FESTIVE EXPERIENCES AT A STATELY HOME

Being treated like the Lord of the Manor with a team of servicing staff at hand may just be a dream for most but a Midlands stately home is making it a reality as it unwraps its stately festive experiences.

The former home to the Earls of Bradford, Weston Park, is providing the complete distinguished experience with fine dining, classical music and opulent accommodation as an alternative to pre-Christmas breaks and parties.

Traditionally only available on a private hire basis, Weston Park on the Staffordshire / Shropshire border is extending its welcome with a limited number of Christmas dining events.

The Weston by Candlelight, three-course fare and the Traditional Christmas Dining, four-course dinner are prepared by an award winning chef and served in the historic Dining Room surrounded by originals art works by Van Dyck and Lely.

The house butler and his brigade tend to the guests’ every need with overnight accommodation in the traditional 17th century bedrooms with the chance to explore the Capability Brown Parkland the following morning, enhancing the stately experience.

The Weston by Candlelight experience costs £65 per person and the Traditional Christmas Dining evening costs £75 per person. Accommodation prices start at £160 per room.

For further information on Weston Park’s Christmas availability and costs visit www.weston-park.com or call 019052 852 100.

For further information please contact Sue Foster at Connect PR on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

AMTICO INTERNATIONAL GETS TO GRIPS WITH VINYL FLOORING

Amtico International has introduced its latest design-led flooring innovation offering commercial applications an enhanced slip resistance performance.

The Amtico Assura range, which meets global R10 safety standard, features a modified wear layer containing engineered ceramic particles that achieve a slip resistance value (SRV) of >361.

The improved slip resistance of Amtico Assura over standard luxury vinyl tile flooring is particularly suited to the hospitality, healthcare, retail and office environments which may experience liquid spillages but do not require heavy duty safety flooring.

The range combines 26 of Amtico’s best selling products from its Wood, Stone and Abstract collection allowing designers and specifiers the opportunity to create traditional, contemporary and inspiring floor designs.

Speaking of this latest product development Sian Lewis, UK marketing manager at Amtico International, said: “This exciting development is in response to customer demand and was driven by safety legislation.

“The range combines the aesthetic designs Amtico is famous for with the latest in technical performance including a 15 year commercial warranty against wear out for added peace of mind.”

For further information, please contact Sue Foster or Lizzie Furnell on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com / lizzie@connect-group.com.

Notes
The SRV of >36 was achieved when tested in wet conditions with a ‘pendulum’ according to the Guidelines in the UK Slip Resistance Group.

AMTICO REPLICATES A TRADITIONAL FINISH

When the University of Greenwich required a robust floor, in keeping with the period style of some of its buildings, it turned to Amtico International for an authentic wood finish.

The university campus at Avery Hill, located in a 86-acre park in Eltham, combines the style and grace of a listed Victorian mansion with the best of modern teaching, living and sporting facilities.

Amtico’s English Oak was selected for the refurbishment of the student common room area. The 120-metre square project saw the removal of carpet for a more durable and hard wearing floor that reduced maintenance costs and echoed the era of the 19th century building.

The Amtico floor was laid in a Herringbone Pleat format complementing the building’s existing interior wood paneling.

Enhancing the students’ environment with a more durable covering was an essential requirement in the floor refurbishment project as the University’s Head of Campus Services, Lee Devlin, explained:

“We required a floor that could withstand the high volume of traffic that the common room receives.”

“As the area houses refreshment facilities, the carpet had become completely impractical. Cleaning was an issue as the marks and stains were becoming increasing difficult to remove.”

“When we came across Amtico, we saw that the range was very flexible and could comfortably cater for all our needs. Cleaning has been reduced and the flooring looks as good as the day it was installed.”

Sian Lewis, UK Marketing Manager at Amtico International, said: “Our comprehensive range can be installed in a range of configurations from a standard block formation through to a more complex pattern. We have 18 different design formats in addition to a custom design service where we work with the customer to create a bespoke design reflecting their business environment and needs.”

For further information, please contact Sue Foster on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

REVOLUTIONARY UPONOR INVENTION IS FINGER CLICKING GOOD

Installing Uponor plumbing and heating systems has been made immeasurably easier for tradesmen, after a revolutionary online troubleshooting tool was invented by the brand.

For the first time, hundreds of answers to commonly asked questions are given for plumbers and installers to access direct from their smart phone, palm devises or internet enabled mobile phones.

It means that the days of thumbing through manuals or calling Uponor’s technical support team should be a thing of the past.

The website, www.uponoruk.mobi, can be accessed from most modern mobile phones and offers real time solutions for a number of queries, with over 72 pages of expertise documented on one site and increasing day by day.

