Good Luck Scotland - Whatever You Decide

Next week there is a referendum in Scotland for the Scottish people to decide upon independence from the UK.  For those who are not aware of the history of Great Britain, Scotland was an independent country until 1603, when the then King of Scotland also inherited the monarchy of England. The two countries became linked under one monarchy, and the union of Scotland and England was sealed by the Act of Union in 1707. Now there is a growing movement within Scotland to return to being an independent country.

It appears to have been assumed by the British Government that the “Better Together” campaign for a vote against independence would be successful. However, as polling day draws ever nearer the two campaigns are very close, with the pro independence campaign just creeping ahead. No-one can be sure what the outcome will be, but one thing that can be left in no doubt is that the Scottish people do not like the harsh politics of recent UK governments. The Scottish people have repeatedly shown that they care about public services, the National Health Service and living in a fair society.    

However as this is not a political blog, I just thought it would be a nice gesture to give Scotland some recognition, and take a look at what makes this country a magical place to visit. Although I am Welsh I have been lucky enough to spend over one year living in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, and so have firsthand experience of what it is like living on a Scottish Island.

Okay so I will give you the good and the bad! The scenery is amazing, the people are some of the friendliest and welcoming you will find anywhere, but the weather can be grey and dreary! Scotland has its own language (Gaelic), although the official language is English. Saying that, the English that is spoken in Scotland is very different to the English spoken in England; both in the words used and the regional accents. To give you an example, the most common word for small is Scotland would be “wee”, however where I was staying in the Islands it was “peedie”, a word I love and still use today. To be honest the first couple of months of living there I had to concentrate really hard to understand everything that was said to me – but it was fun and I soon got to grips with it!

When you think of Scotland is the first thing that comes to mind a kilted bagpipe player, or is it maybe the beautiful Lochs (lakes), or the fantastic Scottish scenery and castles?  Well all these are correct!  The Scotland you read about and imagine is the Scotland you will find. However, there are also major cities with the shops, restaurants and nightlife you would expect to find in modern European cities. Edinburgh, the capital, is full of life and perfect for a long weekend away. The imposing Castle looks over the fantastic city. One thing is for sure, you will get to meet the Scots, who embrace visitors and are always happy to help you enjoy yourself.

Scotland has the vote for independence on the 18^th September 2014. It is up to the Scottish people to determine their future. If you are Scottish, however you choose to vote please know that you will have friendly neighbours who love your beautiful country. Whatever you decide, we wish you all the luck in the world!     

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If you want to find out more about the upcoming referendum in Scotland, visit the BBC News explanation page here.

Cadbury and Rowntree - More Than Just Chocolate

Philanthropy is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by generous donation to good causes.”  Etymologically it means “love of humanity”. To put it simply it can be seen as the act of a wealthy person who gives their time and money to make life a little better for others.  It is a private individual’s donation for public good. A person who behaves in this way is known as a philanthropist.  

Early Victorian Britain was a time of dramatic social change. The emergence of large factories led to the growth of new cities where people flocked in search of work. To give you an example Liverpool grew from a large village of 4,240 inhabitants in 1701 to a huge city, home to 222,954 by 1841. The infrastructure of these new cities could not cope with the influx of people and death and disease were rampant. It has been argued that the 1830’s and 1840’s were the worst decades for life expectancy in Britain since the Black Death. Of course the insanitary conditions of the homes of the working class allowed disease to spread quickly and their life expectancy was less than half of wealthy landowners.        

By the late 19^th Century we see a growth in rich industrialist philanthropists who can be seen to improve the living conditions of their workers. One of the pioneers was Sir Titus Salt (1803 – 1876). He took over his fathers’ textile mill in Bradford and expanded the business, making it the largest employer in the area. He then set about building a model village for his workers to live in called Saltaire, which is just outside Bradford. The new houses all had their own toilets and were connected to mains drainage. It was a wonderful place to live with bath houses, a hospital, a church and an institute for recreation. Life here was so much better than in the Bradford slums.

Similar model villages were constructed by the Quaker confectionary dynasties the Cadburys and the Rowntrees.  The Cadbury brothers, George and Richard, had a vision of a garden village when creating Bournville, which is just outside Birmingham. As well as providing decent affordable housing they were concerned for the fitness of their workers and included parks and encouraged walking, swimming and all outdoor pursuits.

Joseph Rowntree built a similar village called New Earswick in 1901, but is perhaps best well known for forming and funding the Joseph Rowntree foundation which is still working to reduce child poverty in Britain today.

