Wounded service man braves injuries to support Help for Heroes

Jonathon Le Galloudec has recently climbed to Everest base-camp to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes. This is despite having been shot in the spine during a tour of Basra and told that he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. His inspirational story will hopefully encourage others to follow his example.

Service men and women endure some tough conditions in their jobs. They have to be at the peak of their physical fitness, survive in hostile environments and remain calm under fire. It seems, however, that this courage is simply part of who they are. Hundreds of military personnel are sadly injured in the line of duty every year, but many of these go to remarkable efforts to recover and raise money for their wounded comrades.

                           

One such soldier is Jonathon Le Galloudec, who was ambushed and shot during a tour of Basra in 2007. The bullet struck his spine, partially paralysing him from the waist down, and his friend Corporal Rodney Wilson was killed. Although Jonathon was rescued and taken to a field hospital, his life was in tatters.

Despite being told by doctors he would never walk again, Jonathon took his first steps within months and has recently completed an incredible expedition. He climbed to Everest base-camp, over 5,000m above sea level.

The journey was a fundraising mission for charity Help for Heroes, which endeavours to support wounded service men and women in the UK. The charity has recently been involved in the development of Personnel Recovery Centres, working alongside other charities to provide facilities which will support service men and women with their injuries, both physical and mental, for life.

On his expedition, Jonathon was joined by his father and 26 other fundraisers. They achieved their objective through teamwork and grim determination; Jonathon often wrote of the pain he was in, but refused to give up. This was because he believed in what he was doing. As a wounded serviceman himself, he knows what it is like for those injured in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts. Jonathon may think that he was just “doing his bit”, but his exploits are truly inspirational.

If climbing Everest seems a little much for you, consider supporting Help for Heroes by buying an item from their shop! They have clothes, accessories and various other items for the kitchen and garden. All profits go straight to the charity and are the perfect way to show your support.

What are low tack protective tapes and why would you need them?

Low tack protection tape may seem a strange concept, but in reality it can be used for so many different purposes. Whether you are a business or personal customer, low tack tape can be invaluable.

Low tack tapes give the impression they are a bonding item. However, low tack tapes also imply a lack of adhesion. So why would you need a low tack protection tape? There are many reasons you could use a low tack tape around the home or in your business. So what exactly are they?

Normally made from polyethylene, protection tape of a low to medium tack means you can attach it without it leaving marks or residue. It is perfect for many scenarios such as protecting items you need to put into storage, or wrapping products you wish to ship or move. Low tack protective film will protect even the most sensitive surface, making it ideal for your expensive glass dining table or antique marble ornaments. You no longer have to worry about your sticky tape marking your furniture as the low tack protective film not only protects, but is designed to lengthen product life too.

Protective tapes and films are also used during construction and decoration, in both small domestic DIY tasks and larger commercial projects. Protect glass with tape when painting door, window or picture frames, protect floorings from paint spillages with waterproof carpet tape, or protect surfaces from scratches and dents from construction debris or tools with surface protection films.

Businesses use protective film in the manufacturing process of certain products, and they will also use it to ensure safe shipping to customers as it can be used on a variety of materials such as glass, painted metals and plastic sheets. Protective tapes are a godsend for businesses because they mean top quality products can be shipped safely and securely.  This can save a lot of money in damages.

Protective tapes are readily available in shops and online. Check the thickness to make sure you are not purchasing something too thin. Most of the thinner tapes will tear, and may be harder to apply than the thicker tapes.  In general, protective tapes are very easy to apply and they will protect your products effectively.

For affordable, high quality protective tapes and films visit Flowstrip. They offer bespoke tapes for industries worldwide and have over 50 years of experience and technical knowledge to ensure they can deliver the exact tape you need.

Choosing an HDMI cable for your audio and video needs

The world of HDMI cables can be a minefield of jargon and technicality, but does it actually matter which one you buy? In most cases any good quality cable will fit the bill. It all depends what you need the cable to do.

