Enjoy Valentine’s Day without having to spend a fortune

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to invest in something special that you can use time and time again throughout the year.

February 14th is recognised today as Valentine’s Day, but did you know that it originated from the period of the Roman Empire?
It is believed this day was created in honour of a priest named Valentine. In an era of war, the Roman Emperor of the time, Claudius II forbade marriage so that his soldiers were committed and strong enough to succeed in war. Valentine disobeyed Claudius’ outlaw on marriage, and continued to marry couples secretly.
February 14th is believed to be the date that Valentine was put to his death by Claudius following the revelation of his betrayal.
This Valentine’s Day celebrate your love, and choose something that your loved one is going to appreciate and be able to continue to use.

For couples who have been with their partner for a long period of time and may have bought bunches of roses on Valentine’s Day, and gone all out on an exquisite meal or romantic break in the past, finding the right gift can be a tough task.
But it is important to get your partner something they really adore.
Although many men avoid purchasing items of ladies fashion for their partner in fear of getting it completely wrong, if you get it right you are going to be worshiped for your great taste.
You could choose from a stunning dress that your partner could model on a romantic Valentine’s Day meal. Or be practical and buy your partner a stylish coat to keep her warm for the bitterly cold winter months. Clothing is not a one off gift, so be different this Valentine’s and give your lovely lady something that can last for the rest of the year, or even longer.
Another gift that is ideal for your partner this Valentine’s Day is underwear. Every girl needs it, young or old. However, it is recommended you do not buy your partner underwear if you have only been together a short time, as it might not present the best impression – and the opportunity to go wrong is great!
So, if you and your partner have been together for more than a few months, why not buy her some lovely underwear? This intimate apparel is the perfect gift for your loved one. With a great range of triumph bras and underwear you can find something you both like.
Before you jump in to your purchase, be sure to know what underwear your partner has at present so that it suits her taste. Her taste and yours could be quite different; girls tend to prefer underwear that is feminine and pretty; men tend to lean towards bold and sexy.
A word of advice for any man about to buy underwear for a woman: you will have to try and have a sneaky look at her size before you make the purchase. It will end in disaster if you try and guess your partners size!
There are plenty of great options to consider for your beloved lady this Valentine’s Day, so do your research and you are guaranteed to please your loved one this year, but just to be on the safe side, maybe keep the receipt!

Solar Power Still Pays!

Solar panels on your roof are still a wise investment, despite the Government’s recent unexpected decision to halve the attractive Feed-In Tariff.
To combat this, leading installers Electroctect UK Ltd, who specialise in solar photovoltaic renewable energy installations, are massively reducing their prices in order to still offer a 10 per cent return on investment, so the return will not be much different from before.
Electrotect clients will still get the same high standard of installation, and will gain the benefits of a system that can cut electricity bills by up to £400 a year – well worth considering when power companies are raising prices by up to 60 per cent.
December 12th is the deadline for installations to be completed before FITs (Feed-In Tariffs) payments are reduced from 43p per Kwh to 21p per Kwh, reducing the incentive, so there’s still time to act, if you act fast!
But Electrotect’s bold price cuts means householders and businesses needn’t miss the boat even if they miss the December deadline. They will discover that micro-generation is a sensible means of earning money, cutting power bills and reducing their carbon footprint, whether it’s on the family home or a small business.
The Government first introduced Feed-in Tariffs, a Clean Energy Cash Back scheme, to provide an incentive for small scale power generation. Under this scheme, energy suppliers make regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or wind turbines.
The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to the national grid. The payments are index-linked, tax free and guaranteed for 25 years and are in addition to the savings made by using the on-site generated electricity.
Daniel Lang, of Electrotect, advises people on how to apply for the FITs scheme and the expected rate of financial return. “We believe we have a responsibility to the environment to cut down CO2 emissions”, said Danny. “Despite the reduction in FITs payments, this scheme makes micro-generation accessible to a far wider range of people.”
Daniel added: “We use the latest, mainly German, technology. It is guaranteed for 25 years – giving you plenty of time to not only recoup your investment, but also make money and add value to your home.”
The lightweight PV panels are fairly unobtrusive and can be fitted to either roofs or walls. The DC electricity created is converted into usable power (AC) via a wall-mounted inverter in the attic. It then runs through a generation meter to your household distribution board. Daniel added: “Our installation causes little disruption and, depending on the size of the job, can be up and running well within a week.”
Fortunately for us in the North, solar panels don’t require bright sunshine to generate power; they only need daylight. And for when the sun goes down, Electrotect are now looking at installing complete off-grid systems so your solar panels help charge a bank of batteries through the day. Then in the evening the batteries run your home, completely eliminating the need to pay an electricity supplier. You can also still claim the Feed In Tariff – it’s a win- win situation. These systems are ideally suited to rural situations.
Two people who recently took advantage of the Clean Energy scheme are Suzanne and Donald in Adel. “We thought it was about time we put our money where our mouths are,” said Suzanne, who leads the Green Team at St Chad’s Church. “We are delighted with our new system. It took just a couple of days to install, with minimum fuss, and it was generating electricity immediately – even on a dull day! And, financially, the rate of return is far better than other investment opportunities.”
Daniel adds: “Perhaps soon micro-generation will be incorporated into every new build and we will all become less dependent on power generated using fossil fuels or nuclear. That’s an idea we might have laughed at ten years ago, but it seems far more achievable now.”