And it wasn’t just the chocolatiers who got involved. Another well known model village is Port Sunlight, built by the Lever brothers to be the home of their soap empire. They named the village after their most popular brand of cleaner.

Port Sunlight

It was the philanthropy of the new rich that helped shape the lives of the British people. It can be argued that the good works carried out by these philanthropists hastened a greater concern for the conditions endured by the working classes in the UK, resulting in the creation of the welfare state, which provided free education and healthcare for all, and affordable housing for workers.

Even though these companies are no longer family run concerns, but are now part of huge multi-national organisations, their products are still very popular today. Who doesn’t enjoy a bar of Cadburys’ fruit and nut?     

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I'm Not One To Humblebrag, But Here Are Some Amazeballs New Words

Well, August 2014 has seen some more new words added to the online Oxford Dictionary. We will have to see if they stand the test of time, and are eventually added to the paper dictionary, but if you want to be hip and trendy you can use these in informal situations. Let’s just take a look at a few of them.

The use of acronyms in social media, such as facebook and twitter, continues to grow and the following are just a sample of my favourites that are now included in the dictionary:

YOLO = you only live once, and is most often used to explain reckless behaviour eg “I have just spent my rent money on the most fabulous pair of shoes but YOLO!”

 

ICYMI = In case you missed it. This is used to highlight an important point.

SMH = Shaking my head/shake my head, when the word “no” just isn’t enough. This really let’s someone know that what they are suggesting is a bad idea!

Then we have abbreviations such as “adorbs” which is short for adorable and can be used to describe anything from a person to a fluffy kitten!

For all the men reading this if you are described as a “hench” take this as a real compliment, as this describes men who are seen as strong, fit and muscular. However, when you are talking to women please do not “mansplain”, that is explaining something to a woman in a particularly condescending or patronizing way. An example of this could be something like “He told me my car wouldn’t run properly without petrol, wow I’m so glad he mansplained that!”   

 

Another thing to watch out for is the “humblebrag.” This has also made it into the dictionary and refers to a statement that appears to be modest, but is made with the intention to draw attention to a quality or achievement that the person is really rather proud of. The humblebrag can be seen as bragging in a humble way!      

Were you aware there are many new ways to watch television? Now you can binge-watch, meaning to watch many episodes (maybe even the whole series) in one go! This often involves losing a day of your life sitting in front of your television or computer with drinks and snacks. Alternatively you may hate-watch a programme. That is to say that you only watch it for the enjoyment that is derived from making fun of it. If you are tech-savvy (another newly added word, meaning that you have a good understanding of technical terms), you could even live-tweet (tweet as it is happening) about the programme that you are hate-watching- lol!

 

Perhaps my most favourite of the new words that have been added to the online dictionary is “amazeballs” which can be used to describe anything that is not just good, it’s better than good, it’s truly amazing.

We wanted to share some of these words with you as they are different and fun, but please remember to keep their use to informal situations, like talking to your friends on social media or by email. In more formal situations, such as completing college work or applying for jobs, it is prudent to use more formal language. We hope you enjoy trying out some of these new words on your friends and family!     

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Tips for Attending a Job Interview

As promised today we are looking at something for all you job hunters out there! As you will remember, last week we looked at a few tips for completing a job application, now we are ready for the next step, the interview.  

Okay so you have received a reply to your job application and you have been invited for an interview, that’s great news but now you need to start to prepare. If you are a serious job hunter with many applications outstanding I suggest you keep a diary logging all important dates and times to make sure that nothing gets overlooked. Treat looking for a job as a job!

There are several things you need to do to prepare for an interview. It is important to make sure that you know exactly where the interview is taking place; how you are going to get there and how long it is likely to take you! If you are driving make sure there is somewhere close by to park or if you are taking public transport carefully check the timetables. It is well worth having a trial run to make sure you are going to arrive in good time. Believe me you will not create a good impression if you are late, and if you are rushing and panicking you are not likely to produce your best ever interview performance!

So to recap, read the letter carefully, make sure you know where the interview is taking place and how you are going to get there, so you will arrive calmly and in good time.

You obviously have the qualifications/experiences that the company is looking for as they have invited you for interview, this should help you feel confident. However, take another look at exactly what is involved in the post you have applied for and the personal attributes they are looking for. You need to be able to show the interviewers that you are able to match all aspects of the personal specification. By giving this some thought beforehand you are more likely to be able to answer any of the “can you tell us when......”questions that may be asked. For example can you tell us when you have successfully worked in a team; can you tell us what you consider to be your most important achievement ...etc etc.

