2010

Well that was 2010. What a year. It’s been really enjoyable but I’ve got three more things to ask you before we consign this year to the record books.  The first is what is the most memorable event in 2010. As someone from Cumbria, we will never forget the shooting in Whitehaven from Derrick Bird in June but there’s also been stories on a global scale. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the earthquake in Haiti. Maybe something closer to home like the election of a new Government or something more light hearted like the World Cup, the story of Paul the physic Octopus or the rescue of the Chilean miners. Vote below for you choice.

The second item is because I’m a sports fanatic. Therefore I want to know what your favourite sports event of the year was. Was it the Isner v Mahut marathon match at Wimbledon, was it the World Cup 2010, the F1 season or something else. Let me know.

The final question is the best British song of 2010. With the Brits coming up soon I want to know who you think released the best British song of 2010. Was it Plan B, Scouting for Girls, Take That or another act. Vote below.

Hope you’ve had an amazing 2010. It’s been great and I’ve enjoyed writing for you even if it has been bitty and not really had much focus or regularity to it. Enjoy your New Year, seize the opportunity and good luck. Enjoy it. Thank you for reading this blog. Speak to you next year. 2011 here we come.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business.

Premier League: Matchday 10

Another weekend and another premier league matchday. This week it’s matchday 10. Below are Mark Lawrenson’s predictions and his special guest, newly returned Take That star Robbie Williams.

This week’s predictions	Score	Lawro	Robbie Williams
Arsenal v West Ham	X-X	2-0	3-1
Blackburn v Chelsea	X-X	0-2	0-1
Everton v Stoke	X-X	2-1	2-1
Fulham v Wigan	X-X	2-0	2-0
Wolves v Man City	X-X	0-2	1-2
Man Utd v Tottenham	X-X	2-1	2-2
Aston Villa v Birmingham	X-X	1-1	1-0
Newcastle v Sunderland	X-X	1-0	1-1
Bolton v Liverpool	X-X	1-2	2-1
Blackpool v West Brom	X-X	2-1	0-0

By my reckoning, the big game this week is Newcastle v Sunderland, the North East derby, where loads of pride is at stake. Vote below in our poll for outcome of the match.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

 

Busy Times

I seem to have not written for weeks, basically because I haven’t. Things have been busy so it’s been difficult to spare a moment, however I’m now here. Thanks for any comments people have been leaving as it really means a lot. This week I’ll treat to two polls. The first is to do with a premier league game this weekend and the second is with the spending cuts that are soon to be publish by the Government.

This weekends big game in the premier league has to be the Merseyside derby, between Everton and Liverpool. Both have had poor starts to the season and both will be looking to put that right. Vote in our poll of what you think the outcome of this important game will be.

Meanwhile, the spending cuts are at the top of everyone’s list of things to either support or complain about. Personally I’m a supporter of the spending cuts as the country needs to get rid of it’s debt as soon as possibly. However, David Cameron and the coalition Government need to be wary to not upset the majority of people and need to avoid significant job losses. Anyway I’d like to know what you think by voting in our poll below.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

I’m Back

Sorry for being away. I’ve been busy, meaning I’ve missed two whole weeks of football, catering equipment and whatever random stuff seems to happy in the world.

This week the Pope visited Britain and we all learned his favourite drink is Fanta Orange. It’s my favourite too. This got me thinking and so to celebrate my return I thought we’d have a catering related poll of what is your favourite drink. There’s many options below and if you prefer something else to what’s on the list then feel free to suggest.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

August 2010 Round-Up

Fine diners are drinking wines at plonk prices as a bring-your-own (BYO) booze trend gathers pace in top restaurants in London and across the country.

Hit by a drop in takings in the recession, a group of eateries – including a few with Michelin status – are letting diners bring their own favourite wine for now extra charge or a modest corkage fee instead of paying often huge mark-ups on the house list.

Resturants such as Aubergine, Abutus, Club Gascon and Boisdale, £50-a-head restaurants (without wine) which are a far cry from the cheap curry houses associated with the practice.

Jamie Oliver plans to spend millions of pounds of his own money in the next 10 years to improve food education and meals in UK primary schools.

Schools will be able to bid for “literally hundreds of thousands of pounds” to take measures including building gardens and kitchens.

He said he wanted to “touch 1,000″ of the UK’s 20,000-plus primary schools.

