The Popularity of Modern Acrylic Canvas Art

Closed | December 9th, 2009 | Posted in Arts

Acrylic paint is a modern media when compared with watercolour and oil. Oil for example has been used by artists as far back at the 15th century and watercolour has been used as an artist medium since the Renaissance. With such history of these other two mediums, acrylic is always fighting to gain recognition. Acrylic has distinct characteristics as oil and watercolour do and the National Acrylic Painters’ Association was set up in 1985 to champion and support this media. Acrylic is capable of the widest range of approaches of any artist media and enables even more creativity, fresh ideas and progression. Artwork has been created in acrylic paint but artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, Bridget Riley and David Hockney to name just a few.

There are now a huge number of artists producing canvas artwork using acrylics and making the optimum use of this versatile media. It has enabled canvas art to be bought by a wider audience due to its fast drying nature and artwork can be created much quicker so a real business can be made out of acrylic artwork. Exhibitions have been in such prestigious venues as the Westminster Gallery and the Durham Art Gallery solely exhibiting and championing acrylic work. Books have been written purely on the characteristics of acrylic paint such as “New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World’s Most Versatile Medium” by Nancy Reyner and “The New Acrylics:Complete Guide to the New Generation of Acrylic Paints.

Not everyone has the money to buy modern canvas artwork produced by famous artists so it has enabled the not so famous but equally as talented new artists to produce work and be successful selling them. Canvas art is quite dramatic as the medium used is either oil or acrylic paint. Both achieve high depth in colour and on a bright white wall, a piece of canvas artwork on a stretched canvas frame has maximum impact.

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Portable Building Sales awarded a contract to supply two modular buildings to the Coventry Primary Care Trust

0 | December 8th, 2009 | Posted in Business

Portable Building Sales recently won a contract to supply two modular buildings to the Coventry Primary Care Trust.

The first modular building we installed as a temporary walk in centre, was a used 6 bay modular building.

Prior to arrival on site, jackpad foundations were used to erect the building instead of traditional concrete foundations.

Portable Building Sales have agreed to purchase the building back after the Primary Care Trust no longer have a use for the building and in addition will also purchase the jackpad foundations leaving a clear and clean car park area once again.

The Portable Building Sales “buy back” scheme ensures that the building is removed safely, professionally and to the current Health & Safety and CDM regulations. They ensure that the Primary Care Trust has no disposal problems and receives payment for the building before it is removed.

Portable Building Sales Ltd is one of the few companies in the UK to provide this type of service.

The used steel framed modular building that was supplied consists of six plastic coated steel modules which have white Upvc double glazed windows. The building also has a plasterboard lined ceiling and walls and a double thickness plywood floor.

This used modular building was decorated internally, cleaned externally and reinstated electrically to the latest regulations.

This temporary modular walk in centre building complies with the current Part L2A 2006 building regulations and is extremely environmentally friendly as it only uses 3% of the energy required to manufacture an equivalent new modular building. This is because the embodied energy is transportable and therefore can be relocated to a new site.

Also there are significant cost savings to the client and in this instance the tax payer as well, as this building was approximately a third of the cost of an equivalent new manufactured modular building.

Portable Buildings completed the installation of this building within four weeks from the date of order and to the client’s complete satisfaction.

Even though this modular building is pre-owned, Portable Building Sales still provide a 12 months guarantee with the building.

Portable Building Sales provided the Coventry Primary Care Trust with complete peace of mind throughout the process of attending meetings, submission of our Health & Safety plans, supply and installation of the used modular building, arrangement of the crane, to even organising the transportation and temporary traffic management to enable the building to be off loaded from a road adjacent to the site.

For more information please visit http://www.portablebuildingsales.co.uk or telephone 01482 656590

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The Winter Wonderland of Cumbria – the Lake District

0 | December 8th, 2009 | Posted in Travel

There are a variety of reasons why the Lake District is a great place to visit in the autumn and winter months. Starting with autumn and the colours in the landscape are simply beautiful. Browns, reds, oranges and yellows shower the roads, fields and fells. An excellent time for artists and photographers to visit the Lake District.