HDMI cables are an essential purchase nowadays for people who love home entertainment, but there is a lot of debate over whether or not expensive cables are worth the money. While the answer is basically ‘no’, the situation is a lot more complex than some people would have you believe.

In essence, an HDMI cable allows you to transmit audio and video information between devices such as TVs, DVD players and games consoles. The signal is digital and it is this that has convinced many people that expensive cables aren’t worth it. A digital signal is a string of ones and zeroes, nothing more, nothing less. Whereas a more expensive analogue cable could give better quality images and sound, this is not the case with digital. Either the cable works, or it doesn’t.

Many of the people making these arguments, however, have forgotten that quality has other advantages. A higher quality cable might last longer, for example. Gold plated connections don’t corrode and can therefore improve reliability. In many cases, though, retailers are making huge profits on their cables when they are in fact no better than the competition. This is a particular problem when buying from brick and mortar stores; it is often better to shop online.

                      

There are other valid reasons a cable might warrant a higher price: it is important to compare like with like. Cables naturally become more expensive if they are longer, so it is important to buy the shortest possible length for your particular requirements. If you do need a particularly long cable, it may be useful to get one with a built-in signal booster. This is because the strength of a signal drops over greater lengths of cable due to resistance in the wire. Although a digital cable will either work or not, it may not work if the signal strength is too low. Some HDMI cables carry Ethernet as well as audio and video. If you need to connect internet enabled devices, this feature can be very useful.

There are also different versions of HDMI, the latest being v1.4. Each version of HDMI has been rated to support more features. Version 1.3 added support for Deep Colour, for example. As some companies simply re-submit the same cable to be rated for the new requirements when they are updated, however, this can be misleading. In some cases a cable that is rated for an older version will still work, but if you need Deep Colour support, it may be safer to go for a cable specifically designed for it.

Overall, the best solution is to buy a high quality, reasonably priced cable that does what you want it to do.

EuroNetwork are one of the UKs leading suppliers of cables, wall plates and travel converter plugs. They have a great range of realistically priced HDMI cables, with a range of lengths and options available. Whether you need an Ethernet enabled version or a simple audio/video connection, EuroNetwork have the cable for you!

Boardroom furniture and design

Your boardroom says a lot about you. When board members or clients arrive for the first time, this room, above all others, should make an impact. By definition, it is the very heart of a company, and as such, should have a design that speaks of success, wealth and style.

Architecture, colour and light

Established companies may not have much control over the architecture of the boardroom, but it is important that the physical structure of the room makes a statement in itself. As well as having lots of windows to give both a view and natural light, the ideal boardroom is not simply a bare white cube (unless this minimalist stance is the point). In old buildings, bare brick or stone can give the impression of permanence and history, while cornicing and ornate door frames convey opulence and grandeur.

The colour scheme will often depend on the size of the room and how many other visual features there are. Smaller rooms will need lighter, paler shades to help them look larger and rooms that have a lot of furniture and objects will need a similar ‘blank canvas’ look to provide a suitable backdrop. On the other hand, bold patches of colour can be a focal point in themselves, and it can be useful to create a ‘feature wall’ at one end of the room.

Boardroom furniture

More than any other element in a boardroom, the furniture creates a speedy and lasting impression. Not only is it one of the first things board members, colleagues and clients see as they enter, it has a direct impact while they are sitting around the table. As board meetings and conferences can be lengthy affairs, it is important that the furniture is comfortable and ergonomically designed. The quality of the furniture is a direct representation of the company, and as such should be of good quality in order to convey success.

Traditionally, a boardroom has one large central table around which chairs are placed, but this is not the only design. Circular and U-shaped table layouts allow as much, if not more, communication than the traditional large table layout. What size and footprint of table you choose will depend largely on the size and shape of the space, and the number of chairs that are needed.

