Sunday 26 August 2012

Prince Harry and the naked pics: what's the big deal?

In the news this week, there is one member of the Royal Family who has been up to a bit of mischief.

It seems boys will be boys, and in the case of Prince Harry, there’s no exception. Whilst partying on a recent break in Las Vegas - before he is off on military duty - pictures of Harry in a compromising position of ‘naked billiards’ were taken and released to US entertainment website TMZ.

The two photos showed the Prince in a whole new light. The first photo showed the Prince covering his crown jewels (sorry, couldn’t resist) with his own hands, whereas the second photo showed the Prince hugging an unknown female from behind.

Immediately the photos took the viral world by storm, with media outlets across the world reporting on the Prince’s escapades. In Britain, the Royal Family remained quiet, although later confirmed the photos were of the Prince. It took nearly a week for The Sun to print the photos, the first paper to do so in Britain.

But why such a furore? Haven’t we all heard about Vegas? You know the saying, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Should Harry be criticised for his escapades?

Well no, frankly, he shouldn’t, and if anything, this will only make him more popular. The thing with the Prince is this. He is young, he is single, he is a red-blooded male; he wants to have fun and enjoy himself like many other young men would want to do too.

The public like Prince Harry, and of course his older brother - the Duke of Cambridge - because they’re modern. They are letting the public see the monarchy in a completely new light, a version where the Royal’s are more in-touch with British society. No more stuffiness.

In fact, many people see Prince Harry as a hero. People admire him, the girls love him and the boys, well the boys want to be him. Let us face it, he is not going to be King so it is hardly going to jeopardise his Royal future.

If I was to criticise the press handling of these photos, I would direct my anger at The Sun. The way they printed them seemed wrong. They claimed most people had already seen them online as a justifiable excuse to why they should be printed on page 1. They then claimed they were not making any moral judgement from printing the photos, apart from the obvious one being by printing these entertaining photos on the front cover means they will make more money.

So here’s to Prince Harry for those rather cheeky photos that have taught the British public, and indeed the monarchy, that a few naked snaps will only boost your popularity. I mean, if it worked for Tulisa and Kim Kardashian, it can work for Harry too!

Wikipedia

Sunday 19 August 2012

Fashion: how to shop the sales

This week, rather than showing you the latest collections, I’ve decided to reveal all my knowledge of the sales and help you invest your time and money wisely when shopping the sales.

The High Street seems to be full of sales at the moment, with many shops hoping to make up for falling profits during the year. The traditional sales have usually been the big Boxing Day and Summer Sales, but generally now most stores will have a sale at least four times a year (one after Easter, before the start of the summer, and another usually one in October, before Christmas). But don’t presume the sales only happen at regular times in the year; they can run whenever. Unless your DFS (where you’re guaranteed to find a sale every day of the year), stores will pick and choose depending on the retail climate and how much profit they have already made in the year. If a store is losing money, then it’s guaranteed they’ll start their sales early or have them at varying times in the year.

So what does this mean for the consumer? Well, it means you’re guaranteed a bargain. But what constitutes a bargain, and how do I know if you’re saving money? Follow these tips to save as much money as possible:

1) Check the season - generally, most stores will put last season’s unsold clothes in the sale, and these are the ones that are cheaper. Yet increasingly stores are putting current collections in the sale too. When you look in the sales, make sure you’re clothes match the season. Generally, this seasons clothes will be reduced towards the end of the sale

2) Be patient - like I mentioned above, it’s best to wait to the end of the sale to bag yourself a bargain, particularly if it’s a current season item. Most sales will only start with modest discounts of 25-50%, but towards the end, you can get discounts nearing 75% or more

3) Shop around - when shopping the sales, always make sure you visit different shops to compare prices. Sales can be competitive, with stores marketing their discounts so that more customers visit. In the Boxing Day sales for example, a price war between shops can result in some fantastic bargains

4) Check all items vigorously - make sure the clothes aren’t damaged or broken. It’s really important that the quality is still perfect and you should check your clothes before you pay for them. Also, make sure they fit you…there’s been many a time where I’ve gone to buy an item which was on a ‘small’ hanger and taken it home to find it’s a ‘large’

5) Find out about exchanges - a nasty marketing tactic by stores is usually to close their fitting rooms during a sale period, meaning you can’t try before you buy. Many stores don’t offer refunds for sale items either, meaning many of us have to presume it will fit us if we buy it. Check the returns/ exchanges policy. Some stores may offer refunds/ exchanges or even a gift receipt if you’re unhappy with your purchase

