In Any Event UK

How to save money

2012-01-04T09:29:00.003Z

Clear your credit card debt
One of the golden rules of financial planning is to clear your most expensive debts first, in other words your credit cards. OK, credit cards offer a convenient way to pay for goods and services but if you can't clear the balance every month, consider a low-cost loan as an alternative. Do the sums: a credit card debt (APR 15%) of £2,200 over three years will cost £545 in interest. A loan at 6% will cost £209.
A saving of £336.Saving: £100s
Link: This is Money credit card finder

Cut the cost of your fuel bills
As the global demand for power threatens to outstrip supply, prices are rising. But that doesn't mean you need to be ripped off. The domestic market for fuel is a competitive one and you can change supplier with a few clicks of the mouse. Your new supplier will take care of the formalities - you just pay less every month.
Saving: £100
Link: Slash your fuel bills with This is Money

Consider installing a water meter
We take our tap water for granted. And why not? The companies behind the supply exist to make a profit, we pay them to supply water and have every right to expect it to flow from our taps. But if it doesn't rain, supply runs dry and the price goes up. So you may want to consider the possibility of installing a meter. If you have a big home with few occupants you may be surprised to learn you could halve your annual bill.
Saving: £100s
Link: water calculator

Cut your home phone bills
BT may seem to behave like a monopoly but it most definitely is not one. If you must use your phone there are scores of cheaper alternatives from cable companies that package your telephone, television and even broadband internet access to low-cost dial-up services that give you access to cheaper calls using your existing BT line.
Saving: £100
Link: Cut your phone bills with This is Money

Make a shopping list
Food shopping forms a significant part of our monthly outgoings and the supermarket is where the bulk of the money is spent. Tesco takes £1 in every £8 spent by UK shoppers. But be warned, stores spend a small fortune studying ways of making us part with more of our money than we would otherwise intend to. Have you ever wondered why your favourite song is playing in the background as you navigate the aisles? Have you even noticed the background music? Possibly not, but you will have noticed at the checkout that the bill is often more than expected. To circumvent this, simply make a shopping list. Dig out the cookery books, plan a few meals and only buy what you need.
Saving: £10 a week = £520 a year
Link: Mysupermarket for price comparisons

Don't buy designer labels
Celebrities are given expensive clothes to wear. You're not. At the end of the day, and let's face it you may only wear the outfit once, can you justify paying hundreds of pounds over the odds because a top designer has had his or her name sewn on the label? And can you honestly say you can tell the difference at a distance between a £600 designer bag and a £9.99 one from the market? Think about it.
Saving: £100s
Link: Prada - note the total lack of pricesASOS.com offers discounted brands

Sell your clutter on eBay
Take this quick test: You're at home. Open a cupboard. Look inside. If it's full of clothes you haven't worn, or 'good ideas a the time' you haven't used, for, let's say, three years - you don't need them. So why not sell them to someone else who does? Ebay, the online auction house, has opened individual sellers to a world of buyers. And you can flog anything for the cost of a small commission. Tip: you may want to buy a few items first to build up your rating as a respectable eBayer before you start selling.
Income: Will depend on what's in your cupboard
Links: www.ebay.co.uk; 'I'm making money from eBay'

Book early Low-cost airlines have created a market in holidays for people prepared to fly to any destination provided it's cheap. You can benefit from this too. Just remember, only a few seats on each flight are sold at bargain-basement prices and once they're sold, the prices rise. So book early.
Saving: £100
Link: Skyscanner - the air fares comparison site

Book your own 'package' holiday online
The popularity of High Street travel agents is waning as more and more people warm to the benefits of researching and putting together their own holidays on the internet. If your holiday consists of flights, accommodation, transfers and possibly car hire, then take this test. Order a brochure from a leading holiday company and work out the price of your holiday including all the complicated supplements. Now go online and, starting with the flights, try to put the same package together.
Saving: £100+
Links: This is flights, HotelClub.co.uk, Shuttle Direct, Holiday Autos

Learn to say 'no'
It's easy to capitulate to the demands of a screaming child in a packed Woolworths on a Saturday afternoon. But don't do it. Similarly, how often does a 'swift half' after work turn into a £40 drinking session? Saying 'no' a few times a year will do wonders for your bank account.
Saving: £100

Don't pay full price for theatre or theme park tickets If you are prepared to tolerate the unwieldy website and hit-and-miss customer service, lastminute.com regularly boasts some amazing deals for London's theatres and the nation's theme parks. At the time of writing you can see top West End show The Producers plus a two-course meal for less than £20 a head, a saving of £60 per person, and tickets for Chessington World of Adventures cost from £12, a saving of nearly £50 for a day out for a family of four.
Saving: £100s
Link: www.lastminute.com

Beat the ticket toutsTicket touts earn their living by getting hold of tickets that are 'otherwise unavailable'. Well, here's the news: they are available to everyone when they first go on sale. You just need to know when they go on sale. Simply sign up to for the free ticket alert newsletters from the main agents to ensure that you're first in the queue.
Saving: £100s
Links: Ticketline; Ticketmaster

Trade down your car
So, you bought an American sports utility vehicle (SUV) that nets 15 miles to the gallon on a whim. Obviously we're all very impressed - especially by the personalised number plate. But can you honestly justify the ongoing expense? If not, get rid of it. Then visit a car supermarket, where you can choose from thousands of cars at knock-down prices. If you're a true money saver, consider an ex-rental model which you can pick up for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Saving: £1,000s
Links: Daily Mail find a car service; Cargiant

Ask yourself: do I really need this? Imagine the scenario. It's lunchtime and you've got an hour to kill. You find yourself in a department store and there's a sale on. You pick up a beautifully packaged selection of barbecue tools and associated garden paraphernalia. And it's half price. Now, stop! Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Exactly. Now, put it down and walk away.
Saving: £100
Link: This is Money's money savers' guides

Walk/cycle to the station/work
It maybe a bit of hippie notion to many people but it's free.
Saving: £100
Link: Cycle Campaign Network

Pack up smoking
Never mind the health implications, the guilt and the smell, your 20-a-day habit is costing you nearly £2,000 a year. Pack it in.
Saving: Nearly £2,000
Link: Givingupsmoking.co.uk

Cancel your gym membershipIf you pay your £40 a month by direct debit and you use the gym three times a week, great. If not, cancel your membership immediately. You'll soon save enough to buy your own bike and, if you're so inclined, a rowing machine. Consider running home from work three times a week. It's free.
Saving: £100s
Link: Compare prices for rowing machines on Kelkoo

Use your library
The local library is a mecca for the money saver. You'll never need to buy another cookbook, guidebook or lifestyle manual again and if you can bear to wait a few weeks in the queue for the latest blockbuster, you never need to buy books again. CDs and videos are great value too. Saving: £100
Link: www.whichbook.net - find a book and check if it's available at your local library

The three-for-two trickNow, there's a lot to be said for buy-one-get-one-free deals, especially if they pass the 'Do I really need this?' test. Then there's three-for-twos; a particularly cynical way of stores to entice shoppers to buy an extra item they would not otherwise buy. The 'offer' is always priced into the deal so do your sums and shop around.
Saving: It's a principle at stake here
Link: Discuss deals and scams with other readers

Buy clothes and presents in the salesSo you need a new suit and the one you like comes in at a cool £300. Wait! The chances are that you can pick it up in the sale - and there's always a sale just around the corner - for £150. The same applies for birthday and Christmas presents. Buy in bulk in the sales and you not only save money, but you enjoy stress-free pre-Christmases and no last-minute birthday worries.
Saving: £100s

21 Best Christmas Songs Ever

2011-12-19T16:20:00.000Z

1. Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues
2. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John&Joko
3. White Christmas – Bing Grosby
4. Last Christmas – Wham!
5. Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade
6. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
7. Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
8. I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake
9. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
10. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
11. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) – The Nat King Cole Trio
12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Ella Fitzgerald
13. Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
14. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
15. Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby&David Bowie
16. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
17. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
18. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Frank Sinatra
19. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree – Mel&Kim
20. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
21. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen

21 Inspirations for Christmas Food

2011-12-05T15:58:00.001Z

Traditional: Roast turkey with bread cause

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/roastturkeywithbread_87596

Royal: The Royal Christmas Pudding

http://historicalfoods.com/royal-christmas-pudding-recipe

Vegetarian: Layerd squash, barley & spinach pie

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8639/layered-squash-barley-and-spinach-pie

From Jamie Oliver: Beautiful baked Camembert

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/other-recipes/jamie-s-favourite-festive-food-combos-co_1

From Sweden: Holiday Ham Balls

http://www.santas.net/holidayhamballs.htm

From Germany: Ginger Bread

http://www.santas.net/gingerbread.htm

From France: Pudding De Noel A La Francaise

http://www.santas.net/puddingdenoelalafrancaise.htm

From America: Pumkin Pie

http://www.santas.net/pumpkinpie.htm

Fruity: Winter fruit salad

http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/christmas/r/winterfruit1204.htm

Low fat: Reduced fat peppermint cheesecake

http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/christmas/r/mintcheesecake.htm

For Kids: Reindeer snacks

http://kidsparties.about.com/od/foodanddrink/r/ReindeerSnacks.htm

From the sea: Whole poached salmon and lemon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/wholepoachedsalmonan_74098

On budget: Foolproof slow roast chicken

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4752/foolproof-slow-roast-chicken

