Hi-tech wizardry came to Norfolk this week when the first mobile telephone was sold to a lucky customer in Downham Market.
The new-fangled device is fully mobile, as a twirly extending cord from the handset means you can now use it standing three feet away from the main unit.
Norfolk people are celebrating being the first in the country to experience mobile telephones, and claim other parts of the country are bound to follow suit.
However, the rest of the country is smarter and looks for hi-tech phones from places like Amazon.
The first device was purchased by turnip smallholder Bubba Spuckler, who share his home with his sister and their eight children.
“This is revolutionary and means I can use the telephone sitting down or standing up. And amazingly I can now be two or three steps away from the hall table and STILL use it.
“This will change our lives for ever.”
Suffolk telephone sales specialist Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “We expect to sell many of these units in Norfolk.
“People there like to think they are ahead of the curve, so who are we to argue?”
How about a Suffolk Gazette mug?
You know you want one. These perfect pottery specimens will make ideal gifts or look fabulous in your kitchen. You can see the full collection at Dirty Old Goat mugs, or browse some of the items below…
The beauty and durability of natural wood components are not debatable. Regardless of the wood material used, whether maple or mahogany, there are endless options in regard to wood furniture.
On the other spectrum, we have MDF board furniture; a great alternative for solid wood components. MDF is manufactured from reprocessed fibre material that is compacted under extreme temperature with resin. MDF elements are less costly and more eco-friendly alternative for natural wood furniture.
Even though the durability of MDF furniture cannot be compared with that of solid wood, there is more that this engineered wood can offer.
What is MDF?
While you might have heard or even used MDF, you might not know exactly what this construction material is. It is a prevalent material for DIY and building projects, yet very misunderstood, especially when it comes to quality. So, what is MDF?
MDF are initials for Medium-density fibreboard. It is a prevalent material utilized in moulding, cabinetry and furniture making. It is an exceptionally flexible and inexpensive material, and this makes it an excellent option for various applications. It can be cut, shaped and painted to make it suitable for decorative projects.
MDF is obtained from fine wood chippings pressed together with a resin such as glue under extremely high pressure and temperature. The resulting product is a robust sheet material that is effortless to work with.
How to choose MDF?
To make an informed decision when choosing MDF, you need to be well conversant about its advantages and disadvantages. Take a look.
Advantages of MDF
Cost – the main constituents of MDF are castoff materials such as wood chippings. This directly affects the cost of MDF, which is relatively lower than that of real wood.
Size selection – there are varied MDF sizes, ranging from a thickness of 2mm to 60mm. With these diverse thicknesses, you can get the wood thickness for specific load-bearing applications.
Smooth surface – during the MDF manufacturing, the materials are highly pressed together to obtain flush and smooth boards. This makes it suitable for painting or applying veneers.
Consistent material – unlike solid wood, MDF boards luck directional grains, which gives it consistency. This property makes it ideal for cutting into intricate details without splinting.
Minimal or no warping concerns – MDF is less affected by weather fluctuations. It uniformly expands and contracts without grain opposition.
However, there are some MDF cons you ought to be aware of, such as:
Not so attractive material – the astounding beauty of real wood or plywood is incomparable with the appearance of MDF. MDF lacks most elements present in real wood.
Constraints on the finish – unless you intend to paint your furniture, it is not advisable to opt for MDF. It soaks the liquid and doesn’t give the right colour effect.
MDF absorbs moisture – since it is engineered from many fine fibres, MDF takes in water easily, making it swell and compromise its structural integrity.
Not durable as solid wood – MDF board furniture durability is comparatively low to real wood furniture. The absence of directional grains means its strength is compromised. To make MDF furniture strong, their frames have to be made of un-engineered material such as wood.
Contains VOC’s – the glue used in MDF contains formaldehyde. During sanding, the dust of this chemical is released, and prolonged exposure to it could lead to health issues such as throat and lung cancer.
When it comes to pests, you should first know that different pests leave different telltale signs of their presence. Fortunately, the amount of “clues” you see can often help you get a general idea of how severe a pest problem is.
