy beams of love
Each planet that decks thine halls above.
While murm'ring they with mystical voice
In anthems of praise To God rejoice.

(S.M.H. DERBY MERCURY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1845)

* Cynthia was originally an epithet of the Greek goddess of the moon, Artemis, who was sometimes called "Cynthia" because, according to legend, the goddess was born on Mount Cynthus.

Guide to Life in the UK

2010-10-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

General politeness and good manners
• British people are generally quiet, polite and reserved in manner.
• Always use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when asking for something.
• Shaking hands is the universal greeting, especially in work or formal situations.

Queuing and seating etiquette
• Always join the back of a queue and await your turn.
• If you are on a bus or a train, it’s commonly seen as polite for men to give up their seats to women or older people.

Going out
• Pubs and bars open at least 11am to 11pm, some open 24 hours
• Many coffee shops are also open late
• Pubs and bars sell non-alcoholic drinks and often food as well

Smoking
• Smoking banned in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, including buses, trains, taxis, pubs,

cinemas, nightclubs and restaurants.
• Always check if smoking is permitted, penalty fines can be very expensive.

Buying food and drink
• Supermarkets are open long hours, and sell a wide variety of foods and other products.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables may be cheaper when bought from a specialist grocer.
• ‘Off-licences’ specialise in selling alcohol, as well as tobacco and soft drinks.
• Many specialist world food shops can be found in the Normanton area of Derby. This area also has a lot of Asian restaurants, takeaways and kebab shops etc.

Buying clothes
• All kinds of clothing available in city shops, at a wide range of prices. Many supermarkets now sell particularly cheap clothing.

Enjoying Derby
• Visit the Tourist Information Centre in the city marketplace for information about things to do and see.

Television and radio
• Five main free TV channels, many more available through digital or satellite TV.
• Wide variety of radio stations available catering to all tastes.

TV licence
• If you have a TV, then it’s likely that you’ll need a licence. Make sure you find out, as the fine for being caught without one can be very expensive.

Postal services
• Postage stamps are available from Post Offices and many other shops.
• If you want to send a parcel you need to visit a Post Office to have it weighed.

Telephone services
• Public pay phones are common in all towns and cities.
• Home telephone packages available from many different suppliers.
• Mobile phones are widely available, as are the different packages.

Electricity
• British electricity supply is 240 volts or 50 hertz, so you may need an adaptor.

Currency
• Coins up to and including £1, notes above this amount.
• Currency exchange available at all banks and Post Offices.

Bicycles, Cars, Scooters and Motorcycles
• Always ride or drive carefully, and make sure you read and obey the UK Highway Code.
• Make sure your driving licence is valid.
• Keep your bicycle or vehicle well maintained, and fully taxed and insured.
• On bicycles and motorbikes, always wear a helmet and protective clothing.
• Never ride or drive any bicycle or vehicle when under the influence of alcohol.

Pedestrian Road Safety
• Cross roads at proper places, such as traffic lights, or zebra and pelican crossings.
• Green light means you can cross, do not cross if light is flashing amber or red.
• Always check that traffic has stopped before you begin to cross.

Buses and taxis
• Buy bus tickets from the driver when you board.
• Only use proper licensed taxi services.

Personal safety
• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unlit areas like parks.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers, or leave your drink unattended.
• Don’t display your valuables in public.
• Make sure your home and property are secure.

Sexual relationships
• Legal age of consent is 16 for both heterosexuals and homosexuals.
• Be aware of contraception and how to avoid STDs before starting a relationship.

Racism
• Treat others with the respect and tolerance you’d expect yourself.
• Report any incidents you suspect to be racially-motivated.

Drugs
• It is illegal to possess, sell or supply drugs such as marijuana, LSD, heroin, opium, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine sulphate in the UK. Penalties can be very severe, including large fines and prison sentences.
• Never attempt to bring any kind of illegal drug or similar substance into the UK from abroad. Drug trafficking can lead to very long prison sentences.