From the Middle Ages: Bruce

http://www.godecookery.com/nboke/nboke12.htm

Snack: Holiday Cucumber Cups

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-recipes/christmas-appetizers-snacks/holiday-cucumber-cups-684974/

To drink: Red Hot Chocolate

http://whattodrink.com/drinkrecipes/10843-red-hot-chocolate.asp

Non-Alcoholic: Gluewein

http://www.food.com/recipe/gl-hwein-non-alcoholic-version-424774

Vegan: Portobello mushrooms in puff pastry with red onion and tomato sauce

http://www.cookingforvegans.co.uk/veganrecipes/meals/portobellopastry.html

For dogs: Dog Treats

http://www.ehow.com/way_5300525_dog-treat-recipes-christmas.html

Eye-catching: Crunchy the Snowman

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-recipes/christmas-appetizers-snacks/crunchy-the-snowman-682480/

Diabetic: Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/473.shtml

21 Handmade Christmas Gifts

2011-11-28T10:25:00.001Z

1. Jolly Santa Claus Pillow (http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/jolly-santa-claus-pillow/)

2. Colored bath salts (http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/recipecollections/a/blbathfizzie.htm)

3. Cookies in a jar (http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/giftsinajar/a/122099a.htm)

4. Cupcake Earrings (http://familycrafts.about.com/od/earringtomake/a/cupcakeearrings.htm)

5. Marble magnets (http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/)

6. Growing magnet (http://familycrafts.about.com/od/filmandpillbottlecrafts/a/growmagnet.htm)

7. Message Board (http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/schooldays1/a/081402a.htm)

8. Sea Shell candle (http://familycrafts.about.com/od/seashells/ss/Sea-Shell-Candle-Craft.htm)

9. Simple shaped soap bars (http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/soap/a/blshapedsoap.htm)

10. Sewn felt slippers (http://www.marthastewart.com/864540/stephanies-sewn-felt-slippers?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

11. Glove grips (http://www.marthastewart.com/273037/glove-grips?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

12. Felted stuffed animals (http://www.marthastewart.com/265648/felted-stuffed-animals?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

13. Pantry soaps (http://www.marthastewart.com/280491/pantry-soaps?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

14. Bath Fizzies (http://www.marthastewart.com/280275/how-to-make-bath-fizzies?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

15. Tub Teas (http://www.marthastewart.com/277262/tub-teas?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

16. Scented Sugars (http://www.marthastewart.com/272213/scented-sugars?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)
17. Honey, Walnut and Dried Fruit Topping (http://www.marthastewart.com/356011/honey-walnut-and-dried-fruit-topping?czone=holiday/santas-workshop/santas-handmade-gifts)

18. Felted sweater surprises (http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/felted-sweater-surprises-792592/)

19. Treasure gift box (http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/treasure-gift-box-664492/)

20. Snowball cookies (http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/snowball-cookies)

21. Picture Quilts (http://www.christmasgiftswithheart.com/cid-258-1/christmas_holiday_memory_quilts.html)

21 Winter Survival tips

2011-11-07T09:38:00.001Z

1. Dress like an onion
Wear different layers so you can get out and enjoy winter and take some layers off inside buildings

2. Take a sauna
Thanks to the Finns for inventing this great whole-body heater!

3. Keep moving
Try ice skating, sledding, skiing or snowboarding – you will stay warm and it’s a lot of fun

4. Make a snowman
…or a snow angel together with your kids and they won’t grumble anymore

5. Time
Give yourself extra time to get to places because most things are just slower in the winter. You can fight it or you can start earlier

6. Water resistant shoes or boots
Nobody likes wet feet

7. Chili Peppers
The capsaicin found in chili peppers boosts energy, enhances circulation and will pick you up from your mid afternoon slump

8. Get plenty of Zzzzz
Studies show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing the number of cells in your body dedicated to fighting things like microbes. The average adult needs about 6-8 hours of sleep

9. Get outsideGo outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially at midday and on bright days to prevent a winter depression

10. Hot chocolate
After doing outdoor activities reward yourself with a hot chocolate

11. Housework
If the weather prevents you getting outside, stay active indoors - catch up on all the household tasks you've been putting off

12. See your friends and family
It’s been shown that socialising is good for your mental health and helps ward off the winter blues

13. Get your slippers on
We lose most of our body heat through our head, fingers and toes, so make sure these are covered up first.

14. Hot water bottles
A hot water bottle is comforting in so many ways - you can carry one around with you, heat your bed up with it, or even warm your clothes up before you slip into them on a cold morning.

15. Hot pots
Eat healthy hot dinners such as stews laden with vegetables. As well as keeping you toasty, the nutrients will keep you healthy when the weather is trying to weaken your immune system.

16. Shopping
If you haven’t done yet: Buy comfortable winter boots and a warm coat

17. Phone
Talk - especially if you've been stuck in the house for a few days. Lift the phone and call friends and family for a blether.

18. Have a massage
Make a booking today. Regular massage can decrease blood pressure, improve circulation, generate feel good endorphins and benefit your immune system

19. B Better
Eat more wholegrain bread, chicken and fish to increase your intake of B vitamins and boost your energy and metabolism

20. Have faith
In mid-March the first tiny flowers will bloom, welcoming spring

21. Have a holiday
Finally you can ignore all these tips and escape the winter with a flight ticket to the South Pacific

21 Recipes for Students

2011-10-05T12:55:00.001+01:00

Carrot & Coriander Soup – Easy peasy to make and healthy!

Spanish Omelette - Three basic and very inexpensive ingredients can be transformed into something sublime.

Lasagne - Great for a crowd and even better as leftovers.

Potato Rosti - Choose the right potatoes and rosti will be a success every time.

Crepes - A light snack that can have a variety of fillings.

Marmite on a toast - You love it or you hate it.

Vegetable curry - Cheap and tasty curry that costs less then 50p a portion!

Spaghetti Gorgonzola – They will keep you studying through the night with just 15 min cooking time.

Chilli con carne – It doubles up as Bolognese too.

Vodka water melon - Prior preparation needed, but great party piece.

Sunday roast at the pub -

Bubble squeak – For all those leftovers lurking in the fridge.

Hummous – ideal for a dip

Toastie – just need beans and cheese, wait for it to toast and eat as much as you want.

Baked chicken with rooster potatoes and onions – An easy recipe that can be made in just one pot.

Cheese on a toast – just sprinkle some parsley on the top and you will hit the spot.

Milkshake – breakfast in a glass.

Fish fingers sandwich - if you had a night out and need to recover.

Chicken curry and rice – Indian taste that reheats well.

Stir fry – Just stir, fry and bite!

Candied orange peels – the smell will lure and butter up the neighbours.

21 Bank Holiday Tips

2011-08-23T11:18:00.005+01:00

The summer Bank Holiday is due in few days and we here at In Any Event UK are on hand to give you some tips on what to do over this longer weekend. We all hope that the weather will be just stunning but in case it won’t you will find also advice what to do and not get both bored and wet. These are IAE’s UK 21 tips.

1) Camping – it is still summer (even if it does not look like it sometimes) and thus camping trip is just a great way to spend 3 days off and “recharge the batteries”. There are plenty of good camping sites across UK if you’re looking for quiet, romantic site or party trip.

2) Festivals – there are plenty of festivals going on this weekend. Small taste for you includes Leeds Festival 2011 (26th to 28th August), Reading Festival 2011 (26th to 28th August) or Creamfields 2011 (27th to 28th August).

3) Weekend out of town – there are heaps of special accommodation offers to make your stay even more attractive. Only what you need is to jump online and choose the best one for you, let us help you book your accommodation.

4) Euro weekend – if you more into travelling abroad and like to explore Europe's leading cities and capitals, you have another great opportunity over the weekend to do this. There are plenty of offers to be chosen from; Paris, Rome, Prague but also Africa & Marrakech.

5) Shopping – did you omit your best friend being busy for last few weeks? Then this is a great chance to catch up, do some shopping, have a nice lunch and chat over a good coffee. But hurry up; your friend might already have some plans too.

6) Party, Party, Party – you may celebrate almost everything these days so why not do some Bank Holiday Party. Even better, choose a topic such as colours of garment to wear or a special theme for your party to avoid another boring friends get-together. Compete with your mates and get the best of it.

7) BBQ – if you've been to enough costumes party in your life, why not to invite some friends over and enjoy an afternoon together with good food and quality wine. Everybody can bring some food or their favourite drinks so you don’t need to stress preparing everything by yourself.
8) Family visit – if you normally do not have time to visit your relatives or family members, there is a chance to do so.

9) And family again – Bank holiday is great opportunity to spend time with your closest family. Take your wife/husband for an outdoor trip, amusement park visit or spend just day hanging around and having a great time with your most loved ones.

10) Me-time – the extra day off is also good occasion to have some “me-time”. It depends just on you in this case, what you dedicate the spare moments for. This extra day should help you with anything you have been postponing or procrastinating.

11) Day of games – if a “me-time” is not the right way, try some games and enjoy a day full of fun. There are many popular games to play such as The Best of British, Carcassonne, Scrabble or a Puzzle. Moreover, invite some friends over and make it really big and fun.