In terms of materials, there are a wide range of boardroom and conference tables available, such as those here. These include designs with real wood veneers, giving a classic warmth and richness; the cool ‘transparency’ of glass, perhaps useful for legal firms; and metal touches such as copper and chrome. Chairs could be of elegant, comfortable leather, or bright, colourful upholstery.

Details

Too often, boardrooms are blank spaces that have furniture but little else of interest. This has the danger of making the space, and therefore your company, look bland and uninteresting. Having stylish conference tables and chairs will create the overall look, but details can add character and interest. They make your company look and feel unique, and the nature of the company should be used as inspiration when choosing these finishing touches. A design company could put bold, modern artwork on the walls, whereas the traditional professions might want a more classical look. It is possible to make free-standing or hanging lights a feature, or incorporate plants for a more natural feel. The aim here is balance – a boardroom needs to make an impact, but cannot be cluttered, distracting or disorganised.

Perfect Synergi are a leading supplier of sophisticated and stylish office furniture. They specialise in enhancing workplaces through practical, flexible designs which will ‘wow’ both your employees and your clients. Whether you need space saving solutions or an Italian leather chair, Perfect Synergi can help.

Prevent erosion and waterlogging with a ground reinforcement grid

Frequent or heavy pedestrian or vehicle access can cause ground to become damaged - sometimes beyond repair - creating an unattractive environment and all manner of access problems. Find out how ground reinforcement grids such as GeoGrid® prevent such damage and provide extra support.

For business owners or events managers, managing vehicle or pedestrian access should be a high priority. The compression caused by vehicle and pedestrian access can lead to waterlogged, muddy ground which can be difficult to restore, and perhaps impossible if the ground suffers such damage on a regular basis. Not only that, but the resulting poor drainage can lead to other areas becoming flooded or waterlogged, or cars and pedestrians having to take alternative routes which can be inconvenient and spread the damage.

The easiest way to protect ground from such damage, provide water dispersion and give a stronger, firmer surface is to invest in a cellular paver such as GeoGrid®; a form of ground reinforcement grid which supports your ground.

                          

GeoGrid® is made from connected geometric shapes of recycled polyethylene which is laid onto the ground and filled in with gravel or topsoil and grass. It provides an aesthetically pleasing way of providing ground reinforcement to reduce the harmful effect of pedestrians and vehicles, while encouraging water dispersion and providing a sustainable urban drainage system. The grids are available in a choice of colours, enabling you to match your ground reinforcement to the environment, and when filled in with grass the grids are virtually invisible.

If you are considering ground reinforcement for car park or access roads, you may be less concerned about the visibility of your ground reinforcement. You may opt instead to take advantage of GeoGrid®s optional marker block inserts, which can be used to mark disabled signs, routes or car parking spaces.

GeoGrid® has a unique patented design which is robust and can take huge loads. The cellular paver grid can withstand a 30 tonne axle or point load, and has optimum expansion and contraction so the plastic springs back to its original form after taking a weight. The interconnecting grids are quick and simple to install, staying securely in place and with a guarantee of up to 10 years field life.

This form of ground protection is durable yet lightweight, non-slip and weatherproof, and designed and made in the UK. Ground reinforcement grids can be installed for permanent or temporary use, making them ideal for a huge number of applications. Common uses of GeoGrid® include applications on slopes, embankments, car parks, access roads, infiltration basins and pedestrian pathways. So if you own a business or are planning an event, dont forget to protect your ground the easy way with GeoGrid® ground reinforcement.

Zigma Ground Solutions are world leaders in supplying ground protection, including ground reinforcement grids such as GeoGrid®. Cellular paving systems such as these enable you to provide a high quality surface which is strong, less prone to damage and offers more support for vehicle and pedestrian access.

Grount reinforcement grids byZigma Ground Solutions 

The Power of a Snooker Cue

Not everyone wants to use the standard snooker or pool cues that you often find at your local pub's pool table. Sometimes having a professional looking cue can show others that you are more serious about playing. And there are lots to choose from.