6) Check online - bargains are not just confined to the High Street. Many stores offer discounts online too, with a much wider selection of clothes available, all from the comfort of your own home. Be careful though, delivery charges can often be expensive on sale items, and you’re guaranteed to find a cheaper bargain in-store

7) Keep on looking - you’ll find most stores nowadays have a continuous ‘sale rail’ which is full of bargain buys. New Look, H&M and Primark are just some of the stores I’ve noticed that have a continuous sale. Keep your eye out for any one-day promotions too

Picture courtesy of cardsave. net

Post-Olympic blues



Alas, it’s one week now since the Olympics graced our screens for the last time (or at least, in London for the foreseeable future.) It was a day that saw Britain win a few more medals to round off a fantastic haul in London, and culminated in a fantastic party featuring the likes of George Michael and Kate Moss.

And I, like many other people it seems, just can’t get one act out of my head. Yes, this last week I’ve been reliving my inner-Baby Spice (I was always the Baby one) and singing ‘Spice up your life’ at any given opportunity.

It doesn’t help that the girls have been teasing the media, with suggestions from Mel C that she’d “do it all again” and “never say never”. Oh Spice Girls, won’t you reform once more?

Thank the lord for the new Spice Girls musical, Viva forever!, which looks set to hit the West End later this year.

In the meantime, you can dig out the leopard print and that oh-so-short union jack dress and reminsce over last Sunday night’s fantastic performance from arguably the world’s best ever girl band here.

And don’t forget, the Paralympics are just around the corner. Tickets are selling quickly, so keep on checking the website for availability. No doubt Britain will lay down the foundations for another great games. You can find out more about the Paralympics here.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Room available to rent at the University of Kent Medway campus

If you’re coming through clearing to join us at CfJ this year and haven’t yet sorted out where you’re living, you might be interested in looking at the super-fantastic space we’ve still got for our house!

Three (soon-to-be) second year students are looking for another journalism student to join us in our house next year after the initial plan fell through, so we're asking any new students starting next year, whether undergrads or MA's, if they'd like to join us and we’d even go so far to say the deal is better than Quays!
· Rent is just £89 a week – that’s over £30 cheaper for a room of the same size.
· This includes all bills, internet and, unlike in halls, a TV licence and our internet is wireless!
· Unlike in halls our bathroom comes with a bath as well as shower, we’ve got a living and dining area and a garden.
· All of the rooms come with their own locks and everything’s fully furnished.
· We’ve also got enough pots and pans to sink a small ship, so there’s no need to splash out on your own kitchen equipment – as long as you wash up after yourself we’re happy to share!
· We’re also closer to university (so you get to spend longer in bed), closer to town for shopping and nights out and a mere two minutes away from a Chinese and Fish and Chip shop!
The house also comes with the added plus of being able to meet the housemates before you decide whether or not to move in and we’re happy to meet you first, have a chat on the phone or give you a look round – whatever really!
Just for the record you'd be living with three other journos; two girls and one boy. Our names are Jem Collins, Lydia Hamilton & Kieran Watkins if you want to Facebook stalk us first.
If you're interested or want some more information feel free to drop us an email at jemcollins@live.co.uk or kdjwatkins@yahoo.co.uk
Or you can comment and ask questions at the bottom of this blog post!
Also free to do viewings Sept 5th!

Wednesday 15 August 2012

UK’s longest running magazine The Dandy faces closure

I was shocked this week to read that The Dandy, Britain’s longest-running children’s comic, is facing closure after nearly 75 years entertaining kids in the UK.

The comic, which features cult comic heroes like Desperate Dan, Bananaman, Beryl the Peril and Korky the Cat, has been a regular title on the magazine shelves in the local newsagents.

However, with sales dwindling to just 2,000 copies a week, publisher DC Thomson, who also owns the Beano, have refused to rule out closing the comic.

Blaming the decline in readership down to computer games, owners DC Thomson have suggested that if a closure was to happen, iconic character may venture across to sister comic the Beano.

It is certainly depressing, and for loyal Dandy readers, the thought of seeing their favourite comic printing one last issue is unconceivable.

The Dandy launched way back in 1937 at just 2p, and proved popular for children during the war. At its heyday, the Dandy was selling over two million copies per week.

