Home Blog Page 1009

8 Things They Don’t Tell You About Horse Racing

0

If you are a horse racing fan and you’re confident that you know the sport inside out, allow this article to maybe knock you off your high horse with some trivia about this game that you may never have heard.

Horse racing action, hooves, legs and tails
  1. Horse meat anyone?

Hackney race horses, unfortunately, don’t retire to some rural stable where they get to ruminate on the good old race days while watching the sun get down off its straddle. The darker truth, according to an animal right organisation in the UK, they get turned into doggy biscuits instead! That’s right; it’s the slaughterhouse for these (sadly) one-time reigning champs.

  1. To flog a dead horse

is fitting seeing as the horse might probably collapse on the finish line from getting jabbed in the side by the frenzied kicking off its jockey. In addition to this, despite regulations by various bodies, the RSPCA, for instance, has forbidden this kind of sportsmanship on track. Sadly, though, it is a competitive sport with high stakes riding on wins so many of these regulations are not properly enforced much to the horse’s chagrin.

  1. Get off that high horse

Apparently, horses do drugs, and we’re not talking hay here, but steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Like in all performance sports, pressure is great; riders tend to boost the steeds output by getting in a shot or two. This is done to relieve pain and of course win the game, but the unfairness of this is that it’s the poor horse that has to deal with the nasty side effects of these drugs and not the rider.

  1. Chariots of fire
A field of horses and jockeys during a race.

According to the popular nineties flick, no one died at the end of the race. But many racing fans have been treated to last gallops of steeds that reportedly died in the middle of a race or after. Crowds of major events, like the Grand National and the Cheltenham (see cheltenhamfestivaluk.com for more info) know this to be true. Unfortunately, this hasn’t dampened anyone’s spirit as recent bookings and ticket sales have never been better, again another loss for the stars of the show, the horses. Which brings us to our next factoid:

  1. Horses are expendable?!
Group of Australian women celebrating the Melbourne cup in the office.

Ignore that sentimental Sea Biscuit and black stallion stuff that they put on the screens, the ugly truth is that jocks don’t give that much of a cuss whether they lose their steed or not. A horse is just as good as its next win appears to be the mantra with these athletes. Jockey Ruby Walsh received flak for insensitive remarks made over the death of his racing partner Our Conor, and this was at Cheltenham. And that is straight out of the horse’s mouth mark you.

  1. Foal play

The old adage “get ‘em while they’re young” doesn’t apply to just Asian sweat shop workers anymore; horses are raced young too. The science here is that, due to the underdeveloped sinews and bones of the younger steeds, rough riding only wears them out more. So before they get to the age where peak performance is expected the animal is already too worn out to perform.

  1. Money matters

Bookies and race horse betting is just one of the highlights of this beautiful game, but findings show that this might be the only attraction to this ancient game. Many of the owners of race horses in many major events seem to value the winnings more than the true winners of these races and that is the horses themselves.

  1. Every horse’s nightmare

Every young jockey dreams of competing and with some luck winning a run at the prestigious Aintree of the Grand National. Apparently, this would be a neigh for the horses. Reputed as being one of the most dangerous tracks for Horses; reason here cited in the form of a hurdle called “Becker’s Brook” (chills), riders have tumbled to their deaths trying to jump their horse at this point of the race.

Reasonably, adjustments have been made to make it less dramatic, but it appears all the blood gore and mayhem of the gladiatorial games (in ancient days) is what causes the fans to line up and maybe hope to see a poor horse jock and all get wide-flung across the track and land in the dirt-grass track below.

Investing in horse racing shares allows enthusiasts to partake in the exhilarating world of thoroughbred racing while diversifying their investment portfolios.

Warning after new car sales reach an all time high for second year running

0

Annual new car sales have hit an all-time high for a second consecutive year – but are expected to fall in 2017, according to an industry trade association.

Around 2.7 million cars were registered in the UK last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

This is up by approximately 2.2% on 2015.

The Final figures will be published by the SMMT at 9am on Thursday.

The organisation’s chief executive, Mike Hawes, said growth was due to “very strong” consumer confidence, low interest finance packages and a raft of new models.

