Passenger complaint to Virgin about meal served on Mumbai-London flight
January 31, 2009
We have all had or heard about the quality of meals you get when travelling on board an aeroplane, with flight operators using the excuse of inadequate catering equipment available when aboard a plane. One person has had enough and written a letter of complaint that was picked up due to the nature of it’s content.
Sir Richard Branson has thanked the author of a tirade slating food on board as a ‘culinary journey of hell’. The Telegraph described the anonymous email, which has whipped around the internet, saying, opening the lid of the main meal was like being given a ‘dead hamster as a Christmas present’, as one of the best airline complaints in the world.
The disgruntled passenger, after a flight from Mumbai to Heathrow on December 7 last year, without mincing the words, said via email:
“Imagine being a 12-year old boy Richard. Now imagine it’s Christmas morning and you are set with your final present to open. It’s a big one, and you know what it is. Only you open the present and it is not in there. It’s your hamster, Richard. It’s hamster in the box and it’s not breathing. That’s how I felt when I peeled back the foil.”
The complaint went on…
‘It’s mustard Richard. MUSTARD. More than any man could consume in a month. On the left we have a piece of broccoli and some peppers and on the right side the chef had prepared some mashed potato. The potato masher had obviously broken and so it was decided the next best thing would be to pass the potatoes through the digestive tract of a bird.”
About the desert, the complaint noted:
“The cookie appeared as some sort of backstreet underground cookie, purchased off a gun-toting maniac high on his own supply of yeast. The custard was like a sour gel with clear oil on top.”
Sir Richard Branson telephoned the author of the letter and thanked him for his ‘constructive if tongue-in-cheek email’, reported The Telegraph.
The complainant has been invited by Sir Richard Branson to select the food and wines for future Virgin flights. The passenger has not yet confirmed whether he would take up the opportunity.
Obama’s step-mum loves bingo games
January 30, 2009
It’s barely been a week since her son-in-law and daughter have been living in the White House and Kezia Obama, President Obama’s step-mum, was in arguably the most influential building in the world. But Mrs Obama seems to already be settling into how her life was before the election.
She was attending a bingo hall where she was promoting her own online bingo games, Mrs Obama’s Bingo. Whilst chatting with her fellow players, the presidential step-mum had time to talk about Barrack Obama;
“Barack said to me ‘Sorry it’s so cold. I want you to come back and stay in the White House in the summer when it’s warmer’”, said Kezia.
She was soon stuck into a number of bingo games, with regards to her own game she said how happy she felt about it all, stating “I’m so excited – I can hardly wait.”
Kezia also displayed a note from Barrack wishing her good luck for the event, which she gleefully showed to the players near her. She was still wearing the same woolly hate from the Presidential inauguration and pronounced her happiness at being able to get back to the things she loves;
“It was a fantastic occasion. I was so proud. I felt like a million dollar woman – like a star.” said Kezia.
Mortgage lending on the rise
January 30, 2009
The number of new mortgages has risen to 31,000, up from 27,000 in November 2008. While the rise is slightly reassuring for the market that is always on edge during these pessimistic times, the number is still one of the lowest on record.
With banks being highly withdrawn and lending at a minimum this news, though not amazing, will hopefully help to raise spirits.
The difference is obvious, when you cast back to as little as a year ago and it was common to see advertisements offering bad credit loans and mortgages to anyone. Now, you are luck if you can get a loan with a perfect credit rating.
The cycle caused by banks not lending and people not spending their money, has been on a downwards spiral for around a year now. Maybe this positive result will mark a slight improvement in somewhat bleak times. Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) suggests that it is no accident there has been an increase in mortgages;
“The pick-up in activity reflects in part the increased interest from buyers who are being attracted to the market by both the fall in house prices and drop in mortgage rates,” he stated.
Who knows? Another year from now and you may be able to get your bad credit loans and banks might be offering great deals on their mortgages once again. Only time will tell.
Keep the cow happy to get more milk
January 30, 2009
According to the researchers at New Castle University, happy cows give better milk yield. Researchers believe that cattle that are treated with extra personal touch can lead to increased milk yields – up to 500 pints a year. The study conducted by the university’s School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development involved 516 farmers across the country.
Results of the study also indicate that farmers who named their cows gained a higher yield than the ones who did not give their cattle names. Almost 54 percent of the farmers did not bother to name their cattle.
Dairy farmer Dennis Gibb, who co-owns Eachwick Red House Farm outside New-castle with his brother Richard, believes in treating every cow as an individual as it is 1 vitally important’. He said:
“They are not just our livelihood; they are part of the family. We love our cows here at Eachwick and every one of them has a name; collectively we refer to them as ‘our ladies’. We know every one of them and each one has her own personality.”
Catherine Douglas, who led the research, said:
“Our study shows what many good, caring farmers have long since believed. Our data suggests that, on the whole, UK farmers regard their cows as intelligent beings capable of experiencing range of emotions. Placing more importance on knowing the individual animals and calling them by name can, at no extra cost to the farmer, also significantly increase milk production.”
Geri Halliwell loves diamond engagment rings
January 28, 2009
A week rarely goes by where a “celebrity” is off marrying either another celebrity or a bin man from Manchester. In Geri Halliwells case though she settled for yacht designer, Fabrizio Politi, who is worth significantly more than the average waste disposal technician (bin man) anyway. In fact, to put things in perspective, Politi’s company has sold vessels worth £67 million, which is why he can easily afford to splash out £223,000 on diamond engagement rings. To a girlfriend he has had a relationship with for only two months no less.
