Interior Fit Out Guidelines for Effective Companies

Introduction

A vast number of people work in offices of one kind or another. They may be offices in buildings purpose built or attached to a factory or in business premises. For many self employed business people the office is a room in their home converted for that purpose. Solicitors, doctors, estate agents and insurance agents, in fact any business that you can think of, works from some kind of office or another. You might even say 80% of the adult population work in an office. But I wonder how many of those people have any say in what kind of office they have and whether or not it suits their requirements. Mostly when someone new joins a company or firm, they are given a space for their office usually left by the previous incumbent. I suspect that if you asked occupants how they would like their office to be they would find it difficult to tell you.

When you think of the number of hours we spend in an office, at least eight hours per day and sometimes up to sixteen hours if it’s a busy period. Yes people are allowed out for breaks and rest times, but it is an awful lot of your life cooped up in small space. If at least a third of one’s working life is to be spent in an office, then it makes logical sense to ensure the environment is as comfortable, pleasant and as healthy as possible.

So how much thought goes into the planning of workspaces?

Where a building is purpose built such as an office, then the architects I am sure will have created good designs to suit the purpose. However, it has been known for new buildings to be problematic for the people working it them. For instance, synthetic materials used for carpeting can sometimes give off toxic fumes which cause allergies or illness of the staff. Air conditioning that relies on recycled air has the potential to carry bugs that can lay the whole office off at the same time. So there are many factors to consider in creating an office environment to ensure the staff are productive, creative, energised and remain healthy.

Old buildings, originally built for other uses, when converted to office space will have different problems to resolve. Often old buildings have very high ceilings where the heat rises up so that the inhabitants below are cold yet the heating bills are going through the roof, literally!! How to maximise the space available to provide a comfortable working environment will be a real challenge and this is where often the use of a mezzanine floor and suspended ceilings are valuable.

It is a well known fact for any business that happy workers give better performance and generate more revenue than unhappy workers. The workforce are more motivated, creative, helpful and have less time off work for illness if they are happy in their jobs. I am sure there are statistics available for these details, but moreover, as an employer, you have a legal responsibility to provide adequate working space, light, ventilation and other legislative requirements with regards the workspace. An office fit out specialist will be able to advise you in these areas.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of workplaces and the equipment used, to achieve the best design for comfort, safety, efficiency, and productivity. Research has been carried out over the last few years at Nottingham University on office space allocation issues.

Workspace planning is fast becoming a specialist industry because of all of the current regulations and legislation. Formerly known, in the UK as the Factories Act and now known as the Health and Safety Executive regulations are in place to ensure that employees have sufficient working space in which to perform their work. This can be a potential minefield including such things as physical space, usable space, corridor spaces, and minimum light and ventilation regulations. If you are about to commence on an office refurbishment project ensure that your interior fit out specialists of conversant with all of these regulations before you engage them to perform your work.

What are the Criteria for a good office environment? We are sentient beings, which mean we respond with feeling and perception as well as intellectually to our surrounding.

Seeing

The first thing to consider when commencing an office refurbishment project is how does it look? The initial impact on us comes from what we see. The decor and arrangement of furniture, the window aspect and lighting are important in our perception of whether or not it is pleasing to the eye. Does the office have all the necessary equipment, computer, phone and sufficient storage for files and books etc? Plants create a sense of balance in the space as long as they are discreetly positioned and don’t make it look cluttered. Plants are oxygen generators and help to refresh the air.

Smell

On entering a new place the first thing we take in is the scent whether we pay attention to it or not. We notice immediately if the air is stuffy or if there is an unpleasant smell such as sweaty bodies. However a pleasant fragrance or no smell at all will be inviting. Baker shops nearly always pump out the fresh smell of baked bread into the street to entice people in to buy the goods. So although we may not be aware that smell plays an important part in our responses, we are still animals and we do use our olfactory senses a great deal more that we realise.