“People are obviously driven by new technologies,” he told reporters at a briefing in central London.

“Increasingly people do want to see connectivity. People are wedded to mobile phones. They expect equally to have that connectivity on the move.”

Mr Hawes predicted that registrations would decline by “between five or six per cent” in 2017, but said this was still “historically an incredibly high level” and insisted it would not represent “a collapse in the market”.

He said five consecutive years of increased sales has been fuelled by latent demand built up during the recession.

“We have to recognise that growth can’t be inexorable,” he said. “There is undoubtedly a levelling off.”

Over 85% of new cars bought in the UK are actually imported and their cost is “gradually going up” due to the reduction in the value of the pound, Mr Hawes explained.

Although manufacturers hedge against currency risk and absorb some of the additional costs, there have been price rises of “two or three per cent”, he added.

Mr Hawes expects 2017 car sales to be “lumpy”, adding that although the triggering of Article 50 for the UK to leave the EU would “probably not immediately” have an impact on purchasing patterns, he acknowledged that “we have not seen the full effects of Brexit”.

He went on: “The strength of the market does obviously depend on maintaining a good economy, maintaining the right trading conditions, which will obviously flow through to ensuring that the cost of vehicles remains as competitive as it currently is.

“We don’t want to see tariffs.

“The introduction of tariffs to imported cars could result in as much as a £1,500 increase per car.”

Jim Holder, editorial director of magazines Autocar and What Car?, described the 2016 figures as “very positive”, saying “the expected Brexit bump was mostly negated”.

He told the Press Association that some people within the automotive industry are warning that sales could drop by 10-15% this year, so manufacturers would be “very pleased” if the SMMT’s prediction of a five or six per cent drop off proved accurate.

He added: “When you’re at record levels and you bounce down, I think that’s reasonable.”

:: These are the UK’s new car registration figures for recent years:

2012: 2,044,609

2013: 2,264,737

2014: 2,476,435

2015: 2,633,503

2016: Approximately 2.7 million

The Future is Fintech

0

FinTech, being short for financial technology is experiencing substantial growth worldwide. With substantial investments developing each year, FinTech is becoming more and more prominent.

Image provided by FinTech Compliance

 

FUEL POVERTY IN THE UK – SCOTTISH CITIES ARE BADLY HIT BUT WALES HAS THE WORST GAP

0

Worst five cities for proportion in fuel poverty are all in Scotland

Wales has the highest fuel poverty gap at £557

Two new maps from MoneySuperMarket explore the fuel poverty gap and the wastage of energy across the UK

Parts of the UK are wasting as much as £115 on inefficient boilers, bulbs, and insulation, as well as by leaving household electronics on standby, according to new research by MoneySuperMarket.

Fuel poverty, where a household can’t afford adequate heating, is a major issue in the UK. With 10.8% of households classified as fuel poor, and an average fuel poverty gap – the amount needed per household to achieve the minimum standard – of £371, and temperatures dropping quickly, much of the UK may be at risk.

Cities such as Dudley have few concerns, being number 47 for energy wastage and 40th for the poverty gap. But Glasgow and Edinburgh are clearly suffering for their inefficiencies, making it into the top ten for both maps. High wastage potential and a wide gap mean they have the most to benefit from improving their energy efficiency and potentially switching energy provider.

Fuel Poverty
The gap in fuel poverty varies drastically across the country, reaching as much as £557 in areas of Wales and as little as £256 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Even more pronounced is the difference in proportion of residents considered fuel poor. The five worst afflicted cities are as follows:

Dundee – 28% of Dundee residents are considered fuel poor: they’re also 5th for energy waste, with a potential household wastage of £115.
Glasgow – 26% are below the requirements for paying for their heating.
Edinburgh – a quarter of residents of the Scottish capital are likely to be cold this winter.
Aberdeen – the coastal city is likely to suffer even more from the sea winds and being the northernmost city on the list, as well as 24% of residents being fuel poor.
Falkirk – the least proportion of fuel poor residents among the Scottish cities, but still 22% of the population are living in fuel poverty.