It was at the beginning of the new millennium when I first got my hand on a Dandy. Having been given a Dandy annual (a regular occurrence in my Christmas stocking, even at the age of 19), I became hooked instantly on the characters. From Cuddles & Dimples to my favourite, Winker Watson, the comic strips made me laugh and I soon took out an early subscription. When it came to the weekend, I could not think of anything better to do then read my favourite comic.

It was in late 2004 however when things changed. Facing a slump in sales, the publishers changed the format. Out went the traditional newsprint and in came glossy magazine paper, together with new characters aimed at “bogey-loving” kids who loved “toilet humour.” The price also rocketed from around 70p to £1.20, which for a boy with limited pocket money, was too much.

It was here when I started to dislike the Dandy. The old characters were scaled back or re-branded, possibly to distinguish the comic from its archrival, the Beano, which continued with its traditional newsprint copy.

It seems I, like many others, soon left the Dandy. Not because there was a different magazine that I enjoyed instead, but because the focus had changed. It had tried to become too commercial, too mainstream. Later revamps focused on celebrity comic strips and competitions, seemingly shifting the focus from the comic strips and characters.

Maybe it’s not the Dandy’s fault. The birth of television, the internet and of course games consoles has all significantly dented the magazine market. It doesn’t help that prices have increased too. Although the Dandy is available to read online, kids would rather spend their spare time playing computer games for free then read an expensive comic.

DC Thomson says no decision has been made yet on the Dandy’s future, but with the current magazine market looking uncertain; it is highly likely that the Dandy will cease publishing. I’d like to think some of the iconic characters would move to the Beano, but with the Beano also struggling, it seems the future for kid’s comics remains a bleak, unstable one.

So yes, it is emotional and it will be a sad farewell to what was once my favourite comic. I’d like to hope the Dandy will still be around in years to come, but who knows. It’s had a good run no matter what happens, and bowing out on it’s 75th birthday would be poignant. At least I will have all my old Dandy comics and annuals under my bed to entertain me still, (or at least earn me a bob or two if it does shut down!)
Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Petition calling halls “extortionate” reaches 100 signatures overnight

A petition calling for an end to apparent "unfair" and "unjustifiable" charges at Liberty Quays has attracted mass support

A petition branding Liberty Quays as “extortionate” and “opportunistic” has received over 100 signatures overnight.
The campaign, calling for the Medway student halls to address a number of issues from high check out charges to rodent problems, currently has over 140 signatures.
Set up by disgruntled student Jem Collins, the online page has attracted dozens of comments from students, families and members of the public.
She said: “I set up the page after having problems with my own experience when management insisted that I was the only one complaining and I thought this just can not be true.
“They’ve told me I’ve accrued over £200 worth of damage, but the only evidence I’ve received is a couple of photos showing pictures of a pen on a shelf and some paper on the floor”.
She added: “Management have been extremely rude and patronising throughout the whole procedure and aren’t taking anything seriously”.
Other complaints about the accommodation, which is owned by Liberty Living and is the only halls provider in Gillingham for University of Kent students, range from fictitious faults to rude and unhelpful staff.
One student said he was charged for a chair that was broken upon arrival, whilst another said that they had been refused access to pictures showing the alleged damage.
One student commented: “I was charged £10 for a key that was never given to me in the first place and then treated very rudely and disrespectful (sic), accused of lying and given absolutely ridiculous excuses by S.Triggs : ‘must have fallen off before you even realised you had it.’”
Deposit charges range from £15 to replace standard shower curtains, up to £30 for dust and £65 for replacement chairs.
When quizzed over the high prices, Mrs Triggs, manager at Liberty Quays, said: “Many of our items like the shower curtains are not of standard size and the cost reflects this”, though admitted they could be sourced as cheaply as £1.
She added: “These charges are necessary to ensure the standard of accommodation at Liberty Quays is maintained at a high level in an exceptionally short space of time to ensure the accommodation is ready for our summer students.”
She also said that she had encouraged students in the past to seek to buy the items from other places to avoid paying the charges set by Liberty Living.
Other comments from students included reports of a mice infestation, leaving students unable to use their kitchen for over a month.
In another incident, a number of flats were charged for faulty fire extinguishers that the halls provider claimed the students had tampered with.
However, following a similar petition and campaign, the faulty fire extinguishers were found to be untouched.
Ms Triggs said: “The fire extinguisher incident did not result in any charges to any students. ”
Other complaints have included faeces being left in a communal area for over three days and lack of proper security patrols, allowing members of the public to walk into flats freely.
In a statement from Mrs Triggs, who in a bizarre move has signed the petition herself, she said: “We take all complaints seriously and investigate each on its own merits.”