Feed in tariff example

Mr Green wants a 3kw system on his south facing roof in Skipton, the cost of the installation being in the region of £8,700. A 3kw System in Leeds will produce 2550 kwh per year therefore Mr Green will earn around £535.00 for the total amount of electricity the PV system will generate, regardless of whether or not it is used within the home (21p x 2550 kwh).
Please note generally a household is always using electricity occupied or not.

£357 in savings through not having to import and be charged from the grid.
This assumes that electricity is bought from the supplier at 14p per kwh
Note as energy costs rise this saving becomes greater!!
= £892.00

So Mr Green would have a payback on his system in 25 years of £22,312.50, that’s a tax free profit of £13,612.50 Tax Free!
Which makes a Pv system a great financial investment, not just a home improvement.

Tel: 01274 816782 Mob: 07830 291253
www.electrotect.co.uk

HELLIWELLS FUNERAL SERVICE

The name Helliwells has been synonymous with funeral directing around the Pendle area for many years, founded in 1924 by Young Helliwell. Helliwells originally were textile manufacturers branching out into motor coaches an taxis, while Joseph Helliwell, the son of Young, commenced as a Funeral Director.

After the early and untimely death of Joe, the brother Clement, who is still remembered by many people in the area, took over the running of the firm.

By 1970, Mr W R Stott of the nationally known Stotts shopfitters had acquired the Helliwells name and brought the two companies together under one roof in an old Baptist Chapel in Elizabeth Street, Nelson.

In 1981 Mr Keith Lawson came to work for Helliwells. In 1990 he and his wife Matguerite acquired the firm and moved the premises from Elizabeth Street to Burnley Road, Colne.

1996 saw the opening of our second Funeral Home. Reedley House, situated in Brierfield.

Also in this year Wm Hodgson and Son joined Helliwells. Originally Joiners and Funeral Directors they were founded in 1926 and based in Colne, when Mr Stephen Hodgson retired from the joinery side but continued to arrange funerals from Stott House.

In 2011 Helliwells opened their third Chapel of rest in Barnoldswick in the building that was the Seven Stars and up until the change to a funeral home had always been a public house. A building with such history that will never be lost or forgotten. A proud moment for Keith and Marguerite Lawson when their dreams came into fruition that they could one day open a chapel of rest in the town they have known from childhood.

We offer the area the highest standard of services and facilities one would expect from a long established funeral director. If you wish please call and look around.