Here are the most common signs of presence for the different pests and where should you check for them:
1. Mice and rats
Both species leave similar signs of the presence and prefer to make their nests close to food sources:
You can check utility rooms, the attic, and the basement for any clues such as droppings in the corners of those rooms. Additionally, check the kitchen cabinets, cupboards and drawers as well.
Rodents also leave dirty trails where they frequently pass by, which is near any pipework, near walls and wall cavities.
Mice and rats both leave gnaw marks on furniture and wood supporting pillars – this is because their teeth grow constantly so they need to file them down. If the homeowner that sells the property has got rid of all the other traces, it will not be the case with this one.
Rats and mice are nocturnal animals, so if you notice any sightings during daylight, it means that the colony is booming. The good news is that mice don’t live alongside rats because the latter preys upon the smaller rodent. So if the property has a rodent problem, at least it’ll be just one type of rodent to deal with. You could check CountryLiving’s ideas on “How to get rid of mice in your home” for more information and how to deal with rodents by yourself!
2. Bed bugs
You can usually find them or traces of them around and on beds and upholstered furniture – that’s because bed bugs live close to a food source (a human being) so that they could feed at night. Check the mattress and the bed frame for actual bugs, dead or alive, their eggs or blackish spots – they leave those after a meal and are actually blood spots. These same places can be checked for any signs of bed bug eggs, which are no bigger than a rice grain and whitish. Bed bug infestations usually take a couple of visits from an exterminator in order to get rid of the entire colony – that’s because he needs to treat the infestation in the different stages. If you happen to have bed bug bites, you can check NetDoctor’s detailed guide on how to recognise and treat them!
3. Moles
Some owners find moles useful because they feed with insects, pests and digging helps them to aerate the soil. However, many believe that the damage caused by moles on their lawns outweighs all the benefits they provide. If there any conical mounds of soil, these would be the entrances that are blocked and are not easily visible. Other traces are irregular paths or ridges on pushed soil caused by tunnelling. It’s good to keep in mind that moles can be potentially dangerous, as one has recently been spotted terrorizing Suffolk countryside!
4. Cockroaches
The key indicator of cockroach infestation is the actual presence of live and dead specimens. You can usually find them beneath the sink area, in countertops, near pipes and in bathrooms and basements. Other indicators of their presence are shell cases and faecal matter and let’s not forget the smell – cockroaches give off a strong, oily scent which only becomes stronger with the growth of the infestation. Luckily, cockroach infestations are easy to deal with – general property fumigation is enough to solve the problem with the entire population. So, one of the most efficient ways to protect yourself and your family is to contact a professional cockroach exterminator. They know the best solution to eliminate unbeatable pests.
5. Woodworms
Check the woodwork around the property and look for tiny holes in the wood’s surface – wood-boring beetles leave openings surrounded with sawdust when they’re exiting the timber. The problem with woodworms is that if you see holes, it means that the infestation has already spread because adult beetles get to the surface only to find a mate and close the cycle so there will already be some damage to the timber.
Can all pest problems be eradicated?
Most of them, yes. Woodworm problems, in particular, can be hard to deal with and if the infestation is severe and the structure of the building has already been compromised, you’ll need to replace the wood. A woodworm specialist will tell if there’s something that can be done about it in terms of treatment.
A gardener working on Britain’s biggest maze has not been seen for three days, and is now presumed lost.
Dave Jenkinson, 54, set out to trim bushes at the Little Brimmer Hall maze on Sunday morning but no-one has seen him since.
Police fear he will be exhausted from trying to find his way out of the ten miles of frustrating dead ends and may have collapsed.
They have now sent in tracker dogs to help them find Mr Jenkinson after the police helicopter failed to spot him.
Readers jealous of Mr Jenkinson hedge trimmer can buy their own gardening products on Amazon.
A spokesman for the huge country home, which attracts thousands of visitors a year, said: “We are proud that we have the biggest maze in the country.