Have you had problems with Liberty Quays or did your stay go just fine? Let us know in the comments below!

Article taken from the Medwire student magazine, written by Kieran Watkins

Monday 13 August 2012

A perfect end to a perfect Games

It seemed fitting that to mark the end of what has been 16 fantastic days of sporting achievement, patriotism and happiness in London and across Great Britain, the Olympics would go out with a bang. And what an almighty bang it was!

Over 24 million people in Great Britain watched the closing finale to what has been a fantastic games in London, with all the athletes, thousands of fans, Royals from across the world, hundreds of performers and even a handful of volunteers all descending on the Olympic Stadium to celebrate the end of London 2012.

The plans for the ceremony were kept under wraps from most of the media beforehand, but with the theme focusing on the British music industry, it was safe to say we were going to be treated to some of Britain’s most famous artists.

From Ray Davies of the Kinks to Jessie J, the crowd were in for a real treat as stars from across the decades joined together for arguably the biggest party London has and will ever see. Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Taio Cruz, Tinie Tempah and a miming One Direction also performed at the ceremony, which mixed spectacular dance and light elements with fantastic music to create a cheesy, disco atmosphere.

Stand out performances came from a reformed, one-night-only Spice Girls who arrived in style on top of their own black cabs. I admit that I am struggling to get the lyrics to Spice up your Life out of my head!

George Michael, who has just recovered from a near-fatal health scare, performed two songs at the ceremony, later followed by The Who and Take That. My heart went out to Gary Barlow, who performed at the Olympics despite his recent personal problems.

Besides dancing, the spectators were treated to a fabulous display of Britain’s best fashion designers, modelled by stars such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. There were sing-along’s from Eric Idle, surprise appearances from Del Boy and Rodney and Timothy Spall (playing a rather convincing Winston Churchill) and a fantastic ballet display from new Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell.

The traditional handover to Brazil also gave us a taste of what’s to come in four years time, as dancers and performers from Rio demonstrated the party atmosphere that Brazil is known for in a colourful, samba-enthused sketch.

But even Brazil looked in awe at the fantastic spectacle of London’s closing ceremony. With the cauldron burning for a final time, the fireworks lit up over London in a spectacular display that symbolised everything these Games have been; exciting, spectacular and full of surprises. With a tearful tribute going out to all the athletes, volunteers and the public, Lord Coe was not the only one who was wishing the whole two weeks of sporting legacy could happen again.

London will miss the Olympics, but the legacy has been laid and in true British fashion, the closing ceremony certainly showed the world that we Brits know how to throw a good send off party!

Compare the closing ceremony with my review of the opening ceremony.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Sunday 12 August 2012

The Spain Diaries: No.1 - the BA experience

Recently, the jourknow went on his second holiday this year to the sunny Costa Del Sol region of Spain, and following my previous diary format from my New Zealand adventures, I’ll be giving you a weekly insight into just a few of the sights and smells from my holiday in the sun.

Now it’s always been said that as soon as you set foot in the airport awaiting your departure, your holiday begins. The duty free, the flying, the screaming baby sitting next to you - these are all experiences which kick off the start of your summers break, and my journey to Spain was no different.

Well, it was a little different. You see, it was actually quite nice for a change. Always being one to sniff out a bargain, I was lucky to book a flight out with British Airways from London Gatwick to Malaga for only £50. Having never flown with the national airline, I was quite looking forward to the experience, and was surprised that when I tweeted BA, they were kind enough to tweet me back, telling me they were looking forward to me travelling with them.

On arrival at the airport, the BA check-in was a dream. All you had to do was key in a few details into one of the self-service check-in desks, print off your boarding pass and hand over your luggage. With BA, you’re allowed 23kg of luggage (3kg more than most other airlines), along with a piece of hand luggage and an option laptop bag. Pretty good if you’re planning on taking a lot with you on holiday.

Thinking that I was going to spending ages in the queue, I was pleasantly surprised to find I had enough time to truly experience the joys of duty free. A lovely meal in Café Rouge followed by a quick spray of all the perfumes quickly passed the time, and before long I was sat comfortably my window seat, waiting for the plane to take off.