The most striking feature of the top five is that all of the cities are Scottish; those with the least problem tend to be those closer to the south of England. But Scotland’s average fuel gap is £437 – still less than several cities in the South West of England, including Bristol and Plymouth.

Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “It is upsetting to think of so many households in fuel poverty where some of the most significant ways of helping this are not being taken advantage of.

“Many of these households will still be on the most expensive tariffs and could save hundreds of pounds a year by switching, even to a tariff from the same supplier. For those most struggling, many suppliers have schemes and initiatives to help.

“So the advice has to be to do a comparison and switch to a cheaper tariff (get someone to help you if you are unsure what to do) and always keep in touch with your supplier on ways they can help you”

These high energy costs severely affect the quality of life for many people. To see how energy waste has an impact on fuel poverty, and get an insight into how you might be able to save on your energy bills, have a look at the maps here.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/hubs/gas-and-electricity/fuel-poverty-impact/


Image source: MoneySuperMarket

Brits Parting With £300m A Year In Unused Gift Card And Voucher Credit

0

Brits are parting with a massive £300 MILLION a year in unused gift card and voucher credit, new research has found.

A shocking 47% of Brits admit to have been on the receiving end of unwanted gift credit this Christmas, the majority of which often lays dormant and unused.

The vast majority of unwanted items received at Christmas, on the other hand, will be re-sold (23%) or re-gifted (33%).

This week, former EastEnders star Rita Simons swapped her market stall in Albert Square to launch a pop-up shop in Westfield, Stratford, which allows members of the public to exchange their unwanted gift cards for cash or donate the value to The Children’s Trust, a leading charity for children suffering from brain injury.

The gift card swap shop comes at the perfect time of year as the second week of January has been found to be the most popular week for returning unwanted items.

Rita Simons, who exited the popular BBC soap in an explosive storyline over New Year, opened the swap shop as eager shoppers got ready to exchange their unwanted gift cards.

Rita said: “I have a shrewd eye for a bargain –so receiving cash for a gift voucher which might go to waste is a win-win and even better if it can be donated to a good cause.

“It was heartening to see so many generous people kicking off 2017 with a good deed in aid of The Children’s Trust.”

Zeek CEO, Daniel Zelkind, added: “Every year millions of people receive unwanted gift cards that expire before they can be used or just end up in the bin.

The long haul destinations worth visiting in 2017

0

If you fancy an adventure this year, it might be worth thinking outside the box. If the idea of a long haul flight puts you off, consider the following. Far-flung destinations may be some distance by plane, but when you get there, it is often cheaper, there are fewer crowds and you’re guaranteed to experience something that you’ve never seen before.

Looking for inspiration, we spoke to Travelbag’s resident holiday expert, Paul Hopkinson to find out where in the world we should be looking to explore in 2017.

Singapore

If you thought Singapore was just a stopover to get to Australasia, think again. This country has a wealth of sights just waiting to be experienced. Singapore is where East meets West, as suited office workers rush by ancient, smoky temples on their way to work in the city.

The island of Singapore is a mixture of influences from neighbouring countries. Travel one way and you’re in little Hong Kong, head in another direction and you’re awash with Indian culture. Other areas of the island quickly surround you with Thai flavours and Chinese street scenes.

So, Singapore is like several holidays in one. The food is exceptional, the technology astounding and the rich culture and heritage spellbinding.

Cape Town

The Mother City has been a place of major historical importance for centuries. Now it’s famous for its food, outdoor activities and world famous art and design – all the while the magnificent Table Top Mountain looms over.

It is a town that beats the drum for life, and with its harmonious blend of beliefs, creeds, religions and culture, it is a city worth joining in with and celebrating.

Taiwan

Taiwan is a hundred worlds on one island. The Taiwanese have created a democratic and very liberal society – free press, gender equality and a focus on human rights has spread across the island which, with its dramatic landscape and tropical climes, is frankly jaw dropping.