12) Good movie – if you take this Bank Holiday as opportunity to relax, why not watch some good movies or TV series. Have a look what UK popular channels have to offer or pop by your nearest DVD shop to buy or rent one. Still want to relax but not stay at home, find out what your movie theatre is about to release. This and next week new blockbusters include Final Destination 5 3D, Conan the Barbarian 3D, One Day, Monte Carlo or The Skin I Live In.

13) How about a book – for some people a good book and cup of tee or coffee is the best way of relaxing. Besides if the weather is bad you can read and stay tucked up in bed.

14) Being outdoors – let’s just forget all of the lazy stuff above and be more active. Walking, cycling, surfing, bathing, angling and many more just according to your taste. But why not try out something new and bit of adrenaline such as skydiving of bungee jumping.

15) Learn something new – why not sign up for a cooking lesson you have been thinking of for months. It would be probably closed on Monday Bank Holiday but you might take the class on weekend before and surprise your mates on Monday with what you just learned. Popular classes include Super Quick Sushi, Lunch in an Hour or Kid's Can Cook! Contact us for some ideas and we can help you out!

16) Cultural – have you ignored your local museum or art gallery? Then get yourself there to see what is has to offer. Museums and galleries are often open on public holidays however you still should check opening hours online. Take your kids or friends with you, enjoy the exhibition and get creative as lots of them offer also creative corners. It would be so much fun.

17) Garden work – the extra day off is also suitable spending it working in your garden. You might be up to do a summer cleaning and prepare it for autumn and winter. Late summer and autumn weeks are favourable for planting of winter-defiant flowers too, which bloom soon in the spring, as the soil is well warmed these days.

18) Home-sweet-home – let’s face the reality and look around. Does your home or flat need a clean-up or any reparation? If so, dedicate those days off to it. You might not get down to professional diy but small and postponed things such as painting, wall decoration or simply a new room lay-out can feel very rewarding. Doing it yourself is so much fun.

19) Romance – spend your time with your partner, wife or husband and crown things off with a romantic dinner or picnic. You can do this privately at your own home and apply your cooking skills or leave it to the professionals and make it stress-free for you.

20) Sleeping – for those ones who have recently returned from holiday and have not yet completely recovered from being at work again is this extra day off good opportunity to have some rest before the new week is due. Get fresh and be ready to perform the best at work!

21) Be happy – as all the aforementioned tips might help you to decide what to really do, it would be probably the combination of two or more tips or you will just come up with another activity. Anyway and more importantly, find yourself that kind of spending your time you are the most comfortable with and just be happy.

21 Festival Essentials

2011-06-20T12:00:00.002+01:00

With Glastonbury fast approaching here are our top essentials to take with you!

1. Travel Johns (go for a wee almost anywhere)
2. Boots/Wellies
3. A spin-charge led torch (to avoid falling over tent pegs during the night)
4. Toilet paper
5. No rinse shampoo
6. Wet wipes/Medicated moist tissues
7. Antibacterial hand cleaner
8. Bin bags (useful to put rubbish in, to keep your clothes and sleeping bag dry when you’re not in the tent, to store you food and you can also use them as really light ponchos in the event of rain)
9. A small cutlery set (knife, fork, spoon)
10. Basic kitchen equipment (a plastic bowl, plate and cup should be enough)
11. A basic medical kit (Ibuprofen, tampons, condoms, plasters, toothbrush and toothpaste)
12. An old spare phone (You don’t want to break or lose your smartphone)
13. Bottles of water (a big one for the tent, a small one to carry around)
14. A folding chair
15. Food (cakes, biscuits and dried fruits and nuts are good for energy and carrying. Avoid such things as meat or cheese)
16. Waterproof bags (for your camera, ticket, wallet, mobile)
17. Earplugs for light sleepers
18. A hat and sun cream in case it’s sunny
19. Take cash in advance to avoid huge queues
20. Tape and string (you never know, it can always help hanging clothes, repairing a small hole in your tent etc)
21. A flag to distinguish your tent from… the hundreds of others!

21 Years of Summer Songs

2011-06-06T10:32:00.003+01:00

We at In Any Event UK have compiled a list of top summer songs over the past 21 years.

So read through and reminisce about summers gone!

1990. Mc Hammer – U can’t touch this
1991. Right Said Fred – I’m too sexy
1992. Snap – Rhythm is a dancer
1993. Ace of Base – All that she wants
1994. Tony Di Bart – The Real Thing
1995. The Outhere Brothers – Boom Boom Boom
1996. Spice Girls – Wannabe
1997. Gala – Freed from desire
1998. Stardust – Music sounds better with you
1999. Ricky Martin – Livin’ la Vida Loca
2000. Sonique –It Feels So Good
2001. Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
2002. Christina Aguilera - Dirty
2003. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
2004. Eric Prydz – Call On Me
2005. Kanye West – Gold Digger
2006. Shakira and Wyclef Jean – Hips don’t lie
2007. Rihanna – Umbrella
2008. Katy Perry – I Kissed a Girl
2009. Empire of the Sun – Walking on a dream
2010. Pitbull – I know you want me
2011. Mann feat. 50 Cent - Buzzin

21 Top Hotel Resorts

2011-05-19T10:55:00.003+01:00

1. Hayman – Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Hayman, Australasia’s most awarded luxury nature resort, is a private island of astonishing natural beauty, restorative peace, adventure and indulgence, Hayman offers a front-row seat to the Great Barrier Reef and a world of leisure and adventure
2. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa
Located on a private island just one mile from the main island of Bora Bora and a scenic boat ride from Bora Bora airport. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort is a secluded enclave on an unspoiled island with no roads or villages with direct access to spectacular reefs lush gardens and pristine beaches. 3. Las Ventanas al Paraiso – Los Cabos, Mexico
Las Ventanas has been considered one of the finest resorts in Mexico, if not the Americas, for years. Among the many attractions of the resort are its large rooms, all with Jacuzzi and a view, and an attentive and discreet staff that is always happy to help.
4. Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve – Thailand
Sophisticated in its design and enjoying a magnificent location, Phulay Bay’s expansive villas and suites feature private plunge pools, sheltered outdoor baths and showers and unspoiled views of the ocean. Contemporary architecture and accents of Thai culture work together to create an environment where relaxation and enjoyment are the very bedrock of the guest experience.
5. Copacabana Palace – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Superbly positioned overlooking the sea, this glamorous Orient-Express landmark in Rio has been welcoming the rich and famous (Fred Astaire, the Rolling Stones,…) since its Art Deco doors swung open in 1923.
6. Warwick – Le Lagon, Resort & Spa, Vanuatu
Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa Vanuatu is situated on 75 acres of exotic tropical gardens on the edge of the pristine Erakor Lagoon. Located on Vanuatu's main island, Efate, you are sure to experience the true South Pacific charm of the Vanuatu islands.
7. Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa – Marbella, Spain
The hotel is located in a natural paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean. Guests are invited to enjoy the most exclusive luxuries in a relaxed and intimate setting, surrounded by exuberant gardens steeped in history and pampered by the best climate in Europe.
8. Half Moon, A Rock Resort - Montego Bay , Jamaica
Set on Jamaica’s north coast, the colonial-style Half Moon, A Rock Resort has been welcoming distinguished guests for over fifty years. All were attracted, no doubt, by its palm-fringed crescent beaches, tranquil setting and timeless elegance.
9. Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa - Villingili Island , Maldives
The latest resort in the Shangri-La portfolio promises a unique island-style experience with unusual accommodation concepts – all with the brand’s renowned exceptional levels of finish and excellent customer care.
10. Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa - Dominican Republic
Time spent at Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa on the sun drenched southeast coast of the Dominican Republic is an unforgettable adventure for singles, couples and families.
11. The Residence Zanzibar – Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Residence Zanzibar incorporates various influences of the island’s history to create a unique ambiance where guests are indulged in an elegant and sophisticated yet casual atmosphere.
12. Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh - Sharm el Sheikh , Egypt
Egypt's Sinai Peninsula is an area of sand dunes, craggy peaks, miles of gorgeous beaches and offshore coral reefs. At its heart, beautifully situated between a huge coastal nature reserve and the spectacular Ras Mohammed National Marine Park, is the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh.
13. Rayavadee – Krabi, Thailand
Situated at the heart of the stunning Phranang Peninsular on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, Rayavadee nestles discreetly amidst tropical gardens and coconut groves against a backdrop of sheer cliffs, lush jungle foliage and the clear waters of the Andaman Sea.
14. Kempinski Hotel Adriatic Istria – Croatia
Croatia’s first 5-star seaside resort is located in Savudrija, right on the Istrian coast. It has a private beach, a 3,000 m² spa centre, an indoor and 2 outdoor pools.
15. Il Pellicano - Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy
On the Argentario peninsula, Il Pellicano is home to one of the most luxurious and elegant hotels in Italy with endless sea views. Il Pellicano is an exclusive Luxury Resort Hotel and a member of Relais & Chateaux with 51 Rooms & Suites.
16. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort – Puerto Rico
Open October 1, 2010...In the romantic setting of a Caribbean coconut plantation nestled between a lush rainforest and the sparkling sea, embrace elegant tropical luxury.
17. The Leela Kovalam Beach - Trivandrum, Kerala, India
A short drive from Trivandrum (Thiruvananhapuram) Airport unfolds The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala. With 182 rooms and suites dotted over many verdant acres, Kerala's largest beachside resort is cradled between two sweeping beaches.
18. The Marmara - Bodrum, Turkey
The Marmara Bodrum is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The views from its hilltop location across Bodrum and the bay are breathtaking. Inside, an eclectic collection of works of art, a great spa, and a gourmet restaurant make this one of Bodrum's best hotels
19. Ratua Private Island - Vanuatu
Located in the Vanuatu Archipelago, Ratua Private Island is just a 30-minute motorboat journey from Espiritu Santo Airport. Offering year-round perfect weather due to the protection of surrounding islands, Ratua Private Island sits in the Vanuatu Archipelago.
20. Hotel Tugu Bali - Seminyak Beach, Bali, Indonesia
Nestled between the pristine, wave-sung sunset beach of Canggu, the whispering rice fields, the quaint fishermen village, and the adjacent Batu Bolong Temple, one of Bali's most sacred, Hotel Tugu Bali is said to be an experience too surreally beautiful to be true.
21. Msambweni Beach House - Mombasa, Kenya
Msambweni House is in a quiet, unique setting on the beach surrounded by 28 acres of natural land. The house offers 700 feet of private beach along a tropical 4 mile white, sandy coastline with palm trees where guests can really feel at one with nature.