When it comes to playing a sport, the kind of equipment that you use can mean the difference between playing as a fun hobby or playing in the hopes of becoming somewhat more professional. Football is probably the classic example of this attitude. But this can also apply to sports that don't often get much attention, such as snooker. Most people have probably played snooker and/or pool at some point in their life, perhaps in their local pub or labour club. What one often finds in these types of establishments, however, is that the snooker cues can often be over used and not really up to the standards which someone who takes the sport more seriously may expect.

                                     

In this instance it may be a good idea to invest in a high quality snooker cue to suit your playing needs.  If you are looking to improve your own equipment then there are a multitude of places you can visit on the internet that can cater to your requirements. Whether you just want something that is of a greater quality, such as The Ronnie O'Sullivan Signature Series, you have specific needs in mind (maybe you need a 2-piece cue that you can dismantle for easier carrying) or if you just fancy having a cue something unique to you and want to design your own cue, then you can visit a specialist website for your snooker cue fix. And of course, no professional, top notch cue would be complete without its own stylish carry case to help you transport your equipment from game to game.

But don't think that purchasing a professional looking snooker or pool cue means that you have to be an expert player (or at least working towards it). Many cues are suited for the average - or even beginner - snooker player. Also don't forget that it's not just snooker cues that make the player. There are a variety of other accessories one can purchase. Whether it's a set of snooker balls, chalk cubes, your own scoreboard or even an entire snooker table, it's easier than ever these days to purchase all manner of equipment and accessories for your chosen sport. You can even purchase something for that snooker enthusiast in your life as a gift!

Cuepower are dedicated to bringing their customers the best in snooker and pool equipment and accessories. Browse a wide range of snooker and pool cues, suitable for all styles of playing and all abilities, on their specialist website here.

Online Shops for Audio and Video Cables

These days it can become very easy to get bogged down with what sort of equipment to use for your audio and video appliances. With a hole host of AV, HiFi, speaker cables etc available it can often be tricky knowing where to go for the right ones. But help is at hand!

When it comes to choosing cables for your audio and/or video essentials, it does appear that you are spoilt for choice. With so many different types of cables to choose from,you would be forgiven for feeling a little lost. If you are looking to hook up a speaker system in your home or even if you just need to replace a faulty or lost cable, then it is at least good to know that there are places that can be found online where you can get a little help towards the one you need.

                           

Whatever type of cable you're after - be it HDMI, SCART, USB, TV connector, speaker connections or a varying host of others - then you are sure to find the right cable for your video and audio needs. Many of these stockists supply only the most top quality products, so you at least know that whatever you need leads and cables for (for example: you may be about to set up a home cinema system) they will do the right job, for the right price and be reliable and dependable.

Even if you are a complete beginner, it shouldn't really matter as many of these specialists are more than happy to respond to any queries you may have in regards to your video or audio equipment. You may, as an example, be wondering if there is a way to connect your PC or laptop to your plasma TV, so you can watch home videos from your computer on your wide screen television. For this, you will probably need a VGA (Video Graphics Array) cable going from one system to another.

But it may not be as simple as that. Depending on how old your equipment is or what type it is will effect what kind of cable you will need. You may just need a basic VGA cable, or you may need to check how many PIN connections your device has. Or if you already know this, you may just want to upgrade to something more fancy like a gold plated SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) lead for a better quality image.

This may all sound hi-tech and complicated, but rest assured that just about any information about the kind of cable you require is available for a quick overview on suppliers websites. These sites are well designed for ease of convenience, pricing information as well as technical details for customers to browse. And even if you are still struggling, as previously mentioned, all it takes is a quick email to sort out your issue.

Nexxia are specialists when it comes to providing audio and video equipment to the UK. They are based in Cambridge and have been trading since 1999. They have grown significantly since then and are a member of the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses).

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