All Posts in "Month: October 2019"

Historic Holidays

If you love all things olde-worlde and dream of break-in accommodation that’s a little bit different then why not think about a heritage getaway? There are many places to stay in the UK that offer an experience steeped in history, as one thing the UK has, is tons of history.

Why not stay in a real Castle? Britain has been blessed with so many Castles and these are usually set in beautiful landscapes and are rammed full of history. Many Castles now offer accommodation including bed and breakfast. Others offer on-site accommodation that is self-catering so you can really be your own Lord or Lady for the duration of your stay. Some Castles that you can stay in are Hever Castle in Kent, Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, Bickleigh Castle in Devon and Ruthin Castle in Wales.

If lording it around is not really your style then why not try taking a step back in time with a break in a Glamping pod. For those of you that like your military history there is the stunning option of driving a tank.

For those of you that enjoy military history one of the most exciting things you can do is to go on Tank Driving Days where you can take out a classic British mechanized vehicle. Companies such as armourgeddon offer a day of action and a chance to experience first hand what it was like to drive one of these monsters.

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A more sedate option is Cottages, these are another option for a holiday full of heritage. There are so many different kinds from romantic retreats, fisherman’s cottages by the sea to large country cottages with hot tubs and even swimming pools. Some quirky cottages include Blue Seas in Cornwall where you can stay in a Victorian fort. Riverbank Cottage in Cumbria straddles an old packhorse bridge over the water. There are converted station houses, former bakehouses, old telephone exchanges, pump houses, and even old churches. The Old Church in Shropshire stands on the site of a much earlier Medieval chapel and contains many original features and also boasts a Jacuzzi spa bath!

There are also historic hotels around Britain that can offer heritage and stunning countryside views. Some are listed buildings and offer a relaxed, country Manor style break or you can find country house hotels that also offer sports and activities such as golf, fishing, and shooting. For a really Royal connection, the Rubens at the Palace in Central London is a historic hotel that sits on Buckingham Palace Road. It offers beautifully furnished rooms, a champagne bar, and two restaurants. You can even catch sight of the Royal horses if you’re lucky. If you don’t fancy London, then head to a more relaxed Pen-Y-Dyffryn on the Welsh borders for a Grade II listed country house with a 2 AA Rosette restaurant.

admin by — October 31, 2019 in Travel
Turning Up the Heat: Hot Glue Guns

Glue guns are mobile utensils that deliver hot melted adhesives.

Thermoplastics taking the shape of cylindrical sticks for use in glue guns were first introduced in the early to mid 20th century as an improvement on traditional water-based glues, which would ultimately weaken due to atmospheric humidity.

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Industrial adhesives were then later used in the shoe manufacturing process, although it soon came to be realized that their use was applicable in things involving numerous other materials, including cloths and woods.

For the Best Results

Holt-melt adhesives are vital in glue gun applications. Hot melts can vary, changing in size and form, and include resins, polymers, and various waxes. These melts are particularly useful due to their waterproofing and to their ability to deal with varying chemical environments.

Glue Guns in Action

The glue gun process is relatively straightforward. The thermoplastic sticks are pushed through the rear end of the device and then undergo a melting process taking anywhere between one and five minutes. However, when preheated, this process can often be quickened. In the cheaper and more accessible glue guns, the temperature of the thermoplastics is controlled by an in-device thermistor which limits the heat available. This then, in turn, allows the user to use the glue gun without running the risk of being burnt through excessive heating.

The glue is then forced through a conical tip which can absorb heat very quickly. As a result, many manufacturers include a proactive barrier that covers the tip which reduces the chances of burns occurring.

At the point of application, because the plastic is obviously a solid at room temperature, it solidifies quickly on expulsion from the gun.

Glue guns are particularly useful, due to their ease of use, informing airtight seals and you can find them in a variety of sizes.

For Your Consideration

It is vital you ensure you select the optimal glue for each and every application. For example, lower-temperature glue guns that melt at around 250 degrees are best used for delicate materials, including cloths and thin woods. Higher-temperature glue guns that can reach anywhere up to 400 degrees are more appropriate for use in projects involving harder materials such as wood. Glue guns with varying temperature levels are available for special projects where some versatility is required. You should also ensure that the items that you are using the hot glue on are appropriate to do so on. For example, you are much better off contacting a Boiler Repair Gloucester company such as hpr services ltd rather than using hot glue on a part of your heating system. But you may want to use it to reattach a broken oven or fridge handle.

admin by — October 24, 2019 in General
Social care provision in the NHS falls short

Measures announced by the government, to give councils access to a brand new support grant for adult social care, have been welcomed by many leaders within the health service, but they do not believe it will be enough to pull the healthcare sector out of the crisis.

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The care levy and a new grant.

Sajid Javid, the communities secretary, announced that councils can apply a 3% care levy over the next two years, as well as accessing a new grant, that will come from saving on the New Homes Bonus.

These new avenues of revenue are expected to inject approximately £900m into the struggling health sector, but Stephen Dalton, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has explained that this will do nothing to alleviate the immediate pressures that are currently being felt this winter.

Concerns raised by key health sector figures.

Dalton acknowledges that although these new announcements are very welcome and important, they, unfortunately, don’t go far enough in addressing the deeply rooted issues facing the NHS, and he has implored the government not to ignore the concerns raised by both local government and the NHS itself.

In some places, the NHS has fallen on their waiting times, response times and appointments and in some hospitals, they are even saying people are starving to death.  A big problem when staying in your own home or local care home can be heating.  Trying to keep the residents and patients warm can be difficult especially in winter.  Getting some Aluminium Radiators UK products from sites including apolloradiators.co.uk/designer-radiators.

The lack of adequate social care is putting more pressure on hospitals, with patients not able to be discharged even though they are ready to go home. Clinical trial services are being conducted every day to bring important new treatments to the market, only for hospitals to continue struggling because of inadequate social care provisions. Dalton is calling for an immediate review into social care’s sustainability, as well as for information on how the funding gap is going to be addressed.

Concerns raised by councils.

In its plans, the government has stated that councils will be able to raise around £208m next year and £444m in 2018/2019, by applying the social care precept. However, it has been highlighted that the councils most in need of additional funding won’t benefit as much, because many properties fall into lower taxation bands.

For a long time, it has been clear to see that consecutive governments have avoided facing the challenges presented by the health sector, and these new measures have served to emphasize the requirement for essential reforms that must ensure the sustainability of social care.

admin by — October 19, 2019 in Health