And don’t forget the food. As the main greeting in Taiwanese translates as “Have you eaten?” it’s good to arrive with an empty belly. Steamed dumplings, shrimp rolls and oyster vermicelli can all be washed down with aromatic teas and local artisan beer – at any time of day. Taiwan is a welcome assault on every sense.

Sydney

Sydney is a place that doesn’t do things by halves. Prepare yourself for a city that, on the surface, is glitzy, in your face and brash. Dig deeper and you find a town where the best brains have gathered to create a place where food innovations are revered, art is exalted, and indulgent experiences like helicopter wine tours Sydney are known for reflect the city’s flair for the extraordinary, Aussie-style.

And when you need a rest from the never-ending party, you’re never too far from a beach, so grab a book and relax.

 Buenos Aires

When people visit South America, it is always Argentina that makes a lasting impression on them. Buenos Aires, in particular, is a place worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime.

This city mixes old Europe with fierce Latin passion. Whether its football, food or politics, Buenos Aireans are firm lovers of lively discussion – whether you agree with them or not.

Together with the colourful murals and faded architecture, the dancing, music and song of Buenos Aires never fail to draw people into what is a unique and seductive city.

The Shopping Crazed Nation? 35% of Brits find it hard to resist spending their whole wage each month

0

Waste not, Want not? The British consumer society waste an average of £180 a year on binned food, and that’s not all…

The data reveals:

  • The average weekly shop is £66 with Brits wasting 5% of that
  • The yearly cost of wasted food from a weekly shop is £180
  • Are women’s wardrobes full of old clothes begging to be sold? The average brit has three dresses which they never use sat in their very own wardrobe
  • 12% of Brits are paying for subscriptions monthly without even using or knowing about it!
  • From those that have been paying a monthly subscription without knowing or using the product, it took an average of 4 ½ months for them to stop the direct debit
  • 42% of Brits admit that they need to save more
  • 18% of Brits are not sure about their monthly outgoings!
  • 16% of Brits admit that money has left their accounts without them knowing about it
  • 20% of Brits have purchased an item in the last month which they now regret
  • The average Brit spends £20 a month on takeaways and £40 on going out!

As a consumer society, we spend more than we need but do you really know how much money you pour down the drain? Do you regularly use that gym pass? Do you watch these 54 extra TV channels? How long has it been since you’ve worn these shirts?

The nationwide research carried out by Provident on around 2000 UK adults reveals how much the average Brit spends on food, water, unused satellite TV, among others. It also raises the question about how much British could be saving by simply being more careful when grocery shopping or by checking their account for any unusual debits.

Tackling the food industry, it is worth noting Brits spend on average £66 on their weekly shop, of which 5% will go to the bin, mainly because products have expired before they could actually be used. What’s more, despite the younger generations not earning executive wages and not being able to save considerably, they are the most likely to throw away food – almost 10%! Whereas the older generations have an average of 3.8%.

Retail-therapy has been proven right but one can ask if this is the ultimate solution when the research shows that women have at least three dresses which they never use sat in their very own wardrobe, along with two trousers, three t-shirts, two jumpers and four pairs of shoes!

Monthly subscriptions are a hard blow on one’s account and it needs a bit of an assessment to determine how indispensable delivery services, group memberships, cable and music streaming direct debits are. For those that have been paying a monthly subscription without knowing or using the product, it took an average of 4 ½ months for them to stop the direct debit

It is not even the end of the month and it already feels like the money on your account has dried down? You might be among the 16% of Brits for whom money has legitimately left their account without them knowing about it. Again, this may be because almost one in five does not know or is not sure about their monthly outgoings.

As the saying goes “if you find the cause, you find the cure”, Provident has created the following tool to find out how much you waste per year: https://www.providentpersonalcredit.com/waste-not-want-not/

Put in the details of your weekly routine to find out how much money you throw away each year without knowing it, and learn how you can turn things around!

The Annual Cost of Horse Ownership and Four Alternatives to Buying

0

For beginners and experienced riders alike, horse ownership can be an inspirational and exciting prospect that tops annual wish lists. But, the reality of this particular dream is that owning a horse is a huge financial responsibility that acts as a barrier to most horse lovers.