The BA experience on board was fantastic. The free drinks and light meal all come included with the ticket, so it was great to save some money rather then spend it on highly inflated prices you usually pay for on your low-budget airlines. The service was great too, with cabin crew very friendly, ensuring the flight was comfortable for all passengers on board.

It was refreshing to relax, unwind and enjoy the start of my holiday before my holiday really began, and I was really happy with the service provided by British Airways. Many people might think they’re expensive as a chartered airline, but surprisingly, their service was far cheaper then any no-frills airline.

And it certainly kicked off a holiday that was full of sun, swimming and lots of San Miguel!

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Strictly Come Dancing: Latest line-up rumours...(the men)

So the Olympics have dominated our TV for the last few weeks, but with the end of the summer on the horizon, it means out tv screens are going to be dominated by one thing; celebrities covered in sequins trying to do their utmost to dance gracefully on tv. With the rumour mill going into overdrive, I thought it was time to give you a rundown on the rumours of who could be stepping on to the dance floor for Series 10 of the hit BBC show.

Nicky Byrne
The Westlife singer has a lot of spare time on his hands after the band’s recent farewell tour and seperation, and having appeared on the show with the band last year, has Nicky set his sights on the glitter ball too? The papers seem to think so, and he’d be a popular choice with viewers.

Ronnie O’Sullivan
Another name who keeps on popping up in the papers for a stint on Strictly is the former World Snooker champion. With retirnement beckoning, Ronnie would be a fantastic addition to the numerous sports stars who have competed on Strictly before. A pin-up, he’d get the women’s vote too.

Michael Vaughan
The only confirmed celebrity for the show is former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan. The Ashes winner, who is now a pundit for BBC Radio 5Live, has been confirmed by BBC’s Newsbeat to be appearing on the show, and could be the third cricketer to win the trophy.

Chris Evans
If the rumours are true then Strictly has bagged itself a fantastic coup in the shape of Evans. The famous broadcaster and media personality has millions of fans, and would definitely add a comedy touch to show. Personalities often make the show, and Chris would be a fantastic addition. I just hope it’s true!

Ken Livingstone

Although the paper’s haven’t mentioned him in the rumours columns, I have my eye on the former London Major to be making an appearance on the show. He made a remark earlier this year on Have I Got News For You about joining the show, and would certainly be another Ann Widdecombe-like character that would keep audience’s entertained. But would he get your vote?

Lemar and Craig David have both said they’re not interested in joining the show, both citing their music careers as the reason for being too busy to compete. But who knows, maybe they’ll be tempted.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Strictly Come Dancing: Latest line-up rumours....(the girls)

So the Olympics have dominated our TV for the last few weeks, but with the end of the summer on the horizon, it means out tv screens are going to be dominated by one thing; celebrities covered in sequins trying to do their utmost to dance gracefully on tv. With the rumour mill going into overdrive, I thought it was time to give you a rundown on the rumours of who could be stepping on to the dance floor for Series 10 of the hit BBC show.
Victoria Pendleton
BBC chiefs have publicly stated that they want as many athletes as humanly possible from the London 2012 Olympics to appear on the show, with Pendleton topping the list. Undoubntedly the Queen of Cycling, the Gold medalist will be retiring from the competition soon, and has announced that she’d love to appear on the show. With a free schedule, gorgeous Vicky would be a crowd pleaser for fans.

Rebecca Adlington
The Queen of Swimming is another contender for the show, having just won two bronze medals. Becky’s form has left many commentators questioning whether she will return to Swimming, so a stint on Strictly could be on the cards. However, despite confirming her interest, she is planning on a charity bike ride in October, so perhaps we’ll see her on the Christmas special.

Beth Tweddle
Another Olympic favourite, bronze medalist and star of GB gymnastics for the past decade Beth would be a contender to win the glitter ball trophy. The gymnast has the moves and skills, and with retirement beckoning, a stint on Strictly would certainly end what’s been a tremendous decade for Beth.

Dannii Minogue
Although she has seemed to deny the rumours of competing on the dance floor, the tabloids refuse to acknowledge that the former X Factor judge is tempted to go against her former show in what could be a spectacular ratings battle. Another X Factor guest judge rumoured to appear is Geri Halliwell, the Spice Girl, although she’s also rejected the rumours. Both have the star power, but will they appear on the dance floor?