Feel touch

How does the furniture feel? Plastic seats can be very uncomfortable to sit on for a long time. Plastic does not breathe, it draws moisture from the skin so that when you stand up your posterior will be damp and uncomfortable. Padded fabric is warmer than leather for comfort and not as expensive. The desk chair needs to be the correct height for desk and give suitable support, a computer needs to be set correctly to avoid neck and wrist strain of the operator.

The temperature in the surroundings is best if it’s not too warm and not too cold. Also when organising on office refurbishment job remember that people work best at a temperature of around 20 degrees centigrade, so temperature planning is also important.

Too warm and we become sluggish and sleepy, too cold and we become distracted and use up valuable energy keeping warm. Fresh air is also beneficial to stimulate the brain cells.

Sound Hear

What can we hear? Is it noisy or quiet? When I was first starting out in business, I went to visit a local manufacturing company to learn about the way they managed their business. At lunch time I was taken into the executive dining area where there was a waitress service and we had a very civilised lunch. Later I was taken to the works canteen. When we walked in I was hit with a blast of noise such as I had never experienced before. The hall was large with a very high ceiling and nothing to damp down the echo. The result was that everyone ended up shouting to be heard and there was loud music playing as well. I was shocked, not just at the noise level but by the contrast between the executive dining room and the workers canteen. I had come from an business which treated all members of the company the same so there were no executive areas and everyone, high and low mingled together for meals and break times. Guess which company had the better worker relationships and higher output?

Where a company utilises an open plan office then noise levels can be very distracting and one solution is to incorporate ‘White Noise’ which is a low level background noise to interfere with the general office talk going on over the phone or mini meetings. Sometimes quiet relaxing music is introduced as background noise but this is not normal in a business place.

Taste

Well we are not going to go around licking the furniture, but another important consideration is to ensure that a there is an area to enjoy a nice coffee or tea away from the desk throughout the day. So is there a pleasant area for making drinks and preparing snacks, or even lunch facilities alongside the office. I once worked in an office where they had a small kitchen area off the main office for making drinks and snacks and there was always a bowl of fresh fruit for employees, as the company recognising the refreshing effects of fresh fruit.

Workspace planning

So as you can see there are many things that can make the work environment a pleasant place to be. However getting the original layout and size of spaces for the employees is a complex process.

How much area does each individual need to work in? According to the Officewise publication from the Health and Safety Executive in the UK employers must provide a minimum of 11 cubic metres for each person permanently occupying a workplace. However there are all sorts of exceptions and caveats to this rule, such as making sure the space is usable space, and clearly if that space were under the stairs with no windows, or ventilation then it would not be suitable. So it is very important to ensure that your new office fit out adheres to all of the current legislation with regards to workspace laws.

By using suspended ceilings the industrial fit out specialists make good use of otherwise dead spaces which makes the installation of services easier and more cheaper. Electrical supply, air conditioning units, water pipes and telephone cables can all run behind the suspended ceiling making access easy if anything goes wrong and repairs need to be implemented.

Positioning of the electrical and telephone outlet is also important. The computers used in offices today all require their own electrical supply even if they are networked with the system.

External light from windows is a requirement for offices. The days of the cupboard office cubbyhole are gone. Light airy spaces make people feel good and doses of sunshine each day lift our spirits. However too much sunshine will overheat an office so the use of vertical blinds is recommended to deflect the rays of the sun without reducing too much the level of illumination.

Costs

To save on office space costs some industrial fit our specialists have come up with the idea that instead of having a board rooms for meetings they have their meeting standing up around a special tall coffee table. This reduces the amount of time spent in meetings and the space is reusable for the lunches. Other schemes encourage employees to work from home for part of a week and utilise a system of desk sharing or moveable desks.

Reconfigurable spaces

Another way of economising on the cost of office space is by careful rearrangement of the existing floor area. There may be dead areas which could be released and turned into useable space. The installation of new interior partition walls can rearrange the existing space to create a friendlier working environment. Sometimes working in an open plan office is beneficial for communication between staff, other times it is a distraction and prevents efficiency. So having the option of both open space and separate offices provides the full range of options which can be easily introduced with new partition walls.