21 Things to Barbecue

2011-05-11T15:39:00.003+01:00

1. Grilled Shrimp with garlic & herbs
2. Beer marinated BBQ chicken tacos
3. Garlic bread with ripe tomatoes and Manchego cheese
4. Honey and mustard prawn skewers
5. Barbecue chicken drumsticks
6. Ginger and port lamb rib chops
7. Grilled rump steak paillard with Radicchio
8. Thai fish cakes with dipping sauce
9. Camembert in a box
10. Hoisin-glazed barbecued duck
11. Lamb koftas
12. Barbecue baked sweet potatoes with Greek yogurt
13. Sardines with Sicilian fennel salad
14. Tuna steaks
15. Baked bananas
16. Chicken thighs stuffed with olives, dried tomatoes and cheese
17. Honey BBQ ribs
18. Barbecue bean pot
19. Barbecue an egg in a mushroom
20. Barbecue beer can chicken using Guinness
21. Taste of Provence veggie Sandwich

21 places to celebrate the Royal Wedding in Bristol and Bath

2011-04-28T11:33:00.001+01:00

1. Hotel Du Vin and Bristol Marriott Royal are offering afternoon tea.
2. At-Bristol gives free entrance to all visitors named William or Kate.
3. The Big Screen in Millennium Square will be showing all the BBC coverage of the Royal Wedding
4. The Kensington Pub is hosting a Royal Wedding BBQ from noon until 6pm. There will be Badminton Burgers and Hot Corgis as well as a spoof Crufts competition.
5. Cinema de Lux in Cabot circus offers free screening of the Royal Wedding with special themed snacks and refreshments
6. Pieminister in Stokes Croft or St Nick's Market makes a special limited edition Kate and Wills pie.
7. The Big Park Street Royal Wedding Weekend. Shops and restaurants on Park Street offer free refreshments, discounts and deals, goodie bags and giveaways, samples, games, activities and a whole host of other treats.
8. Redland Streetparties, among others, Salisbury Road : from 11am until 10pm, Upper Cranbrook Road : from noon until 10pm
9. Bristol Trinity Centre, has an indoor and some outdoor street party events from noon until 9pm with arts, workshops and music.
10. Racks in Clifton is hosting “A Right Royal P*ss up”. Go to Racks for a BBQ and live music. Watch the ceremony on a big screen
11. Royal Victoria Park (Bath). Go to Bath for a Royal Wedding Picnic, Live music and the wedding projected on big screens.
12. Ston Easton Park Hotel (Bath). From 10.30am Royal Wedding Celebration, coffee and a brunch buffet.
13. No. 1 Royal Crescent (Bath). Georgian Wedding Feast, taking a closer look at weddings and marriage customs in the 18th century with a special wedding trail.
14. The Little Theatre Cinema (Bath). Royal wedding on big screen, followed by the King's Speech accompanied by a glass of bubbly and slice of cake.
15. Montpelier Basement. 'Don't Mention The Royal Wedding' suppers. There will be absolutely no mention of the Royal Wedding.
16. Harvey Nichols in Cabot Circus, Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea for £30 a head
17. The Croft, Bunting, cakes and live music from 1pm until 4pm.
18. Left Bank, Stokes Croft, Monarch B*****ks party with live art, music and DJs as well as a bride and groom fancy dress. 8pm until late.
19. Grimsbury Farm, Bristol. Celebrate the Royal Wedding with your family (and piglets…), bring your own picnic.
20. Will and Kate commemorative beer festival in Clifton. Try one of the 25 local beers and ciders.
21. The White Lion Bar in Clifton. They’ll be serving up a Hog Roast and cream teas, with DJs playing, from 7pm till 1am.

21 Weird Royal Wedding Souvenirs

2011-04-27T15:46:00.016+01:00

1. You don’t have £250.000 to spend on a ring? Just buy a £6.00 replica of Kate’s engagement ring.

2. The “Royal Virility Performance”, Brewdog Brewery limited edition Viagra beer.

3. William and Kate – The Movie. “Royally Ridiculous” says the Daily Mail.

4. Worried to feel lonely watching the wedding? Invite William and Kate in your living room… Or at least the 6ft Will and Kate life size cut out.

5. Even if you are not a royalist, don’t forget to thank Will and Kate for the day off. Buy a “Thanks for the free day off, HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 4 day bender – 29th April – 2nd May 2011” plate.

6. You don’t like crowded places but really want to see that carriage? Don’t forget your royal wedding sick bag – yes you can buy one!

7. Papa John’s UK has released a Prince William and Kate Middleton Royal Wedding Pizza.

8. Premier Inn is offering royal bedding the night before the royal wedding. The duvets will feature printed images from the neck down of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

9. Is your cat bored of croquettes? Buy him Royal Wedding Cat Food in Royal Gravy. Only £3.50 a tin.

10. To all the girls desperate to marry a prince, “Calm down, you can still marry Harry”. Remember it each time you’re having a drink thanks to these coasters.

11. Do you want to see Kate bathing in hot water? It is now possible with the Kate and William characters teabags.

12. You just can’t get enough of that couple? Always think of them by having them on each of your fingers with the Will and Kate portrait nail decals.

13. How sweet is this? William and Kate PEZ dispensers.

14. “Crown Jewels – Condoms of distinction” the royal wedding condoms. Please note Crown Jewels Royal Wedding Souvenir Condoms are not supplied to, or approved by, Prince William of Wales, Catherine Middleton or any member of the Royal Family.

15. Do you prefer making things with your hands? Then you can still “Knit your own royal wedding”.

16. If you would like a useful souvenir, get a corgi tea towel commemorating the wedding.

17. Tiny Idols, a perfume brand, has released perfume bottles in shape of the Prince and future Princess.

18. Are you sick of this wedding? You can still buy a royal wedding loo seat.

19. Kiss me Kate – Real ale to celebrate the wedding.

20. Royal wedding gnomes to put in your garden. Who knows? They might become collectibles.

21. Get your dog an “Official Royal Wedding Corgi” t-shirt.

21 Free days out in and around Bristol

2011-04-14T11:22:00.007+01:00

1. Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

One of the world’s most prestigious photography exhibitions - the Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year - is back at Bristol’s City Museum this winter. Take a journey around the world through the eye of a lens, from the cold artic to the deepest tropical rainforests.

2. Go for a concert at the Bristol Cathedral

3. Visit one of Arnolfini’s exhibits

Enjoy free access to five large galleries filled with contemporary art and intriguing exhibits. The venue also features a great café bar and bookshop.

4. Take a downloadable MP3 audio tour

A great way to explore the city with your own personal audio tour. Pick from a range of different themed routes including the Bristol Quayside Adventure and The Brunel Mile.

5. Visit Blaise Castle Estate

Blaise Castle Estate is a magnificent 650 acre Grade II* listed parkland and with over 5,000 years of history, one of Bristol’s gems.

6. Do some sports with friends at Oldbury Court Estate

Oldbury Court is a beautiful and diverse estate, combining woodland and riverside paths with historic parkland and excellent children's play facilities. Furthermore, there are two football pitches, one cricket pitch and a large expanse of grassed space for informal play and sport.

7. Visit St Werburgh's City Farm with your children

St Werburghs City Farm, based in the heart of Bristol, is an independent registered charity that works in partnership with the local community to provide high quality educational, recreational and environmental services and resources within a working farm.

8. Go for a countryside walk

30 Countryside walks taken from the “Exploring the Countryside without a car” publication can be found on the Bristol City Council Website. There is a brief description of distance, walking time and grade for each walk.

9. Visit Kings Weston Roman Villa

Kings Weston Roman Villa features the remains of a roman villa or country house/farmhouse of the late 3rd and 4th century AD. It’s located by Long Cross Road, in Lawrence Weston, enabling you to discover where the Romans used to live on the doorstep of Bristol.

10. Create Centre and Ecohome

Create Centre and Ecohome offers visitors the opportunity to explore environmental issues and discover greener choices in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

11. Visit the 3D Gallery

3D Gallery is an Art Gallery located on Park Row.

12. Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

The visitor centre hosts information about how the bridge was built, its history and maintenance. Guided free tours available.

13. Visit Bristol Blue Glass Factory

Go see a traditional English craft with glassblowing. A maker of beautiful glass collectibles, this is sure to leave you inspired to try your own hand at this technique someday! (Free entry for all after 4pm.)

14. Activities at Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery organise free activities for the children aged 2-11. All the activities are free and run on a drop-in basis. Check details on the Bristol City Council Website.

15. Visit the Red Lodge

The Red Lodge is often described as Bristol's 'hidden treasure' because of its magnificent Tudor rooms. The house, built in 1580, is furnished in Elizabethan, Stuart and Georgian styles and contains the impressive Great Oak Room, with its original Elizabethan plasterwork ceiling, oak panelling and carved chimneypiece.

16. Bristol & Bath Railway Path

The Bristol & Bath Railway Path is a 13 mile off road route between the cities of Bristol and Bath. The path is open to walkers and cyclists and access is provided for disabled users.

17. Visit John Wesleys Chapel

The oldest Methodist Chapel in the world (originally built in 1739) and the cradle of the early Methodist movement.

18. Car Boot Sale

Even though the pitch doesn’t come for free, a car boot sale is an opportunity to make a little extra cash.

19. Visit the Georgian House

The Georgian House is an 18th century, six storey townhouse that has been restored and decorated to its original glory.

20. Sunbathing on the beach

All you need is a mat… (and nice weather!)

21. Relax at the Lake Grounds in Portishead

The Lake Grounds area is a beautiful spot to relax. Built around an artificial lake and running alongside the esplanade, this is the town’s main recreation ground and conservation area.

21 Famous Landmarks in the World

2011-03-30T11:01:00.001+01:00

1. Giza Pyramid and the Great Sphinx (Egypt)
2. Taj Mahal (India)
3. Stonehenge (UK)
4. Great Wall of China
5. Angkor (Cambodia)
6. Acropolis of Athens (Greece)
7. Colosseum (Italy)
8. Potala Palace (Tibet)
9. Statue of Liberty (USA)
10. Eiffel Tower (France)
11. Clock Tower (UK)
12. Empire State Building (USA)
13. Forbidden City (China)
14. Sidney Opera House (Australia)
15. Tower of Pisa (Italy)
16. Shwedagon Pagoda (Myanmar)
17. Cologne Cathedral (Germany)
18. Brandenburg Gate (Germany)
19. Chichen Itza (Mexico)
20. Hagia Sophia (Turkey)
21. Temple Mount (Israel)

21 Ways to spend your free time without spending money

2011-03-23T15:40:00.003Z

1. Learn a game for the park. Just going to the park is a really great way to spend your free time but you can enhance it even more by learning a game that you can play yourself. You should be able to find something lying around your house that you can take to the park and play with.

2. Play cards. There are tons of different card games out there that you can play alone, with a partner or with a group of people.

3. Take photographs. Head out to anywhere with your camera and challenge yourself to have a great time noticing the details through the lens of your device.

4. Read something that interests you. Most people find it fun to read something. Whether it’s novels or non-fiction or comic books or just websites, there is probably something that you could sit down and read for hours and not be bored by. Make use of local libraries or bookstores that don’t mind you hanging out for awhile to keep this activity free.

5. Draw / colour/ paint. You don’t have to be “good at art” to have a good time being creative.

6. Check out the free events in your area. There are always free things happening even in the smallest of cities.

7. Host a comedy night at your house. Gather together the bravest group of friends that you’ve got and invite them over to come perform stand-up comedy for each other at your place.

8. Spend time making a wish list. One of the best things that you can do to have fun with yourself is to daydream. The best part about that is that it doesn’t ever cost you anything at all.

9. Go hiking. If you don’t have the right equipment for hiking and you don’t want to spend the money on that equipment, just go for regular walks. There is a lot to see when you get out of your car or off of your bike and just slow down.

10. Dance. Dance at free community dance events. Dance with friends. Dance in the privacy of your own home. You don’t have to have rhythm or special shoes to be able to shake your body and feel good.

11. Make up stories. It is fun to stretch our imaginations by creating stories in our minds. Don’t worry about getting the words exactly right. Instead, get the ideas flowing and enjoy watching your own mind expand with new thoughts.

12. Resume an old sport or hobby that you gave up. You probably already have the equipment lying around your home so it’s not going to cost anything to do this.

13. Count the stars. Find a place where you can see the stars and settle in for a few hours. Do this with someone else and you’ll find yourself remembering old times, talking about big ideas or simply marvelling at the expanse of the sky.

14. Build a sandcastle or a snowman. Put your body to work making something out of the nature that surrounds you.

15. Have long, relaxed conversations. So much of the conversing that we do these days is in the form of short exchanges of information or complaints about our concerns and fears. Take the time to really engage in long conversations about relaxed topics with the people that you enjoy speaking with.

16. Have a picnic in your living room. You can picnic in front of the TV with your loved ones and make a special, fun night out of something pretty normal.

17. Offer to help people with stuff.

18. Make the most of museums and zoos. Many museums and zoos open their doors to you for free on certain days of the week or month.

19. Find free music. There is a lot of great free music at local bars and even at parks near you.

20. Do all the free things that you can only do in the season that you’re in. This means that you should have a snowball fight in the winter, jump into puddles in the rainy season and take advantage of the chance to (safely) suntan when it’s warm outside. Celebrate the seasons without spending lots of money.

21. Play with kids. If you don’t have kids then volunteer to baby sit the kids of someone that you do know. They’ll teach you how to play all sorts of games that don’t cost you any cash.

We welcome your comments!

21 Interesting facts about Ireland.

2011-03-17T14:01:00.003Z

1. In the spring of next year, the Queen may make one of the shortest but most significant journeys of her 57-year reign when she travels to Ireland.

2. According to Irish legend, on judgement day Christ will be the judge all nations, but St. Patrick will be the judge of the Irish.

3. Dame Alice Kytler, born 1280 in Kilkenny, was the last witch in Ireland, if you believe in witches (here home is now a restaurant).

4. A pig, allowed to live in Irish farmhouses in olden days, was once known as "the gentleman that pays the rent."

5. Aran sweaters are created with "family weaves," designed to help a drowned fisherman's family identify him when found on the shore.

6. The original seven "Celtic Nations" are Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Galicia, Wales, Isle of Man and Cornwall.

7. Little Women’s Christmas - This is a very old tradition that a few women still partake of in Ireland. It used to be the one day of the year when they could leave their husbands at home and party at the pub!

8. In Ireland, starting a fight by punching someone in the face is considered a friendly greeting. Starting a fight by throwing your drink in someone's face, however, is grossly insulting, wastes precious alcohol, and carries the death penalty.

9. Only one Irishman has ever won the Tour de France (Stephen Roche, 1987).

10. Like the US, Ireland's constitution guarantees its citizens the right to free speech.

11. The ancestral language of Irish people is Irish Gaelic. Nowadays 1.6 million people claiming a self-reported competence in Irish, but only 380,000 fluent speakers remain.

12. Ireland is one of the world leaders for pop music, with singers and bands like Horslips, U2, Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, The Corrs, Clannad, Boyzone, Ronan Keating, The Cranberries, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Westlife and Enya. Add to these artists of Irish descent like Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison of the Beatles, Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, or Johnny Rotten (lead singer of the Sex Pistols).

13. Many Irish family names start with "Mac" or "O'...", which means respectively "son of ..." and "grandson of ..." in Gaelic.

14. The Irish consume in average 131.1 liters of beer per year - the 2nd highest per-capita consumption after the Czech Republic.

15. The three most famous symbols of Ireland are the green Shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross.

16. 88% of Irish citizens are nominally Roman Catholic. The Republic of Ireland has one of the highest rates of church attendance in the Western World (around 45% of regular Mass attendance).
17. In 1998 Danny O'Malley of Dublin created the first internet search engine to specialize in Irish-related information: Alcohoogle.

18. To prevent illegal immigration into the country, Irish Border Patrol members guard the country's beaches by hurling empty whiskey bottles at swimmers.

19. Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and the twenty sixth largest island in the world.

20. The longest river in Ireland, the Shannon is also the longest river in the British Isles.

21. Famous Irish breweries include Guinness, Smithwicks (Kilkenny), and Harp Lager.

We welcome your comments!

Shrove Tuesday - 21 Pancakes Fillings

2011-03-08T10:19:00.003Z

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts: the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It's a day of penitence, to clean the soul, and a day of celebration as the last chance to feast before Lent begins.
Shrove Tuesday is sometimes called Pancake Day after the fried batter recipe traditionally eaten on this day.
Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent.

21 Pancakes Fillings

Sugar & Lemon
Jam & Ice Cream
Blueberries
Strawberries
Whipped Cream
Spinach & Ricotta
Honey
Apple & Cinnamon
Sweet Coconut Sauce
Caramel Sauce
Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce
Chuncky Cranberry Sauce
Banana Compote
Elderberry and Blackberry Syrup
Raspberry Sauce
Chocolate Sauce
Fresh Peach Sauce
Warm Pear and Mango Compote
Guavas and Plums with Vanilla Syrup and Pistachio Nuts
Blackberry and Brandy Sauce
Maple Syrup

We welcome your comments!

Top 21 Best Movies of 2010

2011-03-02T13:39:00.002Z

Inception
Toy Story 3
Black Swan
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Fighter
True Grit
The social Network
How to train your Dragon
Tangled
Kick-Ass
Shutter Island
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Scott Pilgrim vs the world
The Town
Ip Man 2
Despicable Me
The Ghost
Four lions
Winter's Bone
Never let me go

We welcome your comments!