What to do when death occurs

The death of a loved one comes as a great shock to us all. On receipt of the first call, it is our policy to take complete responsibility for all details involved so that the relatives have no more worry than is absolutely necessary at this difficult time.

If death occurs at home, or in a rest home, the doctor must be first notified. He will sign the necessary certificate and allow the removal to take place. Our staff are on call 24 hours a day to take care of this duty.

If the death occurs in Hospital, a doctor there will sign the certificate and allow the removal to take place. Please contact us to make an appointment to see you.

However, if a doctor is unable to issue a certificate, the Coroner will be informed. He may order a post mortem and even an inquest if necessary. His permission is required to carry on with the funeral.

A death must be registered in the district in which it occurred, normally within 5 days and in any event before the funeral can take place. The registrar will require the certificate from the Doctor or Coroner and also the birth certificate, medical card and any marriage certificate for the deceased. The registrar will issue documents authorising the burial or cremation which we require and copies of the entry in the register can be purchased for legal and insurance purposes.

If the deceased has a solicitor, contact him or her as soon as possible, if not, check whether the deceased has made a will. If no will can be traced it may be advisable to see a solicitor.

Notify any Insurance Company with whom the deceased has a policy. Remember, if you drive a car insured in the same name as the deceased you will not be covered. The Bank Account and all other assets will normally be frozen. It may be possible to make an interim arrangement. Any items such as credit cards, benefit books, passport, driving licence, membership cards and NHS equipment should be returned to the place of issue.

If you are responsible for arranging a funeral and you receive a means tested benefit you may be eligible for help with the funeral payment from the Social Fund. Contact the local DWP Office.

Helliwells Funeral Services

Stott House, Burnley Road, Colne. BB8 8LA
Tel: 01282 870898

Bracewell House, Church Street, Barnoldswick. BB18 5UT
Tel: 01282 851937

Reedley House, Breirfield, Nelson. BB9 5HX
Tel. 01282 614777

Are Food Intolerances Causing You Migraine Symptoms?

With an estimated 12-15% of people suffering from migraine, this means that roughly seven million people suffer in the UK alone.

Stats from the charity Migraine Action reveal that migraines affect twice as many women as men, they affect people from all age groups (even young children) and all social classes, and they cost the UK around £2.25 billion per annum. The World Health Organisation has classified headache as a major health disorder and has rated migraine amongst the top 20 most disabling lifetime conditions. A migraine attack can last for between 4 and 72 hours and sufferers experience an average of 13 attacks each year. Sobering statistics indeed.
Doctors know very little about migraine symptoms except that they run in families, and may be caused by many conditions ranging from nervous excitement, disturbed sleep patterns, stress and reactions to certain foods. These headaches can last hours, sometimes days, and often come with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, and, perhaps most strangely of all, distorted sensory perception, especially vision. If you add together the range of different symptoms and so many different potential triggers, it is no surprise that researchers are perplexed about the science behind these headaches, or that sufferers seem to find treatments so hit-and-miss.
A recent survey of a 1,000 people suffering with migraine by the charity Migraine Action has revealed that over two thirds of Migraine Action members affected by frequent migraine attacks believe that certain foods could be the cause. The best accepted method for confirming food reactions is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no improvement in the incidence or severity of your migraines during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not contributing to the symptoms (migraines), and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is time consuming, and it is very difficult to test all the different combinations of food types that may be contributing to the problem.
The survey found that 85 percent of people affected by debilitating migraines had their symptoms reduced, and quality of life improved, when their food triggers were discovered and avoided. Additional research from the University of York, the largest clinical trial of its kind in migraine-like headaches, just published in Nutrition Journal, has further supported the Migraine Action findings, uncovering that the frequency of migraine attacks was slashed by almost a quarter (23%) over 4 weeks when the YorkTest food-specific antibodies food intolerance test from www.yorktest.com was carried out to identify potential food triggers. Professor David Torgerson, co-author of the paper and Professor and Director of the York Trials Unit at York University commented: "This study, which we believe to be the largest randomised controlled trial of its kind in migraine-like headaches shows the potential for elimination diets based on food-specific IgG measurement with a 23% reduction in the number of migraine-like headaches after four weeks of dietary change based on YorkTest FoodScan results". Dr Andrew Dowson, head of headache services at King’s College and member of the medical advisory board of Migraine Action, commenting on the research said: “A link between food intolerance and migraine has long been suspected. Recent research has shown that when people with migraine follow tailored diets to eliminate trigger foods their symptoms significantly improve, however the treatment of migraine is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation, each person needs to establish their own specific combination of triggers, which can also include factors like stress and irregular sleep patterns. The link between food intolerance and migraine is a interesting new field and warrants more detailed research.” YorkTest have been delighted with the feedback that we have had about this exciting research which supports findings over many years now.

Live the life you aspire to

Our NEW separate dementia care facility will open in January 2012 accommodating 11 residents who require care without nursing.

What is Medical Negligence?

At some point in our lives we will all receive medical treatment for an ailment or injury, whether minor or severe. But what happens when things go wrong? And how do you know if you have suffered from medical negligence?
Medical negligence is a term which is often used but rarely explained. It refers to where someone receiving medical treatment has not received the appropriate amount of care, causing their ailment or case to be worsened or lengthened.
Medical negligence can be caused by a lack of concentration or failure to recognise and identify symptoms correctly for a correct diagnosis. This can lead to the cases of affected patients worsening and could even cause the death of a patient in extreme cases.
Medical negligence can be difficult to prove and families suffering from recent bereavements often lack the clarity and distance to assess their situation logically. Speaking to medical negligence solicitors about your situation is therefore a vital step in determining whether or not you have a claim for medical negligence.
The fact is that, as much as we would like to think otherwise, doctors are only human. This means that unfortunate mistakes are going to be made, through no deliberate fault of their own. However, these mistakes are not your fault either and if you have been adversely affected by medical treatment you have received then you are entitled to make a claim.

Medical negligence or personal injury?
Medical negligence can sometimes be confused with personal injury, and while the two are similar there are some noticeable differences. Personal injury relates to injuries or damages which are caused by negligence and can therefore include some medical claims. Personal injury, however, relates more to accidents within workplaces and public areas and medical claims often refer to ‘industrial illnesses’ such as the contraction of asbestosis from working with asbestos as opposed to medical negligence.
Medical negligence, then, refers more specifically to cases where medical treatment for pre-existing injuries has not provided a due level of care, resulting in complications or further problems. Medical negligence can refer to any number of situations, meaning that it can be difficult for affected parties to determine whether they have strong grounds for a claim.

Examples of negligence
Examples of when medical negligence claims can be lodged are when a medical profession has failed to make or delayed the diagnosis of an ailment, has failed to warn a patient about the dangers or risks involved in a particular treatment, failed to obtain necessary consent, prescribed incorrect medication or performed careless surgical procedures.
Due to the sensitive nature of these situations, medical negligence claims can take a longer time to process than standard claims. It is important that any prospective claimants keep this in mind when they begin the claims process. Speaking to medical negligence solicitors is the first step in establishing whether you have a right to compensation. Solicitors who specialise in this area will be able to advise you on the likelihood of success and will make sure that you are fully prepared for the process. Many operate on a no-win-no-fee basis, meaning that financial concerns do not have to influence your decision to make a claim.

Plus size clothes:
the curvy revolution is here

Underwear manufacturers are getting ready for a curvy revolution as the industry demands more for the fuller figured lady.
Isme’s collection of ladies plus size clothes includes a beautiful selection of lingerie, as well as body shaping underwear for the perfect curvy hourglass silhouette.
With so many styles and shapes to choose from in the underwear department, trying to pick what’s right for your body shape can be daunting, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that a large percentage of women habitually wear the wrong type or size. However, buying the right underwear – in particular the right bra – will make your clothes fit better, improve your posture and flatter your figure.
Curvaceous beauties such as Scarlett Johansson and Nigella Lawson have learnt to control their shapes and make the most of their voluptuous bodies by wearing the right underwear.
In fact, curves are more in vogue than ever, due in part to a renewed appreciation of the ‘Marilyn Monroe’ figure, which has been credited to hit US drama Mad Men and actress Christina Hendricks in particular.
Earlier this year, fashion PR Michelle Dowdall said: “It looks like big busts, big hips and narrow waists are on their way back. We’re returning to an age when all women looked like Jane Russell, Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth. It’s bad news for stick thin models – but great news for ordinary women on the street with healthy, fuller figures.”
The curvy revolution has also been led by multi-million selling artist Adele, who has smashed chart records around the globe, and maintained the integrity of her image in the process, refusing to conform to industry norms.
She explained: “No-one’s ever told me to lose weight or anything like that… how I look has never been a big part of my life. I’ve never looked at a magazine and thought, ‘That’s how I need to look if I want to be successful in life.’ If you compare the way I look to big artists like, say, Katy Perry, I’m living proof it’s all about the music because there’s nothing else I’m relying on to do well.”
Isme’s ladies range includes underwear collections from some of the best plus size lingerie brands, including Triumph, Playtex, Trinny and Susannah and Sloggi. It doesn’t just stop at underwear, however – buy ladies plus size clothes at Isme and browse a fantastic selection of outerwear, dresses, skirts, tops and more.

Shooting in bad weather

Shooting in bad weather

It is not that easy to keep your camera safe when the environmental conditions are not good. You may want to capture a landscape while it’s snowing, or take a picture of your child’s first football match while it’s raining, or photograph a friend’s wedding while it’s very windy. Sometimes you just can’t get away from taking photos in bad weather. Mist, rain, snow, heat, wind, altitude, sea and sand may have the potential to make a photo look more interesting, giving it a certain ambience, but they can also destroy your camera.

A camera is made up of very sensitive mechanical components, which should not be exposed to extreme weather conditions, and should be treated with extra care in bad weather conditions.

Below we provide a few tips as to how you can shoot safely in adverse circumstances, if you have no other option but to do so:

• First of all, invest in some sound camera accessories and storage options. If you are uncertain about what to get, the canon camera website has a good list of all accessories available for every type of camera. For example, lens caps, bags or backpacks, a waterproof cases, straps e.t.c. This is the most important precaution you can take.

• If it begins to rain, or even drizzle, have a clean & soft cloth at hand with which you’ll be wiping the camera. A bit of rain is no big deal but it is good practice to always wipe your camera as soon as it gets wet.

• Try not to use your camera in heavy rain and storms unless you have a waterproof case. If you do have to use it, then wrap it in a few layers of plastic, or bubble wrap, with a hole in it for the lens.

• For dust, sand, scratches, humidity, corrosive elements such as sea salt in the atmosphere, it is advisable to protect your lens with a UV filter. Again the canon camera website has some options that can help you decide.

• In snow, or on high altitudes where it tends to be quite cold, you may need to change the batteries. Batteries, even if they are brand new, can suddenly stop working due to the cold. If you are planning to shoot in freezing weather it is advisable to carry a second battery pack on you and keep it somewhere warm.

• If it’s raining you must use an umbrella or a waterproof case. If you haven’t predicted for rain then a plastic bag may do, but you must be careful.

• If you’re shooting by the sea or in the midst, you should again cover your camera with a plastic bag and make a hole where the lens is. A UV filter would be advisable here too, for extra precaution.

• Finally, in very hot weather, moisture can gather in your camera’s interior, but this only happens if the temperature of the camera is different to the temperature of the environment. In such conditions therefore, you should always keep the camera outdoors, rather than move it in and out, and try to avoid air-conditioned rooms too.