Make sure you thoroughly research the company you have applied to work for. This may help you answer the interview questions more fully. Also it is very likely that you will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. A couple of thought out, reasonable questions will impress the interviewers and possibly make you stand out from the crowd.

Although I do not believe that anyone should be judged by the way they dress, it is certainly true that “inappropriate” dressing can work against you at an interview. I am not suggesting for one minute that everyone needs to wear a suit to be successful; just think a little about the post you are applying for and wear something that is suitable for that position, and comfortable for you.

Finally when interview day arrives there are a few things to remember. They have asked to see you, so they feel you are suitable for the position they are looking to fill. Try not to be too nervous, remember, the interview panel have all been on the other side of the table at some point, they will not be trying to catch you out, just looking for the right person.

Don’t forget the interview is also about you finding out if this is the job you would really like, and if the company is one you would like to work for. Of course you should always be polite and respectful (as should your interviewer), but if you have prepared and are confident that you are the right person for the job relax, answer the questions and let your personality shine through!

Good luck with the job hunting, and remember: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

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Tips for Completing a Job Application

With so many people leaving school, college and university at this time of year we thought we would look at the right way to complete job applications, to give you the best chance of landing your perfect job!

Firstly, do not just jump in feet first! Many job applications will be accompanied with instructions, it is important to read and follow them. For example you may be asked to ring first for an informal chat. If you are given this opportunity then take it as it will give you the chance to pick up lots of valuable information. By asking the right questions you should be able to find out more about the type of strengths and skills they are looking for, and then be able to tailor your application accordingly. On the other hand it may say something as simple as use a black pen or complete online. It is most likely that the employer will receive many applications for the vacancy so anyone that can’t follow the most basic of instructions is most likely to be disregarded at this point.

 Remember to write clearly and precisely, the employer is likely to be a busy person and will not have the time to wade through page after page of waffle picking out the salient points. If you are given a copy of the job description and personal specification follow these to highlight the reasons that show why you are the best candidate for the job. Do not lie on your application; if you do and you are found out at a later date then you are likely to lose your job and credibility. However, there is no reason why you cannot stretch the truth a little, and give non work based experiences to show that you possess the qualities that the employer requires. For example if it states that you must be able to work as part of a team then you can give an example that is not work related. It could be that you have been part of a sports team, and you can explain why it was necessary for you all to work together to make the team successful. Similarly, they may be looking for someone with good budgeting skills. Okay you may have little experience in the field of employment but I’m guessing all you guys who have been students for a number of years have a lot of experience of living on a budget! You see most life skills and experiences are valuable and transferrable to the world of employment. 

Although the picture says that this applicant was hired, we would not suggest being this truthful in your application!

Obviously, you need to complete the application in draft first. Read and re-read to check the spelling and grammar are correct. Do not rely on an auto corrector to pick up your mistakes. Although they are fine for picking up the odd typing error, none of them are perfect and will sometimes change grammar that does not need changing, and loses the sense of your work. Similarly they will often try and change your spellings to the American version. This is fine if you are applying to an American company but otherwise should be avoided. It is important to spend some time making sure the application is correct, it displays to a prospective employer that you take a pride in your work, and are treating the search for employment seriously.

Lastly, be yourself. If this is the right job for you and you can show that you have the necessary qualifications and experiences then be confident in showing the employer who you are. Let your personality shine through, so that your application stands out from the others and encourages the employer to invite you for an interview to discuss your abilities in more detail and learn more about you.

Do not be discouraged if you do not receive a reply to your first application or do not get asked for interview, there are many, many candidates applying for each position. Just stick at it and keep trying. The more applications you complete the more confident you will become and the whole process becomes easier.

Good luck to anyone on a job search at the moment!

Next week we will take a look at tips for attending interviews.   

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Ten Essential English Sayings

Earlier this week I was working on my computer when, for some unknown reason, I began thinking of all the sayings we have in the English language. You know me, mind like a butterfly, fluttering from one thing to the next! So I decided that I would like to share my top ten English sayings with you. As you can imagine English (like most languages) has many, many sayings, and these are only a tiny sample, but they are my favourites and I hope you will enjoy.       

1.    Not my cup of tea – This phrase can be used to describe a person or an object that you are not particularly drawn to or like very much. You may say something like “I met our new neighbour yesterday, I don’t know, but not really my cup of tea”. Alternatively it could be used to describe a song, some artwork, a building, an actor or actress, anything really that does not appeal to you.