“But it does come at a price because people can get lost. Normally they are found within a day or so, but even those like Mr Jenkinson who know the maze well can get confused and disoriented.”
Mr Jenkinson has been employed by the Little Brimmer Hall estate for 26 years. His daughter, Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Poor dad will be awfully embarrassed about this. He hates a fuss and would probably much rather find his own way out.”
The maze is expecting to open to the public after lockdown soon, and visitors are being asked to keep an eye out for Mr Jenkinson, who is described as five feet ten inches tall, of medium build, with fair hair and a hedge trimmer.
Discover the best online casinos out there to ensure that 2021 is your best year yet for gaming.
Want to play the smart way this year? You’ll need to pick the perfect online casino. Web-based gaming is bigger and better than ever before, but it can be difficult to determine who is really the best among casino operators. Luckily, we’re here to help.
Read on to find out how you can tell whether a provider is really up to snuff, and discover all the casino qualities you need to play with ease and confidence in 2021.
Recognition for top online casinos
Did you know that online casino gaming generated a cool £3.2 billion in gross revenue in the 2019-2020 fiscal year? The numbers don’t lie and they only continue to climb higher as time goes on. With over 100 remote casino operators striving for greatness, you’ve certainly got options when it comes to online gaming. However, you should be mindful when choosing which provider to use.
All online casinos claim to be the best in the business, but not all of them can hold up under scrutiny. If you want to know how your operator of choice compares to the rest, it’s smart to find out if they’ve received outside evaluation and recognition for their platform. Industry authorities like the Gaming Intelligence Group and eGaming Review (EGR) present awards to the best iGaming operators around, and any provider who receives one of these honours is truly worth their weight in gold.
So, who makes the cut? To see one of these casinos in action, we can look to a provider that has received the stamp of approval from both parties by serving up savvy innovation, bold business strategies, and thrilling entertainment options.
Voted Best Casino Operator at both the 2020 Gaming Intelligence Awards and the 2019 EGR Operator Awards in London, 888 online casino has been verified time and again.
When you see this type of recognition for a provider, you can rest assured you’re looking at the cream of the casino crop. Anything less, and you may want to consider shopping around for a different operator. After all, these honours are bestowed specifically to separate the wheat from the chaff—and you want to play with a provider that can give you the most bountiful harvest possible when it comes to online gaming.
Quality service & customer appreciation
Your casino should support you no matter what, so make sure to choose a site that takes care of its users.
While accolades from those in the industry are important, they aren’t everything. Statistics show that 96% of consumers across the world consider customer service to be of great importance when choosing to stay loyal to a brand. The best casinos know this and they strive to keep users happy by offering a helping hand whenever necessary.
The best online venues offer 24/7 phone lines, live chat features, and open email communications at any hour you might be experiencing a problem. If you research a venue’s reputation before signing up, you’ll come out ahead if you do end up needing to use these services. And even if you don’t need them, you’ll feel more secure knowing they’re available.
Good customer service is essential not only because it helps with problem-solving, but also shows that a brand truly cares about you as a consumer. Quality service will extend beyond phone lines and emails to involve everyday aspects of the casino as well. Factor in elements like processing fees, security solutions, payout times, and even casino bonus programs while making your decision.
You shouldn’t be paying money to withdraw or deposit funds, and you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get your cash out. You should also be able to expect a few bonuses and extras for picking your specific provider. At the end of the day, there are many casinos to choose from. With all that competition around, your operator should reward you for using their services.
Finding the perfect casino for you
If you want to get the most out of your online experience, choose a safe and reliable casino that takes your interests into account.
When choosing the perfect online casino, you shouldn’t neglect your own needs. Personal tastes can vary widely, and what’s ideal for someone else may not check every box on your list. You should examine a wide variety of factors, including your location, the games you like to play, and what sort of player you consider yourself to be.
In 2021 we could see some significant changes to gambling in the UK. The UK is already the largest regulated gambling market in Europe, and the UK Gambling Commission is in place to watch over bookmakers and gambling companies, to ensure compliance and transparency across the sector.
