MORE OR LESS EMPLOYMENT LAW
By Kate Lawson Element Law Limited The government has recently published a document called ‘One-in One-out Second Statement of New Regulation’. This announced proposals to de-regulate business, as part of its Red Tape Challenge. This document covers a wide-range of areas including procurement, health and safety and employment law. In the area of employment law and HR, the paper announced the... Read More
NOVEMBER RECIPE: LEEK, POTATO & BACON SOUP
By Kath Oakley It is getting colder and a warm soup might be just right. Ingredients - A good sized knob of butter - 8 rashers streaky bacon, cut into thin slices - 4 large leeks, washed and thinly sliced - 4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced - 1 ½ pints stock (or water and 1 stock cube) - 1 small pot single cream Recipe In a large pan gently fry half the bacon with the butter, add the leeks... Read More
EQUALITY FOR AGENCY WORKERS
By Kate Lawson The Agency Workers Regulations come into force on Saturday 1st October 2011 and apply to agency staff who are assigned to do temporary work for an end client, called the hirer, through temporary work agencies. These regulations provide that all agency workers must be able to access a hirer’s collective facilities and amenities and have access to information about its job vacancies... Read More
MOTORING TIPS INFORMATION ON RIGHT TURNS
By Arnold Butler It is most important when approaching road junctions to make sure you have assessed the whole situation, making sure you are positioned correctly. It is important that your speed is correct and you are in the correct gear for the situation, you are aware of other road users, so as not to inconvenience them unnecessarily, and you are prepared to give way when necessary. When turning... Read More
SEPTEMBER GARDENING NOTES
By John Draper Most Septembers are blessed with a spell of ‘Indian Summer’ weather, when high temperatures deny the fact that autumn is just around the corner and we have hit the high spot of mellow fruitfulness. Rainfall will be a regular feature, usually in heavy downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning. Beds and Borders If autumn is a lean time in your flower borders, fill the gaps... Read More
THE LITTLE STRANGER (SARAH WATERS)
By Jeff Day We’re not sure about this book but we think maybe that’s the point. Don’t get us wrong, we liked it, we liked it a lot, but is it ambiguous or is it unambiguous? We’re not sure. It’s the ending you see; it’s open to interpretation… ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters has a supernatural flavour to it: people living in a big desolate house with spooky things going... Read More
MAY GARDENING NOTES
By John Draper Long days and warmer nights herald the start of the planting season for tender flowers, patio planters and tropical vegetables that hate our British frosts. On display will be all manner of flowering shrubs, including decorative cherries, rhododendrons and lilacs, plus herbaceous perennials such as aquilegia, hardy geraniums, peonies and bleeding hearts (dicentra). Beds & Borders... Read More
MOTORING TIPS
By Arnold Butler A few months ago I wrote about awareness and planning but this must not be confused with defensive driving. Awareness and planning is making sure you drive considerately and politely, so as to make it easier for other road users and pedestrians. The roads are busier than they have ever been. Incorporated with this, a driver has to cope with heavy traffic, unpredictable, irrational,... Read More
APRIL GARDENING NOTES
By John Draper Easter is on the horizon and longer days herald the start of spring. As the sun warms the soil, spring bulbs such as daffodils, narcissi, iris and even early tulips will be opening up to brighten the garden. On sunny days fragrant shrubs such as the Viburnum will be wafting perfume all around the garden. It’s time to tidy up beds and borders and to make sure weeds don’t take hold. Beds... Read More
BOOK REVIEW: AN EXPERIMENT IN LOVE – BY HILLARY MANTEL
By Jeff Day Hillary Mantle is best known for her Booker Prize winning Wolf Hall – that was too obvious for us so we plumped for an obscurer, earlier work: An Experiment in Love. Did it turn out to be an experiment in loving literature or rather an experiment in plodding through the boredom threshold? Read on dear reader and find out! The book has a simple, confined plot. It focuses on a small number... Read More