Geri Halliwell is obviously more than pleased with Politi’s taste in diamond engagment rings. She showed it off soon after accepting the proposal whilse passing through Heathrow on their way to a holiday in Spain. She didn’t miss the opportunity to flash her rock once they touched down in Madrid either, leaving it in the open for all to see.
Although the engagment seems quite rushed, their is apparently no word on when the wedding will take place, but you can sure that Politi is going to have to spend alot to outdo his choice of diamond engagement rings.
Geri has had a spate of whirlwind romances in the past, let’s hope this is the start of a more permanent solution for her.
Roller shutters hide £7m drug stash
January 27, 2009
Police have managed to obtain a drug haul worth £500,000. The drug raids took place in Leeds, Batley and Cleckheaton. The huge drugs cache wasn’t the only successful find during this set of operations. Police drug squads also managed to locate £100,000 in cash and a stun gun. A stun gun can omit a potentially harmful strong electric shock. The raids were carried out ate three strategic locations in close succession to one another.
This follows on from news last year where drug raids resulted in a huge find for drugs police. They raided a garage in Wakefield in October 2008 and found a drug load hidden in flower boxes behind a set of roller shutters in the garage. The total value was estimated at around £7 million at the time.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
“A woman in her forties from Leeds has been arrested in connection with the matter and is detained at a police station in Wakefield to be spoken to by officers.
“Further enquiries are still ongoing by Wakefield District CID.”
There have been several key drug raids in the last 12 months, enforcing the polices view that they really are getting tougher on drugs crime.
England stars all set to shine in Indian Premier League
January 25, 2009
England stars are all set to play in the popular Indian Premier League (IPL). The England and Wales Cricket Board has agreed to release the players for three weeks. The new move has prompted players to sign central contracts, first offered last September.
England all-rounder Paul Collingwood said:
“They (central contracts) have been signed by the players. We are waiting on part of the IPL to come back with confirmation.”
It is believed that up to six England players could play in the IPL in April. Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen are sure to be the hottest properties at the cricketer auction on 6 February.
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose stated:
“Flintoff and Pietersen are big names in India and Pietersen enhanced his reputation there after he took the team back to India after the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Estimates suggest that they could earn as much as $1m. There are add-on benefits like adverts.”
The ECB had earlier insisted it would only release players for a two-week window. Lalit Modi, the Indian Premier League chairman, said this was not acceptable. A compromise seems to have been reached. The ECB will also make sure that the Test players are available to play for three weeks in 2010.
A death knell for final salary schemes
January 24, 2009
A quarter of leading private sector companies expect to shut their final salary pension plans to existing members, according to a survey.
Many firms have already stopped their schemes to new members, stating they are too costly to finance. Barring current contributors is going to get more common, states the National Association of Pensions Fund. The association is pressing for additional government help. Nearly 25 of the 100 firms that responded to its study expected to do so, it found.
Final salary schemes that offer guaranteed benefits are facing intense pressure from falling interest rates, plunging stock markets and growing life expectancy. The latest estimate of overall company pension deficits is close to £200bn.
Many final salary schemes have stopped catering to new recruits. The finding that some of the UK’s biggest private firms are planning to close them to even existing members points to a new worrying trend. A former government adviser, Ros Altmann, noted the ‘death knell’ had already been sounded for the system of final salary pension. He added:
“”Employees cannot anymore afford to fund these long term, open-ended commitments.”
Closing schemes to new members will be more likely owing to the credit crunch, the NAPF survey pointed out.
Men encouraged for jobs in nurseries
January 20, 2009
Men are being encouraged to take up jobs in nurseries. A survey suggests that many parents actually want their toddlers to emulate male role models. This is possible by having more contact with them. In reality, only two men are there for every 100 people engaged in childcare.
The Council for Children’s Workforce Development (CWDC) spoke to nearly 1,000 parents about this particular issue and sought their opinion on men working in nurseries. Single mothers appear to be concerned in particular. About 66% of them said that they would prefer a man to be involved in the development of their child. However, of all the parents questioned, almost 59% stated there was not a single man worked at the nursery where they sent their child.
The survey hints 17% of children have less than two hours of contact time on weekly basis with a male adult, whereas 39% get less than six hours. Over half of the parents surveyed, 57%, believed men and women had totally different skills to help young children.
Around 3,000 men currently work in early years childcare. This is just about 2% of the workforce. The CWDC wants more men to work in early years settings
David and Victoria story on stage
January 19, 2009
Of all the places in the entire of Europe you may expect a stage show about the Beckham to open, Dublin would probably be one of the last choices. But the Irish seems to be just as fascinated by the David and Victoria story as others. The English, Italians, Spanish and even the Americans relish the Posh and Becks tale. Marking its debut at Olympia Theatre of Dublin is a new production that plays on Beckham’s ‘Shakespearean qualities’ of comedy, fashion and footballing tragedy.
Filled with flying boots, dodgy haircuts and missed penalties, it is called MacBecks. The production is based ‘very loosely’ on the Scottish play. With punch lines like ‘Is this a stiletto I see before me?’, it is quite unlikely to attract or impress Shakespearean purists.
However, it was just a matter of time before the tale of the Beckhams gave way to a stage play. Their stormy relationship has been described as one of the great quirky celebrity romances of contemporary time.
Malachy McKenna, one of the writers, states that the Irish have very closely followed the lives of the Beckhams. The writer added:
“If you go out into Dublin and buy 50 magazines, they are going to be in 40 of them. They are indeed a global phenomenon.”
