The biggest sporting event of the year and in possibly UK history is only just around the corner. The 2012 London Olympics is now just 100 days away which means that the countdown is well under way and athletes will be hard at work training.

Last minute preparations will be happening before the event kicks off on 27^th July and all participants and organisers will be busy ensuring all procedures are in place for the Games to run smoothly. And before then London and towns across the UK will be active celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The construction of the Water Polo Arena, one of the final London 2012 venues to be built, has just been completed one month ahead of its test events; and the mountain bike venue is on course to be ready. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) Coordination Commission recently concluded that London, the 2012 Host City, is ready to welcome the world’s best athletes and Olympic and Paralympic fans this summer.

So with most of the infrastructure and planning on target, all contestants and sportspersons should be preparing too. A key factor of groundwork is keeping fit and exercising and whilst socks aren’t always seen as the most important part of a players’ sports kit, they are usually the items worn which can cause the most discomfort and irritation.

WackySox  a 100% British made specialist offer high performance sports socks with vibrant wacky colours and designs and they are suitable for many sports and activities including rugby, football, hockey, running, tennis and many more besides.

All WackySox are made featuring a comfortable padded foot which offers athletes a high performance through the use of the COOLMAX moisture management fabric which features advanced wicking technology to keep feet dry and cool.

Don’t let your performance be hindered by inappropriate sports socks; visit the site and find a pair of socks that are guaranteed to spark that training ground banter!

Work begins this week on the construction of Little Rascals – a £1,000,000 purpose built children’s nursery and development centre situated on Bluebell Way, Preston East.

The state of the art centre will open its doors to babies and children aged from new born to five years in September 2012.

Little Rascals will boast a range of tailored facilities for up to 96 babies and children including sensory and sleeping rooms together with outdoor play and habitat spaces.

Each of the four age groups will have their own separate indoor and outdoor facilities and in addition there will be a dedicated teaching room for youngsters aged 36 months and over.

The centre will shortly be recruiting trained nursery and childcare specialists including a qualified pre-school teacher who will prepare children aged three and over for their move to school.

Based near to Junction 31A at Preston East, adjacent to the new James Hall and Co headquarters, the single story 542 square metre building will be in an ideal location for parents working locally as well as for those travelling into Preston from further afield.

Preston accountant, Roger Bessent, Managing Director of Little Rascals Limited says: “We are very pleased that work has begun. The project has been two years in the planning and we have worked closely with James Hall & Co and its architects to create a building which complies fully with Ofsted requirements and will meet the needs of the babies and children in our care and of their parents.

“Offering a safe and nurturing environment is our highest priority and we are pleased to have secured the services of a very experienced manager who will help with the process of recruiting the right team of experienced and dedicated childcare practitioners. A trained teacher will play an important part in the learning and development of the children we care for.”

James Hall & Co Ltd is funding the construction of the setting which will be carried out by Grimsargh-based building contractors, John Turner & Sons, to a design prepared by leading North West architects, Cassidy + Ashton.

Andrew Bangs, Properties Director at James Hall & Co Ltd says: “The start of work this week is an important milestone for this new facility.   We are looking forward to watching the build take shape over the coming weeks and months, and to seeing Little Rascals develop into a thriving centre for children and parents alike.”

Parents who would like to find out more about Little Rascals and register their interest in a place for their child, without obligation, can do so online at www.littlerascalspreston.co.uk.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Little Rascals nursery will be based in Lancashire Way which is between the SPAR Bluebell Way Service Station and the roundabout at Longridge Road.

For more information go to www.littlerascalspreston.co.uk

Press enquiries to:

The Write Angle,

01772 450 990

Alexandra Mounsey

alexm@writeanglepr.co.uk

Lancashire online marketing firm Custard Media has been listed as one of the Top UK SEO Companies for 2012.

The digital media agency has placed sixth in the prestigious ranking by the International Business Times (IBT).

The IBT is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs and it has named Custard Media as one of the top search engine optimisation companies in Britain.

Based in Preston, Custard Media has gained a reputation in the industry as a forward-thinking agency that provides innovative online marketing solutions. The firm has a vast array of clients across multiple sectors including internationally- known brands as well as local businesses and ultimately, the experts deliver tangible results.

IBTimes Tech & Trend report that SEO is no longer an option but a necessity and with so many firms around that offer the service, businesses need to choose the right one to meet their needs.