Although plans were at an early stage, he hoped the scheme would provide a model for government policy.

Jamie’s was speaking after it was reported that he was in 22nd place on the Times Giving List, which estimates he has given £2.7m to charity.

His 15 restaurants support a charitable foundation which funds chef apprenticeships for disadvantaged young people.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

Preview: England v Bulgaria

England return to competitive action for the first time since the World Cup with a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday.

When the Three Lions set out on their quest to reach South Africa two years ago they had a point to prove after missing out on the previous European Championship, although the arrival of Fabio Capello at least brought with it fresh hope.

England responded in magnificent style with a near-faultless qualification campaign and will now be hoping to replicate that success and book their place in Poland and Ukraine.

But the sound of criticism is ringing in the ears of Capello and his men after a dismal World Cup, when a series of unconvincing performances in the group stage was followed by the humiliation of a 4-1 defeat to fierce rivals Germany.

The infamous ‘goal that wasn’t’ from Frank Lampard could not mask England’s shortcomings and the manager’s future came under intense scrutiny from not only the fans and media but also the Football Association.

Capello was eventually backed to continue in the role and, after having faith shown in him by his employers, the Italian has extended the same generosity to many of the players that toiled over the summer.

Despite pledging to look to the future and introducing a number of young players into his squad for the narrow friendly victory over Hungary last month, the team that lines up against Bulgaria is likely to have a very familiar look to it.

Chelsea duo Frank Lampard (groin) and John Terry (hamstring) may have been ruled out but apart from two enforced changes, the outfield players may be the same that were so outclassed by Germany.

Phil Jagielka is expected to slot into defence alongside Glen Johnson, Ashley Coleand Matthew Upson after shaking off an ankle problem.

Lampard’s injury creates space for in-form Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, with James Milner switching from the right in a midfield also containing Gareth Barry and captain Steven Gerrard.

Capello admitted on the eve of the match that he knew 10 members of the starting XI but Jermain Defoe is expected to get the nod up front to partner Wayne Rooney, who has not scored an international goal for 12 months.

Joe Hart was the third-choice goalkeeper during the World Cup but has been promoted to No.1, partly due to Robert Green’s mistake against USA and David James’ age but also because he has started the season in splendid form for Manchester City.

Don’t forget you can vote for who you’ll think will win in our poll below and don’t forget to watch England v Bulgaria live on ITV1 from 7.30pm tonight (Friday).

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

Sorry

I’d like to start with an apology. I started the premier league prediction service two weeks ago and promised to keep it running every week. Sadly last week I wasn’t here to do it, so those of you who expected it to come up, I’m sorry and I’ll try to remember next week.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems, choose Harmony Business

Reminder: Celebrity Masterchef 2010

Tonight is the final episode of this years Celebrity Masterchef on BBC1 at 9pm. Christine Hamilton, Dick Strawbridge and Lisa Faulkner will continue to battle it out and one will tonight be crowned the winner.

You’ll be able to see the winner on Something For The Weekend on BBC2, Sunday, 10am with Tim Lovejoy, Simon Rimmer and Louise Redknapp. Who is it going to be. Don’t forget to watch tonight and vote in our poll.

For more information on catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems visit our website.

Who will win the Premier League 2010/11?

Premier League: Matchday 2

I know it really has nothing to do with catering equipment but I love it anyway. With the premier league season just one week old, teams are still finding their feet. This weekends matches are as follows with football pundit Mark Lawrenson’s predictions in brackets:

Saturday, 21 August 2010
Arsenal v Blackpool 15:00 (3-0)
Birmingham v Blackbun 15:00 (2-1)
Everton v Wolves 15:00 (2-0)
Stoke v Tottenham 15:00 (1-1)
West Brom v Sunderland 15:00 (1-1)
West Ham v Bolton 15:00 (2-0)
Wigan v Chelsea 17:15 (0-2)

Sunday, 22 August 2010
Newcastle v Aston Villa 13:30 (2-1)
Fulham v Man Utd 16:00 (0-2)

Monday, 23 August 2010
Man City v Liverpool 20:00 (1-1)

Each week (if I remember) I will have a vote on this weekends big game called, “Who will win?” and all season long the same can be predicted in the title race.

Remember for catering equipment, laundry equipment and EPoS systems visit our website.