Charlie Brooks
There’s always a spot for a soap actress in the Strictly line-up, and who better to have then EastEnders favourite Bitch, Janine Butcher (played by Charlie Brooks). Having already won last year’s Christmas special, Charlie could look to claim her second Strictly trophy this autumn. It seems certain that she will appear, for she’s just started a six month break from the soap. Fingers crossed.

Michelle Keegan
Another soap star that could be set to appear is Michelle Keegan, who plays Corrie’s Tina. The actress, who has won dozens of ‘Sexiest Female Awards’, would certainly look good on the dance floor, but has a warning from ITV proclaiming to ban any of its stars appearing on a rival channels show stopped the actress from appearing on Strictly? We’ll find out soon enough.

Sian Williams
The former BBC Breakfast presenter is tipped to be joining the show this Autumn. After leaving BBC Breakfast earlier this year, Sian certainly has the time to appear on the show, and with an appearance last year on the Children in Need special, she’s got the dance bug so to speak.

Fern Britton
Another TV favourite who could be shaking her tail feather later this year is Fern Britton. The TV presenter entertained SCD fans when appearing on the 2010 Christmas special, and has been away from our tv screens for quite some time. Could this giver her the much-needed tv revival she needs to reignite her career?

Martine McCutcheon
She’s previously turned down invitations to appear on the show, but the singer and actress hinted last year that she would have time to appear on the show in 2012. With some dance experience, she’d be a contender for the glitter ball trophy.

Amy Williams
The winter Olympic gold medalist has retired from sport completely, so certainly has the time (and the figure) to compete on Strictly. But with Dancing on Ice rumoured to be offering her a bumper offer too, will Amy be swayed to the ice rink rather than the dance floor?
Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

My Games Maker experience

For the past few weeks, the jourknow has been contributing to what can only be described as the greatest Sporting event in the world. The Olympic Games in London have thrilled the nation since they began, with Team GB arguably putting in the best performance we’re unlikely to see at an Olympic Games again. We’ve embraced the drama, the excitement and at times, the frustration of all the Olympics brings to the host nation, and what a ride it has been since the Opening Ceremony marked the beginning of the sporting action.

But for all the fans and spectators playing their part in the Olympics, there was one group of people who went the extra mile to ensuring the Games ran smoothly, efficiently and more importantly, memorably. The thousands of Games Makers, made up of volunteers of all ages, have in some cases been more talked about then the athletes themselves. Their determination, skill and smiley faces have welcomed millions of spectators into all the sporting venues, and have been the foundations for the success of London 2012.

I was one of the many Games Makers who helped shape these Games, and what a memorable experience it was. Up at the crack of dawn for eight shifts in total, I hopped on the train to Earls Court to assist the security team at the venue, which was home to the Volleyball. My role was simple but important; ensure spectators are ready for security by following strict security controls put in place by LOCOG, thus enabling the security procedures to run coherently.

It might sound simple, but it’s a daunting task when you’re serving 300 spectators per security lane per hour. With spectators arriving from all four corners of the globe, the language barrier was often a problem, but despite a few grumpy spectators, (the American’s and Korean’s were the grumpiest), it went off without a hitch. I was delighted at how fantastic the atmosphere was. The crowds were really cheerful, despite the odd shower or queue. I was overcome with emotion when thanked by many of the home crowd, and it was certainly refreshing to see so many people come together and get on. In fact, you could have almost forgotten about the animosity between countries, because here, everyone was happy.

And it wasn’t just the crowd that I enjoyed working with, the security team were great too. The other volunteers I worked with were fantastic, all really friendly and kind. I made so many friends from my time at Earls Court and felt sad to be leaving my team after my last shift. It was great to work with people that shared the same passion as you - to make the Games memorable for everyone - but who had all come from different paths of life.

The army were fantastic to work with too. Saving the day at the last minute from the dreadful G4S drama, the army ensured that security was tight from start to finish. I respect these guys so much, living in squalid conditions, waking up at the crack of dawn with many working through what was their holiday time, yet still managing to smile and guard the venues. They were funny, and the laughs kept on coming. The nicest guys I’ve ever worked with and I really hope the reputation of the Armed Forces in this country improves because of their role in the Olympics.

My Games Maker experience ended before it had barely begun. Every session I worked at was special. The smiley spectators, the friendly staff, the warm (but generally bland) meals, the volleyball games we managed to sneak in to, the great gifts we were given as a token of thanks; all of it contributed to a fantastic few weeks of magic and excitement. For me, it’s an experience I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to relive it with my grandchildren some day.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Men's Fashion: Gold, the new black?!