For example one of my clients, took over a set of offices and had various walls moved, so instead of it having two small offices, one without a window, they created one large office for the MD and a really good sized store room which they needed for long term storage of customer files. They then took out another partition and made a good size open plan office space and rearranged another wall to create a board come conference room. Also access to the little kitchen was changed to be more convenient. The choice of subtle colours on the walls and new vertical blinds caused the whole suite of rooms to be transformed into a pleasant and airy working area. Where there is plenty of ceiling height the introduction of a Mezzanine floor generates valuable areas perhaps for storage, private meeting rooms or extra offices.

Other thoughts in workspace planning, is the situation of facilities such as kitchen, toilets, relaxation areas and outside space if available. Sometimes the introduction of a simple partition can create a relaxation/dining area without losing too much of the work area.

All Health and Safety regulations are paramount they have to be adhered to in the workplace and must be incorporated into any plan along with full fire regulations.

Conclusion

Many organisations may feel that upgrading the facilities is a ‘nice to have’ idea and the reality is that it usually comes at the bottom of the list on money allocation. However this is erroneous thinking; office refurbishment is never a waste of time or money. Creating a pleasant office environment by upgrading worn out or old fashioned surroundings and furnishings will make a big difference to the working life of the employees. Improved working conditions may be only part of the picture in achieving real job satisfaction, but it is a good start in the right direction. It also says a lot about what the senior people in the organisation think about their employees. If they ensure that their staff are given the necessary equipment and facilities to do their job effectively then the employees will give better service and can be more efficient and there will be a better working environment all around.

How Much Would The Best Vehicle Insurance Amount To For A 17 Year Old?

The best car insurance quote is a cover which is adapted to your particular needs and circumstances, offering you the finest value for money. Every driver wants to pick out the most appropriate vehicle insurance policy possible, even if that means shifting providers each year when renewal time comes round again. But, wanting the best car insurance and finding it are 2 very different things and you ought to recognize in which way to do the latter in order to save money and still get the policy that fits each and every one of your necessities and specifications.

The most expensive age for purchasing auto insurance in the UK is seventeen. Regrettably the majority of seventeen year olds acquire auto insurance quotes to be more than £1000.
Most seventeen year olds with a provisional or full licence face some of the most costly auto insurance rates in the world. The cost of 17 year old car insurance can be too expensive and many insurance companies are basically unwillingly to offer an insurance quote.

Getting an instant car insurance quote for a 17 year old is not hard. In fact it can be quite simple. Get out a phone book and start calling insurance providers. You will need to tell them that you are enquiring for a quote for seventeen year old car insurance. It is important that you call several different agents to be sure you get the cheapest UK car insurance quote for your teenager.

Online insurance estimates are the best way to find the inexpensive, yet best insurance solution to purchase. In the world of insurance, finding an affordable insurance carrier which also has good coverage is not an easy task.
Getting quotes online is a quick way of comparing car insurance rates from quality carriers offering affordable coverage. Since prices within insurers vary widely, it is important to complete a comparison in order to find out which one will offer you specifically, the lowest rate.

Evaluate the best car insurance rate quote obtainable in the UK, find the cheapest cover for your automobile and save with the best deal in minutes. We help you search the top automobile cover companies offered for a car insurance quote that provides you with quality insurance for less.

Guaranteed Contract Phone Even if You Have Bad Credit History

Sometimes it is a big pain, getting a contract phone. You will feel delighted, if you were previously rejected and now somebody promises you guaranteed contract phone. You can fail to get a phone contract, mainly because of your poor credit standings. All the retailers of phone plans will check your credit history before signing a contract with you. However, there are now options and workarounds.

Guaranteed Contract Phone Even if You Have Bad Credit History

Your pay as you go phone is giving you major headaches. You can’t top up your phone with enough money, because you can’t find the right shop in the new city you are in. You also hurl curses at the world at large, when you exceed your credit and your phone goes silent. You tried a contract phone and what you repeatedly get is rejection. How can that be when all the phone companies want your business? A guaranteed contract phone is not everyone’s right. Learn to live with it, or continue reading.

The companies that choose to give you contract phone irrespective of your credit history are 3, O2 and T-mobile. However, you just can’t walk into a showroom and get a guaranteed mobile phone. You can, if you have been in the United Kingdom for many years and you have good credit history. If that is not the case, you can go online and get the contract – of as low as £9 a month, for a minimum of 18 months. And that is cool.

And the place is not the website of the mobile phone service providers. It is somewhere else. A few websites offer you Guaranteed Contract Phones.

However, don’t be surprised if you are faced with the requirement of a deposit, higher interest rate and higher per month commitment. Those are the common features almost everywhere. However, with the condition of the economy and business, services are now more than willing to give you a good contract, which lets you stay connected to your friends and family.

At least a few retailers can now give you the regular contracts, even if you have bad credit history to show off. It is because, these phone companies need your business. They have rejected your application only because of the potential risk of lending to you. After all, everybody knows history repeats itself and the phone companies are worried if you will pay them.

Going through certain websites, you can surely get your phone and the ability to chat in the network of your choice. This is because, the phone companies trust these online retailers to sell their products to reliable persons.

With the right kind of online retailer, the only catch you have is to sign a direct debit contract. Of course, you need to submit proof of address and employment. Address proof is a prerequisite for pay as you go plans too.

Get the guaranteed contract phone, even if you have bad credit history. Just make sure you find the website that gives you all the benefits and convenience of a regular application, which is supported by good credit standing.

Why Use Green Flag Breakdown Cover ?

For over 30 years, Green Flag Breakdown Cover has helped millions of motorists get back on the road again. Yes, they have been in operation that long. It seems like only yesterday when they started and at that time nobody beleived they would be stupid enough to talke on the AA (who!!). Today, Green Flag have almost 5 million customers. Unlike the AA and RAC, Green Flag breakdown cover is really a network of garage agents which makes it one of the biggest motoring organisations in the UK, being able to respond to over one million calls a year, that is one call out in every 30 seconds.

With people being more mobile these days they are forever forcing back the boundaries of where they travel to and the length of the average journey has increased dramatically. Cars are obviously a lot more reliable BUT they can still breakdown. Most of us put our trust in the reliability of our vehicles – so much so that we are prepared to travel long distances, often with our families and even the dog in tow, rather than take public transport. So it is hardly a surprise that there has been an increase in the number of people taking out breakdown cover – especially for the comfort of knowing that if anything happened it would all be taken care of by the professionals. A recent survey found that Green Flag Breakdown Cover was on average 45% cheaper than the RAC or The AA and peace of mind starts from as little as £25.

You’ll get a brand new car if yours is less than one year old and written off in an accident, no claim bonus of up to 65% for five years no claims (70% for over 50s), if eligible,discounted Green Flag breakdown cover, with five levels of cover to choose from, 90 days European cover included,a courtesy car while yours is being repaired when you use an approved repairer (not available for 3rd party only policies), 24 hour accident helpline. Up to 25% discount on Green Flag breakdown cover and complimentary courtesy car while yours is being repaired by one of our approved repairers.

Do you need any more reasons to choose Green Flag Breakdown Cover ? CLICK HERE

Green Flag Breakdown Cover is underwritten and administered by UK Insurance Limited registered in England and Wales number 01179980 whose registered office is at:The WharfNeville StreetLeeds LS1 4AZAuthorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority number 202810.

Seo Services uk

How can Seo Services uk  help your website? A good seo services company will offer expert internet marketing and search engine placement advice, therefore increasing your business website ranking and position in the search engine results, which in turn provides your business with more highly targeted customers and extra profit.

Seo is essential for any local business wanting to have a web presence and it has to be said that more and more people are using the internet to find their local business or services, far more now than the old method of Yellow telephone directories or even the Classified ads in your local newspaper.

If your business is not listed on page 1 or 2 of the major search engines, your potential customers will not find you, worse still they will find your competitors and buy from them.

Seo services allow your website to generate highly targeted leads, from people who are physically searching for topics that relate to your sites content.A good Seo consultant or Seo Specialist will identify the words your customers use to search the internet and ensure that your website can be found. In addition they can advise on how to make your website more user friendly, so that your customers find what they are looking for and choose your business when they are ready to purchase goods or services.

You could decide not use an Seo Company in the UK, You can of course do the Seo optimisation of your website yourself, there are many books and guides available that will show you how to improve your websites visibility in the seach engines results. However you will find this necessary work very time consuming, which is one reason search engine placement services can be expensive

Learning To Drive

Learning to drive and pass your driving test can be one of the most exciting times of our lives leading to new levels of freedom, independence and job opportunities it can also be very expensive and take a long time, which is why choosing the right driving instructor or driving school is so important.

Learning to drive is an exciting, frightening and often confusing endeavour, learning to drive a car safely and efficiently in modern traffic involves much more than passing a government road test to get a license. For some, learning to drive might be the most nerve-wracking thing they’ve ever done, and for others, the best thing.

Before you can start learning to drive, you must hold a valid signed provisional driving licence to drive on a public road. The Minimum age for learning to drive in the UK is 17, and you can apply for your provisional licence two weeks before your birthday.

Why choose a driving instructor? It’s best to take Driving lessons in Wakefield with a qualified driving instructor who will follow the recommended syllabus for learning to drive. Approved instructors have to pass tough theory and driving tests, as well as having their tuition standards checked regularly. A good driving instructor should be punctual, reliable, have a good reputation and have a car that is suitable for you.

The advantages of being taught by a professional driving instructors Wakefield are that they are trained to do the job, possess the skills to deal with nervous and hesitant drivers and are equipped with dual-controlled cars.

Practice makes permanent, so when your driving instructor thinks you are ready, why not get more practice with family or a friend. You can practice your driving with a friend or relative if they are over 21 years old and have held a full licence for at least 3 years.

How do you choose the right driving instructor? Look at driving school websites. Don’t expect a good driving instructor for the price a cheap instructor charges. Choosing the right driving instructor is essential. Some of the problems with poor instructors are they sometimes try to build the upper floors of the house before finishing the foundations!

Look for an instructor who offers excellent instruction and has a good reputation. They will probably charge a little more per driving lesson but if you do this it will cost less in the end.

You can start your driving lessons whilst studying for the theory test, but you must first pass a theory test before you can apply for your practical test. Whilst learning to drive a wide range of resources can be found from your local library, including books and videos. It is also well worth getting your eyesight tested before learning to drive.

Jersey, Channel Islands & Douglas, Isle Of Man Temperature and Climate Info

Jersey, Channel Islands

In Jersey, Channel Islands the average temperature is 11.29C (52.325F). 4.00C (39.20F) is the lowest monthly average low temperature (occurring in January & February) while 21.00C (69.80F) is the highest monthly average high temperature which occurs in August. Thus the average temperature range is 11.50C (52.70F). Wet weather in Jersey adds up to a total average rainfall of 880.00mm (34.65in) per annum. That is equivalent to an average monthly rainfall of 73.33mm (2.89in). October, November, December is the month with the highest quantity of precipitation when 115mm (4.53in) of rain falls while in May, June, July only 40mm (1.57in) of rain falls. Jersey’s climate is furnished with 198 days per year with greater than 0.1mm (0.004in) of rainfall. Relative humidity at Jersey, United Kingdom averages 84.25% over the year. 78% is the lowest average monthly relative humidity which occurs in June, July, August, September and 93% is the highest average monthly relative humidity which occurs in February. Jersey’s climate is furnished with 1882 hours of sunshine per year. That is an average of 5.16 hours per day. Daily hours of sunshine range from between 1.8 per day in December to 8.4 per day in June. Find out more about the climate in Jersey on the useful hyperlinked website. They provide colourful Jersey climate graphs highlighthing all the key characteristics of the climate.

Douglas, Isle Of Man

In Douglas, Isle Of Man the average temperature is 9.50C (49.1F). 2.00C (35.60F) is the lowest monthly average low temperature (occurring in February) while 18.00C (64.40F) is the highest monthly average high temperature which occurs in August. Thus the average temperature range is 10.50C (50.90F). Wet weather in Douglas adds up to a total average rainfall of 1139.00mm (44.84in) per annum. That is equivalent to an average monthly rainfall of 94.92mm (3.74in). December is the month with the highest quantity of precipitation when 128mm (5.04in) of rain falls over a period of 21 days while in April only 63mm (2.48in) of rain falls over 14 days. Douglas’s climate is furnished with 197 days per year with greater than 0.1mm (0.004in) of rainfall. Relative humidity at Douglas averages 82.58333333% over the year. 77% is the lowest average monthly relative humidity which occurs in May and 86% is the highest average monthly relative humidity which occurs in January. Douglas’s climate is furnished with 1584 hours of sunshine per year. That is an average of 4.34 hours per day. Daily hours of sunshine range from between 1.5 per day in December to 7.4 per day in June. There is more information available about the Douglas weather on the useful hyperlinked website. Free Douglas climate graphs are provided that you can even embed in your webpages.

Fine Points About Critical Illness Insurance

Summary
An information document studying cheap life insurance , what the insurance will cover and what it won’t and the affiliated facts. This article supplies the whats and wherefores

incorporate life insurance and critical illness cover , paying out whichever happens first; Death or critical illness

If you are found to have a grave condition, then a critical illness insurance policy will settle a claim with a tax-free lump sum.

Critical illness insurance policies do not cover these conditions

Illnesses are only covered if they are precisely within the policies definition. If a condition is classed as insufficiently severe, such as some types of cancer, it will not be covered.

Equally, subsequent to once reaching a certain age, some policies do not cover selected sicknesses. For instance many insurers will not cover Alzheimer’s if diagnosed after the age of sixty.

In addition, a lot of insurances don’t provide cover for:

HIV- and Aids-related illnesses – unless caught from a blood transfusion, through physical assault or at work in the emergency services, medical profession or armed forces.

Flying – anything other than normal passenger flights; Participating in dangerous sports and pastimes; Drug abuse or alcohol; Self inflicted injuries

Not following medical advice

Illnesses covered by critical illness insurance
To be labeled critical illness a insurance policy is obliged to follow a set procedure and offer several of the conditions listed below.

Acutely advanced cancer cases; Heart attacks – if they are sufficiently serious; Strokes – making symptoms permanent. On the other hand,many policies provide cover for more than these 3. Kidney failure, major organ transplants, multiple sclerosis and bypass surgery are generally covered in basic plans.

Incuable blindess and deafness and permanent paralysis, that stops you working, are covered in comprehensive plans. Some insurances cover against loss of a limb.

War, rioting or civil commotion; The majority insurance covers settle a claim over and above a “survival period” of typically 26 days, not on on confirmation of illness. If you pass away within twenty eight days of meeting the policies conditions, no payment will be made.

Critical illness insurance – where to buy it
An independent financial adviser or broker can guide you on aquiring critical illness insurance cover as policies alter so much. They will be able to advise you which policy is best suited to your circumstances.

They will also advise how much cover and for how long you need it and if life cover and criticial illness combined would be a better buy.

No policy would pay out a claim if you previously had a life-threatening illness when you purchased the insurance policy. It may be the same if you had prior to purchasing the policy visited your GP regarding a problem that turned out to be critical critical.

When applying for insurance it is essential that you answer all questions correctly.facts that are not revealed could result in pay outsbeen refused.

Monthly Premiums
Monthly premiums vary depending on a few factors, for instancethe amount you want the policy to pay out, if you smoke, age and the policy chosen.

Making a claim
Make sure you follow the cheapest life insurance regulations, if you place a claim. The policy, for instance, may want a diagnosis from a United Kingdom specialist who specialises in medicine associated with your sickness. A GPs verdict might not be sufficient.

Your pay out will be invalidated if your condition does not meet any of the definitions catalogued in your plan .

Alternatives
Income protection insurance policy is perhaps a better choice for some people. If, as a result of an accident or illness (not specifically critical) you cannot work then you would be entitled to a tax-free income.

Marlborough Town, Wiltshire

Marlborough Town

Marlborough is a market town in the English county of Wiltshire on the Old Bath Road, the old main road from London to Bath. It is well known for having the widest high-street in Britain.

The first sign of human habitation is the pre-historic mound (tumulus), in the grounds of Marlborough College. It is possibly of similar age to the larger Silbury Hill five miles to the west. Legend has it that the Mound is the burial site of Merlin[1] and that the name of the town, Marlborough comes from Merlin’s Barrow. The town’s motto is Ubi nunc sapientis ossa Merlini – Where now are the bones of wise Merlin[2].

Further evidence of human occupation comes from the discovery of the Marlborough Bucket an Iron Age burial bucket, with decorations of human heads and animals on sheet bronze.

Roman remains and coins have been found two miles to the East of Marlborough, at Mildenhall (Cunetio).

A later Saxon settlement grew up around The Green and two early river crossings were made at Isbury Lane and Stonebridge Lane.

The first written record of Marlborough dates from 1087 when the Domesday Book was finished. The borough received its charter to hold a market in 1204.[3]

    * In 1067, William the Conqueror assumed control of the Marlborough area and set about building a wooden motte and bailey castle, sited on the pre-historic mound. This was completed in around 1100 and stone was used to strengthen the castle, in around 1175.

    * William also established a mint in Marlborough, which coined the William I and the early William II silver pennies. The coins display the name of the town as Maerlebi or Maerleber.

    * William I established the neighbouring Savernake Forest as a favourite Royal hunting ground [4] and Marlborough Castle became a Royal residence. Henry I observed Easter here, in 1110. Richard I (Coeur de Lion) gave the castle to his brother John, in 1186. Henry II stayed at Marlborough Castle, in talks with the King of Scotland. King John was married here and spent time in Marlborough. He even established a Treasury. Later, Henry III was also married here.[5]

    * Henry III held Parliament here, in 1267, when the Statute of Marlborough was passed (this gave rights and privileges to small land owners and limited the right of the King to take possession of land). This seven-hundred-year-old law states that no one shall seize his neighbour’s goods for alleged wrong, without permission of the Court. It is the oldest piece of English law which has not yet been repealed.

    * The castle fell into disrepair by the end of the 14th century but remained Crown property. Edward VI then passed it to the Seymour family, his mother’s relatives.

    * The 1204 Charter granted the Borough an annual eight-day fair, commencing on 14 August, the vigil of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (15 August), in which “all might enjoy the liberties and quittances customary in the fair at Winchester”. He also established that weekly markets may be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These continue to this day.[6]

    * In 1498 Thomas Wolsey was ordained priest in (the now redundant) St Peter’s church. He later rose to become a cardinal and Lord Chancellor.

    * In 1642, Marlborough’s peace was shattered by the English Civil War. The Seymours held the Castle for the King but the Town was for Parliament. With his headquarters in nearby Oxford, King Charles had to deal with Marlborough. “A Town the most notoriously disaffected of all that Country, otherwise, saving the obstinacy and malice of the inhabitants, in the situation of it very unfit for a garrison… this place the King saw would prove quickly an ill neighbour to him, not only as it was in the heart of a rich County, and so would straighten him, and even infest his quarters.” The King sent Lord Digby to take the town of Marlborough. He left Oxford at the head of four hundred horses, on the 24th November. When he arrived, he chose to parley first, thus giving the inhabitants a chance to prepare defences and to recruit troops. They mustered about seven hundred poorly-armed men. At this point, the Town issued a reply to Digby. “The King’s Majesty” he declared, “providing he were attended in Royal and not in war like wise, should be as welcome to that Town as ever was Prince to People; but as to delivering up the good Town of Marlborough to such a traitor as Lord Digby … they would sooner die”. After some early skirmishes, Royalist troops infiltrated the Town down its small alleyways. The Town was captured and looted and many buildings were set ablaze. One hundred and twenty prisoners were marched in chains to Oxford. The Town was later abandoned by the King and took no further part in the war.