Reporting Crimes in Progress, Accidents or Fires
• Emergency services include Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance
• Emergency services number is 999 – but only use it in a genuine emergency.

The Police
• To report a crime after it has occurred visit a police station or dial 0845 123 33 33.
• The Police are there to help and protect you, don’t be afraid to approach them.
• If you are arrested for any reason, stay calm, ask why you are being arrested and ask to be allowed to contact a lawyer, a responsible friend. Ask to be made aware of your rights. Do not resist arrest, do not try to run away, do not try to bribe a Police Officer.

Bowel Cancer Screening Letter Sent to Wrong Address

2010-10-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

An invitation letter for Mr D Miller to take part in Cancer Screening, from the leaflet, I know that GP provides these contact details, this Mr Miller's name still in GP's registration.

I received many letters for Mrs Thompson, one day the postman noticed the ridiculousness of delivering these letter to me, then I receive these letters for Thompson any more.

Dear Mr Miller

This is an invitation to take part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. This opportunity is available every 2 years to all men and women aged 60-69 who are registered with a GP in England. If you have received this invitation and are aged 70 or over, this is because the screening age range is being extended to 60-74 in your area. If you have taken part in the programme before, it is now two years since your last test. Your GP knows that the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is being offered in his or her area. The aim of the screening programme is to detect bowel cancers at an early stage, when there are better chances of successful treatment and cure.

You will automatically be sent a test kit, including full instructions, in about a week's time. The kit is simple to use in the privacy of your own home. If you wish to take advantage of the screening programme, all you have to do is complete the kit and return it to us in the Freepost envelope that will be provided. You will receive a result letter within two weeks. We do not have knowledge of your medical history, and screening may not be appropriate for everybody. For example if you:

- have had a colonoscopy or a barium enema plus a sigmoidoscopy within the last 2 years;
- are on a bowel polyp surveillance programme;
- are currently being treated for bowel cancer;
- have had your large bowel removed;
- are currently being treated for ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease;
- are currently awaiting bowel investigations arranged by your GP.

If you fall into any of the above categories, or you do not wish to participate in the screening programme, please contact us to let us know. The Freephone number is at the top of this letter. If you need help from family or a carer to use the kit, please call (or ask them to call) the Freephone number for further important information. Please take the time to read the enclosed leaflet 'Bowel Cancer Screening - The Facts', which may help to answer any questions you have. You can also call the Freephone number if you have any queries about whether to take part.

Yours sincerely

School trip to the Derby Theatre

2010-09-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

School trip to the Derby Theatre to watch a performance of Wind in the Willows presented by Derby Live.

This is not a curriculum visit, and the cost of the visit is £12 which includes theatre ticket, transport and insurance.

This kind of trips requires a Derby City Education Service Consent form which must be completed. I can never remember my GP's name and telephone number, every time I have to search in Google.

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

2010-09-09T08:54:00.001-07:00

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

Saturday 11 September from 4.00pm

Big Screen, Market Place, Derby

Calling all music lovers in Derby! You are invited to join in the
magical musical experience that is the Last Night of the Proms, hosted
by BBC Radio Derby's Andy Potter on Derby Market Place on Saturday 11
September from 4.00pm.

Take your seats for what promises to be a fantastic evening of music
starting off with performances from local bands, all paying homage to
'The Proms', including a vibrant and exciting performance from
Sinfonia ViVA's unique jazz combo, Triple Bop. Plus, expect audience
participation and a dose of 'Cool Britannia' to warm up those voices!

And onto the main event! Audiences will have the opportunity to watch
the entire Last Night of the Proms 2010 screened live on Derby's Big
Screen where Derby will join the audience at the Royal Albert Hall via
a live link. The concert starts at 7.30pm until 10.40pm.

So, prepare for the concert, pack your picnic and join the audience
for this fantastic free outdoor musical event. There is limited
seating available – to guarantee yours then why not bring your own.
There will be refreshments available from various outlets on the day.