Uponor’s technical support engineer John Ashford created the site from scratch and believes it will make installing Uponor underfloor heating and plumbing systems even more straightforward and trouble-free.

John said: “We have created a destination to store all of Uponor’s technical information, which is available at the tip of your finger.

“With Uponor’s technical information accessible to everyone through this application, we will alleviate the inconvenience for tradesmen of having to make phone calls for what are usually straightforward queries.

“Using yesterday’s experience with today’s technology, we will take Uponor into tomorrow’s world with this technology, which is an industry first.”

John said that the website would continue to evolve as more tradesmen used it and would offer bespoke tips and guidance as feedback is received.

“This concept is limitless and will evolve into however far the imagination takes it. There are illustrations and step-by-step guides and we feel that it will literally help all of us.”

For more information about Uponor’s new internet problem solving site, click on www.uponoruk.mobi

ENDS

Uponor is a leading supplier of plumbing and indoor climate systems for the residential and commercial building markets across Europe and North America and a market leader in municipal infrastructure pipe systems in the Nordic countries. Uponor's key applications include heating and cooling solutions and tap water systems. The Group employs ca 3,300 persons in 30 countries. In 2009, Uponor's net sales totalled 730 million euros. Uponor Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd., Finland. http://www.uponor.com

ROBINSONS VAN CENTRE GETS DISABLED DRIVERS ON THE ROAD

A Norwich van centre is helping more disabled people get into the driving seat after introducing its Motability service.

Robinsons Van Centre now has two dedicated two Motability experts in response to customer feedback and has undergone a series of inspections to achieve the Motability Scheme accreditation.

Motability customers can feel confident that an expert is always on hand to provide advice on who is eligible for the scheme and how to apply, as well as details on the full range of Volkswagen commercial vehicles available.

The Mobility scheme – run by not-for-profit organisation Motability – enables disabled people to use the government mobility allowance to buy a new vehicle at an affordable price, as well as have any necessary adaptations made.

David Marjoram, sales manager at the Robinsons van Center, strongly believes in providing a comprehensive service for his customers. He said: “We are continually looking at ways in which to improve our services for our customers.

“The Caravelle and Caddy Maxi Life provide the additional space, comfort and the practicability for conversions, making them suitable for motability customers.

“We hope our increased expertise will make it as easy as possible for people who are entitled to the allowance to make use of the Motability scheme.”

Anyone receiving the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement is eligible for the scheme.

For more information contact Sue Foster on 01902 714 957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

SPONSORSHIP BOOST FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM

A Ipswich under 16s football team has kicked off the season in a brand new kit thanks to Wolsey Van Centre.

The Achilles under 16s team competes in the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth Football League and has secured the corporate sponsorship for a second season.

Wolsey Van Centre on Sproughton Road has provided the15-strong squad with its entire kit including shirts, shorts and socks.

Speaking of the new kits, team manager, Glenn Morgan said: “We are very grateful to Wolsey for their continual support.

“The new kit certainty helps to the make the team look and feel very professional.”

Wolsey Van Centre, head of business, David Nichols added: “The local community is very important to us and we will continue to show our support where we can.

“We would like to wish the team the very best of luck for the season.”

For more information contact Sue Foster on 01902 714 957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

New Chair for West Midlands Resolution

Philip Barnsley, a leading family solicitor in the region has been elected as the new chairman of the West Midlands group of Resolution, the body which promotes a non-confrontational and constructive approach to resolving family disputes.

Philip, from Higgs & Sons in Brierley Hill has been qualified as a family lawyer for 11 years and has been actively involved with Resolution, which represents almost 250 family lawyers in the West Midlands, since 2008.

“Resolution plays a central role both locally and nationally in promoting the benefits of taking a positive approach to resolving family disputes, as well as campaigning for improvements to family law,” said Philip.

“I’m honoured to have been chosen by other family lawyers in the West Midlands to chair the regional group and look forward to working with members in the region to promote Resolution’s distinctive and valuable approach to family breakdown.”

Philip was recently commended in the Chambers & Partners Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2011 as a leading individual and was praised for his ability to communicate effectively with his clients.

Philip takes over as chairman from Birmingham-based Zahra Pabani, who was chair of the West Midlands region for five years. Zahra has stepped down in order to stand for election to the national committee of Resolution, which represents 5,500 lawyers nationally.

Zahra added: “I am delighted that Philip has been elected and feel that he, along with the strong regional committee, will take Resolution in the West Midlands from strength to strength. As one of the largest and most active regional committees in the UK, the West Midlands has an important role to play in developing the practice of family law.”