    * On 28 April 1653, the Great Fire of Marlborough burnt two hundred and fifty houses to the ground.[citation needed] Fire swept through the Town again in 1679 and again in 1690. This time, an Act of Parliament was passed “to prohibit the covering of houses and other buildings with thatch in the Town of Marlborough”.[7]

    * In 1689, William III created Sir John Churchill, the distinguished Army general, Earl of Marlborough. In 1702, William’s successor, Queen Anne created Churchill Duke of Marlborough.

    * Nobel Prize winning author William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies, grew up in the town. Golding lived on a house in the Green. Golding was educated at the former Marlborough Grammar School, where his father was a science master.

In 2004, Marlborough Live celebrated 800 years of its Town Charter, among the celebrations was a street play by the Marlborough Players entitled “Wheels of Time” and a visit from HRH Prince Charles. During the rebuilding of the town after the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653 which destroyed almost the entire town, the high street became what is claimed to be the widest in England. This allows ample space for a local market which is held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Every summer the town holds a jazz festival with local pubs, clubs, hotels and various other venues playing host to live jazz music over the course of a weekend. Every October the high street is closed for the two Saturdays either side of 11 October for the Marlborough Mop Fair. This was originally a hiring fair for agricultural workers seeking employment but now has become a funfair. The right of the town to close the road to hold the fair is set down in the Charter.

On the north side of the high street is the Merchant’s House, which is currently under restoration but part of which is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. The house was built following the Great Fire of 1653. It was the property of a silk merchant and, rarely for a house of this type in a town centre, still retains its original room pattern. Of great interest are the wall paintings recently uncovered, which are undergoing careful conservation. One room painted in a striped pattern, copying silk hangings, is perhaps unique in Great Britain.

Growing Edible Fruit And Veg In Your Yard

Over the last few years home gardening has become an increasingly popular past-time and hobby. In fact, studies show that home gardening is at an all time high in England right now. In the USA 8 out of 10 households take part in some type of home gardening activity. Obviously from the number of people that are doing it, home gardening is one of the most popular recreational activities in nation.

Most people that try their hand at home gardening plant flowers; at least they start out planting flowers anyway. Roses will probably be the first thought into any gardeners mind, but roses will take extra time and work, and should probably be left to those who have gardened before. When planting flowers many choices are available, such as bulbs, perennials, and annuals.

Edible plants are another big thing in home gardening. Perhaps the best thing about edibles is the reward of eating fresh fruit and veg. The list of fruit and vegetables that gardeners can grow at home is endless. Some of the most popular vegetables grow at home are, potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, squash, and cucumber. Many gardeners opt for fruits, such as, watermelons, tomatoes, peaches, plums, apples, pears, and apricots. Small fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries usually require less work and less space, making them much more feasible for home gardening. The growing of herbs, most often used as spices in cooking, are growing in popularity every day as they can be grown on window sills; some of the most grown include basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, and cilantro. One of the most important things to watch for when planting edibles is insects and disease, after all, you do not want to miss out on the feast you will get to enjoy from healthy plants.

There isn’t much difference between home gardening and gardening anywhere else. Plants still need to be planted in a good location. The plants still need water and they still need the same nutrients. Home gardening should not make anyone to get nervous. If you do decide to try homing gardening and finding out that you don’t have green fingers, do not get discouraged. Get some information, visit a good home and garden directory and read up on gardening, and try it again the next planting season.

Many people do not know it, but landscaping is a form of home gardening. Landscaping covers many different areas and forms of gardening. You can even classify mowing your lawn as landscaping! Keeping in the line of grasses, landscaping nearly always involves decorative grasses, and the great thing about them is they don’t take much work for upkeep. Types of grass include monkey grass, pampas, buffalo grass, flame grass, and ornamental millet. Landscaping is not just limited to plant life, but also includes anything done to a garden for decoration, such as adding rocks or stones, putting a small pond, statutes, or a waterfall.

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