According to Equine World UK, the average cost of field access and stabling, bedding, vet and farrier fees, insurance and feeds can amount to anything between £3,000 and £10,000+ per year, and that’s without factoring in additional costs for transportation, tack and kit or unforeseen extras.

Fortunately, although the cost of ownership can be prohibitive there are some alternatives to buying:

Riding Holidays

If riding is your real love then an annual equestrian holiday, or indeed a series of them, could satisfy your desire to ride horses or ponies in a variety of locations worldwide and at a much lower cost per annum than ownership.

The advantage of riding holidays is that they give you opportunities to ride horses of different breeds, temperaments and abilities across a variety of terrains. You could drive cattle across the States, climb mountain trails to Machu Picchu in Peru or take a tour of some Spanish vineyards.

Search online for travel companies that specialise in equestrian holidays and explore some of the options available.

Volunteering

This is especially suited to young, aspiring owners as it gives them the opportunity to learn about everything that horse ownership entails and develop valuable equestrian skills and strong animal welfare and work ethics.

Most liveries appreciate an extra pair of hands and may offer riding lessons or a chance to observe grooms and vets at work as a reward for anyone who gives up their time for free.

Contact The Pony Club or your local farms, equine shelters and liveries to see if they have any volunteering opportunities available.

Leasing and Shared Ownership

Some owners, who are already well aware of the time and money it takes to care properly for a horse or pony, will advertise their animal for lease or shared ownership.

This kind of arrangement means that some or all of the responsibilities of ownership are shared and this has obvious benefits for everyone involved, however it’s not without its pitfalls.

Beware of entering into any sort of lease or shared ownership arrangement, even with close friends, without a proper written agreement in place.

Think carefully about the day-to-day practicalities of sharing a horse in terms of its accommodation, health care and all the associated costs of looking after it including everything from farrier fees to nutritious varieties of horse feed, and make sure the terms are understood and agreed by all parties before getting involved.

Horse Sitting

If you’re confident and experienced with horses, have spare time on your hands and access to a vehicle then becoming a horse or farm sitter can be a great way to spend more time with horses and ponies and you could even earn a small income too.

The tasks you’re expected to complete, such as mucking out, replenishing food and water, turning out or grooming, will define how much you can earn, but you can expect to reasonably charge around £30-£100 per day for your services.

Place cards advertising your horse sitting service at local farms, shelters and stables or in local newspapers and equestrian magazines and ask anyone who uses you to recommend you to their friends and associates.

Don’t let the costs of ownership prevent you from enjoying a horse-rich lifestyle, try some or all of the above for now. One day, the costs may be manageable and when they are, you will have all the skills and experience you need to be a fantastic horse owner.

Everyone knows Christmas is expensive, but how much extra cost is caused by preventable energy use?

0
Energy bills are rising to £250.92 per household in 2017 when fixed deals come to an end. Despite this revellers are still celebrating Christmas with high energy usage:
  • Leaving your Christmas lights up until New Year’s Day may have added as much as £20 to your January electricity bill
  • Cooking a turkey on Christmas Day uses 1.5x more energy than normal, bringing the electricity bill up to c.£50 when combined with leaving your Christmas lights on.
For winter energy saving tips to help reduce these costs and your January bill, take a look at GoCompare’s tips: http://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/winter-saving-stats/
Brits spend a further £280 million powering Christmas lights AFTER Christmas
  • UK households spend up to £20 POST Christmas powering Christmas lights
  • Christmas tree lights cost £3.75 million a day to leave on
Families who left their festive lights up until New Year’s Day may have added as much as £20 to their January electricity bill, Gocompare.com Energy has found. This comes after news of energy hikes of up to £250.92* per household in 2017, as 33 fixed energy deals come to an end.
The company researched how much energy the nation uses to power Christmas, revealing that festive lights alone cost the nation £3.75million a day. However, this is clearly far from many people’s thoughts; Instagram analytics web app websta.me shows that over 100,000 Instagrammers have still been showing off with their festive lights on post-Christmas.
The Gocompare.com research also found that those who enjoyed a turkey Christmas dinner on the 25th will have used 1.5x more energy, ensuring it is cooked, than they would normally use in an entire day, bringing the average household’s bill up by £50 for fuelling Christmas festivities.
Households are more likely to use more energy through winter than usual due to leaving the heating and the lights on for longer. Preventing damp can also add an extra cost, as people either open windows letting heat escape, or turn on a dehumidifier to remove water from the air.
There are simple and cost effective ways to reduce your energy bill during the colder months by increasing the energy efficiency of your homes, including:
  • Re-sealing window panes
  • Replacing worn out door weatherstrips
  • Purchasing a water tank blanket
  • Purchasing low flow shower heads
For more winter energy saving tips, check out the GoCompare.com blog http://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/winter-saving-stats/

Why your productivity slumps in the winter

0

More than half of British workers get significantly less work done in winter, and new research has revealed precisely why that might be.

Rainy days, gloomy workplaces and illness are to blame for Britain’s winter slump, as is the office temperature, naughty snacks and treats and doing less exercise.

Industry body, British Summer Fruits, has explored how the different seasons affect workplace productivity and brain function. The findings were in line with a recent neuroscience study conducted in Belgium, which revealed brain activity may follow a similar pattern to the Seasonal Affective Disorder, or ‘winter blues’.

Laurence Olins, Chairman from British Summer Fruits, said: “There are several factors which contribute to workers feeling less productive and research suggests the change in seasons plays its part.

“More employers could encourage their staff to adopt a healthier diet, providing greater access to fruit in the office to prevent people reaching for sugary confectionery, particularly in these cold winter months.

“Eating healthily shouldn’t feel like a chore and snacking on fruits like berries can help with food cravings during the day due to their natural sweetness”.

During the colder months, 74 per cent of people find it harder to get out of bed for work and 37 per cent are far more likely to call in sick. For two out of every five days in winter, Brits claim to feel under the weather – and 81 per cent admit they often go into work when they are unwell.

Two thirds of people say they are also more likely to indulge in unhealthy options in the winter than in the summer – with snacks such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweets readily available in the office.

But researchers have discovered that to feel 100 per cent productive during the winter months workers simply need to work six hours instead of eight, and have two breaks more than they would get during the summer months.

Flexible working hours, the opportunity to get fresh air during the day and access to really healthy foods are also conducive to a positive work environment.

Other factors which would increase productivity are reduced background noise, the option to work from home and access to water during the day.

Respondents also claim they would function better if they could get a good night’s sleep, exercise more during the day and have access to an open window.

The UK’s leading food psychologist behind Channel 4’s Secret Eaters, Dr Christy Fergusson, commenting on behalf of British Summer Fruits said: “Relying on high sugar foods, biscuits and crisps to keep us going can leave us riding the blood sugar rollercoaster. We feel buzzed for a spell but soon our energy, concentration and mood can plummet.

“One of the best foods to snack on has to be berries. Not only are they loaded with antioxidants and highly nutritious, they are also low in sugar. You could say they are nature’s brain food. They pack a serious nutritional punch for every calorie consumed. This makes them the ideal way to supercharge your system with nutrients, without escalating your blood sugar levels.”

TOP 10 REASONS WORKERS ARE LESS PRODUCTIVE IN WINTER:

1. The darker/dimmer/gloomy light makes me feel sleepy / I find it hard to concentrate
2. If it is dark outside I just want to go home
3. The office is too cold / too hot to concentrate
4. I have lower energy levels in general
5. Dark or rainy days negatively affect my mood
6. I am more likely to feel ill
7. I exercise less so feel sluggish and lethargic when at work
8. My commute takes longer
9. There are more treats and snacks around which distracts me
10. The view from the window is less inspiring

  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 104,038.00 0.07%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 3,504.37 0.3%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999629 0.04%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 2.42 1.11%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 963.96 1.51%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999805 0.01%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 3,506.12 0.35%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.298525 0.14%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.572245 0.55%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 17.44 1.21%
  • the-open-networkToncoin (TON) $ 2.07 0.65%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 159.29 1.43%
Enable Notifications OK No thanks