Since 2005, the UK’s gambling industry has been managed by The Gambling Act, but a new act is expected to replace this next year. Carl from Find Betting Sites has outlined what changes he expects to see in UK gambling in 2021.
The end of VIP schemes and loyalty points?
Much of the new gambling act’s focus to be introduced in 2021 will concentrate on protecting punters from financial difficulties. VIP schemes offered by bookmakers and online casinos are likely likely to be outlawed, as many studies have shown that gambling fraud is much more likely with VIP players. Moreover, there is some controversy around how to qualify for loyalty points with bookmakers, so new measures are expected to restrict bookies and casinos from issuing loyalty point schemes.
An increase in the use of responsible gambling tools?
This is widely seen as a progressive measure, particularly for online accounts. There is expected to be further regulation around deposit limits, time limits, activity warnings, and loss limits. At present, such responsible gambling tools are optional to most gamblers. However, with the new regulation, it is likely that some of these tools will become mandatory, if not for all punters, then at least for those gambling with a certain amount of money.
Mandatory deposit protection for customer funds?
Although deposit protection already forms part of the 2005 Gambling Act, the way it’s worded means that bookmakers don’t actually have to protect customers’ funds if they go bust. New regulations are predicted to enforce, as a minimum, that bookmakers and online gambling companies must ensure they have arrangements in place to reimburse customers if the company goes bust.
Online stake limits?
At present, limits are already in place for games on physical fixed-odds betting terminals, a move that saw a lot of opposition from high street bookmakers who saw their profits significantly reduced as a result. It’s expected that new legislation will seek to implement similar restrictions to online betting games and could be as low as £2 per hand/spin, depending on the type of game being played. The stake limit will possibly go hand-in-hand with a daily limit imposed on a customer’s account, perhaps in the region of £100 per day. Such a move could be devastating for several online bookmakers, who rely heavily on online casinos’ revenue for their profits.
Changes to TV and sports advertising and sponsorship?
In the past, many professional sports teams were sponsored by alcohol and tobacco companies before regulations were put in place to restrict this. Currently, ten premier league clubs and seventeen championship clubs are sponsored by betting companies. Given the number of sports now on TV, and with many young viewers watching, we may see restrictions introduced regarding how betting companies appear on sports kit.
Changes to the gambling levy?
The UK gambling levy is currently voluntary and only applies to companies that sign up for it. The new legislation is most likely to make a gambling levy mandatory and use the funds generated from the levy to support people who may be addicted to gambling or who have been caused harm due to any type of gambling practice.
Whatever happens, with a new gambling act expected to be announced in 2021, we can expect significant changes to gambling in the UK.
German carmakers like Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW will only sell left-hand drive cars in the UK from next month.
The move is a further snub to Britain by leading EU member states, furious about Brexit and our brilliant response to the vaccine rollout.
Furious German Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered the ban of right-hand-drive car exports, and it is expected other European leaders will follow suit.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who hates Britain, will likely ban Renault, Peugeot and Citroen from selling right-hand-drive cars in the UK soon.
While some British drivers will still buy a German car that is left-hand drive, most will now turn to friendly vehicle makers like Ford, Vauxhall and the Japanese giants Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Or they will keep their existing right-hand models for looking, shopping on Amazon for spare parts like these.
Lorraine Fisher, 34, of the Institute of Car Retailers, said: “This is a big deal. Germany is effectively sticking two fingers up at its biggest export market.
“Brit drivers will not be forced to drive left-hand vehicles. Their great-grandfathers fought in World War Two for the right to drive on a different side of the road to the rest of the world. Apart from Australia.
“Ford and Vauxhall are gearing up for a huge surge in sales as a result.
“We’re sure the Germans and French will have a change of heart once they realise the Brits will not be told how to think or what to do.”
Our mugs are right and left-handed
Why waste £40,000 on a new BMW when you can buy one of the Suffolk Gazette’s brilliant mugs, which operate on the right and the left hand. See all the collections at the Dirty Old Goat mugs website, or buy direct from the ceramic beauties below…