Moving to November and December and the Lake District is lucky to have a good share of those spectacular bright sunny winter days when the air is at its crispest. On days like these, you can see for miles and they are excellent times to go walking or to visit the area for a short break. In November especially, there are some great offers available in Lake District hotels. For those wanting a real escape and complete tranquillity, November is ideal.

January celebrates the New Year, recharges the batteries after a hectic, over indulgent Christmas and can be one of the best value short breaks you have. The Lake District is becoming a popular choice in January. There are many activities to do in the Lake District along with the possibility of snow still being on the fells. As with hotels and leisure accommodation throughout the country, Cumbria hotels and Lake District hotels have excellent rates for January as it is traditionally thought to be the quietest month of the year. This enables the consumer to enjoy short breaks in the Lake District at fabulous prices, much needed after Christmas but especially when everyone is being hit by the economic crisis.

Savvy travellers are noticing the great value deals to be had in the winter months. Holidays are quite often being thought about and planned for spring and summer but waiting until then without a break is too long. A short break in the Lake District can combine a much needed break with the chance to go canoeing, sailing, walking, mountaineering, fell running, cycling, the list goes on. The most popular, cheapest and most accessible is walking on the hundreds of fells in the Lake District. Wainwright alone walked and wrote about 214 of them but there are many further smaller fells allowing walkers of any age or ability to sample what the English Lake District is famous for.

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Eden Valley – A beautiful corner of England

Closed | November 2nd, 2009 | Posted in Travel

The Eden Valley is a beautiful, yet little known area in Cumbria, which lies between the Lake District National Park and the North Pennines ‐ an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To the North of the Eden Valley lies Carlisle and Hadrian’s Wall, whilst to the South you will find the fabulous Yorkshire Dales.

There is an excellent choice of accommodation available within Eden including hotels, guest houses, Cumbrian cottages and caravan parks. Away from the main holiday season many of the Lake District self catering cottages offer the flexibility of short breaks rather than just whole weeks, so visitors can enjoy a long weekend in the area and perhaps buy some fresh local produce to cook yourself at the property. However, your eating requirements are catered for by the many excellent restaurants and traditional pubs that reflect the local flavour.

Historic Penrith, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Northern Lakes”, is the major town in the Eden Valley, with a good mix of traditional shops selling locally made products and crafts, including famed Cumberland Sausage and Penrith Toffee.

When it comes to places to visit during your stay the Eden Valley offers a wide range of historic houses, castles, gardens, craft workshops, galleries and museums. In fact there are over seventy visitor attractions in Eden. For the more active there are many sporting facilities including sailing, windsurfing, horse riding, golf, squash, tennis and fishing.

One of the area’s key activities is Appleby Horse Fair, which takes place every June. The Horse Fair gathers together travelling folk from all over the country, buying and selling horses, keeping alive a 300 year old tradition. This is Britain’s largest gypsy gathering, with hundreds of tradition horse‐drawn caravans converge on nearby Gallows Hill.

Walkers will find Eden is wonderful walking country, either a leisurely walk along river banks and lake shore or you can take to the higher paths over the Pennines and Lake District fells. In fact, the Pennine Way National Trail reaches into the Eden Valley at Appleby‐in‐Westmorland as it winds its way towards Scotland. Cyclists can follow the coast to coast (C2C) and Cumbria Cycle Way, both routes are clearly marked along the way.

The River Eden provides challenging fishing, and has in place a “Go Wild” scheme to enable visitors to try wild fishing on the river.

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Lake District Weddings

0 | October 13th, 2009 | Posted in Shopping

The Lake District Hotels Group is still attracting strong demand for wedding bookings despite the effect of the recession. The recent wedding fairs at The Lodore Falls Hotel and Inn on the Lake attracted over 650 of mothers and ‘brides to be’ – which only goes to highlight the importance of the Lake District as a wedding venue.

Kit Graves, Director of luxury Lake District Hotels Group said “We decided to hold a Wedding Fayre at the Lodore Falls Hotel because it gives us the chance to show off the venue and is real opportunity for our Chefs to show off their culinary skills; offering taster samples from our wedding menus and displaying some of THE most temptingly delicious deserts. Chef Nigel Harper was the most popular man on the day – in charge of the tasting sessions and there were queues for one to one chats.

With such a large turnout of mothers and brides to be, there is no doubt that Lake District Hotels are still a firm favourite for Lake District weddings – despite the current climate  There were over 40 different stall holders at the event – all of whom received serious enquiries from couples marrying in the next couple of years.
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Lake District Inns Gourmet Fine Dining weekends are back!

0 | October 13th, 2009 | Posted in Travel

Back by popular demand are the Lake District Inns Gourmet Fine Dining and Wine tasting weekends.  Lake District Inns will be hosting these nights during November, December & January at The King’s Head Hotel at Thirlmere near Keswick.  An opportunity for a winter break and fantastic value for money.

The weekend will comprise of bed and breakfast accommodation on the Friday night with the option of dinner in the St John’s Restaurant or the Bar Restaurant.  On Saturday evening the night will start with aperitifs and canapés being served in the residents lounge.  A four course meal will then be served in St John’s Restaurant with a wide variety of fine wines from Pagendam Pratt to accompany each dish.  The menu will consist of locally sourced produce such as venison, rabbit and beef. After your meal, coffee and petit fours will be served in the residents lounge with roaring coal fires and good company.
The head chef, David Green has designed the gourmet weekend menu. Following a three year apprenticeship at the renowned Connaught Hotel in London, David’s international career has taken him to Bermuda, Canada and throughout the UK. Having completed a season at the Sharrow Bay Ullswater, David has returned to the Kings Head Hotel in the Lake District with the aim of regaining the two AA Rosettes he achieved for the hotel in 2001.
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Art in Keswick The Lake District

0 | October 13th, 2009 | Posted in Travel

Keswick in the English Lake District has built itself up as quite a centre for art.

Keswick , over the years, has become a haven for artists and galleries. The scenery surrounding the town of Keswick makes this statement easy to understand. There are a number of artists that have made a move to the area permanently.

Keswick is in the centre of the some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. On one side there is Skiddaw loaming over at an incredible height of 3054 feet above sea level, the fourth highest mountain in the Lake District and on the other side the tranquillity of Derwentwater. Skiddaw dominates the skyline around this area and is a sight to behold. It is not craggy like many Lakeland fells but somewhat undulating.

Over the other side and the picturesque Borrowdale valley which is dominated by the 3 mile long lake of Derwentwater. There are easily accessible points to get down to the lake with a path that runs all around the shore. It is a very popular area with lovers of all activities and it is one of the few pieces of water in the Lake District that has retained its peaceful atmosphere. Watercolour and oil enthusiasts alike are drawn to this area.

When looking around the art galleries in Keswick, it is apparent that not all the pieces are traditional landscape paintings. The light and landscape creates inspiration for other subjects of art and other forms of arts and crafts such as jewellery, sculpture, ceramics and photography.

Visitors to Keswick that stay in one of the many Keswick hotels can look around one of the many galleries in Keswick or its surrounding area which is always useful as Keswick is one of the wettest places in the UK!

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The Lake District – An Ideal Conference Venue

0 | September 24th, 2009 | Posted in Travel

Conferencing is a high revenue market within the hotel industry. It is an added business avenue which also brings in revenue during the day through day delegate rates. It also brings guests in throughout the week days which can be of great needs for some hotels which are heavily weekend orientated.

The Lake District is known for its peacefulness, tranquillity and scenery so what better place to hold a conference or even more so, a team building event. The Lake District is geared up for team building activities with a good choice of companies that hold day and week events. The events range from full on outdoor pursuits such as abseiling and mountaineering to strategic and theoretical activities so they can be held both indoors and outdoors which helps should the weather not be favourable. These events can also be held at hotels Lake District. All these factors can really make a difference to a team building or conference event and bring the best out of employees. Some companies also hold group interviews in the Lake District conference venues.

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Hot Water Cylinders

Closed | June 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Home & Garden

There are 5 main types of hot water cylinder available. Each with different operating methods and for different purposes.

Unvented:
Unvented Cylinders work off the mains pressure water, and therefore use the water mains pressurised system to move the domestic hot water around the property, and so eliminates the need for a header tank in the loft.

Unvented Cylinders offer higher hot water flow rates, and are therefore able to provide higher water pressure for showers, baths etc.  As an Unvented Cylinder does not require a feeder tank, this frees up valuable space in the loft area, and also gives you the option to site the Cylinder anywhere you want thus freeing up further space in your airing cupboard.

Unvented Cylinders are generally manufactured out of top quality stainless steel, this ensures long life and durability, and Unvented Cylinders can also carry a manufacturer’s guarantee of up to 25 years. E.g. the Gledhill cylinders range.  Other Manufacturer’s guarantees may vary.
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Lake District Fishing Holidays

Closed | June 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Travel

The Lake District is an ideal place for fishing enthusiasts with such a wealth of lakes, tarns, rivers and the sea, together with a selection of well-stocked fisheries. So whether you are fishing for salmon, pike, carp or trout you should definitely choose Cumbria – the Lake District and combine tremendous Lake District fishing with breathtaking scenery that includes some of England’s highest mountains.

Whether you are a beginner or a highly experienced angler you will find the region has plenty to offer when it comes to Lake District fishing. The more adventurous may enjoy experiencing one of the region’s many hill tarns, or fly fishing on say, the river Eden, or perhaps boat fishing on one of the lakes, or even sea fishing. For the less experienced why not combine you activity break with some expert tuition from one of the area’s qualified instructors. You could also combine tuition with a visit to one of the fisheries, such as Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery and many Lake District hotels offer special fishing breaks along with all the information required on fishing in the Lake District.
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Guest House in Windermere

Closed | June 1st, 2009 | Posted in Travel

A warm and friendly welcome awaits you at Firgarth Guest House in Windermere. Firgarth is an elegant Victorian house built in Lakeland stone around 1875, with views to the rear over Wynlass Beck.

Firgarth Windermere Guest House has the advantage of car parking, and is situated just a short walk from Windermere centre, with its many shops and restaurants and rail/bus station. We make an ideal base for touring, walking or just a relaxing break at any time of year.

Just take a 15 minute walk through ‘Millerground’ to the shores of Lake Windermere or alternatively climb to ‘Orrest Head’ from where stunning views of Lake Windermere and Morecombe Bay can be enjoyed.

Firgarth offers eight bedrooms comprising of double, single, four poster and king size double which are all ensuite. All rooms are centrally heated and decorated in a combination of modern and traditional design, all have colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and a range of toiletries.

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Hawkshead Cottages

Closed | June 1st, 2009 | Posted in Travel

Borwick Fold Cottages are situated in Hawkshead, near Ambleside at the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, high above a tranquil, pastoral valley, with superb panoramic mountain views. Surrounded by fells, lakes, tarns, woodland, ancient hamlets and villages and with its land managed for wildlife, it offers a superb base for many outdoor activities, and in which to unwind. Our visitors return again and again.

Three rather special Ambleside cottages have been imaginatively converted from the barn and stables of our 17th century farmhouse. The Hawkshead cottages are set above a quiet country lane [National Grid Reference: 33420,49970] on the edge of Black Fell [a ‘Wainwright’ fell] close to Tarn Hows, near Hawkshead.

Each of the Hawkshead cottages has its own individual character and is centrally heated for all year round comfort. Benches outside the cottages and on the fell side, as well as the al-fresco dining area and barbecue, make an ideal location in which to absorb the peace and tranquillity of the area whilst enjoying the views and abundant wildlife.

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