21 Welsh People

2011-03-01T10:52:00.004Z

Kelly Jones
Tom Jones
Shirley Bassey
Charlotte Church
Katherine Zeta Jones
Anthony Hopkins
Neil Kinnock
Dylan Thomas
Gavin Henson
Steve Jones
Aled Jones
Ryan Giggs
Roal Dahl
Laura Ashley
Duffy
Marina & The Diamonds
Manic Street Preachers
Super Fury Animals
Goldie Looking
Rob Brydon
Ruth Jones

We welcome your comments!

21 Places to visit in Bristol

2011-02-23T11:13:00.003Z

1. Blue Reef Aquarium & IMAX 3D Cinema (Location:Central Bristol)

2. At-Bristol (Location:Harbourside)

3. Brunel's ss Great Britain (Location: Harbourside)

4. Spa Naturel (Location:Central Bristol)

5. Bristol Zoo Gardens (Location: Clifton)

6. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Location: West End)

7. The Brunel Institute (Location: Central Bristol)

8. Charles Wesley's House (Location: Central Bristol)

9. Castle Park and St Peter's Church (Location:Broadmead)

10. Cary Grant Statue (Location: Central Bristol)

11. Bristol Old Vic Theatre (Location:Old City)

12. Bristol Old Vic Studio (Location:Old City)

13. Bristol Cathedral (Location:Central Bristol)

14. Bristol Blue Glass South West (Location:Bedminster)

15. Blaise Castle Estate (Location: Henbury)

16. The Bristol Gallery (Location:Central Bristol)

17. Number Seven Boat Trips (Location: Harbourside)

18. St Paul's Church (Location:Central Bristol)

19. Guilbert's Chocolates Ltd(Location:Central Bristol)

20. Oakham Treasures (Location:North Somerset)

21. Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre (Location:Clifton)

We welcome your comments!

21 Half Term Deals

2011-02-17T16:26:00.002Z

1. Hotel du Vin & Bistro (available at all hotels) – From £149.

Includes a three course dinner from the a la carte menu with a side order per person, a full English or Scottish breakfast per person. Price is based on two people sharing a standard double room. Valid from 19th - 27th February 2011.

2. The Aztec Hotel & Spa – From £57 per person for bed and breakfast or £82 per person with dinner chosen from the full a la carte menu.

All rates are based on 2 sharing a twin or double room.
Children stay free in their parents’ room – paying for meals as taken.
Available from Saturday 19th February to Sunday 27th February

3. Thistle East Midlands Airport – From £169.00 per family.

The accommodation package is for 2 adults and 2 children, includes bed & breakfast, dinner, plus 4 one day tickets at Alton Towers. Subject to availability until 27th Feb 2011.

4. The Abbey Hotel – From £139 per room.

Rate includes: two night accommodation, full English breakfast and full use of our Health Club for up to 2 adults and 2 children.
Children (aged 12 and under) can stay and eat for free.

5. Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel – From £58 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a standard room for a minimum of 2 nights.

Price includes: dinner, bed and breakfast. Rates are valid from 20th February - 24th February 2011.
Children can stay and eat for free.

6. Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel – From £35 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a standard room for a minimum of 2 nights.

Rate includes: dinner, bed and breakfast. Rates are valid from 20th February - 24th February 2011.
Children can stay and eat for free.

7. Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel – From £58 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a standard room for a minimum of 2 nights.
Rate includes: dinner, bed and breakfast. Rates are valid from 20th February - 24th February 2011.
Children can stay and eat for free.

8. Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel – From £47 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a standard room for a minimum of 2 nights.

Price includes: dinner, bed and breakfast. Rates are valid from 20th February - 24th February 2011.
Children can stay and eat for free.

9. Britannia Hotels – From £40 per room per night including bed & breakfast.

Kids under 12 stay & eat for free.

10. Sandbanks Hotel – From £68.95 per person per night half-board (£22.95 four to 12-yearolds, £3.95 for the under threes).

Full entertainment programme during half-term.

11. Salcombe Harbour Hotel – From £115.00 per family per night.

Price includes: children stay for free, all children's meals; snack table and unlimited soft drinks.

12. Inch Hotel – From £200 for 3 nights for 2 people
Includes: Free stays for children during half term and full Scottish breakfast.

13. Family break in Leicestershire – Marriott Hotel, Barceló, Hilton Leicester & Holiday Inn Leicester

£99 - Includes family “Stay Play Explore” ticket (entry to three attractions), family room (in one hotel from the 4 above) and full English breakfast.

14. Briery Wood Country house Hotel – From £80

3 nights on dinner, bed and breakfast at £150.00 per person
2 nights on dinner, bed & breakfast at £120.00 per person
2 nights on bed & breakfast at £80.00 per person
Midweek Special rates in February 2011 - Available Sunday to Thursday

15. Hoseasons Parks

£50 off weeks and £25 off short breaks in Hoseasons Holiday Parks.

16. Alton Towers Theme Park – From £149.85 per night.

Kids go free from 19th to 27th May (free entry to the park, free night & breakfast). £140.85 for two people sharing, £156.15 for a family of four sharing.

17. Macdonald Hotels – From £40 per person per night.

Family half-term breaks prices start at £40 pppn. Children can stay and eat breakfast free. Macdonald Hotels offer £15 vouchers per room to spend during stay.

18. Ramada Gloucester Bowden Hall – From £54.50 per night per person

Stay at Ramada Gloucester Bowden Hall and enjoy skiing at the Ski Centre, just 1.8 miles from the hotel.

19. Cameron House – From £120 per night

Rate includes: bed and breakfast (£25 supplement first child, second child free).

20. Calcot Manor – From £185

Price includes: family suite and breakfast (£15 supplement for under 13s).

21. The Hotel & Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay – From £140

Price includes: family room with breakfast.
All children under eight go free when sharing their parents’ room, including when staying in our family suites.

We welcome your comments!

21 Ways to say or show your love on Valentines Day

2011-02-09T12:21:00.006Z

1. Purchase some clear red balloons. Before blowing them up, place either wrapped candies, small gifts, and/or love poems inside each one, and then give them to your loved one as a bouquet.

2. Make a meal only out of heart-shaped items, foods that are red, or both. Try red velvet cake, valentini martini, fruit and cheese salad or a heart shaped cake.

3. Knit a scarf.

4. Write a love letter to say I love you.

5. Create handmade coupons with gifts your partner can use anytime, such as a massage or a night out on the town with friends.

6. Does your partner ever ask you why you love them? Then create your own little booklet using pound store items just for them entitled, "Why I Love You: # Reasons".

7. Make a mixed CD of all of your favorite songs, or create a compilation of love songs that remind you of your mate. Better yet, learn how to play one of these love songs on the guitar and serenade him or her on Valentine's Day.

8. Just look into each other’s eyes.

9. Make your own fortune cookies to take along to a Chinese food restaurant for dinner, and use them to woo your date on Valentine's Day.

10. Grab some construction paper and cut out as many hearts as you like. On each one, share a story about your relationship that shows how much you care. Once finished, take the hearts and string them individually from the ceiling so it looks like your home is raining love.

11. Request a song for your beloved on the radio.

12. Leave a rose on the car.

13. Cook or buy an I-love-you cookie cake.

14. Use weed and grass killer to inscribe the words I love you into your lover's lawn. (Be prepared to ask for forgiveness later.)

15. Give her/him 8 roses, each with a letter on them so they spell out I Love You.

16. Spell out I Love You with chocolate chips on a pancake.

17. Say it in a foreign language.
French=je t'aime
Italian=ti amo
German= ich liebe dich
Spanish=te quero
Portuguese= amo-te
Dutch= ik hou van jou

18. Send him, or her, a text message on the hour every hour for the whole twenty four hours of Valentine's Day that simply says I love you.

19. Leave a note with GIANT letters that say I love you under her/him windshield wiper at work.

20. Have a T-shirt custom made to say, I love Karen or whatever their name is.

21. Make a scrolling marquee on her/him screensaver that says I love you.

We welcome your comments!

21 Best Toys for Mum and Dad

2011-02-03T15:18:00.003Z

Magnetic Constructors
MrBeer
Schwinn Meridian Adult Trike
Garmin Nuvi GPS
Stainless Steel Wallet
New Syma 3 Channel S107 Mini Indoor Co-Axial Metal Body Frame & Built-in Gyroscope RC Remote Controlled Helicopter
The digital photo album watch
Blongo ball complete game set
Bushnell H2O 10x42 Porro Prism Waterproof/Fogproof Binocular
Gerber 07570 Maintenance Kit - Multi-Plier 600 - Woodsman / Mag Light Combo - Box
iPod
Xbox 360
Wii
PS3
DS Lite
Relaxzen 2-Motor Mid-Back Leather Office Massage Chair
HoMedics Sound Spa Machine with timer
The infinitely adjustable umbrella sports chair
The floating couch and cooler
“Forever In A Mother's Heart" Birthstone And Diamond Pendant
World Series Champions San Francisco Giants Train Collection

We Welcome your comments!

21 Great Excuses for Not Going to Work

2011-01-26T14:04:00.004Z

1. "I forgot to take in the Sunday paper, so after initially leaving the house I thought it was Sunday. By the time I had realized that it was in fact Monday, it wasn't worth coming in".

2. "I was locking the door as I left for work when the key snapped in the lock, meaning that I had to call and wait for a locksmith to change the locks - who never turned up".

3. "I now have the high score on every single one of the games that come free with Windows 7, there is no point in me coming in until somebody else in the office beats me".

4. "My five year old son told me that there is a monster under my bed, and I'm not getting out until it goes away".

5. Remember when the dog used to eat your homework almost every week? Well now he "eats my car keys".

6. "My driveway has 12 inches of snow on it...... I know, I know.... amazing isn't it? Apparently it's the only one in the entire state".

7."My favourite goldfish died today, I'm just too devastated to....." *start crying at this point*

8. If you are already void of any pride or dignity, or really this desperate for a day off, apparently one of the most effective excuses is....... "I shat myself on the bus". Expect confidentiality policies to fly out of the window however.

9. "My girlfriends boobs are sore after her recent breast enlargement, I need to stay at home at massage them regularly".

10. "I'm feeling extremely lethargic today, are you sure you want me to come in?"

11. "I lost my last $20 playing online Keno and don't have any money left for the bus. I
will sign up to some free bet offers today and try and win my bus money back for tomorrow".

12. "I..... I...... I've..... I'm..... I am...... Look i just can't fucking handle coming to work today, okay?"

13. "Sorry I can't come to work for a few days, were trying for a baby and the doctor said that this week is our best chance of conception".

14. "I'm upset because my favourite American Idol contestant was voted off". (Yep, this one is real).

15. "I'm tired and want to rest so that I can enjoy the work holiday party tonight". (And, believe it or not, that one was real too).

16. "I can't come to work today because I opened yesterday's newspaper and found my name in the obituary column".

17. "The radio told me that there could be traffic jams this morning, I didn't want to help make everybody else late for work".

18. "There was no way that I was going to lose the parking space outside my house today".

19. "I contracted mono after kissing a mail room intern at the company holiday party, and I suggest the company post some sort of notice to warn others who may have kissed him." (Believe it or not, this one is also real!)

20. "My dog dialed 911, and the police wanted to question me about what 'really' happened." (this is also real!)

21. "I reached into my back to find my birth control pill this morning and accidentally pulled out a sleeping pill, now I am all over the place and am afraid I will fall asleep at the wheel of my car".

We welcome your comments!

21 ways to Detox

2011-01-19T13:44:00.002Z

Lemon
Acai Berries
Goji Berries
Pomegranate
Green Vegetables ( broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leaves like spinach and kale)
Garlic and Onions
Flaxseeds
Brazil nuts
Milk Thistle
White tea
Nettles
Brown Rice
Seaweed
Watercress
Water
Turmeric
Dandelion
Burdock
Legumes (peas, beans and lentils)
Fennel
Prunes

We welcome your comments!

21 things that you really want to know!

2011-01-19T13:38:00.001Z

In 2011 In Any Event UK are celebrating 21 years in business. As a bit of fun our theme for our bloggs and tweets throughout the year will be 21 things you'll want to know. We’re starting with 21 ways to detox. We have loads of celebrity gossip to dish out but if you have any great suggestions please let us know.

21 Years in Business

2011-01-12T16:25:00.002Z

In Any Event UK is pleased to announce that 2011 is our 21st year in business.

Watch this space for our interesting blog posts relating to all things 21!

Pumpkin seeds - 2 weeks old

2010-07-28T14:07:00.003+01:00

Pumpkin Diary - 2 weeks old - First sight of green!

How very exciting leaves appearing...

Pumpkin Seeds Planted

2010-07-19T11:04:00.002+01:00

Pumpkin Growing Competition

We are currently running a competition online for who can grow the largest pumpkin. In Any event UK, will even send you the seeds for free.

http://tiny.cc/67xcm

We planted our seeds this weekend. We will be take weekly photos of how the seeds are progressing.

We look forward to seeing how your seeds are progressing.

In Any Event UK support Penny Brohn Cancer Care

2010-02-08T17:16:00.002Z

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility we are pleased to announce that we are proudly supporting Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

We're assisting the Penny Brohn team with organising their 30th birthday celebrations.

See details of our recent press release here:

"In Any Event UK are a leading Southwest event management company and are pleased to announce that they are actively supporting the charity, Penny Brohn Cancer Care as part of their corporate social responsibility.

In Any Event UK were keen to support a local charity where they felt they would be able to benefit from event management support and consultation.

Victoria Hancock, Director of In Any Event UK explained, "Penny Brohn Cancer Care are a much needed charity who are there to care for people with Cancer and offer specialist support in terms of therapies & advice. They also provide a much-needed counselling service to the families involved. The team at their centre in Pill North Somerset, are truly inspirational. At In Any Event UK, we believe that dedicating our time to this local charity will help relieve some pressure and allow them to continue their excellent care service for those who need it most."

Penny Brohn Cancer Care will be celebrating their 30^th Birthday this year, and In Any Event UK are looking forward to working with Penny Brohn Cancer Care to mark the occasion."

January 2010 Venue of the Month

2010-01-25T10:25:00.000Z

We'd like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

We're kicking off 2010 with a fantastic new Venue of the Month: the Marriott St Pierre Hotel & Country Club located in Chepstow.

This is a great venue with plenty of space for conferences and training courses as well as superb facilities, all situated in a wonderful country location.

We've teamed up with Marriott Hotels to offer our clients the chance to win a one night Bed & Breakfast stay for two people. If you'd like to enter the competition click here and email your answer to venues@inanyevent-uk.com before 11th February 2010.

Good luck and Happy New Year!!

Updated: Special Offers

2009-12-16T17:06:00.001Z

We've just updated our Special Offers page with some new deals from hotels and venues.

Take a look and give us a call if you'd like to take advantage of any of these offers.

In Any Event UK

Vote for In Any Event UK

2009-12-08T14:58:00.003Z

Vote for In Any Event UK (your favourite conference and event organisers) in the Meetings and Incentive Travel industry awards by clicking here. Enter In Any Event UK into category H: Best Event Management Company (less than 40 employees).

Understanding BS8901 Seminar - Sustainable Event Certification

2009-12-03T14:36:00.005Z

Booking is now LIVE for In Any Event UK's Understanding BS 8901 seminar.

Understanding BS 8901
Monday 8th February 2010
Folly Farm Conference Centre, Bristol

Sustainable Event Certification (SEC) in association with In Any Event UK is pleased to announce a one day course on BS 8901, the new British Standard which deals with sustainability management within the events industry.

The standard is designed to help organisations in the events industry improve their sustainability. It prescribes a management system framework and specific requirements which organisations need to implement within their organisation.

This one day course will help you understand what the standard is about and whether it is important to your organisation. It will explain the essential requirements of the standard and will help you determine how easy it will be for you to achieve BS 8901.

The course is structured around interactive group work, discussions and presentations and will be delivered by a facilitator who is directly involved in the development of BS 8901.

Who should attend?

· Event managers working on behalf of public sector and corporate clients
· Senior managers from suppliers and contractors in the events industry including catering, logistics, lighting, exhibitions, security, venues etc
· Event clients and sponsors who are looking to improve the sustainability of their events
· Senior executives in experiential and communications management
· Anyone considering the adoption of ISO 9001 on quality management or ISO 14001 on environmental management
· Anyone whose clients have mentioned BS 8901 or ISO 14001
· Organizations planning to tender for 2012 Olympic contracts
· Individuals already involved in implementing BS 8901

Topics

· What is sustainability?
· The drivers for sustainability and for BS 8901
· What is BS 8901?
· The framework of BS 8901
· Evaluating sustainability issues and engaging with stakeholders
· Setting objectives and targets and allocating responsibilities
· How to achieve certification to BS 8901
· Your next steps

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, delegates will understand:

· The concept of sustainability and why it is becoming a real business issue
· The requirements of BS 8901 including key concepts and definitions
· The most critical and difficult parts of BS 8901 including sustainability issue identification and stakeholder engagement
· The relationship between BS 8901 and ISO 9001 on quality management and ISO 14001 on environmental management
· The process to achieve certification to BS 8901

At the end of the course, we will develop an action plan to help you achieve BS 8901 certification and you will be provided with some key tools to help you get started.

If you are interested in attending the course then we would be pleased to hear from you so that we can provide more information and let you know the date of the course.

The cost of the course is £275 + VAT per delegate which includes refreshments and lunch.

Click here to book online today!

Corporate Events in the Economic Downturn

2009-12-03T14:14:00.004Z

As event organisers, we have really noticed the changes businesses are making during the recession. For example, in 2009, many companies have had to cut costs to address sales shortfalls but, for 2010 and beyond, they must address their sales and marketing strategies to deliver effective returns.

Events have been and will continue to be a successful sales and marketing medium.

We have found that during the tougher times, understandably, companies are hesitant to commit to budgets and are more cautious about guaranteeing returns. They are also concerned about the perception of hosting impressive events. These companies are in danger of underestimating and ignoring the value face-to-face meetings produce.

With every recession companies cut costs and the marketing gurus say that those who invest in sales and marketing will come out the other side stronger and more successful. This message is not always listened to.

Now, more than ever before, is the time to act. Sales are key to keeping a business afloat and live events, on whatever scale, are one of the best ways to produce sales and enhance your bottom line.

The real key to putting on a successful event to boost sales and business exposure is to work with event organisers who can execute a low budget event with a different approach and emphasis.