2.    Clear as mud – For some reason this expression always makes me smile. It means that something is absolutely not clear at all! For example if you have attended a lecture and afterwards you still have no idea on the subject you may say that now it is as clear as mud!

3.     Dull as ditchwater – is a very old saying, dating back to the 1700’s. It is used to describe a person or object that is extremely boring. You could use it to describe a film that you have found tedious to watch, an acquaintance or an item of clothing. This saying is still used frequently, although a more modern take on it is “as dull as dishwater”, which it is believed came into use in the 1900’s.

4.    All singing, all dancing – If you have a piece of machinery, like a car or computer, which is all singing, all dancing, then you have the top of the range model with many impressive features. You may be surprised to learn that the origin of this saying is from the posters used to publicise the 1929 film “Broadway Melody”. This film, the first musical, was described as “all talking, all singing, all dancing”.      

5.    Chickens come home to roost – When chickens come home to roost it is payback time for the bad deeds someone has done in the past. This saying has been around in some form for about 700 years and suggests a similar idea to karma, that bad actions will come back to cause trouble for, or haunt a person.

6.    Economical with the truth – if someone is being economical with the truth, they are not usually actually telling lies, but more likely withholding some information to tell a story that supports their version of events. It is often used to describe politicians when talking about the economy (or anything else for that matter!).  

7.    Heard it through the grapevine – If you have heard something through the grapevine then you have heard it in an informal way, often gossip or rumour. The idea is that as a grapevine grows and spreads out quickly, in the same way gossip is passed from person to person. It should be pointed out that the “grapevine” is not always 100% correct and stories tend to be embellished as they are past from person to person.

8.    Jump on the bandwagon – to jump on the bandwagon is to support a movement or follow a fashion that has recently become popular. However, when using this expression there is often the underlying notion thought that a person has done this because in some way it will be advantageous for them.

9.    Chip off the old block – this describes a person who is very similar in character, looks or ways to one of their parents, usually but not exclusively their father. You could say something like “Look at George organising everyone, he’s just like his Dad, a real chip off the block”.  

10.    A red rag to a bull – if the mention of something is enough to enrage a person it is often said that it is like a red rag to a bull. For example you could say “Don’t mention the cuts in education to John; it’s like a red rag to a bull”. The person knows that even the mention of this will make John upset and angry. In recent times this saying has sometimes been abbreviated to like a red rag......everyone knows what this means.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my top ten favourite sayings. Please let me know some of yours, or if you have heard a saying and you are not sure of the meaning I will do my best to explain.  

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New Year Resolutions

So here we are on the 2^nd January 2014, and I wonder how many of us have given up on our New Year’s resolutions already? I have to say I am still going strong and hope that I can at last beat the smoking habit, but I know it will be a bumpy road!

The tradition of making promises of self improvement has a long history. It is believed that the ancient Babylonians began the New Year by making promises to their gods that they would repay debts and return any borrowed items. Today they resolutions often focus on a person’s self improvement. It may be that an individual decides to lose weight, cut down on their consumption of alcohol or, like me, try and give up smoking. Alternatively, it may be that he or she resolves to do something positive to improve physical or mental health, such as join a yoga class or sports team, or learn a foreign language.  Others may decide to look at their finances and resolve to get a better paid job, start saving for a family holiday or pay off debts and start living within their budget. Others still may resolve to make regular donations to a charity they support or volunteer to help out in some way that will make a difference.

There will be a lot of us, millions (if not billions) across the world, who will have made a New Year’s resolution. Unfortunately, many people will fail. I have seen some statistics that suggest only between 8% - 12% of people actually achieve what they set out to do. Personally I think many of these who fail probably set their goals a little too high to begin with, you know “I want to be a size 8, have a fabulous, high paid job and travel the world,” may be just a bit too much to aim for in one year! If you really want to keep to your resolution best to set yourself small goals, for example if you want to lose weight look at losing 2-3lb a week, rather than stating I need to lose 4 stone by next year.  Set achievable targets that can be measured and slowly but surely you will start to see the effects you desire.

However, to me the failure rate of New Years resolutions is not really important, if we all achieved all our goals this year what would we do next year or the year after? No, what I think is important is that every year we feel optimistic about the start of a New Year. We plan and resolve to bring about changes to improve ourselves, our lives and the lives of others. That says to me that even in these days of unrest and discontentment that we are still hoping and planning for a better future -now that is something to celebrate!       

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