The analysts sieved through the tons of companies in the UK and picked Custard Media as one of the top firms for the upcoming year who will work hard to ensure that your website is well optimised for search engines as well as striving to ensure that your firm gets high visibility with an ethical approach.

There is over 10 years’ experience in online marketing in-house from dynamic link builders, enthusiastic account managers to super-creative content writers. The whole team at Custard Media has a passion to provide the complete online marketing mix and they have been selected for 2012 because they are not like any other traditional search engine optimisation company.

If you want to boost your business’ online presence with online PR, blogging and social media marketing, make sure you use an SEO agency that has been recommended by the professionals.

Purchasing a new cot, pram and car set for an expectant new-born can be pricey but the actual costs of preparing for a new baby have been revealed in a recent study.

According to a survey by TV series “How To… Prepare for your baby’s arrival” parents’ fork out thousands of pounds before a baby is even born.

The research of 2,000 parents found that first-time mums and dads spend on average £1,786 on luxurious nursery equipment, clothing and appliances when planning the arrival of a bundle of joy. What is more, 6% devote nearly £10,000 on decorating the nursery and freezing stem cells.

Findings showed that despite the difficult economic climate, two thirds of parents having a baby get into debt by taking out loans and credit cards; and 25% admitted to having financial troubles after the new-born has arrived. Moreover, a quarter of parents surveyed confessed that the money woes impacted their relationship.

The survey reports that day-care facilities is the biggest burden on the purse strings as 68% said that families were hit the hardest by childcare costs. A further 48% reported difficulties with loss of earnings due to maternity leave, 26% stated financial outlay of preparing for a new baby, 24% said long-standing financial problems, and 22% reported reduced family tax credits and benefits.

Alistair Clayton, a spokesperson from TV series ‘How To… Prepare for your baby’s arrival’, said: “In anticipation of their baby’s arrival, first-time parents often feel under pressure to overspend in preparation for every eventuality: outfits for every occasion, expensive nursery equipment and gadgets they’ll never use. Lack of money, in conjunction with the stresses and strains associated with caring for a new baby, makes for a toxic combination.”

You can throw a baby shower and celebrate the arrival of a baby without it costing the earth with the experts at Shower My Baby.

The specialists have a vast array of stylish and affordable baby gifts to choose from as well as everything you need to host a wonderful baby shower including fun activities and baby shower games as well as decorations and party packs that are all competitively priced.

Rejoice in the arrival of your new little boy or girl and save the pennies by visiting Shower My Baby today or call the professionals on 0845 224 0514.

Celebrity hair stylist Andrew Barton delivered a series of seminars to students and staff from the Hair and Beauty department at Barnsley College on Monday 30th January.

The 10 YY* stylist gave cutting demonstrations, useful tips and an insight into the work of an international hair designer to over 100 members of the department at the College where he had formerly honed his skills as an Apprentice. He delivered an inspirational message to students, encouraging learners to aim high and continue on into the “great British export” that hairdressing has become.

After meeting Andrew at a hair event in Manchester, Programme Manager for Hairdressing, Sarah Seaman invited him back to the College and his home town to see the new facilities which stand in the place of the salons he once trained in. The salons where the skills event took place were officially opened late last year by the Hair and Beauty Industry Association (HABIA) at regional showcase event.

Sarah said of the day: “It has been a great experience for our learners, Andrew’s story is incredibly inspirational and I know our students have had a fantastic day and will take away not only the lessons he has taught them in how to cut hair but also the ambition for a successful career in the industry.”

This event was part of a departmental wide day to enhance both student and staff skills for future work in the hair and beauty industry. The opportunity to meet Andrew was also opened up to local salon owners and hairdressers with the international hair styling brand, Redken, using the College premises in order to run one of their colour refresher courses.

Media Contact Details

Name: Katherine James
Company Name: Barnsley College
Town: Barnsley
Country: South Yorkshire
Telephone Number: 01226 216134
Email: k.james@barnsley.ac.uk
Language: English

Hamilton Grand, St Andrews is undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment by Kohler Company, owners of five red star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa – and today part of this project saw the St Andrews skyline regain an important piece of its history as this iconic building, overlooking the 18th green of the world-famous Old Course, was ‘crowned’ with a new dome.