It might seem to some that working with specialist event organisers will be expensive and that many agencies cannot put on a low-cost event. This is quite the opposite, as venues, AV companies and other event suppliers are working together with event agencies to ensure that competitive (and budget conscious) rates are supplied during the current economic climate.

At In Any Event UK we have plenty of experience of working with budget-constrained companies, looking to host an impressive event. Contact us to find out how we can save you money and help out with your next event!

Bin Free Office

2009-12-02T10:45:00.002Z

This morning we implemented our "Bin Free" office policy. We have removed all the bins from by peoples' desks and now have a central waste area.

All paper, magazines and brochures are put in the paper recycling box. As always, confidential or sensitive information is shredded and the waste from this is also recycled.

We also have designated waste boxes for cardboard, plastic, glass and tins and we plan on introducing a food waste bin so that we can compost items such as used tea bags and old coffee granules.

We're continuing to look for ways to make our office more sustainable so let us know if you have any suggestions!

Keen to be Green Seminar mentioned in Bristol Evening Post

2009-11-30T09:29:00.003Z

Our Keen to be Green event has had a mention in the Bristol Evening Post this weekend.

At In Any Event UK we take sustainability for events seriously. Business and corporate events can be run in a more environmentally friendly way and help to cut down on business' carbon footprints.

A Bristol-based company has organised a seminar which will offer companies advice about running events in an environmentally friendly way.

Events management company In Any Event UK, based in Westbury-on-Trym, will hold the half-day seminar in Exeter on January 19.

The talk will be based around the Government Office South West Greener Events Guide and will show venues the benefits of becoming more environmentally aware.

Victoria Hancock, from In Any Event UK, said: "We have already adopted the greener events policy as part of our corporate responsibility and recognise the importance of this for the events industry as a whole."

For information and to register for the seminar, visit www.eazybook.com/keentobegreen or call In Any Event UK on 0117 962 4577.

Read the article and post comments here.

Chris' Shock Announcement

2009-11-26T14:59:00.005Z

Shocking news. We've just found out that Chris fancies Gail Platt from Corrie and Sue Barker!

We thought better of you, Chris!

New Conference Venue

2009-11-25T10:10:00.002Z

As part of our free venue finding service we can recommend the perfect venues for your event.

We've just received details of a wonderful country house conference venue in Berkshire. Donnington Grove is set on the outskirts of Newbury and is overlooked by the historic Donnington Castle.

We can help you access some great special conference offers at this and other venues, so if you're in need of somewhere to hold your next event then get in touch with us now!

Meeting & Incentive Travel Awards

2009-11-19T14:46:00.002Z

The Meeting & Incentive Travel Industry Awards are coming up.

Vote for your favourite categories on this form (not forgetting In Any Event UK as your favourite event organisers!).

NHS Conference in March 2010

2009-11-18T15:07:00.002Z

In Any Event UK will be working together with NHS West Midlands to organise their Student Recruitment & Retention Conference in March 2010.

The NHS will be using services including our free venue-finding service, conference organisation and our online delegate registration system, Eazybook.

Planning has begun and we're all very pleased to be working with another healthcare organisation.

Employee Update

2009-11-16T12:27:00.004Z

We're pleased to announce that we have a new employee.

Louise Boyse has joined us from a Sales & Marketing position and has previously worked in event teams at various South West venues.

Louise will be helping with the venue finding team and also working on our sales and marketing. We're all very excited to have a new face in the office!

Venue of the Month

2009-11-10T17:11:00.003Z

With the launch of our new website, the infamous In Any Event UK Venue of the Month has returned and with it comes a fantastic competition where you can win a great prize from each of our featured venues.

This month we're pleased to announce that our Venue of the Month is the Marriott St Pierre hotel located in Chepstow. You can find some more information about this superb hotel and see the competition details by clicking here.

Launch of New Website!

2009-10-30T10:20:00.009Z

We've been busily working away on improving our website and are proud to announce that it is now live!

You'll notice that we have improved the navigation and have added a lot more information, as well as new case studies.

Our Venue of the Month feature returns, as well as the competition where you can win Bed and Breakfast stays, a romantic dinner for two or even activity breaks - so stay tuned!

We'd love to find out your thoughts on the new look so please leave us a comment or send an us an email!

Association of Healthcare Communicators Conference

2009-10-07T10:21:00.000+01:00

The Association of Healthcare Communicators have appointed In Any Event UK to manage their national conference in 2010.

We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with them which began in 2004.

New Employee

2009-10-02T10:11:00.002+01:00

In Any Event UK are pleased to say that we have a new project manager on board called Ben.

Ben is a member of the events team. He has six years experience in event management and previously worked as Senior Events Organiser for the Healthcare Financial Management Association organising and running the Association's programme of events and conferences, which ranged from single day events to multi-day residential conferences with evening entertainment and large exhibitions. Ben studied Business Studies and French in Nottingham.

Conferences on the Move

2009-09-09T11:56:00.004+01:00

"Conferences on the Move" is an exciting new concept and we have just completed four events for two global healthcare and consumer goods companies. These took place around Provence in France and the Oxfordshire countryside.

"Conferences on the Move" are a creative and innovative way to hold team meetings or training. The idea is to keep your delegates' minds active and provides a different setting for the different parts of your event. This is a fantastic way to deliver training or team building.

In Any Event UK are more than happy to chat to you about the concept if you have any questions or think this might be something you are interested in running.

SWRDA Appoint IAE as Venue Finder

2009-09-06T11:06:00.000+01:00

We're pleased to say that the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) have appointed In Any Event UK to manage their entire venue finding requirements.

This service will be centralised and will commence from November 2009.

We're all excited to begin working with this fantastic South West government agency.

Customer Incentive Schemes

2009-03-24T10:18:00.001Z

The retail sector has cottoned on to the idea of incentive schemes to hook in new customers and keep existing ones buying with them.

The Boots advantage card and Tesco Clubcard are two incredibly successful examples. They’re easy for the customer to use and offer financial rewards for staying loyal to one retail brand.

When we look at the benefits that incentive schemes seem to offer to the provider, it seems foolish to not offer some sort of loyalty system to your customers, whatever the industry.
Incentive schemes can offer:

§ A competitive edge
§ Increased repeat business
§ Expansion of your customer database
§ Increased brand awareness

But can such an idea be transferred into other industries?

It seems that the answer to this is unclear. In business-to-business interactions, many organisations are unable to accept incentives or gifts for loyalty due to the sector they work in.
In addition to this, the majority of people would say that it is the quality of service that keeps them going back to the same company, rather than rewards.

If a scheme appears complicated, understandably, it would mean that customers are much less likely to participate.
The Boots and Tesco card schemes prove extremely popular partially due to the simplicity: the customer does not have to keep track of their reward points and the retailers lets them know how to use the points effectively.

The main issue to look at when introducing incentive or loyalty schemes would be whether or not your customers are interested in receiving rewards for their loyalty and would it really benefit your business sector?

We'd love to hear your opinions on this and reasons why you signed up for certain incentive or loyalty schemes.

Credit Crunch Conferences – Saving Money for Events in the Current Economic Climate

2009-01-16T13:53:00.000Z

You may believe that doing all the hard work yourself is the cheapest and easiest way to go about planning a successful event. In fact, it is more likely to cost more - not only due to higher direct costs, but also in lost time and productivity.

Using a free venue-finding agency, such as In Any Event UK, can save you both time and money. We have years of experience in negotiating rates so that you get the best deal.

Some of our top money saving tips include:

§ Ask for jugs of tap water instead of bottled water – this is not only cheaper but better for the environment too as you are doing away with plastic bottles

§ Always check what is included in any rates you are given – they may sometimes include optional extras which you do not need

§ Find out if AV equipment is included in the price, if not, ask if it can be included

§ Choose the right layout for your seating plan – different layouts require different sized rooms which might increase your costs so it is important to think about how you want your delegates to interact with each other or the speaker

§ The larger your request the more power you have for negotiation on added extras and rates. If you have a series of bookings, highlight this at enquiry stage

§ Plan your event during the off peak seasons and days: Mondays and Fridays are especially good days as well as weekends. Peak seasons cost more and the venue may not have the time or the staff to devote to your meeting

§ Don’t accept the first rate that they quote: ask them questions such as ‘what is this reduced from’ or ‘what is your rack rate’. From this you can then see what sort of saving you have made

§ If working to a budget, offer the venue your overall budget and ask them to try and put a package together within this set amount

§ Simple hot lunches often cost less than a buffet and perhaps ask for biscuits or pastries to be included in your coffee breaks or taken out to cut costs

ASK! Always ask even if it is for something you do not think they will offer you. You won’t get it if you don’t ask.

Ensure that all negotiations and concessions are put in writing to avoid confusion and frustration at the time of confirming or settling your bills.

In these harder times, venues need to be accommodating to customers so there are better chances of negotiation and the addition of optional extras into the price, so take advantage today!

Start Blogging

2008-11-19T17:08:00.004Z

So we've started to get onto the blogging scene! About time I'd say. We'll be writing lots about what we've been up to and what we're planning on doing soon!

Even more than that, we'll be letting you know more about our team and finding some more interesting things about us!

Event Management is great fun so keep checking for updates and let us know what you're thinking!

We're hoping we can give you some great ideas and maybe get some back from you all!

In the meantime say Hi to Rupert - a key member of the team!