It seems that the success of our Olympians has spurned a surge in popularity with the colour gold here in Britain. From gold medals to gold post boxes, gold stamps to ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet re-entering the charts, our love of gold doesn’t just stop at the pawnbrokers. Yes, it’s time to step out with colour as we toast to Team GB’s success, and here are a few wardrobe essentials that will guarantee you a gold medal in the fashion stakes.

Gold (Gold) Yellow Zip Up Aztec Hoodie | 248915793 | New LookGolden Brown Skinny Chinos


                                         Navy & Gold combo - River Island
Golden Brown Chinos - Topman                                            Gold hoody with Aztec print - New Look

 

Blue (Blue) Blue Gold Medal T-Shirt | 252539040 | New Look                                             Libertine Libertine Yellow Crew Neck Sweater



                                           Golden-yellow jumper - Urban Outfitters
Golden-inspired jumper - H&M                                                           Gold medal tee - New Look


LTD Gold Bracelet Watch*        Gold Slab Notebook          

                                             Gold notebook - Urban Outfitters
Gold watch - Topman                                                             Gold wristbands - River Island

Read more fashion posts by the jourknow below:

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Review of the Week: Soho

This weeks Review for the Week is asking you to get out of the house and experience culture, fine food and the bright lights of London town. In particular, the jazzy, tourist London landmark of Soho.


Having never ventured to London’s ‘red-light district’, I was bursting at the seams to go and experience what all the fuss was about. I’d heard many a wild rumour regarding a night out at Soho, so meeting with friends for a meal and a few drinks sounded like the perfect way to tickle my taste buds with the sights and sounds of what Soho has to offer.

The best way to start your evening in Soho is to get there early for a meal in one of the many restaurants. From London’s very own Chinatown to gorgeous bistro’s and American themed diners, the area offers a variety to wet the appetite for any tourist. I met friends at the cheap but cheerful Bistro 1, which had a nice cosy feel about it. The food, £10.99 for two courses, was a fantastic price for Soho, but be warned, the quality matches the price.

After drinks, book into a showing at one of the various theatre’s in the district. Current shows include Singing in the Rain at the Palace Theatre or Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre. If you’ve never experienced a West End show, then what better way to kick off a fantastic evening then catch one of these award-winning performances.

After the show, you’ll find Soho teaming with people as the atmosphere intensifies as you near midnight. This is the perfect opportunity to socialise with your friends, work colleagues or indeed the locals at one of the many bars or pubs lining Soho. Grab a cocktail, pint or glass of wine and sit and admire the world go by. I’d recommend the Pornstar cocktail, available from various bars, which comes with its own shot of Champagne. Look for the places with the cheaper prices, although you’ll find many of the bars offering deals on selected drinks.

To round off the night, you have to visit one of the swanky clubs Soho has to offer. From jazz and blues at Ronnie Scott’s to cheesy pop at G.A.Y, the atmosphere is intense as revellers flock to the dance floor. Here you’ll also find the odd celebrity performing, and there’s often many ticket promoters outside offering discounts to get in. Get there early if you wish to avoid the queues.

Of course, Soho like much of the city never sleeps and during the day you’ll find plenty of cafĂ©’s, record shops and the odd sex shop catering for your individual needs. Just make sure you bring plenty of money to really enjoy the day.

Even if you go in the day, Soho still has lots to offer. From it’s religious backgrounds to it’s mark as the ‘Gay centre’ for Londoners, it’s certainly the place to go for a day or night out in the capital city.

5/5 stars

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

First Gold for Great Britain!

Good news for Team GB and the country today as we finally claimed our first Gold medal of the Olympics.

With the home support feeling a little “down” from our lack of medals so far, it couldn’t have come at a better time for Team GB to win their first Gold.



And what a superb victory it was for rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning in the women’s pair, who become the first female rowers in Britain to win an Olympic title.

With the crowds cheering and the whole country celebrating the first Gold of the London 2012 games for Team GB, it now brings our medal total to six. Our first medal went to Lizzie in the Women’s road race, with another silver going to the Equestrian eventing team. Bronze medals have also been awarded to the Men’s eight rowing  team, Rebecca Adlington in the 400M and the fantastic Men’s artistic gymnastics team, who were controversially downgraded from silver in a thrilling, history-making day of gymnastics.

Catch all the latest on the BBC Olympics page and the London 2012 website.

Keep going Team GB!!!

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia