Colin looks surprised as police demand he put his paws up
A Manchester cat who hopped over the fence to next door’s garden has been fined by police for breaching tough lockdown restrictions.
Colin the tortoiseshell moggy has been visiting neighbour Lorraine Fisher, 34, for five years.
But his daily tour of her garden and patio ended in tears when a passing policeman spotted the flagrant abuse of the Tier 3 restrictions imposed by the Government on Manchester this week.
Manchester cat was collared and fined £5,000 because you are not allowed to socialise in each other’s gardens.
Ms Fisher said: “I feel sorry for Colin. He is a friendly cat and often comes over to see me.
“Now he is housebound and also has to fined £5,000.”
A spokesman for the police said: “A passing constable’s suspicions were first aroused because Colin looked like a cat burglar.
“It turns out he had no intention of stealing anything, but he was breaking the strict social distancing regulations. We had no alternative but to fine him.”
To put it mildly, this year has been a rough one, and if your team has kept their energy up and their focus on, they could definitely use a great holiday party to end the year off on a positive note.
However, there’s one major problem: you can’t have any big social gatherings, so your usual traditions and go-to ideas are out the window. So, does that mean you have to skip your annual holiday party? No way! You can still throw your hardworking employees a memorable holiday party, you’ll just have to do it virtually.
Don’t be intimidated by the change in venue, use this guide to help you figure out how to throw a virtual holiday party for your employees that they’ll be excited to attend.
Figure out the logistics
Just like your usual holiday party, you need to figure out logistics first. Find out what day everyone (or as many employees as possible) is available. This should be a fairly easy one to check off your list since everyone’s working from home, but you never know what people have going on in their personal lives, so it’s important to set a date well ahead of time if possible. Send out a survey with possible dates to see which one the most people can attend and get it on their calendars. One easy way to make sure almost everyone can attend is making it during normal work hours. Plus, it’s an extra nice treat that they get to cut the workday short and let loose.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to figure out which video conferencing tool to use and make sure everyone has the link and knows how to log on. Including these details in the event invite will help prevent a lot of problems.
Lay out the details
Once you have the date and virtual hosting location squared away, it’s time to figure out what you’ll do at your virtual holiday party. Relying on conversation, no matter how close your team is, can result in awkward lulls and a lack of that party feeling. Instead, plan some activities to keep up the enthusiasm and make the party memorable. Some fun virtual holiday party activities include:
You can also curate a holiday playlist you can stream while online—just make sure that as the host you’re the only one playing it, otherwise it can result a commotion of off-time tunes.
Encourage employees to dress for the occasion
Depending on the culture at your company, this might mean getting dressed up in your dazzling holiday wear or have everyone wear their best Tipsy Elves Christmas sweaters. You can even have prizes for best dressed, like awarding the top three best ugly Christmas sweaters. Having everyone dress in a theme can make it feel like a more formal event and really get your employees in the festive spirit. Add another element of fun by encouraging pet owners to dress up their pets in festive party hats, sweaters, and more.
Send out party swag
If you can swing it with your budget, send out some holiday party swag to your employees. This could be anything from sparkly party hats and champagne flutes with the company logo to a food and drink delivery, so everyone can enjoy a meal or cocktail together like you would usually. The sky’s the limit with the kinds of fun party favors you could send out, so get creative and think of something that would add to the festivity of the event.
You could also send out gifts to each employee to show them your appreciation for putting their best foot forward during this difficult time. This could be anything from cash and gift cards to edible gifts, like some delicious decorative or branded cookies from Custom Cookie Co.
When it comes to virtual holiday parties, your imagination and creativity will play a large role in pulling it off. Approach this new challenge as an opportunity to create an unforgettable party that will hold its own with years prior. Once all the hard work is finished, you’ll be able to enjoy the fun with everyone else and take pride in the special event you’ve put together for your team. Plus, everyone who sees that your company goes above and beyond for your employees will be dying to work there—something that makes recruiting a lot easier!
The Suffolk Gazette today reveals the official ranking of Celebrations selection box favourites. Readers will not be in the least surprised that the hideous Bounty is last. But do you agree with the rest of the list, compiled by our Professor of Food Studies, Dr Lorraine Fisher, 34?
Here are the now official rankings for Celebrations, which have become a British institution since launching in 1997.
8 Bounty
The Bounty has always had a rough ride. Not many like coconut for a start. The film Mutiny on the Bounty wasn’t named after the disgusting chocolate bar for nothing. Every Christmas, your tub of Celebrations will be consumed in moments – apart from seven Bounty sweets rattling around at the bottom.
7 Milky Way
The Milky Way is the poor man’s chocolate bar. Marketed as a snack that is “milky and chocolatey and wouldn’t fill you up’ – mostly because you could hardly bear to finish it. It would end up on the bottom of the Celebrations ranking if it wasn’t for the repellent Bounty.
6 Mars
A Mars a day might help you work, rest and play, but it just doesn’t cut it in bite-size. When you have a whole bar, a big mouthful tastes lovely, but it somehow loses all flavour when you get a tiny morsel in a wrapper. It was always claimed that F1 commentator Murray Walker came up with the ad slogan, but we’re sorry to report this sweet is way down the grid.
5 Maltesers
In a respectable mid-table position is the Malteser, mainly because it is just like having a normal Malteser. Every other sweet has been shrunk, but this one works and most people are content with the “lighter way to enjoy chocolate”, which is a bit of an admission you’re not getting much bang for your buck if you ask me.
4 Snickers
Where Mars doesn’t work in minimalist form, Snickers does. Perhaps it’s the peanut taste coming through. The marketing says “You’re not you when you’re hungry”. which might explain why the Snickers sweets go pretty fast from the Celebrations tub. I still can’t get over the fact they changed the name from Marathon, after long-serving company secretary Norma Snickers.
3 Galaxy
Into the top three with Galaxy. It’s a milky chunk of chocolate, so what’s not to like? We were told to “Think chocolate. Think Galaxy” and Britons are inclined to agree. Granny and Granddad will most likely reach for these because they are not chewy and do not have foreign muck in – like coconut.
2 Caramel Galaxy
What is better than Galaxy? Galaxy with caramel, that’s what. This delicious sweet oozes a soft centre and, quite frankly, I’m drooling now. I do prefer Cadbury Caramel, however, if only for the sexy TV ad rabbit and its gorgeous little beaver.
1 Twix
All hail the Celebrations ranking winner. Twix has always been by far the best chocolate bar since first hitting the shelves in 1967. It crosses over brilliantly into miniature collection box form, with its biscuity base and caramel top, covered in chocolate. “Chew it over with a Twix”, the ad men tell us, and that’s what all right-minded people do when they pile into the Celebrations box.
So there we have it. You may not agree with the official Celebrations ranking, but I don’t care. Click on the social buttons and share this article on Facebook or Twitter to tell the world why we are right or wrong.
The TV script for the first new episode of The Sweeney in 42 years has been obtained by the Suffolk Gazette. Here is a sneak preview of the long-awaited return of this gritty police drama.
TITLE MUSIC
A GRIMY LONDON POLICE STATION
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR JACK REGAN AND DETECTIVE SERGEANT GEORGE CARTER ARE SITTING AT THEIR DESKS
DI Regan: Give us a fag, George.
DS Carter: I’m sorry, guv. We’re not allowed to smoke indoors anymore. And you’d better not let the bosses hear you say ‘fag’ or HR will do you for homophobia.
DI Regan: Shut it.
THE PHONE RINGS
DI Regan: We’ll be right there.
DS Carter: Trouble?
DI Regan: Armed robbery in progress at 34 Lorraine Fisher Road. Fire up the Granada.
DS Carter: I’m afraid the Ford Granada is long gone, guv. We have an electric Toyota Prius now. I hope it has been charged up.
INSIDE A SILENT ELECTRIC CAR SLOWLY TRAVELLING ALONG A LONDON STREET.
DI Regan: Floor it, George.
DS Carter: I am, guv. This is as fast as it goes. And there are speed cameras everywhere. And a bus lane there. And look out for this cycle lane introduced last week by Mayor Khan. And as for all the speed bumps…
DI Regan: Ridiculous. We’re meant to be the Flying Squad.
DS Carter: Didn’t you get the memo, guv? The bosses changed our name to Green Squad. Flying is so bad for the environment these days.
DI Regan: Well at least put the siren on.
DS Carter: Sorry, guv. It breaks noise pollution regulations, and this car doesn’t have enough battery for it anyway.
THE SQUAD CAR PULLS UP SLOWLY OUTSIDE A JEWELLERS. TWO MASKED ROBBERS ARE SEEN BRANDISHING WEAPONS INSIDE. DI REGAN AND DS CARTER BURST IN, AND FORCE THEM TO DROP THE WEAPONS.
DI Regan: We’re The Sweeney, son, and we haven’t had any dinner. You’ve kept us.…
DS Carter: Guv, you can’t speak to suspects in such a harsh tone anymore. You might upset their feelings; breach their human rights.
ONE OF THE ROBBERS IS WEARING TIGHT SHORTS
DI Regan: Get yer trousers on. You’re nicked.
DS Carter: Guv, I believe you have to read him his rights first now. Don’t be so rough with those handcuffs either, or we will be suspended.
BACK AT THE STATION, DI REGAN PULLS A BOTTLE OF SCOTCH FROM HIS DESK DRAWER
DI Regan: Well done, George. A good pull today. Drink?
DS Carter: Not yet, guv. I have got these 18 arrest process forms to fill in first.
CHIEF INSPECTOR FRANK HASKINS ENTERS THE ROOM
CI Haskins: Drinking on duty again, Regan? I’ve warned you before. You are suspended until further notice.
DS Carter: But guv, he was just…
DI Regan: Shut it.
RUN END CREDITS
Shut it and buy a mug
As well as revealing new scripts, we solve your Christmas gift headache. Buy one of our mugs from DirtyOldGoat.com or direct from below…
As a business owner, one of your top priorities should be growing your business. One of the easiest ways to make your business seen and heard is through different marketing methods. However, marketing can be expensive, especially if you’re a small business with a limited budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can promote your company without eating up all of your finances. Take a look at our top five affordable ways to get your business noticed.
1. Social media
When used properly, social media can be an extremely powerful tool for reaching a broader audience and growing your platform. The best part about social media is that most platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, are all free to join.
Through your business’s social media platforms, you now have the opportunity to promote your products and services, along with interacting with customers and building relationships. As a business, selling should be your top priority, but your social media pages shouldn’t be filled with spammy images begging consumers to buy your products.
It’s important to be real and authentic on your social media platforms. To do this, post other content, such as customer testimonials, fun stories, industry-related news, and other information along with your products and services. This is a great way to be transparent and show customers what your company is all about. There are also plenty of free social media management apps you can take advantage of to ensure you’re posting content consistently and at popular times throughout the day.
2. Promotional products
Everyone loves free things. Investing part of your budget in promotional products to hand out at networking events, fundraisers, during the holidays, and at other events is an excellent way to spread the word about your brand and increase brand recognition. When it comes to investing in promotional products, it’s important to keep practicality in mind. While we all love random tchotchkes, they often collect dust or get thrown away. Instead, consider useful promotional items, such as:
Phone cases
Pens
Baseball caps
Sticky notes
T-shirts
Power banks
USB flash drives
Reusable water bottles
The options are endless when it comes to designing your own customized promotional products, so get creative and start handing them out to grow your customer base.
3. SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a form of digital marketing where you work on increasing the quantity and quality of organic website traffic. SEO is a great way to get your business noticed online, which is essential if you sell or promote your products and services through a website. Some SEO tactics to help your company rank higher on search engine results pages on Google, Bing, and Yahoo include:
Creating a blog and writing compelling content related to your industry
Securing backlinks from reputable websites
Improving user experience
Boosting page speed
Using keywords on product pages and category pages
Creating appropriate URL structures
There are plenty of ways to improve your business’s website design and functionality, which can bring organic traffic to your site and move leads down the sales funnel.
4. Create a referral program
One way to reward your current customers and bring in new ones is by creating a referral program. Referral programs are simple in nature—reward customers who refer their friends, family, and anyone else to shop or stop by your business. Referral programs can take many forms. One way is by giving customers monetary rewards, such as $10 or $15 for every referral to use in-store. Or, you can reward customers with products or free services for every referral they make. You can even reward people who share links to your site by giving them 15% off their next purchase. This is a win-win-win situation for your business, your current customers, and new customers!
5. Use influencers
Influencers are people with large social followings on certain platforms. Because they have a large audience, they can be great marketers for your brand. When searching for influencers, it’s important to look for influencers that match your brand’s identity and mission. For example, if you run an HVAC company, you wouldn’t want to reach out to a beauty influencer who publishes makeup tutorials. Instead, you might want to consider a YouTube influencer who does home DIY repairs, for example.
Wrapping up
There are countless ways you can get your business noticed without breaking the bank. From creating social media profiles on different platforms to creating a referral program for current customers, these are just some of the ways you can make your company seen.
With the rapid advancement in technology, you should not be surprised to see many gamblers turning to online casinos.
There are a lot of online gambling sites that will give you a chance to entertain yourself and win. However, most online gamblers are not aware of Bitcoin casinos and how they operate. And this makes them miss out on all the advantages that they have to offer.
Bitcoin casinos have plenty of advantages when compared to traditional casinos. As we progress into the future, Bitcoin is going to be inevitable in the gambling world. In this article, we are going to introduce you to bitcoin casinos and compare them to traditional casinos. Let’s get started!
Traditional casinos vs Bitcoin casinos
Cryptocurrency has brought several changes to the gambling industry. Knowing the differences between these two shouldn’t be too difficult. There are a few differences that make bitcoin casinos more preferable to online casinos. Before choosing bitcoin casinos, players should take their time to know the difference between the two. Let’s look at these differences.
1. Currency
The main difference between traditional casinos and bitcoin casinos is the currency they use to perform various transactions. Regular casinos use regular currency to measure and exchange value. They include US Dollar, British Pound, and Euros to name a few. On the other hand, bitcoin casinos use cryptocurrencies to measure and exchange value.
2. Security
Security is one of the things that comes to mind when we want to gamble online. By comparing traditional casinos and bitcoin casinos, both greatly differ when it comes to security. This happens on different levels. First, cryptocurrency wallets are more secure than debit cards, bank accounts, and credit cards. It is difficult for hackers to have their way with bitcoin casinos.
It’s easier for them to hack traditional casinos than bitcoin casinos. However, https://casinosters.com/fast-payout-casino/ and other traditional casinos have security encryptions that make it harder for hackers to access the personal and financial information of the players. Bitcoin casinos have high encryption and all transactions take place using blockchain. Another element that we cannot ignore the security front in bitcoin casinos is complete anonymity. Unlike traditional casinos, bitcoin casinos don’t require the disclosure of personal details. This enhances the security of the player’s identity while keeping them from malicious people.
Another aspect of bitcoin casinos that reinforces security is that cryptocurrency is decentralized. Unlike regular types of currency, no financial institution or government has control over bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency. The government holds fiat currencies. This means that your account can be frozen anytime by the government due to specified reasons. When it comes to cryptocurrency, you have complete control over your account and money. Your account and funds cannot be frozen. Bitcoin casinos are more secure than regular casinos.
3. Game fairness
Another major difference between bitcoin casinos and traditional casinos is the fairness of games. Bitcoin casinos offer fairer games compared to traditional casinos. Bitcoin casinos use fair algorithms and have a low house edge. This makes it easier for players to win. On the other hand, traditional casinos that run on fiat currency have a house edge of between three to fifteen percent depending on your preferred casino and game.
4. Transparency
If you’ve gambled in traditional casinos, you probably know the tricks that the operators use to attract players. Some of these tricks include high winnings, flashy images, and amazing bonus offers. However, most of these promises never come true. Most traditional online gambling sites hide crucial information from players. And this claims a huge portion of their winnings.
Most traditional casinos take advantage of players who are unaware of this. When it comes to Bitcoin casinos, it’s quite difficult to conceal information because they are transparent. The platforms that they use are direct. And this makes it possible for players to notice any changes.
Conclusion
The differences that we have highlighted here are quite significant. And this creates a huge difference in your experience as a gambler. Players have to consider these differences and their preferences before choosing an online gambling site. When it comes to game variety, players can find different types of high-quality games in both traditional and bitcoin casinos.
They include blackjack, slots, roulette, poker, baccarat, and live dealer games. You need to develop and improve your gaming skills through practice to increase your chances of winning. Fortunately, both platforms offer free gaming features that allow you to play your favorite games without having to spend a dime.
An American investment consortium is gambling on a Suffolk-themed casino to be the next big winner in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Pyramids, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower, all integral parts of the Las Vegas casino scene, will soon be joined on The Strip by the glorious sight of the Woodbridge Tide Mill.
Customers will be able to travel through the 150,000 square-foot casino on miniature tractors, and all bars will serve a range of traditional Suffolk ales from Adnams and Greene King.
In addition to blackjack, roulette and poker, gamblers will be able to stake their futures on special new games such as Name that Crop and How many Sheep am I Thinking Of?
All casino staff will be required to dress as members of the Ipswich Town 1981 UEFA Cup-winning side.
Online betting fans may, however, think it best to stick with traditional sites like 888 Casino.
Construction is due to begin in 2021 and the casino is expected to begin taking money from punters by early 2023.
According to the Nevada Gaming Commission, there are currently 136 casinos and sportsbooks in Las Vegas.
Suffolk county councillor Bet Allday said: “The Suffolk-themed casino is fantastic news for this region. It’ll create jobs and bring tourist income to the county.”
When told that the casino will actually be in Las Vegas, and will be creating jobs and bringing tourist income to America, the councillor responded: “Eh? I don’t really know what I’m talking about. Is this going to be in a newspaper?”
However, the Waveney district tourism board is already hoping to tie in with the casino and has built a Las Vegas-style Welcome to Fabulous Southwold neon sign on the road into the town, see below.
Tourist boss Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “We think this will add a much-needed touch of class to Southwold.”
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A massive proposal is underway in the EPL that will change the league. Called “Project Big Picture,” the proposal could come into effect in 2021 and change football across the United Kingdom.
What is Project Big Picture?
Project Big Picture is the most significant proposed change to football across the United Kingdom since the creation of the English Premier League in 1992. The project has sweeping effects across all levels of professional football and is drawing mixed reviews. EPL clubs plan to discuss the proposal in the upcoming days and weeks. Notable parts of the plan are listed below.
The project has a few main points of emphasis.
The EPL size is reduced from 20 clubs to 18
The potential demise of the EFL Cup and the Community Shield
Power in the EPL shifts to the nine clubs with the longest reign in the EPL (the major six clubs, plus Everton, Southampton, and West Ham).
Payments from the EPL to the EFL and the Football Association
A higher percentage of revenue from the EPL going to EFL clubs.
16th placed club in EPL replacing sixth-placed club in the EFL playoffs
Why is this proposal gaining traction now?
The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are being felt much heavier in the EFL and lower-tiered football leagues. The lack of fans and television revenue is hurting clubs financially. Without this revenue, the chances of clubs folding operations increases.
The proposal includes a £250m upfront to help clubs deal with the revenue loss, while the increased revenue share – from 4% to 25% – will help these clubs weather the potential long-term financial losses this pandemic could cause. The £250m payment will come when and if the proposal is agreed upon, with the increased revenue sharing coming in future years.
The proposal is drawing mixed reviews from all facets of football across the U.K.
Why clubs are for this proposal
EFL clubs and the league’s chairman, Rick Parry, are highly supportive of the proposal. Without help financially, the league’s future is grim – as EFL clubs from all tiers rely on ticket sales for the majority of their revenue.
The “Big Six” clubs also gain from this proposal. The league’s current voting structure requires 14 of the 20 clubs to agree on something for it to pass. The change, which shifts power to the nine longest tenured clubs, means future decisions will only need six votes to pass.
Why clubs are against it
The shift of power could potentially allow the “Big Six” (Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea) to have too much control over the league and its futures. Many other clubs fear giving too much power to the “Big Six” could cause a decrease in competitive balance.
The EPL’s smaller clubs also stand to lose money with increased revenue sharing, especially if they straddle the relegation line. These clubs could suffer long term losses from the increase revenue shares, and their futures could be in as much doubt as clubs in the lower tiers.
The less wealthy clubs are also frustrated with the plan, as it was released to the media before being discussed.
What the changes mean for Ipswich Town FC
Without fans in the stands, smaller clubs such as Ipswich are struggling. However, the plan and how the revenue gained from the EPL is shared is unknown. There is hope for the EFL to spread the wealth to multiple tiers, but until more details are revealed, no one can know for sure where the money will go.
Will the proposal pass?
It is too early to tell whether this proposal will pass. There is no doubt that lower-tier clubs need financial help from the EPL. However, how much and where it comes from is uncertain. Some clubs are voicing their reluctance to give up as much revenue as stated in the plan – as they are losing money themselves with no fans able to attend matches. It will be interesting to follow this story over the next bit, to see if concessions are made or if it straight passes or fails.
How the proposal could change betting
One aspect that is not considered in this proposal is sports betting. Dropping two clubs from the EPL and shifting more power to the “Big Six” could have a monumental impact on football vegas sports betting and the prominent bookmakers in the U.K and Europe will follow this referendum closely.