The original dome was replaced after a fire in 1976 with a fibreglass replica. The new dome – made in Scotland – is a lead-clad timber frame weighing 3.5 tonnes, true to the original structure.  The lead sections were constructed in Falkirk by Matheson Plumbing Co. Ltd and the joinery carried out by Dundee based firm WBS Keilor.  The dome was expertly raised and positioned on the Hamilton Grand tower at 12.30pm this afternoon.

The history of the building and the importance of the event were not lost on the town of St Andrews as locals and visitors witnessed the dome lift – capturing images and launching into the world of social media with over 60,000 Twitter recipients by the time the dome reached its final position.

The dome caps Hamilton Grand which, after the R&A’s headquarters, is the most photographed building in the game of golf. It is being transformed into a collection of 26 homes of distinction – two, three and four bedroom apartments together with a private residents’ lounge and function suite as well as a new, stylish restaurant and bar that is set to become a firm favourite of those visiting golf’s mecca.

“We are honoured to work with community members throughout this exciting project” said Debbie Taylor, President – Hospitality and Real Estate, Kohler Co., adding: “Hamilton Grand is a unique real estate opportunity for those who want to own a home in the birthplace of golf and a premier destination that is rich in history – the holy grail of golf. Today, we are delighted to have crowned a piece of Scottish history.”

For photographs and further press details:

Deborah Luna Rose, Marketing & PR Manager, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Direct:  +44 (0)1334 474 371
Mobile: +44 (0)7969 201 194
Email: Deborah.lunarose@oldcoursehotel.co.uk

Media Contact Details

Name: Julia Bruce
Company Name: Bray Leino
Town: Fife
Country: United Kingdom
Telephone Number: 0131 583 0023 or 07921 055 697
Email: jbruce@brayleino.co.uk
Language: English

Media Contact Details

Name: Kevin Thompson
Company Name: The Shower Doctor
Town: Edinburgh
Country: United Kingdom
Telephone Number: 0131 538 4343
Email: info@showerdoc.com
Language: English

Media Contact Details

Name: Philip Negus
Company Name: ESL Starter
Town: Not specified
Country: United Kigndom
Telephone Number: 0203 286 6554
Email: info@eslstarter.com
Language: English

Tividale Hall Primary School site manager Paul Green is planning to run five marathons in five days finishing on top of Mount Snowdon in Wales.

Paul Green on one of his marathon runs (Pictured Left)

(Paul can be contacted at the school on 01384 254865)

Super-fit Paul, aged 45, who lives in Warwick Gardens, Tividale, is the school’s site manager and is carrying out the massive run to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

He is planning to do the 130 mile run in April. He will set off from the school in Regent Road and hopefully end up on top of the highest peak in Wales five days later.

During the run he will be passing through Himley, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, Llangollen, Betws-y-coed and Plas Gwynant.

Paul, who has already run in three London Marathons, said: “I am hoping to complete the run on Friday April 13, I just hope it is not an unlucky omen.

“I have always admired athletes who go ultra running covering massive distances over numerous days.

“So while on an annual trip to Sandwell Council’s Plas Gwynant Outdoor Centre in mid-Wales, I got the idea to run from school all the way to the summit of Mount Snowdon.

“I put the whole thing to the back of my mind for over twelve months until I watched Eddie Izzard achieve the impossible, when he ran around the UK with nothing more than a desire and commitment to just do it!

“Over the last few years I have become more aware of family members, friends and work colleagues suffering from cancer.

“With this in mind and the desire to run, I decided to combine the two and raise funds for Cancer Research UK along the way.”

Headteacher Pam Willetts said: “The whole school is backing him. This will be a marvellous feat.”

So on April 9, Paul will set off from school with his goal to be standing on the summit of Mount Snowdon five days later.

Paul added: “I hope to meet a lot of new faces along the way, raise a few smiles and raise plenty of money for the charity along the way. It is nice to do this in Olympic year.”

Note to Editors:

If you want more information about how Sandwell is taking part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit the Sandwell 2012 website at www.sandwell2012.co.uk

Media Contact Details

Name: N/A
Company Name: Sandwell Council Communications Unit
Town: Sandwell
Country: United Kingdom
Telephone Number: 0121 569 3031
Email: N/A
Language: English

Media Contact Details

Name: Serena Fidgett
Company Name: Hotel Chocolat
Town: Royston
Country: UK
Telephone Number: 0844 493 2323
Email: serena.fidgett@hotelchocolat.co.uk
Language: English